Following on from Pins & Digits and Glimpse, Julien Dyne returns to BBE with his latest project. His new album, December, is a continuation of the spacey sound for which Dyne has become synonymous. The Auckland percussionist is once again set to take centre stage with his new set of songs...

Julien Dyne's music is an acquired taste. December is an album you'll either instantly fall in love with, or instantly dislike. On the first listen through, I have to admit that I fell into the later category. In fact, if it wasn't for the fact that I was reviewing this album I would have put it to one side, never to be played again. However, as I've learned over the years, some albums need time to grow on you... and this is certainly the case with December. Sadly, because it will have an immediate impression on the listener, there's very little chance that people will give it the opportunity to grow on them.

On first listen through my immediate impression was this was the work of someone who didn't really know what they were doing. In fact, the only songs that I enjoyed, right off the bat, were 'Fog' and 'Wood and Brick'. It felt cliched and bland, and a little immature in scope... but the more I listened to it, the more I started to appreciate the finer points.

The album contains 14 tracks with a running time of around 44 mins.

7

Nick Smithson