- Ten Hands is the 10th album from the Brisbane quintet Topology – that may very well make you think they’re just gushing them out willy-nilly but the ensemble have spent the last four years composing the one-hour performance that has only recently been committed to CD. As the name of the work would suggest, there is some math-rock involved.

‘Rush’, the opening track explains the title – Ten hands on a single piano. It feels quite small to begins with. Topology aptly play with space quite often and by the second track the hands are back on their respective instruments - a surprising gush of texture having been limited so strictly before now. Instruments are vibrant and clear and the mix neat & tidy. As gorgeous as any recent Phillip Glass release. The album has a sort of David Attenborough soundtrack feel before it begins to slow to a stop around the middle. Especially the track, Immersed, which happens to be my favourite on the record. It’s got a real Necks vibe – The Boys soundtrack in particular.

All five members are without a doubt accomplished players. In particular, bassist Robert Davidson has studied under the great Terry Riley as has saxophonist, John Babbage, who also worked with the amazing Michael Nyman. Right in the middle of the record is When I Found Out, a very outwardly glowing pop that felt a little awkard transitioning from Immersed. Topology do indeed try out a lot of different approaches over the whole hour. Some tracks are jauntier and others sound a bit like the American chamber group Rachel’s. In fact parts of the second half of the record give off amore homely feel, a certain domestic quality that you get from all of those David Byrne records.

At the time of writing I haven’t seen Ten Hands live so I can’t exactly comment on the theatrical portion of the work but the CD is an interesting patchwork at a recording quality where every instrument is a joy to listen to.

- Josh Watson.