Peter Broderick - Docile
[Kning Disk]

The immensely talented Peter Broderick recently entranced UK audiences, both supporting and performing with Efterklang on their recent tour. Beginning with a mesmerizing laptop based set and then later bolstering the great Danes’ sound with a myriad of instruments, Broderick only confirmed what those waiting for his debut on Type Records (tentatively entitled “Float”) have known about for sometime. This guy is something special.

In the meantime, Swedish specialist label Kning Disk have released the limited edition “Docile”, a collection of piano pieces that by Broderick’s own admission is a set of simple songs, written in less than a week and recorded in less than an hour.

Despite such quick-fix recording techniques, these ten movements do not reek of spontaneity. Instead, the sparse arrangements conjure images of American-born Broderick playing his piano late at night, under candlelight in a rural house, miles away from any city. Undeniably beautifully performed, tracks such as “Ceasefire” and “Diverge” have certain lulling qualities. There is even a beautiful, cascading piece here, entitled “Lull”. “Laden”, though, is a highlight, building a two-chord structure that gradually increases with aggression.

The first in an on-going Kning Disk series, whereby artists around the globe will contribute their own piano-based movements, “Docile” maybe lacks the wonderful orchestration that is a hallmark of Broderick’s usual work. He did perform a number of these pieces live, adding layers of orchestration and strings, suggesting they are works in process rather than completed pieces.

Whatever maybe the case, as 2007 draws to a close, this is the time of year for contemplation the ten arrangements on “Docile” are a perfect accompaniment for such sentimental times. A release to whet the appetite for what’s to come, as Broderick is poised to make 2008 his own.

Docile Track Listing:

1. Begin
2. Moment
3. Null
4. Diverge
5. Dearest
6. Ceasefire
7. Query
8. Laden
9. Lull
10. Return