To Earth and Back

Album Review

Brannan Lane is one of the busiest electronic musicians in the U.S. In addition to his work as a country & western drummer, he continues to create deep and sensitive space music, and his output in the new millennium has been nothing short of prolific. To Earth and Back is his first release on a major label (Space for Music), and it is his best. Lane was serious when he titled this CD. The set starts in deep space. He builds large sci-fi soundscapes and vacuous atmospheres with deep drones and subtle synth riffs. The journey unfolds at a leisurely pace. It picks up — ever so slightly — as travelers approach Earth. Lane puts down some hot desert ambience to represent Earth, as the pace and rhythm quicken significantly. The percussion smokes and the atmospheres shimmer. It is deep stuff. But the respite on Earth is short, and the listener is soon back in outer space. Earth slowly fades in the distance. The forlorn atmospheres nevertheless have a comfortable feel; the surroundings of outer space are both cold and familiar, as exploration has become the norm. This CD will appeal to fans of Spacecraft, Zero Ohms, Craig Padilla, and Jonn Serrie. It is a great CD and highly essential.