Victoria Melia- Vocals Alex Welford - Horns Stan Ambrose - Celtic Harp Anne Taft - Soprano Dan Owens- Bass Liam Carey- Bass
Influences
Adrian Belew, Agitation Free, Air, Al Di Meola, Allan Holdsworth, Amon Duul II, Andrew Poppy, Andy Summers, Anglagard, Aphex Twin, Aphrodite’s Child, Art Zoyd, Arvo Part, Ashra, Autechre, Bang on a Can, Bill Bruford, Billy Cobham, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, Bozzio Levin Stevens, Brand X, Brian Eno, Camel, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, Caravan, Robert Fripp, California Guitar Trio, Can, Cornelius, David Borden, David Lang, David Torn, Dead Can Dance, Deus Ex Machina, Djam Karet, Dominic Frasca, Dun, Edgar Froese, Egg, Erik Satie, Faust, Focus, Frank Zappa, Future Sound of London, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Gryphon, Godspeed you Black Emperor, Samla Mammas Manna, Gong, Gorecki, Hawkwind, Harmonia, Harold Budd, Heldon, Jethro Tull, Battles, John Cale, John Surman, John Martyn, Jade Warrior, Jan Hammer, Jean Luc Ponty, Jim O’Rourke, Jon Anderson, Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, Kate Bush, Khan, Klaus Schulze, Korekyojinn, Liquid Tension Experiment, Laurie Anderson, Magma, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Michael Mantler, Mars Volta, Massive Attack, Michael Brook, Michael Gordon, Mike Oldfield, Pekka Pohjola, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, National Health, Neu!, The Orb, Ozric Tentacles, Pat Metheny, Philharmonie, Present, Philip Glass, Pink Floyd, Plaid, Popol Vuh, Return to Forever, Rhys Chatham, Zaar, Roni Size, Rush, Soft Machine, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Steve Hackett, Michael Mantler, Steve Hillage, Sky, System 7, Steve Martland, Steve Tibbetts, Steve Howe, Susumu Yokota, Steve Reich, Shylock, Sigur Ros, Somei Satoh, Scalpel, Tangerine Dream, Terry Riley, Trey Gunn, Todd Levin, Tortoise, UK, Ulrich Schnauss, Univers Zero, Von Zamla, Van Der Graaf Generator, Vangelis, Weather Report, Yang, Schicke, Fuhrs and Frohling, Yes etc
Sounds Like
King Crimson meets Yes meets John Martyn meets Pink Floyd meets Roni Size meets Philip Glass, meets nice gummie bears & transformers for a picnic with Ewoks on the Moon of Endor, inhaling the smoke of a crack pipe under a twisted tree reminiscent of the smile of a flatulent clown
This is what Liverpool.com say about the new album 'Particle Theory':
"Oscillating between ponderous and self-indulgent, this Particle Theory is one that’s very hard to fathom. Some pieces start promisingly enough, but eventually buckle under their own ambition. That Campell and crew can create some genuinely lush soundscapes isn’t in doubt - it’s a shame, then, that they didn’t add a touch more character to the mix when they were doing it."
This is what the rest of the world say about it - (i.e. we've got to get out of this city!):
"...The Liverpool band prove that three-minute pop ditties is not all that comes out of the 2008 European Capital of Culture. Cleverly layered sounds and atmospheres collide to keep the listeners attention as the Camelesque meets Canterbury scene head on. This album leaves the musicians to put themselves in a unique rock shop window and you just know the guys do this for the love because it is just too damn clever for the mainstream", Martin Hudson, Classic Rock Society
"[Particle Theory] dissolves the conceptions of time and space with its instrumental richness and sumptuous compositions, and it is a delight of sounds and intense moods that will consume one’s musical imagination for many listens", Alex Jasperse, Muse's Muse
"If you're looking for a "progressive" album, in the finest sense of the word, go straight to Particle Theory....Neil Campbell and colleagues give life to a carefully thought out and deep progressive style which impresses straight away and continues to impress the more you listen to it.", (translated by Paul Vaughan from the French) - http://www.cosmosmusic.fr/nouveautes.html
"This music is like a film, sounds flow into your head like pictures, captivating, and then reveal an abyss in all, mostly instrumental songs, in which to lose yourself. ..An exiting album, full of surprises and intelligently set arrangements. Not Prog, but Progressive Rock” , (translated from the German by Michael Beiert) - http://www.ragazzi-music.de/neilcampbellcollective08.html
"Musically, this stuff is all over the map and right from the start, I was impressed here. ....This is some very interesting and inventive music that is derivative of practically nothing at all. Excellent production effects and a unique approach to the overall delivery of the music make this a truly progressive release... ", www.progressiveears.com
"This is definitely progressive rock, but it's very fresh and very uncontrived and unconventional sounding. The classical-style guitar and cello are especially prominent and define the over-all sound. Some really great, moody melodies are explored. I was VERY impressed. You will be too.', Steve Feigenbaum, Wayside Music
"...a dense and complex suite of music that constantly challenges your perception of how music should be. With imaginative arrangements and some imaginative use of instrumentation (aided by Nicole Collarbone ..o, Mark Brocklesby on drums and percussion, Dan Owens and Liam Carey on bass, Stan Ambrose on Celtic Harp and Alex Welford on horns), Mr Campbell has certainly created a constantly challenging musical experience.', Stuart Hamilton, space-rock.co.uk
"...a very high level of creativity in the music. Add to that excellent performances, very good production and you get an album you will want to listen to quite often. When Particle Theory's last track ended, my reaction was "What... already over?". It did not take me long to put it back on again because Particle Theory merits numerous listenings. This very much unexpected gem gets my highest recommendation indeed.", www.prognosis.com
""Particle Theory" recalls both the symphonic folk music of Mike Oldfield and the large ensemble work of Ian Carr but also has obvious ties to the 'prog' scene with hints at Camel and King Crimson in a few places. Having done the necessary name-dropping I must say that this disc does a remarkably good job of not sounding like anyone in particular...The music is fresh, original and highly enjoyable! "Particle Theory" gets my highest recommendation!!", ZNR Records (www.znrcds.com)
"The Liverpool Collective has produced a real masterwork. After the 42 minutes is over one sits in front of the speakers and wonders in silence – “What? Over already?” – but then there is always the repeat button which this reviewer used a hell of a lot when reviewing this CD. Aside from being a talented multi-instrumentalist Neil Campbell is an accomplished songwriter and arranger who understands how to translate his personal mental cinema into sublime listening experiences. Without a warming up phase the Neil Campbell Collective plays straight to the heart of the listener and this reviewer is putting himself into the queue for their next album awarding 8/10 for ‘Particle Theory’.", www.rocktimes.de (translated from the German by Andy Fernihough)
"‘Particle Theory’ is a very beautiful guitar and cello coloured album. But also there are synth elements. The pieces present a mix of Progressive Rock, Symphonic/Melodic Rock, Electronica, Folk and Acoustic music. Above all the combination of whooshing bubbly synths (like the Berlin School or Ozric Tentacles) with these instruments has a special quality which I like very much. [It is] is a very varied album with lots of acoustic guitar, synths and cello that in itself works very naturally. You can listen relaxed because the melodies and sounds sink into the ears very smoothly. I like this album a lot.", www.musikzirkus-magazin.de (translated from the German by Andy Fernihough)
"Bands such as the NCC with an original style are not as easy to describe as bands who sound like so-and-so. The first thing that is apparent is that these are musicians with classical training. At times the NCC sound like a chamber orchestra playing rock, more rock-oriented than Karda Estra, more melodic and warm than Univers Zero. While they don’t strongly resemble any of the 1970’s progressive bands, the NCC share the same true progressive ethos and the same desire to incorporate several centuries of western musical development into rock.", www.kinesiscd.com
"...eight songs that perfectly blend together all the best elements of progressive rock., folk and even classical music, with traces of experimental electronics, to offer what is arguably one of the most diverse musical productions of the year. If you've never heard of Neil Campbell or his collective of musicians then Particle Theory is a perfect place to start. 4+1/2 stars", Ryan Sparks, Sea of Tranquility (www.seaoftranquility.org)
The Neil Campbell Collective perform 357 at the launch of Particle Theory CD:
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The Neil Campbell Collective perform Drift at the launch of Particle Theory CD:
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Pleased to virtually meet you! Thank you for joining my circle of cyber friends, for excepting the add and for sharing your Beautiful Music with me. Great Sound and Vibes!! K E E P * O N * P R O G I N'!! Take care and have yourselves an inspiring week. Warmest Regards from Toronto, Canada.
Hey!!! It was great to find you here!! What a lot of good memories of my time in Liverpool!! Do you remember that you played with me 'Tenemos el mar'(one of my songs in myspace)? I hope we keep in touch now! Laura
