Psi Corps is a new project of Space Mirrors’ Alisa Coral and Michael Blackman and their debut album subtitled ”To the Adventures of A. G. Pym” is an homage to Edgar Allan Poe and inspired by his South-pole book The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. In contrast to the heavier space music albums by Space Mirrors, there are no other musician involved and the music is totally instrumental. There are just six tracks on the album but it’s whole duration still is 53 minutes.
The album is started with the atmospheric and cinematic ”Party at Bernard’s (Is Over)” that is the disc’s shortest track and works very well in getting the listener in the right emotional state. ”On Board the Ariel” starts to rock out a bit more but doesn’t let itself to slide to metal. Blackman gets to play his guitar in peace on top of Coral’s synth and rhythm backing. ”On Board the Grampus” starts off peacefully and stays as ambient although It grows into a bit more tangled and very psychedelic direction. You can also detect some little schizophrenic and disturbing atmosphere characteristic to the Space Mirrors stuff on here too. “Tsalal” includes sequences and later on also programmed drums and percussion and of course electric guitar and synthesizers. This is a highly hypnotic and enchanting piece. “Further South” is atmospheric, floating soundscapes and the over 13-minute-long “Tekeli-li” begins with sequences, lead guitar and keyboards but starts to rock at the three-minute-marker. Theremin adds its ghostly, weird mood and I do like this track a lot. As an album, Tekeli-li is a very successful musical interpretation of the adventures and fantastic horrors the Poe’s hero goes through at the South Sea. Maybe Psi Corps could next concentrate on some of the works by H. P. Lovecraft?
Psi Corps is a new project of Space Mirrors’ Alisa Coral and Michael Blackman and their debut album subtitled ”To the Adventures of A. G. Pym” is an homage to Edgar Allan Poe and inspired by his South-pole book The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. In contrast to the heavier space music albums by Space Mirrors, there are no other musician involved and the music is totally instrumental. There are just six tracks on the album but it’s whole duration still is 53 minutes.
