A purveyor of indie ambience, Todd Fletcher crafts tuneage that blends an atmospheric disposition with hints of contemporary electronics, resulting in delightful music that lulls and stimulates.
TODD FLETCHER: The Wasteland (CD on Microrelease)
This release from 2004 offers 55 minutes of gentle electronic music.
Luscious atmospherics are seasoned with pulsating electronics. Serenity becomes laced with a subtle agitation that serves to awaken more than disturb. The transition from daze to euphoria is sneaky yet vital.
Textural flows generate arid soundscapes that are punctuated by soft-but-gritty effects. Moody electronics coalesce into languid sandstorms that surround the listener with loving temperament. Twilight twinkles with understated vitality.
A sense of ascension permeates these tunes, a floating elevation that often goes unnoticed until the listener finds themselves in rarefied strata where ethereal breezes tickle the psyche with their tingling presence. In some instances, the auxiliary layers can exhibit more substance than the melody's nucleus.
Although no overt percussion is employed, the music features softly rhythmic properties achieved through the use of cyclic electronic sounds.
Fletcher has a way of generating airy passages that present a certain density, flavoring somber passages with a touch of optimism.
These harmonic compositions excellently capture the desolation of the desert while injecting a flair of hidden life lurking beneath the dusty surface. The pace is generally languid, chronicling the passage of time in a timeless environment. An expansive mien unfurls with each track, revealing a vast depth in the calm tuneage.
PSYCHETROPIC: Vox (CD on Microrelease)
This release from 2006 offers 51 minutes of cafe trance music.
Psychetropic is Todd Fletcher. While he handles keyboards and programming, voices (spoken and sung) are contributed by: Alexandra Stewart, San Soliel, and Erika Tryon.
Here, the music is more uptempo than the above release, with lively electronics and distinct rhythms. A host of treated vocal effects augment the music's depth.
The electronics are versatile, ranging from foundational bass tones to nimble cycles and moody atmospherics lurking behind the forefront melodies. Keyboards trigger sweeping harmonics which are embellished by a creative assortment of snappy effects.
The percussion is sinuous. Although gentle, the tempos distribute an energized flavor to these tunes. The pace is generally sedate, though, emphasizing the dreamy nature of the songs.
Most of the vocals are heavily processed until they no longer resemble human voices. Less treated vocals contribute a heavenly choral presence to the electronic melodies. In a few instances, the vocals are allowed to retain hints of coherent syllables.
These compositions exhibit energy which is bountifully shared with the listener. While a basic demeanor of relaxation is keynote, several of the tunes sway and swing with spry disposition; a tasty blend of oomph and dreaminess. A strong techno undercurrent runs through these songs, but the frenzy is kept subdued, making the music more trance than dance fare. Imagine rave for the cafe set.
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