The Album
I define the songs on Don't Open Till Doomsday
as a muted kaleidoscope of electronic melancholia.
The colours may be dulled but I find that ironically inspiring. From
the outset the themes were consciously to be ones of isolation and alienation,
of sadness, loss and despair. Having said that, I know it will attract
a certain type of mind frame and eliminate others but in doing so I
am relating to these people who really want to listen.
The songs I believe take on a different atmosphere depending on the
environment they're listened in. On a hot, bright summer's day they
may appear almost invisible, but in the confines of a secluded
and dark space they reconstitute themselves in the form I had
intended for them. I think they work best heard in one sitting.
The sound is layered with analog synths, which I adore,
and often with only sparse rhythms mixed in with digital textures and
effects. More strident beats when they do appear are vital and dominant.
As a lover of vocoders that electronically mutate the
voice, I have them featured on a number of tracks, most notably, Burning
in my Hands.
The album was produced in the modest home studio I affectionately call
Room with a View. It is just that. I face a window looking out onto
the street watching people go back and forth all day long. This meshing
of work and voyeurism has resulted at least in one song on the album,
Gloomy Sunday.
Influences On The Album
As a songwriter I have eclectic musical
interests that span decades but many do not necessarily resonate in
any obvious way in the works I produce. In defining the musical influences
that inform, to varying degrees, the creative output of Alien
Skin, I list here some of the more or less recent releases
that continue to impact upon my work and especially on Don't
Open Till Doomsday.
In no particular order: the cinematic charm of Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp;
the return to form of Depeche Mode on Playing the Angel;
the infectious electronics of Ladytron - notably their
first two albums 604 and Light & Magic; a little older but still
vital, Underworld's Second Toughest in the Infants;
the seminal and essential Kraftwerk who's minimalist
soundtracks transcend decades, and old skool Tangerine Dream.
Free Additional Bonus Songs
For buyers of the CD I have included 2
extra songs available as 192kbps high quality MP3 downloads.for
buyers of the CD 2 FREE bonus songs are yours as high quality MP3 downloads
Using your CD barcode number you will be referred to a URL from which
to download. It's all explained on the order
page.
During the writing and construction sessions for the album, quite a
few songs were begun and for one reason or another never reached completion.
Since the mastering and manufacture of the CD I have finalised two more
of my favourites and they are now exclusively available as a limited
time offer.
You can listen to After the Funeral and 1000
Feet Below on the listen page.
They are a continuation of the mood and ambience of the songs on Don't
Open Till Doomsday.
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