Genre: Minimalism/ Ambient/Free Folk/ Prog Electronica

01 Brent Mini & Eric Lampton - vast active living intelligence system
(synchronicity music) - Philip K. Dick: VALIS
02 Iamheard - Hongistola - F. E. Sillanpää: Ihmiselon ihanuus ja kurjuus
03 Santtu Hirvikorpi - komake - Yasunari Kawabata: Yukiguni
04 Palvelu - toinen laulu - Comte de Lautréamont: Les Chants de Maldoror
05 Haute Cuisine - Une saison en enfer - Arthur Rimbaud: Une Saison en Enfer
06 Robert Horton - "I am not a centipede", said mary poppins - P. L. Travers: Mary Poppins
07 Vellamo - Mirdja - L. Onerva: Mirdja
08 Alligator Crystal Moth - White Lillies - Henry David Thoreau: Walden
09 Hydor Kephale - Gothic Knife Rules - The Bible: The Gospel of Luke
10 Marko Marin - Virtahevon kuolema - Tommy Hellsten: Virtahepo olohuoneessa

The label is unknown to me, and so are the artists involved in this Cdr compilation. "Reading Sounds" is various musicians interpretations of literature. The idea does not make me curious though, so I hope the music will prove it self. I am not in the mood for some half assed folk project right now, the cover is the cause of this fear with it's medieval theme.

I press play and the first track takes me by surprise. It's a minimalist and isolated electronic track. It very interesting and well done. So I wonder why on earth they had to squeeze that horrible computerized voice in at the end...that ruined it completely and what started out as a mature and compelling track, ended silly. Shame. From here it really doesn't pick up... The production on track two is so poor it's hard to even listen to. And the sound level has not been well mastered, that makes me turn the volume up and down through out the entire CD. Did track 2 end? It was much to short to leave an impression. Track 3 is more fascinating taking me to the far east, Japan to be specific. It's very well done, obviously a talented musician with a nerve for melancholy and subtle atmospheres. It's not a magnificent piece of work, but it's the best so far. Track 4 ... I don't get track 4. A drum machine in the background, and a breathless, off key and anaemic vocal does not help. At all. A soft spoken word approach would have taken this track in a whole new direction, the soft synth piano adds to the misery. And the track ends abruptly as if part of the track was cut short by mistake. Oh lord. OK, track 5. It's a pleasant folk track with elements of drones and the ethereal. By now I am scared the track will suddenly change into something weird based on what I've heard so far, and I am glad to inform you it does not. It's a calming little number. Track 6. Also a interesting track, giving off a much more tactile vibe due to accordion and xylophone (?). This track like it's predecessor stays calm and focused mastering the skill of minimalism. I really enjoy this and I have to look more into name here.

Track 7 plagues me with a horrible off key guitar, and again the mastering is total shite. No Sir, you are not arty, you cannot pull this off. To me it sounds like someone practising guitar for the first time. I don't like it when my neighbours do that, and I certainly don't want to spend time listening to it on CD. Track 8 then. This is the most experimental so far with experimental jazz and noise elements combined with folk vibes. It's very chaotic yet structured and I have to say this is my fav track. I can imagine this would be an interesting live project as the noise ending seems improvised. Well done. This track also ends abruptly how ever. Track 9 would benefit from the same as track 4: Loose the horrible vocals. The soundscapes are interesting and well done, but the manipulated and drowned vocals drags the track down beyond salvation I am afraid. Cred for being the longest track though. I do enjoy tracks 6 minutes or longer and this runs 10 mins ++. Track 10 ...well.....this track could actually have been quite cool with it's 70's and 80's horror film vibes. It makes me think of various Dario Argento scenes and I love that. But I can't tell if they went for the 70's vibe with intent. If they did then kudos for trying.

So all in all folks this is not something I would recommend to anyone. It's a very tedious listen, crappy mastering and production. I don't enjoy a crystal crisp production, but an even level in volume is the minimum criteria. The tracks are so schizophrenic and poorly done for the most part, it was triying listening to the entire CD with a couple of exceptions. Skip this release and go straight for the artist whom I feel did a good job. Maybe some pearls will wait for you there, You will not find them in this release I can tell you that..