Review
Oren Ambarchi
In the Pendulums Embrace

Southern Lord (2007) Kevin Fitzpatrick

Oren Ambarchi – In the Pendulums Embrace cover artwork
Oren Ambarchi – In the Pendulums Embrace — Southern Lord, 2007

When I hear this album I smell dust. It might not make sense to you, or to me for that matter, but it is what it is. Some albums, particularly in the ambient vein, take me to strange places that can be either outside or inside. Oren Ambarchi takes me to the attic that I haven't been up to in years. The attic where even as a grown man looking at old boxes of photographs or other such things, there's a feeling of unease brought on me by such a place and all of a sudden I am eight years old all over again. In the Pendulum's Embrace caught me off guard for a number of reasons. I won't lie to you, when I first heard this album, my initial reaction was, "What the fuck is this doing on Southern Lord??" Such a reaction, of course is bred in pure, impulsive ignorance.

So I listened to the album again and understood a bit more about how it could be on such a label as Southern Lord. I could tell that I was beginning to like it, but I still wasn't sure why I liked it. Then, a little bit into the third listen it came to me, "Oh yeah, the attic," and it all became more clear. There's a plethora of instruments at work here: strings, guitars, bells, and glass harmonica. All doing well to serve Ambarchi's end.

I hadn't heard of Ambarchi beyond his previous work with Sunn 0))) so I was interested to see what he comes up with on his own. What he creates is soundscapes, but not in the new age sense of the word. What In the Pendulum's Embrace consists of is three songs lasting a total of forty minutes that, assuming you're in the right frame of mind (that is to say open) will find your "place" that it takes you to (whether you call it "trance" or whatever) and when you're finished you'll feel unnerved yet somehow refreshed, most likely initially unaware of where the last forty minutes went.

Some of you may read this going "Jesus, who the hell wants that?" But Ambarchi reminds us that music can first and foremost be an experience, the ultimate form of escapism. Sure, where we escape to is in the ear of the beholder but that's just all part of the fun.

Oren Ambarchi – In the Pendulums Embrace cover artwork
Oren Ambarchi – In the Pendulums Embrace — Southern Lord, 2007

Related features

Oren Ambarchi

One Question Interviews • January 27, 2014

Related news

Recently-posted album reviews

Between the Buried and Me

The Blue Nowhere
Inside Out (2025)

Between The Buried And Me are seasoned vets to the progressive metalcore, electronic, prog (whatever other genre they bend) scene and continue to drop album after album. Their career started back in 2000 from the ashes of one of the greatest metalcore bands of all time (in my humble opinion), Prayer For Cleansing. As the band has progressed over the … Read more

The Beths

Straight Line Was A Lie
Anti (2025)

Dear Beths, Congratulations on the new release. I’ve been reflecting on our relationship and, as I’ve recently started to write about music again, have been asked to share my thoughts with you. First and foremost, I want to say that this isn’t easy for me. I cherish your album Future Me Hates Me from 2018. The title track alone is … Read more

East End Redemption

Crashing Down
Independent (2025)

Who would’ve thought that from the land of lobsters and blueberries, you’d find a punk band? East End Redemption is a four-piece band that brings their flavor of punk from Portland, Maine to the masses with their eleven song, debut full-length album, Crashing Down. They mix elements of skate punk, power pop, and even hints of hardcore punk. The band … Read more