WXPN 88.5FM Reviews Sensitive Chaos 'Amerisynthecana'

Using synthesizers and electronic percussion Jim Combs, recording
under the name Sensitive Chaos, presents his wonderful musical vision
on AMERISYNTHECANA (59'53"). AMERISYNTHECANA features nine tracks, and
very nearly nine different approaches to making instrumental music.

Much to Combs' credit this album travels through a number of styles,
moods and energy levels - to such an extent that listeners may have
trouble keeping up. Where Combs chooses to explore timbre and texture
he leaves us suspended within iridescent, quiet sonorities. His
minimalistic sequencer patterns run in fascinating mechanical
repetitions as the music moves fast and slow simultaneously -
resolving, then dissolving into the motion of chilly synth chords. 

The hotter tracks on AMERISYNTHECANA are delightfully Prog-Influenced.
Combs executes this mode with precision as these tightly arranged,
fully-formed works seem quite exotic next to the more sedate
mind-slowing sections. Perhaps what helps connect all this music is
the agile leads produced by Brian Good on soprano saxophone. On the
more upbeat compositions his wonderful playing lends weight to this
otherwise ethereal affair, while on the spacey/ambient realizations
Good's processed echoing reed solos contrast Combs'
electro-soundscapes with an arresting acoustic element. 

All through the AMERISYNTHECANA landscape Combs and Good interact with each other
melodically, as well as with Tony Gerber on EWI and Christian Birk on
synthesizer. The result is a diversity of very well executed music.
Let us hope that fans of EM welcome this idea into their listening
space - with its tight grooves, long tones and everything in between.
And also hope that Combs and his outfit continue to find new wonders
in their instruments, and in each other.

Please tune in to STAR'S END this weekend for music from
AMERISYNTHECANA the latest album by Sesitive Chaos

For more on AMERISYNTHECANA, please access: http://www.sensitivechaos.com

View the video: "Seeker After Patterns" (2011), featuring music by
Sensitive Chaos: http://youtu.be/JcOmOuaDqD0

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