posted: 2024-07-15 Structures From Silence Steve Roach

Originally released in 1984, Structures from Silence turned out to be one of Roach’s most successful and acclaimed releases over time; widely considered his breakout album where he found his own voice, it even made a list of Top Ten releases published in a magazine dedicated to yoga. Whether a listener uses it for that purpose or not, it does have to be said that Structures from Silence is a lovely effort indeed. Its chief allure remains its transcendence of time – while one can surmise, based on the sound of the record, its early-’80s vintage, it is not an obviously dated album in and of itself. Though Roach’s approach changed and explored many new directions, there’s a core aesthetic still at work, that of contrasting a variety of loops and repeated motifs with subtle melodic exploration. The interweaving of the two approaches, to the point where it’s never quite clear what predominates at what point – especially on opening track “Reflections in Suspension” – makes for music both cyclic and open-ended. In the original liner notes, Roach himself spoke of hearing and working with the music for months before recording it; certainly, the depth of detail, from shimmering high notes and tones to semi-orchestral synth sweeps and low, purring drones, makes for lovely listening. All three tracks are equally worth hearing, but the longest is the title track itself; a tour de force. Spanning nearly half-an-hour’s length, it’s easily the most spacious of the compositions, with the exchange between structure and free-flow more pronounced but still making a fine, evocative listen. The influence of groups like Tangerine Dream and Vangelis is still audible, but Structures from Silence is its own notable peak, the first of many astonishing highlights for Roach.

Ned Raggett, AllMusic