Despite widespread indifference in his native land, Lisbon-based Rafael Toral has released a series of CDs that push the boundaries of musical genres as well as the limits of his instrument, establishing him as one of the most gifted and innovative guitarists of the decade. Played at low volume, Wave Field (Moneyland) is a beautiful record whose liquid flow is reminiscent of Brian Eno's experiments with ambient music. Turn it up and it becomes a churning, mesmerizing, layered soundcape of molten feedback and chiming overtones.
Bill Meyer