The Advisory Circle

How do you translate the music of England’s the Advisory Circle into American? Imagine if someone assembled samples of PBS’ Mr. Rogers, Mr. Slim Goodbody and Lilias the yoga lady, so it sounds like they are talking in your dreams about both the rainbow-hued optimism you felt as a child and the dread and uncertainty you feel as an adult, then these samples were woven into a soundtrack full of passé New Age arrangements, oneiric synth washes and bouncy television theme songs. That doesn’t quite nail it, but it’s close. Other Channels is TAC’s debut and being hailed as definitive of the Ghost Box label’s aesthetic. Could it achieve the minor acclaim of Music Has the Right to Children? With its lack of groove, probably not. It’s music for people who don’t mind being lulled into a feeling of unease.