rebelski

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KINDA LIKE: Stars without the drama school ego
THE DEAL: These two discs of gentle compositions from Doves keyboardist Martin Rebelski boil that band's grandeur down to a dreamy mix of delicate pop and ambient electronica, wherein experimentation is an expression of innocence, not ambition. Better known for his key work with Manchester's Doves, Martin Roman Rebelski has been using his time off from touring and recording with the band to pursue a solo outing. Pursuing a sound that sits more readily with the atmospherics of Brian Eno's poppier work than the Brit pop of his day job, Rebelski creates lush landscapes that graciously ride the fence between structured pop and instrumental meandering.

Seeing Canadian re-release on Toronto's Aporia Records, his debut Thanks For Your Thoughts and follow-up Stickers On Keys definitely show an artist who understands how to take plodding xylophone lines and piano tinkering and form them into complete compositions. There is definitely more growth between the two albums, with Stickers On Keys leaning more towards the realm of pop composition, even bringing in some treat vocals on "Little White Lights" and "In Space For A Day." That’s not to say that Thanks For Your Thoughts is any sort of throw away; "Three," the opening track, is probably one of the most enjoyable tracks on either release. Both discs bring different modes to the table, while undeniably rounding out Rebelski as a brilliant composer worth keeping an eye on. While a name like that makes one think it has to be made up, à la one-hit wonder Adamski, the answer would be a resounding no as Rebelski is actually someone's last name. To be more specific, the name is Martin Roman Rebelski, who might be better known as the keyboard man for Doves. His day job shows on this effort, as the spacey atmospherics those Mancunians are known for are greatly echoed here, most notably in the title track. Most of the time, though, Rebelski plies his trade in a string-laden atmosphere with muted beats, yet sometimes he throws in some low-key vocals for just the slightest hint of pop, which is best seen on "Little White Lights." Actually, the album works best due to these downbeat moments, as the instrumental pieces, with their haunting reverb and samples, tend to just pass by without much weight. It's in pieces like "Long. Slow. Drive Home" and "Play the School Piano," where Rebelski softly urges emotion over the beautiful atmospherics, that the heart of this album beats strongest. The rest just tends to float away in the somnambulant ether, which may actually be a good thing, if that's what you're into. Issued simultaneously with Stickers on Keys, this effort works with the same electronic atmospherics and pop-based ambience of that record, yet doesn’t seem to fix the problems apparent with Stickers. The opener, "Three," puts a bit more muscle into the proceedings with live drums and increasingly frantic feedback, yet things still have an interesting restraint that keeps Rebelski from really grabbing the listener. Take the song, "Unlikely Tale," which starts with a meandering piano and throws in a little drum, hushed beats and various instruments. It’s all quite beautiful and dreamy, but it never connects as it seems very happy to just float around in the background. While, granted, ambient is supposed to make you float away and calm you down, it seems there’s an internal battle with Rebelski. He wants to take you on a little journey, yet he can’t keep the pop hooks away. It's this battle that bursts through the music from time to time, thus weakening both genres he plies his trade in. This is competent and pleasant to listen to, but far from essential. Doves keyboardist Martin Roman Rebelski's solo project is at once incredibly chilled out and insanely engrossing. Full of pop layers reminiscent of Badly Drawn Boy's work (especially on the vocal performances featured on Stickers On Keys) and a spacey sound rubbing up against Boards of Canada, Zero 7, and Mercury Rev, Rebelski's solo work is of the starry kind.

With deadly serious atmospherics that never fall into the trap of being precious or boring, both albums (released two years ago in the UK and now reissued in North America through Aporia Records) are wonderfully laid back exercises in post-rock, aiming for a more concise, lighthearted, and sky-bound feel.

While Thanks For Your Thoughts is a little rockier and closer to the sound of his regular gig (albeit strictly without vocals), Stickers On Keys is brilliant—Rebelski's identity revealed here through a delicate balance of astral songs (like the disarmingly simple "Little White Lights") and fleeting piano-based instrumentals. Pick the latter for a daydream soundscape, the former for something slightly edgier. Listening to Thanks for your Thoughts is like getting into the headspace of Martin Rebelski- who in another realm is the keyboard player for the Doves. A fluid but slightly jarring journey into a series of evocative soundscapes, the album mindfully leads us into a world that knows no harsh angles. Certain tracks like "Three" and "Scarecrow" lull the listener in a reverie of spaced out electronics, cascading keys, gentle beats. But the flow is slightly marred by the impulsiveness of the middle tracks; attempting to change up the tempo snags the astral soundscape and reminds us that we are unfortunately earthbound. Luckily the album reverts back into introspective tenderness in the last couple of songs. "Toy Shop" is sonic bliss, a delicate counterpoint between bell like notes and a melodic base. This is Rebelski at his best, lost in the music and pouring out delicate notes and light rhythms. Thanks for your Thoughts works best when understated, and embracing the fragile emo vibe. Barring the inconsistencies the album is a fine piece of modern instrumentalism so close your eyes sit back and lose yourself in the music. Rebelski’s sophomore album, Stickers on Keys, seems like the perfect soundtrack to be lost in outer space: floating somewhere between the clouds and the stars.

Rebelski, keyboardist for the Doves, mixes pretty electronica with thick strings and xylophones. The charm of the album comes from his whimsical instrumentation and child-like innocence.

"Alka Seltzer," the album's opener, is the ideal grown-up lullaby, relying on twinkling bells and xylophones to help set the mood for the following tracks. Made of mostly instrumental songs, the four track with lyrics feature guest vocals by Mike TV of Beats For Beginners and Roger Quigley of the Montgolfier Brothers, with the occasional appearance by the Doves themselves.

After the first couple of tracks, you start to feel like you’re daydreaming. The songs are simple, nice and easy to listen to. But, there are two stand out tracks:
"Play the School Piano" is a haunting tale with vocals provided by Quigley. Dark piano and violins are juxtaposed by light and quiet vocals. Quigley’s voice compliments Rebelski’s backdrop of bells and whistles and maintains the right emotion to bring the song to life. "Magic Calculator", which definitely gets points for best track, is the album’s closer. Its big string swells and pretty piano capture the true essence of what Rebelski is about: the simplicity and beauty of making music fun and playful again.

This album is a refreshing and unique offering and leaves you starry-eyed and ready for dreamland. Rebelski's Thanks For Your Thoughts is proof sonic minimalism isn't just for sleeping infants. The completely instrumental album is written, performed and produced by Doves keyboardist Martin Rebelski. The eight-song EP features twinkling melodies and understated electro-rhythms. Borrowing stylistic influence from indie-rock groups like Explosions in the Sky and The Postal Service, Rebelski uses an ethereal blend of instruments to create simple but distinct soundscapes. "Unlikely Tale" exudes romance and wonderment while "Toy Shop" is a playful and repetitive lullaby. Each wordless account walks a fine line between intrigue and ambience. If given the chance, Thanks For Your Thoughts could easily become the soundtrack to every students' late-night cramming sessions. While The Doves are a Mancunian institution in the UK, their popularity has never exceeded modest status in North America, unfortunately dooming any side projects to obscurity even when they would receive adequate press across the pond. Thankfully, Toronto based Aporia Records has re–released Martin Rebelski, the trio's keyboardist's two albums under the moniker Rebelski. Both are low key, chilled out affairs, and Thanks For Your Thoughts, the first of the two, is the best of the bunch. Rolling through ambient keyboard terrain, ephemerally pungent melodies and slow, romantic funk, Rebelski is a post rock tinged gem as good as the patriarchal band that influenced it. I guess this lost soul finally found what he was in search of. Rebelski’s second release, Stickers on Keys, can best be described as relaxing electronica that is very melodic and at times, dramatic. The songs progress simply but can be quite captivating. Rebelski's music is very calming; it could almost be used when doing yoga. Normally the keyboard player of the Doves, Rebelski focuses mainly on child-like, repetitive melodies that could definitely be used in interpretative dance, similar to Napoleon Dynamite's! Martin Rebelski's music, in particular the songs "In Space for a Day or Little White Lights," would work well as background music in an episode of the hit TV show "The O.C."

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• For more information about Rebelski visit his website: rebelski.com
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