Album Review: Rob Johnson - Upon A Painted Ocean

I will start off this review by stating this is basically an instrumental record. However I'm not saying that in a negative way, as Rob Johnson has crafted a record filled with diversity and flowness.

Over the course of 14 songs, Johnson covers many genres. 'Monster Eats The Pilot' combines trip-hop with a standard rock sound that works perfectly. Whilst 'Cloak + Dagger' is a laid back track with the lead coming from a didjeridoo. It's ideas like this, that makes the record as a whole intriguing.

Elsewhere '...End Credits' is a more electronic-oriented track with strings and distorted electronic beats taking over. 'biPOLAR' and '"In Cahoots"' covers the more rock side of the album but keep that experimental element, that is consistent throughout.

'Hello Magda' is a short moment of beauty of Johnson's superb acoustic guitar performance draws you, as he makes you realise that he deserves credit for making such a record like this.

However a problem with instrumental records, is that it is difficult to keep the listeners attention for a sustain period of time. At 14 songs long, you find yourself drifting off as at times, as 'Upon A Painted Ocean' can seem dreary.

Nevertheless you can appreciate the record for it's diverseness and the ability to create an superb sound scape throughout, as it is easy to listen to. The structure of the album overall fits perfectly, as tracks slide into one another nicely throughout.

3.5/5

'Upon A Painted Ocean' by Rob Johnson digitally on September 1st.

Rob Johnson on MySpace

Sean Reid