New Age Shmoo Age

Patrick O’Hearn has been conveniently described as a New Age solo artist, but that could easily leave the wrong impression. I have been listening to his music for many years and I have witnessed a colorful evolution from simply stated electronic compositions to dynamic and engaging explorations. Beautiful World was so well conceived and constructed that now, years after its debut, I listen with no less enthusiasm.

O’Hearn has become adept at creating a spaciousness painted with lush synthesizer washes underneath a highly textured, multi-instrument percussion section. It reminds me of what many meditation teachers refer to as that quiet space that exists far below the turbulent ocean surface. The percussion is not overdone though, as it compliments the rest of the composition, making it a richer, more complete listening experience.

That emotionless void is present on the first few tracks, but there is plenty of passion with their gradual, but brilliant builds. There is a depth that goes beyond emotion into something more vast and mysterious. And then on “Night Becomes Her,” O’Hearn lets us slip into despair until close to the end when he lifts us up into a painfully beautiful place. The simpler, quieter tracks on the CD serve as an excellent counterpose to the percussively busy tracks.

The album is filled with what I call signature sounds like the elegant and rich piano with long reverb tails, and the spacious lap steel guitar swells.

Deep, rhythmic, mysterious, colorful, lush, compelling, to call this a New Age album just doesn’t do it justice. O’Hearn himself prefers the terms “mood music,” if it must be categorized. Over the years he has added more flavors, more colors and has pushed his music far beyond the confines of New Age.