To the uninitiated, drone-scape music may seem difficult or pointless. While there is plenty of difficult and pointless music in any genre, drone seems to attract the brunt of the critical acrimony. This makes sense given that drone often requires the listener to actively seek out the layers and meaning within the composition, something many passive listeners are unwilling or unable to do. Drone or noise music is regularly more closely related to a physical form, such as sculpture, than it is to conventional music. Thus, it is extremely formidable to properly produce, let alone listen to. The number of excellent drone artists can be counted on one or two hands, and prepare to add one more to that number.

For Barry Ray has released ?New Days? which could easily be one of the best drone/audio sculpture works I have ever heard. Restrained, dynamic and melodic while also at times totally blissed-out, the work is proof that John Chantler and Carina Thoren (the duo who are For Barry Ray) have done their homework. The grasp of minimalism and tonal exploration that this duo possess raises the bar for others producing in this vein.

The album begins with a large, controlled drone that is grows and undulates, revealing its layers without betraying its form. As we progress through the album, For Barry Ray work with a subtractive track-mixing philosophy, placing the progressively ultra sparse, increasingly pensive work in its proper order. Each new track has unique instrumentation which gives each piece its own identity. The electronic processors of the opening piece make way for the piano and acoustic guitar of the closing track, creating a very satisfying parabola of which I excitedly explore again and again.

Regardless of what type of music you enjoy, ?New Days? by For Barry Ray is an example of just how sonic exploration and song craft can be controlled and interwoven while allowed to exist in a relaxed, natural state. The quality of Carina and John's work far outweighs anything this writer can possibly say to describe just how inherently enjoyable and utterly listenable this album actually is. Instrumental, experimental music rarely gets better than this.

Just go buy this album right now and you'll see what I mean. 9/10 -- Curt Seiss (7 November, 2007)