Helpless Spectator

– General Description: Matt Hill uses the stage name Umberto (an homage to Italian director Umberto Lenzi) when recording solo. Hill is primarily a film composer (most recently scoring the 2019 film “All That We Destroy”). These pieces create bewitching atmospheres at times using mostly synths and strings. You can definitely feel the horror/sci-fi movie music influence. Hill also makes good use of live instrumentation in his compositions. Mood setting and worth a listen.

– Musicians:
Matt Hill - composer, synths, guitar, bass, piano
Aaron Martin - cello, bowed banjo
“Idaho” Joe Winslow - pedal steel guitar

– FCC Compliant: YES
– Recommended Tracks: 1, 7, 8
– Track Reviews:

1.*** (6:24) Hidden Thoughts - ethereal and creepy in a nice way
2. (5:44) Leafless Tree - a merry-go-round of 1 thru 6 with mostly bell-like images above
3. (5:08) Spontaneous Possession - animated; bangs like someone pounding on your door non-stop with all your appliances sending out tunes over it
4. (4:42) Reflection - a loud heartbeat under what initially sounds like spacey flatulence, then it rollercoasters
5. (5:38) The Higher Room - mellower piece, cowboys in space sort of sound
6. (5:20) Sadness, Happiness, Disgust, and Surprise - this is sort of a nightmare soundscape that can be disturbing if you’re not expecting it
7.*** (2:45) Absent Images - a sweet and sad, little melancholic piece
8.***(6:18) Arroyo - (‘stream’ or ‘creek’), stately and airy, and also sad