Spaces

by 
AlbumNov 18 / 201311 songs, 1h 16m 10s
Modern Classical Ambient
Popular Highly Rated

'Spaces' is an ode to the joy of live performance. It expresses Frahm’s love for experimentation and answers the call from his fans for a record that truly reflects what they have witnessed during his concerts. Breaking the convention of a traditional live album, 'Spaces' was recorded over the course of two years in different locations and on various mediums, including old portable reel-to-reel recorders and cassette tape decks. The decision to select takes that have people coughing and cell phones ringing show that his audience is an integral part of every performance.

7.8 / 10

The Berlin-based composer Nils Frahm's Spaces is a live album patchworked together from various recordings, containing songs both old and new, some shortened, some lengthened, some radically different in approach. It's a mesmerizing and beautiful work.

7 / 10

9 / 10

Frahm delivers a set with a vitality and clarity of spirit that is at once immediate, intimate and irresistible.

Nils Frahm's best and most popular album is a set of live recordings that emphasize the spontaneous nature of his performances.

8 / 10

If you've ever caught Nils Frahm live, you can attest not only to what a powerful experience it can be, but also how much his use of improvi...

8.5 / 10

Nils Frahm's approach to making music has developed in line with his attitude to the performance environment, and the German composer's audience remains an integral part of his first live album.

9 / 10

Album review: Clash rates the new set from Berlin composer Nils Frahm, 'Spaces', very highly indeed... look for it on the Erased Tapes label.

<p>Nils Frahm's latest collection of minimalist piano improvisations is as mesmerising as the last, writes <strong>Ally Carnwath</strong></p>

9 / 10

When the phone rings I don't recognize the number.

Album Reviews: Nils Frahm - Spaces

Although most readily pigeonholed as a minimalist pianist whose compositions are as much about the space between the notes as what he actually plays, Germany's Nils Frahm has also worked with the Juno synthesiser and released pieces which edge towards techno. Until now, he hasn't made it easy to get a handle on his full scope. Spaces is the first release to capture this. A live album which doesn’t sound live, it includes compositions which never been released before. Despite occasional bursts of applause, it feels like a studio album.

9 / 10