trip the light - oceanic

Trip The Light

Oceanic
self-released; 2013

3.7 out of 5

By Jerrica Tisdale

San Antonio, TX, native Anthony Burchell composes music as Trip the Light.  Classic synthesizers, cassette decks, drum machines and even some video game consoles are all incorporated in Trip the Light’s songs.  Burchell’s talent brought Trip the Light, in 2012, an award. He won the San Antonio Current’s Music award for Best Electronic Artist. 

Trip the Light captures certain nature elements in each album. In his recent album, Oceanic, Burchell’s thoughts on oceans are the focus. The first track begins like a burst of sun. Then the album’s sound builds with cheery tones and aggressive thumping beats. The integration of the game console sounds gives some songs certain decade nostalgia.  

A few of Oceanic’s songs sound a little too repetitive. They do not fully explore all the changing aspects of oceans and nature. Despite that, many of the songs incite a joy about nature.  “EAC” is the most dance-worthy track on Oceanic because of its 80s movie quality. A steady kick pumps as synths mutate through various types of filters. “Bermuda” contains the most creative toying with sounds. On this song, Trip the Light uses actual chattering noises, which seems like people at an airport. This fabricates the magic of jumping on a plane to Bermuda. Other notable tracks are “Oceanic pt2” and “Descent.” They both demonstrate sound movements in ways that really draw upon imagery of their source inspiration. For example, you clearly hear the ocean influences in “Oceanic pt2.” 

Trip the Light creates tracks that explore the pleasure of being in nature. The songs on Oceanic use electronic sounds to cause nature feelings, which should clash, but works very well.

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