Slow Six specializes in taking the elements of classical and avant-garde music and assembling them into unique, profoundly modern music. Following the release of their second album ?Nor?easter? earlier this year on New Albion, Western Vinyl is now reissuing their debut effort, ?Private Times in Public Places.? The album combines violin, viola, cello, electric organ, guitar, and computer effects for some beautifully arranged, introspective music. As the liner notes state, the three massive tracks are based on ?the tension between structure and sentiment.?

The opening track, ?This is Your Last Chance (Before I Sleep),? begins with the sounds of fragmentary voices from a radio tuning between stations. Slowly, the radio noise fades out as electric piano, light guitar, and violin join the fray. A key element to the song is the computer manipulation of the instruments, which is most noticeable in layered sounds of the electric piano. Echoed backgrounds from that instrument add a fluid, watery beauty to the piece. This is not the only time when this effect is put to use. Computer enhanced, multi-tracked electric piano also begins the second track, ?Evening Without Atonement.? Here, the multiple rhythms from the instrument mesh for an ethereal, music box sound.

For the most part, the music on the album is the model of quiet restraint, however, each track still has its own small moment of explosion in sound and dynamics. These usually creep up slowly into the music and do not last for very long. Regardless, these brief pieces of loudness in the otherwise soft landscape make the quiet spaces seem that much more beautiful. Also, it becomes easier to focus on the delicate, yet complex rhythms laced together throughout. Multiple rhythms are put to excellent use on ?Evening Without Atonement.? Here, violin and electric piano trade and echo rhythms in a style reminiscent of Television?s interwoven guitar parts.

While the first two tracks are fairly minimal in terms of orchestration, the final piece, ?The Lines We Walked When We Walked Once Together,? is packed with a variety of instruments. Violin, viola, cello, two electric guitars, and electric organ combine for a lush sound. Most importantly, the small string ensemble adds beautiful complexity to the piece a sound that evokes melancholy chamber music. Even with all of the instruments involved, there are still amazing moments of quiet introspection. At one point, the whole ensemble drops away, leaving near silence. Slowly and quietly, the electric piano reemerges, and is joined intermittently by the rest of the group for a stunning, instrument-by-instrument reassembly of the music.

?Private Time in Public Places? is a fascinating listen, first for its beautiful music, but also as a companion piece to Slow Six?s more recent outing. The group seems to more fully explore the subdued, meditative side of their music, which in itself is quite striking. Even with the emphasis on the quieter side of their music, the results are still very exciting and engaging. The gorgeous orchestration and complex rhythms make this album an engrossing, compulsive listening experience. 8/10 -- Matt Blackall (24 October, 2007)