Apart from music, it is also important to note that E.K. Wimmer is a multimedia artist. His Black & White Abstractions paintings in particular grabbed my attention: shown at right is Trenchfoot. Pieces such as this are evocative of his style of musicianship; a subtle meshing of elements, a scene frozen and distilled.

What Was Once Veduta… is cohesive throughout, with songs ranging from the radio single-ready and sentimental (“The Closer We Get”, “These Days”, and “Intercession”) to the more ambient (“Red Facade”) and mellow (“The Smallest Page” and “Simply Call My Name”). There is a melancholy, and at times gothic-tinged, undercurrent present throughout, and most apparent on “Distortion Song” and my personal favourite “If It Was”, with its haunting melody and Depeche Mode-evocative structure. The layering of sound is combined beautifully (“Things Have Been Strange” and “Someday”) with Wimmer’s bittersweet vocals, and the closer “Your Eyes” ties the album up with a speedier tempo, crashing to an end. An album for introspection, a soundtrack to your morning drive…or future film! Highly recommended.

E.K. Wimmer is at work on a follow-up to What Was Once Veduta… and plans to release the debut album from his post-punk/glamg roup, with his wife Maria Rose, Maps & Mapping.

Listen to What Was Once Veduta Is Now Found on Last.fm!
Planet Wimmer, Official Website | On MySpace Music | His Blog: How to Impress a Hipster