It's hard to believe that Pop Ambient has stood the test of time for seven editions, as the series looked almost out of gas with its (comparatively) underwhelming 2005 edition and bounces back with its 2006 offering. But 2007 looks to be the strongest, most consistent of releases since the outstanding 2002 and 2003 volumes, considered by many to be the series' best moments. Longtime mainstays
Markus Guentner, Triola, Ulf Lohmann (who needs to make more appearances with longer tracks) and Andrew Thomas all make strong appearances, as does a rare offering from
Wolfgang Voight's
Gas project (once again, a re-release but this time it's a bit more scarce a tune, making it a world premiere to more than a few ears). But it's the sensible inclusion of
Popnoname and
Marsen Jules (whose releases on City Centre Offices would be more than an ideal companion to this disc) that help to accentuate the already strong lineup, rather than provide moments of gentle, predictable filler. This is an ideal soundtrack to wave goodbye to cold, rainy early evenings of autumn and say hello to calm, contemplative moments hibernating inside during the brutal winter months. ~ Rob Theakston