Fearsome Jewel is a mini-album, though it clocks in at just over thirty-five minutes. One musical theme is represented over the CD's length, a theme that subtly shifts and transforms, never straying far from the sonic elements that comprise it. There is a strong similarity to the work of Wolfgang Voigt's Gas project, particularly on the Zauberberg and Konigsforst records, where classicism is completely overtaken by technological tampering to create a new beast formed by very familiar parts. This essence is the same in Thomas's work here, however this "fearsome jewel" does not dwell in the somewhat claustrophobic and thickly opaque environments of Gas works, but chooses instead to occupy a translucent and open vista. The ten tracks of Fearsome Jewel fade in and out as if they were separate entities, though one listen will convince that this is a work to be taken completely. Synth strings and casually touched piano notes are looped in swelling arrangements, often punctuated by digital crackle that resembles a skipping LP. Newer elements are added and subtracted quietly, giving each track a progressive movement forward rather than maintaining a looped stasis. Sub-bass rumbles are often accompanied by what sounds like a submerged orchestra, like Gavin Bryars filtered through Porter Ricks' "Nautical Zone." Elements of one track are reused in a different context on another track, forcing the listener to reimagine the sounds in a completely different sonic mien.

To some degree, I feel that Thomas's intent is to recreate the effect on works like Bryars's The Sinking of the Titanic and Eno's "Three Variations on the Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel." Sonic elements are recycled in different tempos and configurations to form a unified piece of music that refers to itself as it shifts moods and sonic colors. The feeling of this album is not one of underwater beauty, or a renewed classical piece, but rather of autumnal serenity--one ignores the possible intellectualism of the CD to simply bask in its simplicity and beauty.

Here is the soundtrack of the mind. By recycling the elements repeatedly in different configurations, we are reminded to some degree how our own brains work. When presented with memories or experiences, we take them with us in life to be frequently mulled over, compared to other experiences, relived in the chambers of our minds. Similar in feel is this music, which is deceptively simple at first--but sonically is similar to seeing a beautiful woman who reminds you of past loves, old travels, youthful dalliances. Fearsome Jewel is a journey through memory of a sort, as the mind cycles through the past, remembering certain things, unconsciously misremembering others; the familiar subtly changes beneath our notice. A beautiful jewel indeed, but fearsome--here we can never truly recognize what originally happened, only experience the afterimages.

Kompakt records has brought us another unusual entry in their unstated "Pop Ambient" series. Fearsome Jewel is an unexpected delight; one that will stimulate as well as lull into a blissful reverie. This is music that gradually insinuates itself into your consciousness, becoming a part of the tapestry of your mind during its thirty-five minutes. And perhaps this is the true definition of ambient for future generations: music contained within the mind.