Mark Templeton - Standing on a Hummingbird

Mark Templeton
Standing on a Hummingbird
(02.2007, Anticipate)
9.0/10.0

Mark Templeton isn't mining particularly new territory with his debut release, Standing on a Hummingbird. Fitting somewhere snuggly in-between Keith Fullerton Whitman's almost good natured blips and bleeps and Christian Fennesz's engendered static grind, Templeton's predecessors have left some large shoes to fill (exceptionally large when you consider that the previously mentioned two are pretty much still wearing these proverbial shoes by their consistent and continual output). In fact, the industry of electro-acoustic instrumentals is already, pretty much, overflowing with imposters as well as second and third generation successors of the form. Templeton introduces naked acoustic instrumentation and glitch electronics that have already been well explored by Geoff Mullen and Chihei Hatakeyama. All this might sound disconcerting and hopefully, as readers, you have made it this far because despite Standing on a Hummingbird’s inherent similarities, Templeton has injected that invisible "it" factor that makes this a refreshing and soaring success. It is this indescribable "it" that is the separator of bland imitators and the meticulous sound artists. The genre of electro-acoustics – similar to a lot of "experimental" music sub genres - has become bloated because of its simple surface replication. However, it takes sincere depth of production to create a masterwork; something that will become a timeless and repeated listen for its audience. Mark Templeton has created this impact. Standing on a Hummingbird is an exciting release and the first for the newly created Anticipate label. I couldn’t imagine a better way to start. Keep an eye on Anticipate because, as they have shown here and on their subsequent releases, this label is out to quietly release some of the best electronically treated music imaginable. Standing on a Hummingbird is their first and their watermark; a subtle patch of downtrodden beauty that must be heard.

-Mr. Thistle

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