A prolific compilation album that spans a thirty year career is bound to grab any music aficionado’s attention. Andrew Muecke, a multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer, has written across his career 350+ tracks. That’s a number bettered by few if any. His latest collection record is an ode to his own career, a testament to his ability to last so long in an industry that tends to eat up and spit out most musicians who fall into its all encompassing ether. While Andrew does lament the lack of stardom that was present in his career, he is more than happy with what he achieved and that he was able to do what he loved for as long as he has been doing.
As far as the soundscapes go, the record is eccentric and experimental to the max. It utilises a plethora of different ides on each track but they often blend into a singular thesis of dreamy and ethereal production. Some songs like Mayan Dream sound straight out of a spaceship. Others, like ‘Open Doors’ sound like a grunge record. But of course, this isn’t a record in a traditional sense. It’s a compilation album, one that highlights the career of a singular multi-instrumentalist. And within this diversity of musicality, Andrew Muecke leaves a benchmark for musicians to impress over. You’re not going to come across many artists with as much depth, breadth, and dexterity across a thirty year career. It’s like peering into a life through a series of tunes that oscillate from moment to moment, place to place, and emotion to emotion.
More than anything, Andrew’s record also is a testament to the importance of an engineer and multi-instrumentalist. While vocalists and even lead guitarists often do take the lion’s share of the credibility, this compilation is perfectly indicative of the importance an engineer and musician can have. If you’re up for a long listen, and one that will take you through a variety of pieces, Andrew Muecke’s career will blow you away.