Topic: Ambient Recommendations.. (Read 7655 times)

Caspian · « **on:** 21 Feb 2007, 06:06 »

I just got Tim Hecker's new album (Harmony in Ultraviolet) and damn, it's so freaking good.. So beautiful and grainy and just awesome!!! Anyway, I'm hoping some dudes and dudettes can tell me of some bands/individuals that do stuff like Tim Hecker, eg. Lots of guitar manipulation, a peaceful/happy mood (not really a big fan of dark ambient) and basically something that's actually quite interesting to listen to. The only other ambient bands I've got are like this are Eluvium and Fennesz, and they're good, but not quite a good, imo. So.. feel free to recommend! Also, buy Tim Hecker's new album!

fish across face · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 06:40 »

Yeah, I bought the Chris Herbert album on Tommy's recommendation and it's really good. Made my signing up worthwhile straight away.

Basically you're asking for microsound that appeals to rock listeners.

You could try Machinefabriek. Try some MP3s from his site. I think the latest album, 'Marijn', is pretty worthwhile.

You could also try Zammuto (one half of The Books, his solo stuff is way more spare and ... nice) and Oren Ambarchi (solo guitar ambio niceness... really deep and not at all distorted... think he's joined SunnO0))))))))?).

Ernest · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 07:12 »

Dude, Clann Zu.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 08:50 »

It sounds like you would really dig Windy & Carl. Start with Depths or the 3-CD singles/rarities collection; both are fantastic.

SeanBateman · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 09:48 »

S-stars of the lid?

They do ambient drone, but they might be darker than you want.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 09:52 »

Stars of the Lid also have some moments on every release that aren't very "interesting to listen to" in my experience. I can listen to Windy & Carl all day (and often have) and never gotten bored. Their layering of guitar wash and use of occasional vocals really puts them as head and shoulders the best ambient act I've heard.

Misereatur · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 10:17 »

Quote from: fish across face on 21 Feb 2007, 06:40

and Oren Ambarchi (solo guitar ambio niceness... really deep and not at all distorted... think he's joined SunnO))).

Ambarchi, O'Malley and Atilla had a trio called Gravtemple Trio. They go on tour sometimes and kick wonderful amounts of ass along the way. I've been to their concert during the summer, Stephen O'Malley is a really nice guy. So is Ambarchi although he's kind of shy. Anyway, Ambarchi's Grapes From the Estate album is highly recommended.

I also like Thomas Koner for some really good Ambient (Zyklops is my favorite album).

Also, the Russian/Israeli Seventeen Migs of Spring (there are a few great albums in the download section. Penetrating Crankshaft are also worth checking out, you get to their page from the Side Projects section).

Oh, also, http://www.topheth.org/

SeanBateman · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 10:27 »

Quote from: zerodrone on 21 Feb 2007, 09:52

Stars of the Lid also have some moments on every release that aren't very "interesting to listen to" in my experience. I can listen to Windy & Carl all day (and often have) and never gotten bored. Their layering of guitar wash and use of occasional vocals really puts them as head and shoulders the best ambient act I've heard.

Have you heard "And the Refinement of Their Decline?" Because it is amazing.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 10:53 »

I have not heard that one. Or even heard of it.

Oh, the OP might like later Pan American, particularly Quiet City.

Tyler · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 15:10 »

I have always enjoyed Boards of Canada for ambient.

McTaggart · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 17:08 »

I wish I could find a copy of Grapes from the Estate.

Loscil's First Narrows album is always nice (also imo their best) for really accessible chilling out background music.
Keith Fullerton Whitman's Recorded in Lisbon is less background music and more something to conciously listen to (if you're patient). This is probably what I'd recommend based on the op.

People think I'm wierd for this one, but Merzbow's softer moments like Sphere played low if you need to are fascinating and almost soothing. Though I've never met anyone else who agrees.

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 17:23 »

if you like tim hecker there is no way you won't love Eluvium's second and third albums and the ep ('Lambent Material', 'Talk Amongst the Trees', and 'When I live by the Garden and the Sea.') when it comes to guitar driven ambiance, this is some of the best stuff I have ever heard. Also check out Helios (similar to Eluvium, and not as good, but still worth checking out) and Hammock. You can't go wrong with those three.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 20:07 »

If we're going to talk about Kranky bands... just order 3/4 of the catalogue.

Loscil, yes... Christmas Decorations... early Labradford (may be too "dark" for the OP)... Clear Horizon (post-FSA + Bailiff)... Magnog... there is a gold mine in them thar hills, boy... collect 'em all.

Storm Rider · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 20:28 »

I think you should check out Earache Records.

It's totally got whatever it is you're looking for.

I'm not lying at all.

amok · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Feb 2007, 21:25 »

Synaesthesia - Ephemeral is a flawless CD. One of the many, many projects of one (or both, I forget) of the Front Line Assembly / Delerium / etc guys.

Other ideas;
Robert Rich / Lustmord - Stalker
Biosphere - Substrata
Raison D'Etre - Requiem For Abandoned Souls

Even though I really wouldn't classify a lot of this stuff as 'ambient', something worth checking out if you want relaxing tunes is this site:

http://www.ambient-nights.org/

The guy makes mixes of chillout tunes and distributes them for free via bit-torrent. Any of the 'ambient nights' sessions are worth a listen; the best by far IMO is #3 so start there and delve further if you enjoy it.

onewheelwizzard · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 02:57 »

I don't know if they quite count but Growing is awesome.

fish across face · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 03:04 »

Oh yeah, Belong sound kinda appropriate too, although they're more like Fennesz than Tim Hecker. Dunno if it's odd, but I find Fennesz's music (going all the way back to the harshest early stuff) much warmer than Tim Hecker's stuff.

I think most of the Kranky catalogue is fairly off-track, but have a go. There's a lot of good stuff in there.

Caspian · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 05:55 »

Quote from: Storm Rider on 21 Feb 2007, 20:28

I think you should check out Earache Records.

It's totally got whatever it is you're looking for.

I'm not lying at all.

Earache is pretty awesome, fo' shizzle. But I think the name gives it away that it's not ambient

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 08:24 »

I would say that Growing count, except that Growing are "ambient played at 11". They seriously have the loudest live show I have ever seen. It actually was painful.

Thrillho · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 15:22 »

The Books.

fish across face · « **Reply #20 on:** 22 Feb 2007, 18:31 »

In what way do you think The Books sound like Tim Hecker?

Thrillho · « **Reply #21 on:** 23 Feb 2007, 13:52 »

I have never listened to Tim Hecker. The title asked for ambient recommendations, and Books are fairly ambient. Problem?

Scytale · « **Reply #22 on:** 23 Feb 2007, 16:05 »

Neptune Towers,

I don't know if their proper ambient but I enjoy their albums a lot.

fish across face · « **Reply #23 on:** 24 Feb 2007, 04:40 »

Quote from: DynamiteKid on 23 Feb 2007, 13:52

I have never listened to Tim Hecker. The title asked for ambient recommendations, and Books are fairly ambient. Problem?

Nah, none whatsoever. I was just baffled as to what connection you were making between The Books and Tim Hecker (or Eluvium or Fennesz).

E. Spaceman · « **Reply #24 on:** 24 Feb 2007, 07:08 »

This thread has gone on too long with no mention of Brian Eno. 'Ambient 1: Music For Airports' is one of the best albums ever recorded.

Thrillho · « **Reply #25 on:** 24 Feb 2007, 08:32 »

Quote from: fish across face on 24 Feb 2007, 04:40

Quote from: DynamiteKid on 23 Feb 2007, 13:52
I have never listened to Tim Hecker. The title asked for ambient recommendations, and Books are fairly ambient. Problem?
Nah, none whatsoever. I was just baffled as to what connection you were making between The Books and Tim Hecker (or Eluvium or Fennesz).

Well then problem solved, as I was making no connections whatsoever.

robert g · « **Reply #26 on:** 02 Mar 2007, 08:19 »

Bumping to Reccomend Harold Budd's "The White Arcades." Eno and Budd produced it together and it's way better than Budd and Eno's other album together, The Plateux of Mirror.

On that note, I also reccomend Harold and Budd's "The Pearl." Fucking gorgeous.

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #27 on:** 02 Mar 2007, 09:16 »

Definetly definetly definetly check out L?ht?. The album 'leaving behind the sun' is amazingly good. If you like Tim Hecker there's no way you won't like L?ht? a very large amount. I have a link to the album somewhere which I can track down and post if anyone's interested. This is really beautiful ambient music.

EDIT:

I'm actually pretty suprised no one has mention Max Richter. His album 'Songs From Before" is really great ambient beauty. I'd also highlt reccomend checking him out if you're a fan of Tim Hecker.

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Author Topic: Ambient Recommendations.. (Read 7655 times)

SeanBateman

SeanBateman

Scytale

robert g