(Warp/Inertia)

Epic instrumental synth-prog-rock from recent Warp signings

The second album for London via Sydney-based multi-instrumentalists Dave Miller and brothers Laurence and Richard Pike, Pivot’s O Soundtrack My Heart is an exploration in leftfield electronics, intricate studio perfection and raucous rock performance. Taking cues from musical movements such as Krautrock, industrial, new romantic, prog rock and synth pop, O Soundtrack My Heart expands upon such reference points by its coherency as an album project. Primal rock numbers such as In The Blood and Didn’t I Furious merge seamlessly into reductionist synthesiser workouts including Love Like I and Fool In Rain, reflecting a dedication to the craft of a conceptual album genesis.  Where O Soundtrack My Heart primarily succeeds is in its careful attention to detail. In the hands of lesser musicians, the album could have easily been cluttered and unfocused. Although there are undoubtedly moments, such as Nothing Hurts Machine, where referential hommages to electronic music icons such as Vangelis, Brian Eno and Cluster are arguably overshadowed by a feeling of ‘80s revivalist pastiche, suitably abstract divergent paths more often than not shortly follow. Regardless, O Soundtrack My Heart showcases a remarkable depth and progression in Pivot’s work to date.

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ANDREW TUTTLE

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