Strange Attractors (Third Contact, 2013)
Garden of Ghosts is the first release by Dutch-American trio Fractal Mirror. The group’s sound is a crossover mix of pop, dark and dreamy psychedelic atmospheres and some progressive rock (primarily because of the extensive use of the mellotron).
Fractal Mirror is about the ambiance rather than virtuosity. The album has at least three pieces that are straight ahead pop. I found the slow paced pieces much more interesting, featuring rich layers of mellotron and an introspective vocal sound inspired by the classic 4AD label artists.
Drummer Frank Urbaniak wrote most of the lyrics while vocalist and keyboardist Leo Koperraat and bassist Ed van Haagen composed the music. The Dutch musicians recorded keyboards, bass, guitars and lead vocals at Fractal Dust Studios in Holland. Frank added the drums at a studio in the United States. Guests include Don Fast on ghost guitar and Charlotte Koperdraat on vocals.
Garden of Ghosts is a melancholic album that will appeal to fans of 1980s artists like Cocteau Twins, Bauhaus and David Sylvian.
Buy Garden of Ghosts