(Contemporary Jazz / Experimental / Minimalis / Norway) Ivar Grydeland - Bathymetric Modes - 2012 [Hubro CD2519], FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

“Bathymetric Modes” is the solo debut of one of our favourite musicians, Ivar Grydeland. He is probably best known as a member of the improvisation-based bands Huntsville, Ballrogg and Dans Les Arbres (ECM), but also plays together with the idiosyncratic pop artist Hanne Hukkelberg and the rock band Last Heat. The idea of doing a solo project has been evolving for many years, and the recording process took place over a long period of time. The result is a warm and personal instrumental album that shows new sides of Ivar Grydeland as a musician. The album consists of six compositions from the period 2007-2011. The two melodic, guitar-driven opening numbers are followed by more abstract, sound-focused compositions in which the compact graphic synthesizer Tenori-on plays a key role. “The design, limitations and possibilities of the synth inspire minimalist, repetitively patterned music,” says Ivar. “Using this repetitive, digital sound tapestry as a basis, I have tried to elicit and enhance melodies and moods with a variety of acoustic instruments.”
The music on “Bathymetric Modes” is richly image-laden, and alternates between dynamically driving and calmer and more static pieces. This album could appeal to fans of Terry Riley and Jim O´Rourke.
Norwegian releasedate: 05.10.2012
International release: October/November 2012

On his surprisingly, first (essentially) solo album, Bathymetric Modes, Grydeland shows the same grace and spacious adventure that makes many of his sessions captivating. Joined by members whom he has worked with over the years, on a couple of tracks, Bathymetric Modes feels right at home and quick to absorb as a first time listener. Bathymetric Modes is a real surprise for me. I did expect to like it from the first spin. But what I didn't expect was how consistently I would come back to it. Time and time again. A late entry to one of my albums of the year. Simply fantastic.
Jazzwrap (USA)
"Let's start with the 'solo' release by Ivar Grydeland. He's a member of Huntsvile, Ballrogg and Dans Les Arbres, so his music was reviewed before here... Melodic music for sure, with repeating patterns on the guitar, small melodies but all of which comes to you with a nice edge, that makes it move a way from the world of improvised music, or from being highly abstract. Very pleasant, entertaining music with a great experimental touch to it. Quite classical in approach, but with a surprising soft touch. Excellent release.
Vital Weekly (NL)
Even more succinct is Bathymetric Modes, the thirty-one-minute solo debut by Huntsville member Ivar Grydeland. In contrast to its brevity, the recording's six pieces were laid down over a four-year period between 2007 and 2011. It's wide-ranging, too, not just stylistically but also sonically.
Textura.org (USA)
Bathymetric Modes is a short (31 minutes) solo album by Norwegian guitarist Ivar Grydeland (of Dans les arbres, Huntsville, etc.). There are a couple of other contributors on this CD (Xavier Charles is one of them), but this is first and foremost a solo record, intimate, where Grydeland stacks up tracks to create welcoming, pretty, almost naive tunes. More accessible and melodic than his usual projects. This record put a huge smile on my face.
Monsieur Delire (CA)
Ein Hans Dampf in vielen Genres ist der umtriebige Musiker Ivar Grydeland. Dieses, sein erstes Soloprojekt, ist eine feine, unterhaltsame und sehr abwechslungsreiche CD geworden. Die einzelnen Kompositionen changieren zwischen den Schubladen Prog-Rock (das generiert meistens der Leader selbst), Folk und improvisierter Musik (wenn sich die Klarinette und die Posaune hörbar einbringen), ohne in Beliebigkeit zu verfallen. Das klingt ausgreift, in sich ruhend und versetzt den Zuhörer in gespannte Aufmerksamkeit. Was will man mehr. Aber, und das macht „Bathymetric Modes“ so interessant, es groovt auch ordentlich, lässt Raum für Gefühle, ist, mit einem Wort, unterhaltsam. Eine Art von Minimal Music mit den Antipoden ECM & Terry Riley.
Freistil (DE)
Förutom den akustiska gitarren som alltså är skivans själva klangankare trakterar Grydeland bland annat cittra, ukulele, mandolin och steel guitar. Andra instrument – som en rent psykedeliskt motrytmisk orgel och Steve Reich-bubblande elektronik – är i första hand pikanta färgklickar i den bild som Grydeland målar med stränginstrumenten. Den intuitiva produktionen ger en grönskande och luftig ljudbild, som med ett slags synestetiskt, audiellt djupseende. ”Bathymetric Modes” har ett fantasieggande skimmer kring sig, både ljudmässigt och musikaliskt, och det är svårt att inte falla för den.
Tidningenkulturen (SE)
När den norske gitarristen Ivar Grydeland begår sin solodebut hamnar han någonstans mellan den egna gruppen Huntsvilles blandning av melodisk americana och rytmiskt drivna drones och Jim O’Rourkes minimalistiska pop...Det är suggestivt, rullande och monotont men aldrig inåtblickande, snarare finns det märkligt nog en stark frihetskänsla i musiken. Den växer utåt och omfamnar.
Soundofmusic (SE)
En unik stemme ikke bare i den norske floraen av gitarister, men av instrumentalister som sådan
Dagbladet (NO)
Et boblende og skimrende uttrykk, som lyden av å gli sakte nedover langs fridykkerlinen mens hundrevis av glinsende småfisk surrer rundt hodet. Samtidig er det alltid en klar følelse av tørr prærie og panoramautsikt i Grydelands spill. Dette skaper en besnærende dualisme på denne sterke platen.
Aftenposten (NO)