K. Leimer
Lesser Epitomes (Palace of Lights)
The
ambient, disconnected work of minimalist composer K. Leimer exists on the
fringes of experimental music. And yet, the Hawaii-based musician has nearly 10
albums to his credit. His latest release, Lesser
Epitomes, is a 70-minute collection of 21 short and closely related pieces
organized into three suites.
The
five-part “Nonadaptive Layers” wraps listeners in waves of electronic
film-music ambience and drone, while “Nine Approximations” unites somber
chamber-music pieces that each last about three minutes. The closing suite,
“Nave Music,” is dark and ominous, complete with bells tolling. Call it chill
tunes for the afflicted.
Similarities in the aleatoric compositions,
played passively or actively, make for music that works either in the original
running order or on random shuffle. Fragile and minimal packaging reflects the
music, and Leimer’s brief but informative liners may be enough to convince new
listeners to explore the man’s back-catalog.



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