Silicone Soul - Essential Mix - BBC Radio - Jun 2005

Biography of Silicone Soul

Silicone Soul have answered our prayers and rescued our ears with their new album ‘Save Our Souls’. ‘Save Our Souls’ is Craig Morrison and Graeme Reedie’s third album for Soma and their most accomplished work to date. It comes one year after the release of their critically acclaimed ‘Staring Into Space’ album. It is certainly a more focused body of work, which portrays the unique Silicone Soul sound.

Craig and Graeme use their music as an outlet to comment on the subjects that affect them personally or in the world around them, whether it’s relationships, drugs or politics. They have strong ideas about artwork too (Save Our Souls is loosely based on the works of 15th Century Renaissance artist, Bosch) and their track titles are carefully considered to have a meaningful relevance.

Craig reflects on the album name, “I suppose on another level, the title is a call to arms to save (our souls) from the issues facing today’s society. From the bland homogenised popular culture and lifestyles of today and the culture of fear and loss of liberty, to the immorality and current obsession with celebrity and reality, which are so prevalent.” Since the release of their last album they have moved out of their main studio and set up new ones in their own homes, which are virtually interchangeable. This has resulted in a more flexible and efficient mode of working which also allows them to collate and concentrate on individual aspects of their tracks when they are not collaborating together.

Graeme says, “We were in a much better position in general for producing this album – so it was quicker for us. We hope the new album picks up from where the last album left off.” The outcome of their efforts is a cohesive musical production and a cerebrally intensive listening experience that will occupy headspaces and dancefloors alike. ‘Save Our Souls’ marks another pivotal transition in their musical development. This is the refined sound of Silicone Soul, an enthralling and emotive journey which contains elements of danger and drama combined with a deep hypnotic quality that evolves through intoxicating slow burners to euphoric house anthems.

Once again they have incorporated live instrumentation to add a real depth to their music. Live keyboards are used on the majority of the tracks and guitar is included on ‘The Hikikomori’, ‘Fading’, ‘Dreaming Again’, ‘The Stars’ and ‘Venom’. Their preview single release, ‘The Snake Charmer’ contains a bewitching live flute melody that has already entranced DJ's and club kids everywhere with its enchanting rhythms and ethereal Eastern vibe.

An introspective notion is exemplified by tracks like ‘The Hikikomori’, ‘3 AM’ and ‘Do Some Good?’ all of which are melancholic and convey genuine emotion. The mood shifts smoothly from these atmospheric, downtempo workouts to classic Silicone Soul uplifting cuts, like forthcoming single ‘The Pact’ and ‘Bad Machines’ with their rapturous piano lines and killer bass. ‘Margin For Madness’ is destined to be another crowd pleaser with its bubbling acid and old school, wild pitch groove.

Vocal tracks have always been part of Silicone Soul’s repertoire and for the first time Graeme has used his own vocals on the string soaked ‘The Stars Became The Sun’. Craig comments, “It’s our first proper attempt, so we are quite pleased with the results. It’s cool because a vocal is effectively another instrument, which can really add another layer and help define the track.”

The album concludes with one of their personal favourites, ‘Eloge De L’amour’. The title was inspired by the work of French director Jean Luc Goddard and the enchanting melody evokes a positive summation. Craig says, “The melodic hook is a real spine-chiller and I think it’s a great summing–up of our vibe.”

Silicone Soul have been on Soma for almost ten years and they released their debut album ‘A Soul Thing’ in 2000. Their international hit ‘Right On!’ followed the same year and was subsequently licensed and released on Virgin where it hit the heights of number twelve in the UK National Chart. Since then they have toured every corner of the globe and continue to be one of Soma’s most popular acts.