With Sleep Cycle, Brannan Lane has crafted an atmospheric gem -- a new page in the book of ambient/space/atmospheric music, as well as new direction in Lane's compositional style. If you're not familiar with Lane's earlier ambient efforts, The Lost Caves of Thera and Troposphere, then this is definitely the best place to start, as his compositional style and production are in peak form. Lane's choice of timbre is always terrific, and it's at its best in Sleep Cycle. Lane's use of the variable-speed tape player as a sort of postmodern ambient instrument is really enjoyable. Incidentally, Robert Rich's early recording made great use of variable-speed tape players to a very similar, and equally pleasing, sonic effect; actually, the variable-speed player fits just as well in ambient, à la Rich's early work, but John Cage's "Imaginary Landscape" works and Pierre Schaeffer's musique concrète come to mind as well. Thematically, this record is based on the varying stages of sleep; unfortunately, comparisons will be drawn to Rich's work, particularly his most recent Somnium, but Lane has his own voice here and his own sound. This is Lane's first truly atmospheric ambient work, and one worthy of the highest accolades. Sleep Cycle consists of ten tracks, but they run together cohesively as if they were one long-running whole. This is a stellar recording and one that will surely stand the test of time.
© Matt Borghi /TiVo