I've decided to become productive as far as IDM goes, and so here's my
first contribution... my track by track impressions of the Freaky Chakra
album. I'm reviewing things as I listen to the album, and apart from the
first 2 tracks, I'm hearing everything for the first time.
review of:
Freaky Chakra
"Lowdown Motivator"
Astralwerks ASW 6133-2
by guy jr.
"Multiphastic Invoculator"
4-4 kick, combined with a synth sound that oscillates rapidly in
and out, starts out the album on the right note... a danceable, tranceable,
grooveable one! The sound almost becomes unbearable at one point toward
the beginning, but it quickly dies back down, and lets the beat break back
down. Other sounds and perky quirky sounds come in and out, tantalizing the
listener and making preparations for the guitar which combines all the
elements into one.
Excellent layering of the sounds... You don't really hear something
for more than a minute or so, except for a couple of elements. At times I
think of the Orb, and how things are brought in and out, but here there is
a lot more order, and yet an underlying randomness that makes things
interesting to listen to and enjoy.
"Big Aura"
The guitar sounds of the previous track, combined with that great
rhythm, lead into this track. It maintains the same style tho for the
beginning... let's just see where this leads to.
Ahh... a sample. I hear "spaceship", "faster than light", and
"spaceboy" in there, but it's all echoed around a good bit, slightly
filtered, so I can't make it all out. But it adds a nice breath onto the
track.
Ahh... here we go! No more "old rhythm"... break it down into some
high energy trance-y dance music! It's not fast, but the beats and
perc-hit type sound keep the vibe alive and progressing forward!
There seems to be a good deal of clanky type instruments off there
in the background... they're all but smothered, but I can make them out.
Beat does drop out a bit for a few secs, while a swirling distorted
piano type sound moves all over the sonic spectrum, punching hits here and
there, and making for some great rhythm as well as melody.
"Budded On Earth To Bloom In Heaven"
The track starts out minimalistic, with a scant amount of clicking.
It slowly builds on a punchy analogue riff, and keeps things fresh by
mixing in and out a bell sound panned full right, with other various beats
keeping things fresh.
After a bit, a female vocal comes in (Toni Halliday!), and some
more textures fill in around her, to give life to her voice, while at the
same time keeping a semi-dark mood in the air. Toward the end of the track,
a little bit of guitar comes in, blending in very well with the textures
already present.
"Goodbye"
Slow string-synthy intro, leads to a sudden drum beat and echo
cymbal beat, which sets up a slow rhythm to build from. The bass which
follows seems to be the beginning of a very mellow tribal beat. Yep, there
comes the standard tribal "sound"... I can't think of a name for it tho,
but you'll know what I'm talking about when you hear it.
The tribal-ish beat continues on for a while, while things develop
around it. More sounds to explore and listen to. The beat is in and out
now, with the same texturing and layering going on. This is some _very_
good IDM to listen to with headphones! (as I'm doing right now).
"Peace Fixation" (trance mix)
ahh... the luscious sounds of analogue. This would be a splendid
way to wake up in the morning!
The pleasant analogue sweep and backing sounds give way to a 4-4
beat, which doesn't seem at all to crush the drums and filtered percussives
which also prevail around the guitar, some flutey-belly sound, and that
nifty analogue sound! (sorry my vocabulary with respect to IDM sucks, but
hey, this is my first real "review" of an album!)
Woah... I just realized this track is about 14 minutes long. After
about 3 mins, some more filtered waves (sounds like square waves) come in
and add to the melodic happiness already driven by the drumming and
fluting.
argh! there's too much to listen to! time for me to just chill
and enjoy the music!....
"Tra Vigne"
blending in with the percussion from the previous, this one uses
a pulsing analogue sound to keep things moving, while more percussions move
in and out, break down and up and every which way.
I can see this one being a good floor groovin' song, maybe to wind
down after some intense beats, but definitely enough to keep people going.
I'll have to try playing this at an insanely loud volume to verify my
theory...
"Halucifuge" (blind dive)
Oh boy... guess I better wake myself up from this trance state...
I'm quite tired, and yes, I didn't even realize the track before had blended
into this one! From what I remember, it continued the vibe, mixing in
"Visualize that first chakra... visualize the center of the body" samples.
I'm replaying parts of it now... "peaceful thoughts... controlled
thoughts... you are _in_, the light!"
And what an amazing and funky light it is!
"Lightdarklight"
Ahh... a peaceful intro, with a scant beat, small little pecks here
and there amidst a warm texture. Love the touches of electronics on the
fringes of my headphones. It's quite soothing in a way.
I've been very impressed with the beats on this album. And here is
no exception. I can barely make out the 4-4 kick anymore amidst the wide
array of beat making sounds. There's more than one cymbal, varied by
filters and perhaps one of them is even reversed. This sort of reminds me
of CJ Bolland, were he to take a more "Intelligent" approach to his music :-)
The musical intonations fade in and out, and at one point leave
very little other than the kick and a couple sounds going. But the whole
effect and mixing is done very well. More music for me to enjoy listening
to.
Overall... I'm _very_ happy with this purchase! I always like long albums,
but I hate albums with no substance. This album is both long, and filled
with mucho ear candy. I don't know how many times will be needed to
thoroughly soak up the treats hidden on all the tracks, but I think I've
given everyone a good taste of what's on here.
All I can say now is go buy buy buy!
--
guyjr@wc240.residence.gatech.edu
a.k.a., Guy Elden Jr.