An enjoyable listen for any college radio listener
Nickolas Laurien is more comparable to a wizard than an a musician – not only an artist ahead of his time, but a mysteriously fascinating and almost faceless man. With a career stretching as far back the Beatles at the height of psychedelia, his DIY homemade material has been all over the map, ranging from lo-fi dream-pop in the late 70s to dark acid house in the late 80s to minimalistic post-rock of the late 90s – yet he remains in the shadows.
Even currently in his fifties, he continues to make head-spinning psychedelic records – most recently releasing Lysergia in 2010 off of Burger Records and Psychotropia off of both Tenth Planet Records and Sanctuary in 2003. He has even inspired an increasing amount of newer acts such as Ariel Pink and Temples.
On nearly every track fades of shapeless vocals pair with an eerie synthesizer strangeness that fills the background. This strangeness at times can be calm and tranquil, like on Tracks 6 and 9, where I noticed some unique dissonance. Unlike the grounded, upbeat, and instrument heavy Psychotropia, Space of a Second has grown into a more serene, more electronic and more spacey sound. This record is highly enjoyable and listenable for any college radio listener.
Recommended If You Like: Ariel Pink, John Maus, Robert Wyatt, Temples
Recommended Tracks: “Rosemarys Eyes,” “Space Of A Second,” “London South,” and “Rrainbow”
Reviewed by Chase Allison on February 23, 2015