Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Plini - Handmade Cities (2016)

I have strayed into unchartered waters by drifting into The Infinite feature release and I feel I may be about to alienate the clan residents somewhat with my attempt to review this release, but I am here now so might as well use the rope in my hand.  I feel that in listening to Handmade Cities that I have just watched an eighties film were the protagonist has just overcome great evil (or maybe a serial killer) and I am revelling in the joy of the end credits having somehow missed the whole film.  Sarcastic comment over, I promise.

If I focus on the talent required to make this album then I cannot failed to be impressed.  It might not be my bag at all but despite there being more than one "WTF" moment for me, I could not quite bring myself to turn it off.  Intrigue got the better of me even though I am not a fan of instrumental tracks (let alone full releases that are all instrumental tracks).  It kind of reminded me of a Joe Satriani record I listened to years ago which although inoffensive never held my interest enough for me to ever explore it enough to truly get to grips with it.  I guess that I find Plini to be decent enough background music and nothing more.  Occasionally it does something interesting as it chops away at the aether around me enough to break through whatever it is I am focusing on to remind me that it is still there.

Overall, I find Handmade Cities just to be too safe a record for my extreme tastes, and whilst I acknowledge its merits I am coloured a dull, pastel shade by it.  If I had the patience (not something that I have vast stocks of) then I would perhaps revisit over the coming days but I have to get my head around Spheres and that Parkcrest record yet as part of the monthly reviews and at least one of those has got me ruffled already this month so I feel they will be the focus of my attentions for the coming days instead.