Japan's Ryonkt (aka Ryo Nakata) creates ten-minute waves of ambience with just a guitar and some processing equipment. It is an approach that has become popular and has worked well in many situations. Unfortunately, Nakata's most recent affair, Small Conversations, is not one of those, and it leaves one with the impression that something critical to the record is missing, which greatly affects one's appreciation of the work.

I know that Nakata is creating this ringing, droning music with heavily-processed, layered guitars, and that knowledge sustains me. Knowing that these tones are more than just MIDI coughed up by a laptop producer makes it more human. It does not make it sound any less like a stereotype, however, when opening track "Sora" flows out of the speakers. That mid-range, quasi-organ drone just seems to pop up so often in this type of music... why get excited about it this time around?

If there is a reason to get excited, it is the little things. The overtones that show up in "Toy Camera" ring in the ears for a bit like an aftertaste, but they make the piece more interesting for those willing to think about it. "Synphony" starts with a dissonant, brassy progression that conjures up Philip Glass, and it is arguably the best track on the disc. The presence of movement, even repetitive, circuitous movement, offers a change from the glacial drone of the other three tracks, and it is an inventive piece, tapping a vein that will likely prove common to many listeners. Still, these are little things and can only transport one so far.

What makes Small Conversations really fail to be more than a decent disc is the utter lack of emotion. I would never deign to question the emotional investment of an artist in his work; that said, it does not translate here. I feel absolutely nothing when listening to this record, and I hear nothing but notes. There are some inspired things here and there that can keep a willing listener attentive, but I doubt many people will be gushing to their friends about it.

I want to believe that seeing Ryonkt live would fill the hole that seems to be present when I listen to this record. Establishing a link between the visual and the aural can sometimes make things better, and there are just some artists who communicate more direct in person than on record. I hope that Ryonkt is one of these artists, because I want something good here. Without any added attraction, it is likely he and this album will be lost in a sea of similarity.

-Lee Stablein