The Expanding Universe blends approachability with experimentation seamlessly.
I recently interviewed Laurie Spiegel, and in preparation, revisited her albums, especially The Expanding Universe, her 1980 classic that merges synth experimentation with early ambient music and algorithmic techniques. It’s a masterpiece that feels both nostalgic and innovative.
Tracks like “Patchwork” and “A Folk Study” feature lively arpeggios reminiscent of The Who’s “Baba O’Riley,” while “Old Wave” and “East River Dawn” evoke early M83 or Boards of Canada. The album’s sound is vibrant and timeless, unlike her later record Unseen Worlds, which occasionally uses FM bells.
Slower, ambient tracks like “Appalachian Grove II” and “The Unanswered Question” have glacial melodies that seem almost random. These pieces, along with “Music for Dance II,” fit well with modern ambient Instagram or modular synth YouTube, reflecting Spiegel’s pioneering influence.
Most tracks lack percussion, except for the rapid, polyrhythmic “Drums.” “Clockworks,” a standout, explores proto-industrial sounds similar to Throbbing Gristle or Trent Reznor, yet surprisingly hasn’t been sampled for underground hip-hop.
While The Expanding Universe doesn’t offer a cohesive vision, it showcases an artist at their peak. The 2012 reissue includes over 100 minutes of additional content, enhancing Spiegel’s legacy.
Despite the complexity of 70s experimental synth music, The Expanding Universe remains inviting. Some tracks explore dissonance, like the closing pieces “Kepler’s Harmony of the Worlds” and “Wandering in Our Times,” but overall, Spiegel’s work is melodic and accessible.
Laurie Spiegel’s The Expanding Universe is available on Bandcamp and major streaming platforms like Qobuz, Deezer, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Spotify.