Galaxy Overload in the Circle of 8 review nr: 2
Tracklist:
01. The Planet's End - Our Destination
02. Feedback Baby
03. Roll Up
04. The Right Effect - A Different
05. Groovy Feeling
06. Planet Earth, Next Launch
07. Power Mongoloid
08. Next Memory
09. Fool #9
It is hard to describe why Ixtlan’s music is so appealing. Maybe it’s how smooth the overall production of each track is, with melodies, basslines, leads and ambience all falling neatly into place. Everything feels right yet there is still some amount of not-right in each track - something that makes this album deserving of its experimental tag. I felt that experimentation happened a lot in the vocal department for this album, maybe a bit too much. Not everything turned out great but those shortcomings were more than made up by some really excellent tracks.
01. The Planet's End - Our Destination
02. Feedback Baby
03. Roll Up
04. The Right Effect - A Different
05. Groovy Feeling
06. Planet Earth, Next Launch
07. Power Mongoloid
08. Next Memory
09. Fool #9
It is hard to describe why Ixtlan’s music is so appealing. Maybe it’s how smooth the overall production of each track is, with melodies, basslines, leads and ambience all falling neatly into place. Everything feels right yet there is still some amount of not-right in each track - something that makes this album deserving of its experimental tag. I felt that experimentation happened a lot in the vocal department for this album, maybe a bit too much. Not everything turned out great but those shortcomings were more than made up by some really excellent tracks.
I enjoyed my time listening to most of Galaxy Overload in the Circle of 8. Ixtlan makes enjoyable catchy music but remains unconventional enough to maintain an edgy experimental feel. This is exactly the sort of recording that I was hoping to find - something different from the usual glut of CC-based releases that I sift through while looking for that one special release.
The album melds many styles. Most of it, playtime-wise, is ambient. The other part is electronica pop. There is even a track that is funky soul pop with hip hop elements. Personally, I felt the best tracks from this album were those of the ambient variety. Listening to the ambient tracks evolve from their quiet beginnings through their tumultous middle-lives to their inevitable conclusions gave tremendous satisfaction. Oft-times, I found myself anticipating the moments when a new sound, musical or noise element would come in. Also, the ambient tracks often used ethnic sounding instruments that I dig.
Some picks from this release include:
02. Feedback Baby
An anthem electronic pop song. Likeable and easy to listen to. I found the vocals here easier on the ears than the first track.
03. Roll Up
A hip hop beat with hip-hop elements blended with an electronica vibe. Interesting and you may even find it catchy.
04. The Right Effect - A Different
Highly melody-driven ambient music with a freestyle feel. I loved the arpeggiator synth in the middle especially.
07. Power Mongoloid
A track totally based around a sort of muted screeching synth.
08. Next Memory
Clocking in at almost twenty minutes, this track is, should I say, not boring at all! This track takes the crown for being the best track from this album with many unexpected twist and turns.
In summary, this is a most disjointed but overall, great sounding album. A highly recommended listen to anyone who’s interested in electronica and ambient music. Thanks to our reader, John, for this great recommmendation.
http://gratisvibes.com/post/galaxy-overload-in-the-circle-of-8/Netlabel: 23 Seconds
[sec.003] Ixtlan - Galaxy Overload In The Circle Of 8
http://netlabelse.wordpress.com/
Release: Ixtlan - Galaxy Overload In The Circle Of 8
Label: 23 seconds
Ixtlan is the third release from 23 seconds, and it's a rather weird one (as might be guessed by the name and the cover ;-) ). Like a blend of 70's electronic music and world music, spiced up with some hiphop and electronica beats, it sweeps through an impressive range of sounds and moods. I'm impressed by it's diversity, I truly am. What impresses me more is that even though the songs vary a lot in style and mood, they still work together quite well as a whole.
For me, the highlights of the album are "Feedback baby", an upbeat and very groovy song that somehow reminds me of early Kraftwerk but with a more modern sound and human sound, and "Planet Earth, Next Launch", a guitardriven (almost ambient) laidback track (though I feel the drums could've been more interesting in that track).
Though I'm not the largest fan of this kind of music, I still did find this a very enjoyable album, and well worth a listen for anyone who likes a bit weird retrosounding music with some fresh ideas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)