What the duo do together could probably be called post rock but includes elements from pop, trip hop and acoustic guitar based song writing.

The music on the whole is sparse and laidback. The album itself comprises of songs that both men have written individually and only one collaboration between the two.

Patterson’s songs tend to have more focus on electronic programming particularly in the song “God Is Coming” with its percussive beat looped over to good effect. The electric guitars are understated and put to good use serving almost as a backbeat to the driving percussion samples. His other songs, are all low key almost ambient sounding but never become cold. Patterson occasionally goes a little overboard with the songwriting. The ending of the song “flowers” which is a sublime acoustic song is ruined for me with a pointless crescendo and drums and what sounds like an old church bell.

Moss’s songs on the album are all mostly based on and written around the acoustic guitar. Sung by the angelic sounding Michelle Richfield with the occasional backing vocals by Moss (as on “Over Your shoulder”) the songs are laid back, and sparse but also very memorable. The two songs that stick out are “Over Your Shoulder” with its superb vocal line and chorus and “The Last Laugh”, a slow burning, brooding song which is quite probably the best song Anathema never wrote.

An easy reference point would be Anathema’s softer side. In fact most of these songs sound like they could have been on any of Anathema’s later albums. Both artists, Patterson and Moss, know the value of a memorable vocal line or hook in the music and this is delivered in spades. You’ll find yourself humming these songs to yourself.

The album rounds out with a couple of acoustic re-workings. Moss does “Over Your shoulder” again, though this time it's just him and an acoustic guitar and sung in a different key. And Danny Cavanagh comes in to do an acoustic version of Patterson’s “Flowers”.

Unlike most bands of this ilk, there’s a feeling of warmth in this music, not to mention some superior song writing, that prevents “Saviour” from becoming background music and instead makes it essential for fans of trip hop and singer/songwriters alike.

Antimatter – Saviour

Year Of Release – 2002
Label – The End Records