Well, I've had the chance to hear the first six tracks from
Identity.
I would not say it was the total disaster Mr. Wright implies ("experimental mistake" seems to be his favourite catchphrase for this album), though I'll admit is IS rather hit-or-miss. When they're good, they're pretty good, but when they're NOT...you get the picture. Because of its electronic sound, it has quite a case of 80's-itis.
If you like either
Radio KAOS or
About Face, you may do better with
Identity than otherwise.
"Zee" is a short-lived collaboration between Dave Harris and Mr. Wright, during his time out of Pink Floyd.
What made this album experimental was its almost exclusive reliance on the Fairlight, what was then cutting-edge technology. When it is used well, it creates some very interesting effects. When used less effectively, the results can be quite abrasive. There are examples of both on this album. Part of the reason it is so glaring when it doesn't work is that there are no analogue instruments that I can hear. Mr. Wright's signature Hammond organ is absent from the mix, as well as any other analogue instrument. Had the Fairlight-generated sounds been blended with more traditional sounds, it might have helped to take away some of the harsh edges.
Also, there were some effects that were...well, irritating. "Strange Rhythm", which would otherwise be a better track, has this odd mechanical voice that repeats in a loop. The same goes for "By Touching".
Of the tracks I've heard, here are the good ones I would recommend downloading if you get the chance:
"Voices"
"Cuts Like a Diamond"
"Confusion" (though more typical 80's than the other two)
"Voices", of the six tracks I've heard, has the most "Wrightlike" sound to it. The chord progression, to me, is downright spooky, and the atmosphere of it sounds very much like a warm-up to
Broken China. It may well be that he was getting some of the ideas for sounds that he would use later; however, I think the technology, for the most part, needed to catch up to what he had in mind. Though "Voices" comes out very well, the Fairlight would not be able to do what would be required to pull off something like
Broken China--not by a long shot.
Clearly Mr. Wright learned from this experience--another reason I would not write this off as a total loss. He takes advantage of that spooky atmosphere he used in "Voices", but stays away from overly harsh sound effects--and most importantly, blends it with analogue instruments: note the Hammond, piano, and even cello. He also avoids repeating loops, blending the sound effects much more gracefully in and out. In my opinion, the best way to look at
Identity is as a learning experience. Maybe it didn't come out as well as he might have wished...but that's no reason to wish it away. At least he tried--and at least he was back to music. And THAT, at the very least, was a step in the right direction.
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Author's note: I've got one of my own...I was experimenting with ACID Music. Some tracks are very good--but I've got one where the first five minutes are unlistenable noise! Interestingly, I learned many of the same kinds of lessons from the experience. But failed track aside, I don't regret making it.
Also, I'm having trouble telling who is singing on a few songs. Does anyone have any idea?