I find it incredibly difficult to describe ambient music. It seems so understated to me as to offer as little musical information as possible, and I’m more often left with vague feelings than precise thoughts. Luckily, the Certain Creatures themselves (or himself, Oliver Chapoy) offers some context to the music on his bandcamp site. He describes the album as “a study in timelessness — crystalline, heartfelt ambient music designed to push light through shadow.” Aha, now it all makes sense!
Even the creator of this music seems limited to ambivalent feelings as he attempts characterize the music in words. This is because the music is very inexpressive for the most part, leaving much of the work to the listener to follow along on the listening journey. I think this is why discussion of ambient music is often so fantastical (Chapoy calls it “music for space travelers”). It does offer its moments, but they seem to blend into one another in a way that can’t be traced. Even the tracks lack much distinction from one another, as each new moment seems to swell out of what came before it. It’s an altogether different listening experience, for a very special kind of listening journey uninterrupted with the normal distractions of contemporary life. I do like it, but often find I just don’t have the time for it.
Mike Frasier Music 