Panama Fleets is concentrating luxuriantly on texture and ambience here and is certainly not failing to achieve that goal. With percussive sounds taking a bit of a back seat for most tracks, the nostalgic, emotional powers drive through with such passion and striking achievement. The beautiful, intense, nostalgic synthesis and hazy guitars will evoke the place in your mind that we all possess. A place where the sunlight shone just right through the trees, or airplane window, and was captured within the redness of your minds eye for eternity.
The New Dawn of Aviation :: Let Your Ears Take Flight
There was once a period in my life when I hardly ever listened to newly released music. My ears had been grounded. The established artists I had most confidence in got my money. They would never disappoint. My advice to any reader, ‘don’t allow yourself to become like this’. This attitude within me has completely U-turned. In the last year or so I’ve been frantically listening to music from the past that I either missed, or wasn’t around to witness and I’m equally eager to listen to the new sounds from the musicians of today.
The motto of igloomag is ‘Release your ears’—Well, my ears have not only been released, but with the discovery of Panama Fleets new album Magick Window & The Stone Tapes (two “re-engineered” EP’s) my ears have reached new heights. When I heard it, I couldn’t throw my cash at it quickly enough.
This album sounds like a homage to the pinnacle of the aviation industry. Everything about it sounds like the open air. The inspirational sky that has had the same aesthetic appeal since the dinosaurs roamed.
The opening track “Destination Fornebu” begins with atmospheric pad sound with a subtle sample mentioning a nine o’clock flight? It’s quite a jaunty piece with a very well thought out structure and an extremely suitable bassline. It’s melodic enough to feel happy and positive. A great opener that fills me with excitement. What else could possibly be next? By the time the second track starts “Jet Fuel Perfume” the album has already confirmed this audio/visual dream. I am seven years old again, on the first ever flight I took. Monarch Airlines 1987 to Tenerife.
In a time when aviation seems to be taking a big hit with climate change issues, aircraft recalls and now people cancelling their holidays out of fear of virus infected airplanes, it’s pleasing to remember the days when I first remember flying. The orange, yellow, and brown stripes of (defunct as of October 2017) Monarch Airlines, the gift catalog full of cigarette ads, the lovely air hostesses and their offers of more tea or coffee, the small dinner trays offering single service food and of course the model aircraft my mum bought me of the plane I was sitting on. It seems weird to think that back in 1987 we could still light up a cigarette on an airplane. I couldn’t because I was seven, but my dad could, and did.
There is obvious clear and cut inspiration here from the likes of Christ. or Boards of Canada. But with such well produced and expressive music, I don’t think I am at fault in saying that Panama Fleets could possibly give the more established artists a run for their money. The detail is pretty spectacular. “Ghost in the Jukebox” starts off with ‘Rhodes’ style weathered overtones which resolve into a colorful array when a lead synth is introduced. It really is a visual feat. When listening to this a few times the familiar phrase ‘oh my god’ kept sounding off in my head.
Panama Fleets is concentrating luxuriantly on texture and ambience here and is certainly not failing to achieve that goal. With percussive sounds taking a bit of a back seat for most tracks, the nostalgic, emotional powers drive through with such passion and striking achievement. The stand out track for me has to be “Spectral Expo ’67.” I think if I was caught off guard listening to this track I would be reduced to tears. Its beauty almost feels painful. In fact—I’ll drop the act, I was reduced to tears. What an ending!
Some tracks offer a jolly relief. “Everything you Ape Is A Baboon” which I must admit is a little too close a reference to Boards Of Canada for me, both in sound and title. But, maybe it is there just to reference a band this musician loves and there’s nothing wrong in that is there? Plus the samples keep it interesting to the point that it’s not too offensive.
Closing this review I will summarize in saying that this is pretty special. Somewhere exists a phrase or string of words that will make all of you listen and hopefully purchase this album, because I certainly can not wait to listen to more. This is already my album so far of 2020 (although it was released December 2019). The beautiful, intense, nostalgic synthesis and hazy guitars will evoke the place in your mind that we all possess. A place where the sunlight shone just right through the trees, or airplane window, and was captured within the redness of your minds eye for eternity.
Music like this fills me with hope. Hope for the future of miracle minds. Hope that the industry of aviation transcends into something new and sustainable for future generations to come. Then maybe, if I’m lucky enough to reach 80 and my ears are still functional. I’ll be listening to the music that recalls some other age of prosperity that we’re all yet to see. Pay attention. This is nourishing food and will be good for you.
Magick Window & The Stone Tapes is available on Sparkwood.
