It is hard to categorise CBL’s music but the best description might be that of a groundbreaking mixture of acid, techno and trance music. The term acid/ambient has also been coined.
CBL signed with the celebrated Lyon-based Ultimae Records in 2002 and have since released five full-length albums (Hydroponic Garden in 2003, World of Sleepers in 2006, Interloper in 2010, VLA and Twentythree in 2011) and an EP (Irdial in 2008). All releases have been extraordinarily well received by connoisseurs within the ambient scene.
Additionally they have actively participated in successful collaborations with several artists, including Magnus Birgersson of Solar Fields in a project to compose the music for the Swedish dancer Olof Persson’s "Fusion" performance in 1999.
Johannes often creates the building blocks of sounds and harmonies and could tweak sounds forever, whereas Daniel develops the rhythms and sculpts the ideas into tracks. It remains unclear which of them derives the greatest pleasure from manipulating the distinctive, squelching sounds of the Roland TB-303.
Through this synergy of ideas, their aim is to combine earth and space in their music. Daniel and Johannes use the combination of nature and technology as the main inspiration for their work. They like to represent both the positive and negative effects that this collaboration can lead to, including the negative impact that incorrect technology can have on the environment. The genius of CBL’s music is that it suits any occasion.
Their creativity occasionally spills over into what become ‘new’ projects. The results can be enjoyed by listening to releases from Thermostatic and Digidroid, as well as Daniel’s own SYNC24, which is the result of sudden impulses of inspiration, giving room for his personal reflections.
The music often seems to reflect the natural landscape of its land of inception; indeed if you listen to "Photosynthesis" on the World of Sleepers album then you find yourself feeling genuine concern for the forests. Given the source of the quotation in the song, perhaps this is the point. If so, it’s a damned good one and epitomizes the aim of the group in pricking the conscience when it comes to something as critical as the environment.
Official site: http://carbonbasedlifeforms.net/
Bancamp: https://carbonbasedlifeforms.bandcamp.com/
Erratic Patterns
Carbon Based Lifeforms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it's supposed to be perfect, but really it's not.
Can you find the flaws, hidden in structured code.
hiding in the pattern, in between the rows.
Now that you know that something's not right,
look at it carefully, in pale logic light.
Don't be sorry, if you can't recognize
the errors and faults, in such a perfect disguise.
Only illogics can find hidden flaws in a straight logic line
Only erratics recognize errors in patterns of a perfect design.
The lyrics of Carbon Based Lifeforms' song Erratic Patterns seem to delve into the idea of looking beyond the surface level of things and analyzing patterns to find hidden flaws or imperfections. The opening lines of the song invite the listener to observe a pattern and question whether or not it truly is perfect. The following lines encourage the listener to search for these flaws within structured code and hidden in between the rows.
As the song progresses, there is a sense of urgency to uncover these errors as the lyrics state, "Now that you know that something's not right, look at it carefully, in pale logic light." The song acknowledges the difficulty of recognizing these imperfections, stating that even if the listener cannot recognize them, it's alright. The final line suggests that only those who operate outside of traditional logic systems (erratics) can identify the errors within these patterns of perfect design.
Overall, the song seems to suggest that there is often more than meets the eye and that one must take a closer look at patterns and systems to find imperfections that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at the pattern, can you see what's wrong?
Examine the structure or sequence, can you detect any mistakes?
it's supposed to be perfect, but really it's not.
Even though it's intended to be flawless, it's actually flawed.
Can you find the flaws, hidden in structured code.
Are you capable of discovering defects that are concealed within an organized set of instructions?
hiding in the pattern, in between the rows.
Concealed within the organized sequence, between the lines.
Now that you know that something's not right,
Now that you are aware that there is an issue,
look at it carefully, in pale logic light.
Inspect it closely, using a dispassionate and objective approach.
Don't be sorry, if you can't recognize
Don't feel remorseful if you are unable to perceive
the errors and faults, in such a perfect disguise.
The imperfections and shortcomings that are cleverly concealed within a supposedly flawless system.
Only illogics can find hidden flaws in a straight logic line
Only those who defy conventional thinking can uncover defects in a perfectly rational sequence.
Only erratics recognize errors in patterns of a perfect design.
Only those who embrace unpredictability can see missteps in an ideally arranged structure.
Contributed by Tristan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.