Recommended listening from ambient sound master Tim Hecker, the man responsible for last year’s Ravedeath, 1972 (Kranky) album. Dropped Pianos, a collection of what Hecker refers to as “piano-based sketches,” were written during the recording process for Ravedeath.

As a press release points out: “This is not a new Tim Hecker album, but rather a peek behind the curtains into the working process. That these pieces stand on their own as compelling soundworks is a testament to the fact that Tim Hecker is at the absolute top of his game at the moment, and has been for years.”

To a certain extent, Dropped Pianos is reminiscent me of Glassworks by Philip Glass, which is mainly the result of a shared and somber vibe. But Hecker’s approach is far less manic than Glass, and Dropped Pianos‘ dark edges and steady drone are often cradled in lighter tones. It’s perfect music to listen to while frantically typing on deadline, or re-evaluating all the choices you’ve made in life. Read More »