Disconnected Bliss

• Artist: Ask
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1998
• Genre: Electronica

Review

Disconnected Bliss opens with "If This Is Your World You Can Keep It," a track dedicated to Richard Pinhas, the guitar-hero who lead the French cult band Heldon back in the '70s. Indeed, this piece is very reminiscent of what Pinhas/Heldon used to do: a rock-solid beat serving as the foundation, topped by guitar soloing ranging from totally mad to very touching and ethereal synthesizer/electronics in the background.

This description only fits the first track. The remaining nine are closer to Martin Archer's usual output, although the main difference between Disconnected Bliss and Archer's solo albums (Ghost Lily Cascade, for instance) is the quasi-absence of acoustic instruments and the prominent role of the electric guitar, as the lack of any reference to free jazz. Ask's music is essentially electronic/electric and belongs more to the rock and electronic end of experimentalism than Archer's usual work. There are lots of bleeps and tweeps blended with the guitar work of John Jasnoch. His sound retains elements of Pinhas and even Robert Fripp, but also the frenzy of René Lussier (particularly on "Insomniacs"). Stand-out tracks include the opener (which really stands on its own), "Disconnected Bliss," with its very delicate textures (treated piano notes sounding just like little drops of rain) and "Insomniacs" where Archer's saxophone makes a rare appearance. Disconnected Bliss is highly experimental music. ~ François Couture, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
If This Is Your World You Can Keep It	Martin Archer, John Jasnoch	Ask	(13:25)
Velvet and Lead	Martin Archer, John Jasnoch	Ask	(3:18)
Disconnected Bliss	Martin Archer, John Jasnoch	Ask	(7:59)
Mir	Martin Archer, John Jasnoch	Ask	(3:05)
Amber Leaf Prism	Martin Archer, John Jasnoch	Ask	(4:53)
Mojo Filter	Martin Archer, John Jasnoch	Ask	(4:18)
Almond	Martin Archer, John Jasnoch	Ask	(5:52)
Harvest Blade	Martin Archer, John Jasnoch	Ask	(5:30)
Insomniacs	Martin Archer, John Jasnoch	Ask	(13:23)
DNA Stepper	Martin Archer, John Jasnoch	Ask	(9:10)