Bestiary

Album Review

Thematically, Robert Rich's Bestiary seems to consist of some kind of otherworldly, almost animalistic electronic ambience, with titles like "Dante's Anthromorphic Zoo," "Mentis Intentions," and "Sharpening Her Talons." This work is strange contextually, both from the standpoint of Robert Rich's previous work as well as other electronic music; nevertheless, though, this is a strangely evocative and emotive recording. One of the things that's really distinct about this recording is Robert Rich's use of the MOTM modular synthesizer, which brings an almost Kraftwerkian machine-like aesthetic to this work, an aesthetic that Robert Rich's work really hasn't had in the past; in fact, his work has always been quite organic whether he was working in an ethno-tribal idiom or more of an experimental idiom. Robert Rich's Bestiary is certainly a new chapter in his book of artistry. This is an interesting recording that reveals a more experimental side of Robert Rich's work.