"Electronic composer Archer's music is always filled with surprises -- a consequence of his tireless experimentation with sound, his liberal use of chance elements in his compositions, and his rotating cast of musicians and use of unconventional instruments (bassoon, crwth, prepared piano, etc.). On this disk, Archer also works for the first time with the human voice, and the results are predictably stimulating.

This recording represents Archer's collaboration with poet Geraldine Monk, whose poems Archer has set to music. Veteran new music vocalist Tippets is typically on the experimental edge, turning her four songs into abstract but dynamic adventures in vocalese, trilling and wailing to the accompaniment of Archer's rumbling, stuttering electronic treatments. Tippetts offers the listener the greatest challenge, but also perhaps the greatest rewards.

In contrast, Steve Roden's pieces are both vaguely sinister and quietly beautiful. Roden's fragile counter-tenor, combined with Archer's electronic scores (which extend to ghostly enhancements of Roden's voice), are a study in contrast -- the poignant struggles of the human soul within a bleak, futuristic environment. Rachel McCarron and Sedayne combine on their four pieces, with Sedayne also playing crwth, a Welsh stringed instrument somewhat equivalent to a bowed lyre. These pieces are the perhaps most conventionally dramatic, although Sedayne's declamatory vocals may not be to every listener's taste. As always, Archer's electroacoustic treatments and blends of instrumental timbres and textures are fascinating in their own right - a provocative mixture of the random, the alien and the familiar." - Bill Tilland, BBC website

"Sparse, abstract, austere, minimal" - ReR

"The leading idea was to create an electroacoustic song cycle inspired by (or in reaction to) Schubert's lieder. The resulting songs share affinities with the contemporary classical art song and Archer's personal sound world. Dreamy melodies without a harmony frame, abstract electroacoustic pieces topped by words expressing strong, devastating emotions (rooted in Schubert's lyricism, the project implied a certain degree of pathos), these pieces are disquietingly charming. Angel High Wires succeeds in applying Archer's art to a different, song-oriented context, therefore making it as friendly an entry point to his work you'll probably ever find." - François Couture

"The songs are beautiful, evocative haiku-like structures, some describing scenes or emotions, others the fragmentary nature of pure dream-state, which fits the skittering, flighty accompaniment.... Special mention must be made of Steve Roden's voice, which soothes the parts no other Gregorian can reach" - Trevor King, Record Collector

"Marriages of improvisations to lyrical subject matter can often result in a mish mash of concept and delivery. Not so with AHW, a somewhat loose amalgam of verse and sound sculpture....Overall the disk is a symbol of restraint and cautious dialogue between vocalist and accompaniment. The composer's ability to gather disparate performance ideas is commendable". - Jeff Melton, Expose

"Extensive use of ring modulation and collage take it to the realms of Stockhausen-like opera....a challenging experience" - Audion

To see Geraldine's texts for Angel high wires click here.