Crystal Lake Bulletin (francais) January 1990
Book of Alchemy est le titre de la nouvelle cassette de Loren Nerell. Ce musicien californien appartient au cercle de Steve Roach et nous propose une musique ethno-électonique extrêmement originale et envoûtante. Travail sur les synthés, les bandes, les boucles et les effets, les gongs et les percussions ethniques, une guitare très frippienne, pour une musique tribale et techno-primitive, qui rappelle Jon Hassell, Hodger Czukay (Canaxis) et Steve Roach, et se développe parfois en véritables atmosphéres ethniques inspirées par les traditions des Indiens d'Amérique.
Audion Magazine No. 14 March 1990
I didn't quite know what to expect from Loren's new album - I knew it would be exciting and different, but I definitely didn't expect this!
A totally different world from his debut a Book of Alchemy is a dazzling concoction. As a synth album, it is quite unique, most of the time one doesn't even notice the synths presence; guitars, percussives and a very wide range of tone colours take us on a fanciful and magical trip to nether mysterious regions of the Earth. The World Spirit visits technology, the world's cities and commuters, via an upbeat synth-rock, whereas, in deep contrast, Iron Fillings takes us to the deepest rain forests (why it's called Iron Fillings I don't know) with ancient tribal percussives courtesy of Djam Karet drummer Chuck Oken Jr.
Everything about this album is fascinating, and it would be pointless to fully review all six tracks. Just don't forget, if you're into experiencing groundbreaking new synth music, this is where it's at! - Alan Freeman
Jinko volume 1b 1990
On Loren's new tape he has thrown aside the variety idea of Point of Arrival and has plunged headlong into the forests and outbacks for inspiration. Taking his cue from the style of Dreamtime Return Loren presents a style more live, foreboding, and droning adding lots of percussion, dijeridoo, and even guitars to the mix. The World Spirit opens side one with a spacious aura that starts and stops continuously. The dual guitar playing adds a nice non-synthetic touch. The Crucible contains the only hint of Berlin style on the whole tape, certainly the only piece based around a memorable melody.
On side two exoticism is further explored in Iron Fillings which is completely percussion-based, and Essences, another drone piece but this time utilizing female voice coupled with harmonic vocalizing ala David Hykes, along with the usual synthetic treatments.
Loren has enlisted a number of musicians to realize this new music which he calls "techno-tribal." Gayle Ellett and Mike Henderson, the guitarists from Djam Karet, as well as drummer Tony Jackson play on The World Spirit. Mike Ezzo and Chuck Oken, D.K.'s drummer, contribute percussion work on the rest of the music: Iron Fillings, The Crucible, Cinnabar, and Burned Alum. Mari Fix is the vocalist featured on Essences.
The work as a whole has a unifying theme in that each piece is named after a particular alchemy symbol, which appears on the cover next to each title. In a subtle way the music does conjure up the image of each of these elements especially with Loren's extensive use of sampling sounds, ethnic percussion, and treatments. An artist, who continues to experiment and seek quality in electronic music while completely eschewing any reference to new-age stylings, Loren deserves your attention. - Mike Ezzo
Dreams Word Issue No. 10 Winter 90/91
If you want eclecticism in your e-music listening, check out this tape. The theme here is mysticism. But rather than settling for the usual synth-base dronings on the subject, Mr. Nerell breaks out ripping rock guitars, various percussives, and recordings of various ethnic folk singers for a truly vibrant album. The World Spirit gets the album off to a roaring start with a blend of Tibetan Buddhist chants, Gregorian chants, African tribal chants, Moslem singing and two rock guitars, all held together by Nerell's sublime synth work. Iron Fillings is another delight, featuring Indonesian gongs, and a rain stick (a long hollow instrument that, when rattled, sounds like just what it says). The cassette artwork has one of the best designs I've seen, using medieval woodcuts and a rune representing each cut. - Mike Birtchet
Ambientrance Review
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