Description
#emeralds #vinyl #vinylrecords
Cleveland’s innovative neo-kosmische band, Emeralds, burst into the mainstream in 2010 with their mind-bending album ‘Does it Look Like I’m Here?’. Originally released by Editions Mego, this remastered version now includes seven bonus tracks, featuring remixes by Daphne. Before the release of this album, Emeralds enjoyed a dedicated following within the underground music scene. Praised by bloggers, fanzines, and DIY artists on both sides of the Atlantic, they inspired a new wave of musicians to explore the realms of kosmische music. Alongside artists like Oneohtrix Point Never, Emeralds ignited a millennial fascination with the likes of Deuter, Klaus Schulze, and Cluster, which still resonates today. The release of ‘Does it Look Like I’m Here?’ came as a surprise to many fans. Gone were the ethereal, dreamlike drones of their debut album, ‘Solar Bridge’, as well as their intricate collection of tapes and collaborations. Instead, the band presented a fusion of analog and digital sounds, incorporating shimmering synth sequences and captivating sci-fi themes. The lo-fi recording style that defined their earlier work had now been replaced by a glossy, polished production, drawing influences from contemporary dance and IDM as well as the digital minimalism of the 80s. The opening track, ‘Candy Shoppe’, perfectly encapsulates this newfound clarity, with Mark McGuire’s distorted guitar blending seamlessly with Steve Hauschildt and John Elliott’s rhythmic arpeggios and ambient pads. Although unusual at the time, this cleaner sound now aligns perfectly with the band’s artistic evolution, a fact evident in their final album before their hiatus, 2012’s ‘Just To Feel Anything’. Throughout ‘Does it Look Like I’m Here?’, standout tracks like the anthemic ‘Double Helix’ and the sprawling ‘Genetic’ showcase the band’s mastery, propelling their Berlin school influences into a neon cloud of 80s Americana. As sweet as a late-night gas station Twinkie, yet as salty as a late-night pizza delivery, these tracks remain some of the band’s finest work. With the addition of bonus material, this reissue bridges any gaps in Emeralds’ discography. Notably, the lengthy “rehearsal” version of ‘Genetic’ takes the listener on a journey through rock-infused territory, blending into buzzing, dissonant synths, jagged guitar sounds, and culminating with a jubilant, reverberating finish. Additionally, an extended rendition of their 2010 track ‘August’ presents a serene and tranquil soundscape. ‘Escape Wheel’, on the other hand, captures the more introspective side of the band, while shorter instrumental experiments like ‘In Love’ and ‘Lake Effect Snow’ perfectly satisfy fans of Emeralds’ early cassette releases. The icing on the cake is undoubtedly Daphni’s two prog-influenced remixes of the album’s title track, originally released in 2012 on his Jiaolong label. These remixes serve as a fitting conclusion to an already extraordinary album. In conclusion, Emeralds’ ‘Does it Look Like I’m Here?’ is a sonic masterpiece. Through their fusion of analog and digital elements, the Cleveland band manages to bridge the past and present, paying homage to traditional kosmische music while incorporating contemporary influences. This remastered edition, enriched with additional tracks and remixes, ensures that fans old and new can fully appreciate Emeralds’ contribution to the world of experimental music.
