I'm not sure if Christoph Meier is riffing off of Cloud Atlas with his performing name, but it's fairly apt. His press sheet compares him to Nick Cave, Depeche Mode and the quieter side of the Young Gods, and for once I couldn't agree more with a self-assessment.

Atlas Clouds Aftermath EP (Waterfall of Colors)

Let's also stipulate the more refined, almost cabaret side of Nick Cave, and I think we're getting close. These are intense, brooding songs backed by Meier's electronic symphonies. He'll drop in an acoustic guitar now and then, and his vocal style is far too "real" to put this on the electronic side of things, but by and large that's the sound here.

Well, perhaps electronic more in the construction. These songs are much closer to the gothic art pop realm (Meier channels some serious Leonard Cohen vibes on "You Are Free"), but for all the foreboding atmosphere they still have an inner light.

Not unlike the way playing (and hearing) the blues can make everything alright, Atlas Clouds uses the dark to bring light. This set packs a lot more than its 20-minute running time would indicate. A real thunderclap.

Jon Worley