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Carter Tutti
Feral Vapours of the Silver Ether

Posted: Wednesday, January 09, 2008
By: David E. Flick

After many plays of Feral Vapours of the Silver Ether, it's hard to believe that Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti are half of the collective once called "The wreckers of civilization." This album is truly a masterpiece; soft, haunting, reflective, and ethereal. This really is the perfect soundtrack to the winter season, but don't let that alienate you from this duo's more legendary roles in Throbbing Gristle. Immediately off the bat with track one, TG fans will hear similar parallels in sounds between "So Slow the Knife" and moments from TG's 2007 opus Part Two: The Endless Not. The difference is that you could have your in-laws over for dinner and put on Feral Vapours... right next to Enya or Tangerine Dream. So the TG fan will hear familiar sounds, but where TG is suppose to disturb you and come from a more darker perspective, Feral Vapours... will pick you up, warm you, and lull you into some beautiful trance. Cosey's vocals and arrangements are so immaculate that one cannot help but envision her in some cloak in a snow covered forest telling you everything is going to be okay. Parts of this record bring to mind the film noir setting from Vangelis' Blade Runner soundtrack to more cinematic soundscapes that are both organic and yet somehow cold. Chris Carter provides his genius behind synthetic rhythms that used to be more techno-oriented, but are now more subdued and engaging. The pair does an amazing job of mixing electronics with very organic elements like a classical ensemble and Tutti's English accent. The compositions are nearly flawless with perfect placement of glorious melodies and synthesizers. Tutti's trademark guitar work makes an appearance here and there, but it's so amazing how tame and harmonic it works in the mix. This release really shows how after making music longer than many of us have been alive, Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti are masters of their craft. Anyone looking for an introverted but truly beautiful record should get this; fans of ambient, trip hop, new age, and ethereal will fall in love with this record and find themselves daydreaming. Now, how many albums have made you daydream?