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cd_solidsnake

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  1. cd_solidsnake
    Artist: Alex Braxe And Friends
    Title: The Upper Cuts
    Label: Vulture Music/Play It Again Sam/Different
    Cat. #: VULT010, 451.1041.028, DIFB1041CD
    Release Date: June 2005
    Format: CD (1 x Unmixed),
     
    Tracklist:
     
    01. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Most Wanted
    02. The Paradise (Alan Braxe & Romuald) - In Love With You
    03. Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You
    04. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Intro
    05. Shakedown - At Night (Fred Falke Remix)
    06. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Love Lost
    07. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Palladium
    08. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Arena
    09. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Rubicon
    10. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Penthouse Serenade
    11. Rec (produced by Alan Braxe) - Link 'n' Rings
    12. Alan Braxe - Vertigo
     
    Review:
     
    I must say that I'm already familiar with Alain Quême due to his various remixes for Jamiroquai's songs. I also know that he's well known in the House scene, specially for his "French" House style, his friendship with Thomas Bangalter and Manuel Guy de Homen-Cristo (a.k.a. Daft Punk) and the fact that he has remixed several pop artist's songs. So yes, if you're into Electronic & Dance music, you must know about Alain Quême, a.k.a. Alan Braxe.
     
    Now, some people call this an "album", but in fact is a compilation, featuring tracks released throughout the previous years of this release. But don't let this fact fool you: This is going to be a hell of a ride. Indeed, before listening to this release, my expectations were nice, but after the listen, I fell in love with it. This doesn't even feel like a compilation of tracks, it feels more like an album than anything else (so yes, I don't care if this is technically a compilation, I'll also call it an album).
     
    Anyway, is time to go for the ride...
     
    Things start smoothly with the beautiful "Most Wanted", which was created in collaboration with Fred Falke (who appears in six other tracks). Let me tell you, this one is a great House track, and arguably my favorite track of the album. The lead is very melodic, the strings are beautiful, the bassline is really awesome (it even becomes more uplifting after the middle break) and the drums are tight but not hard. This is a winner in every sense.
     
    "In Love With You" comes next. This track was made by The Paradise, a project by Alan Braxe and Romuald. It starts slowly and builds a nice, romantic atmosphere with its pads, toms, piano and a guy who repeats "In love with you" several times. The only bad thing about this track is its repetitive nature. After a while there's a break and the pad is looped, the drums are filtered and everything slowly comes back. I'd like to have a little bit more variation here, but at least this track doesn't feel like a filler.
     
    Now, I know what I said about the first track, but let me tell you, the next one is THE DEFINITIVE HOUSE TRACK FROM THE 90's. "Music Sounds Better With You" is the only track made by Stardust, a group that could have become even more famous if it wasn't for the fact that Thomas Bangalter, one of his members, decided to just "leave it like that" (by rejecting an album contract with TWO MILLIONS DOLLARS IN ADVANCE, before even making another song for it). Most people say that this is practically Daft Punk, due to Bangalter being part of the group, but people forget that both Benjamin Diamond (vocals) and Alan Braxe were also part of Stardust. The only reason this track is not my favorite from the album is because it feels like a cheapshot to put it here. Yes, the track is awesome and is one of the best works ever made by Braxe, but it feels like a bonus track in a sea of good works. It won't affect negatively the overall score, but I'll just treat it like a bonus (not a filler track, just an AWESOME bonus).
     
    We go back to Braxe & Falke with their "Intro". What are they introducing? I really have no idea, but with a bubbling, groovy and funky bassline, WHO CARES?! This one's another banger for the dancefloor. It might be a little bit polarised (too many filtered elements going out and then coming back), but due to the bassline, it shines.
     
    As I told you before, Braxe have remixed some great tracks, and this next remix by him is no exception. Shakedown's "At Night" is one of the most iconic House tracks ever made, and the Alan Braxe remix is definitely something worth listening. It might not be better than the original mix (OH, CELESTIA! I LOVE THAT ORIGINAL MIX!), but it is definitely next to it. The only issue I have with this is the fact that it doesn't feel as energetic as "Intro", but is just that.
     
    "Love Lost" comes afterwards, with some cowbell, a looped pad, a nice bassline and some really well made EQ. Now, this is the weakest track of the album. Is just so simple that it feels like Braxe could have done so much more with it. It takes a while to add a new element (a trumpet sounds with some keys) and, again, doesn't keep up with the pacing. This is not a bad track though, just the weakest one. But that won't affect my score that much.
     
    Now, I've been listening to this album and seen some of the inspiration for what we call Nu-Disco this days, but this track has definitely inspired some of the guys who make tracks for this Genre. "Palladium" haves some nice things going on: a nice bassline (which, I swear, Daft Punk sampled for one of the tracks on their Discovery album), lovely keys, beautiful strings and great chords. The drums are the only part that are simple, but this is a track to get relaxed, just like the previous one, so I understand its goal and approve it.
     
    "Arena" is the shortest track of this album, and we can finally see the deliberate decision of moving from club beats to one-two drums in the previous tracks. This one uses some ambient recordings from a stadium to create a magical build-up, afterwards using both drums and percussions to maintain the interest and finally adding the bassline and chords to make this track really lovely. It is not clubbier, but is clever. Well made Braxe & Falke, well made *clap clap clap*.
     
    We now explore some 80's-ish Pop drums and keys with "Rubicon". I swear to Celestia, you can add some cheesy vocals on top of this track at this would be the perfect 80's Pop track. This one just rocks (Pop music that rocks?! Oh, the irony...). By the way, those lovely guitars that appear at 3:40 aprox. are so awesome! Makes it even more awesome than ever. Seriously, let's create lyrics for this one, shall we?
     
    The last track made by both Braxe & Falke is here, and this one is to uplift the energy. Nice chords, lovely strings and yet another bubbling, groovy and funky bassline! What's the name of this song, you say? "Penthouse Serenade", it is. But is not serene, Dear Luna, is not. You can definitely relax with this one, but come on! You really need to get up and move those hooves! Love this one.
     
    Now we move on to another exploration, this time with a Hip-Hop track made by Rec and produced by Alan braxe. This one is definitely the most interesting track of this album, due to its different approach to Electronic & Dance music. Even if it is different, it fits so well with this compilation concept that becomes one of the highlights. Just listen to it and love it.
     
    This is the end, beautiful readers. This is the end, our only friend, the end... And is time to end it with House muziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiik!!!!!!!.. Ok, won't write like that ever again (WORD!). "Vertigo" is the only track that was made by Braxe without any kind of collaboration. I enjoy this ending, but somehow it feels anti-climatic, compared to the beautiful selections we previously had. I think that Braxe just played safe with this one as the closer track.... JUST KIDDING! You just have to wait a little bit before the track becomes even more clubbier. The middle section is just awesome! You'll definitely dance (and also pump your hooves in the air) with this one.
     
    Final Thoughs:
     
    I know what you're thinking right now. You're thinking "Well, he liked it. But it doesn't seem like he loved it... Does it?". Well, I did love this one! This is one of the best compilations I've ever listened to. It doesn't feel perfect, but it is really great and coherent. Some tracks are great, while others feel like unfinished products. I do understand the context of those ones (they were made when things were more simple and therefore you couldn't create complex structures in your tracks), but they still feel a little bit simple. Anyway, this is a tight, cohesive compilation and deserves to be treated as a great House album.
     
    Overall, this was one hell of a ride and I enjoyed this album so much that I'm going to buy a CD copy when I have the money for it. WORD!
     
    8.6/10 Solidpoints.
     
    Thanks to @@ReGen for the review request. I'll definitely listen to Alan Braxe more often and if you have any other review request, feel free to ask for it!
  2. cd_solidsnake
    Artist: m1dy
    Title: Speedcore Dandy XXX
    Label: Intikrec, Nest
    Cat. #: INR006, NIP001
    Release Date: November 11th, 2003
    Format: CD, Unmixed
     
    Tracklist:
     
    01. Face Is
    02. Innocent
    03. SpeedCoreDandy
    04. Crash
    05. Sin
    06. H.C. Swindle
    07. Jampin' Jap Crash
    08. REAF
    09. KumonEverybody
    10. 37 Dicks
    11. BadBoy
    12. TokyoStyleSpeedCore
     
    Review:
     
    So, my first review request is a speedcore album. I never, ever though that it'd be possible. NEVER, EVER. Like, seriously, who requests this kind of stuff? Anyway, as the pro reviewer that I am (?), I decided to accept this request, even if it was against my good judgement.
     
    I do not know anything about this artist, but the cover artwork tells me that he either comes from Japan, or he is just really into lolicon. Or both (Note: after writing this review I found out more about this artist. Indeed, he's from Japan, but nothing has been said or written about his hentai taste. Thank Celestia nothing has been said...). Anyway, this was released back in 2003, when Warp Brothers were really famous, Chemical Brothers were about to "Galvanize" us and Trance was really hard and epic (unlike the thing it has become nowadays).
     
    Before I continue, I have to tell you something: I HATE SPEEDCORE. So this review will definitely make you laugh with my reactions. I do understand the point of this genre, but it is so not-for-me. Anyway, even if it seems like this is a bad album, please continue reading. You might find some surprises.
     
    Now that my mind is set, let's listen to this...
    The album kicks off with "Face Is" and the musical taste here is as confusing as the title. I swear to Celestia, this track is about to annoy the s%&/ out of me (is that even possible?!). This is not the best way to introduce an album. Oh, King Sombra, if you save me I'll become part of the black order or whatever your cult's name is.
     
    Thank Luna! That was fast (no pun intended... Perhaps). But the next track is "Innocent". It starts with a little pitched up D&B section that doesn't take too long to become speedcore/gabber. Surprisingly, there are male vocals. The guy rapping is not bad, and this track is enjoyable! Even the over the top kick feels really good, and the lead gives this track that little "melodic" feeling that I know is lost in this genre.
     
    "SpeedCoreDandy", come on! When I finally though this album was about to become at least listenable... Speedcore comes back to remind me that this is, indeed, speedcore. I don't know if just got used to it or something, but I'm kind of understanding the point of this. This track is not that special, but I like the pads. hopefully, the rest of the album will be more like this (or at least more Yoji Biomehanika and less "scream-looped-to-dead").
     
    (Talking about "scream-looped-to-dead"...) "Crash" is the next track. And the freakin' scream is annoying! But, the structure is well made. Don't know why, but this one reminds me a little bit of Tiësto's percussions back in 2004. Time to move on, nothing else to say.
     
    When "Sin" kicks in, I finally find something that's worth to listen to. Maybe is the fact that I'm used to lower BPMs, but this one is definitely good. The Techno feeling in this one is strong! And the nice bassline + the looped trumpet (it is a trumpet, right? I really can't tell due to the great bassline that keeps getting my attention) are lovely.
     
    Now, time to go back to the speedcore. "H.C. Swindle" is another one of those tracks whose musical taste is as confusing as the title. Even the "lead" here LEADS to nowhere. All I can listen to is noise+noise+noise+some male vocals in japanese.
    Dear Celestia, will this never end? "Jampin' Jap Crash" feels so... Glitchy. Wait... That's the point! Hey, at least m1dy managed to include some lovely glitch into this speedcore. But come on! My ears are so... Hurt? Well, not exactly. But this doesn't tell me anything.
     
    Just when I though nothing could be faster, "RAEF" comes as a "f*ck you and your thoughs". I just can't remember any part of this track. Nothing stands out, just because it is too f*ckin' fast!
    Next track: "KumonEverybody". This one I still can't manage to understand. It's like a car crash: everything happens so fast that when it finishes, you're still figuring out how it happened. Can't. Say. Anything. Else.
     
    "37 Dicks". Seriously, WTF?! I'm 24, what is this? I can't even... WTF?! This track is a clusterf*ck! Anime chick sexual screaming, some black dude saying something about sucking dicks and the famous "play that funky music, white boy" line.
    "BadBoy" was inspired on the Bad Boys 2 movie. Just like any Michael Bay, this track has a lot of BOOM! but barely substance. At least is not as bad as "37 Dicks", but it is still pretty much a "BadBoy".
     
    Is this about to finish?! But it was so short!.. Aww :c I was having so much fun!.. Not. Let's just say good-bye with "TokyoStyleSpeedCore". Even though the "This is motherf*ckin' Tokyo Style Speedcore" line is memorable (?), the rest of the track can go f*ck itself. Didn't get it.
     
    Final thoughs:
     
    Would I recommed this? HELL NO!.. But it wasn't THAT bad. I've heard worst speedcore albums and, again, I seriously hate speedcore. I did find some nice tracks in this one, and enjoyed some parts. It has a really awesome mixdown + mastering and could always tell the different sounds (except on the "noisy track" I don't remember right now). Anyway, let's just finish this up before going to the pharmacy for some aspirines.
     
    4.6/10 Solidpoints.
     
    Oh, and @@Soundgarden... Thanks (I guess?) for the request. I'm still interested in any album/torture you'd like to request me, so keep it coming!
  3. cd_solidsnake
    Hey guys!
     
    This is Ponyda. I recently started to make Pony Music DJ mixes. I have experience as a DJ, but this is my first attemp to make a good, enjoyable EDM DJ Mix for Bronies/Pegasisters.
     
    Anyway, I'll write a little description of the mix below and share the tracklist, of course, but please listen to it, answer the poll and give me your opinion. This is very important for me! And if you think that I'm at least good enough to improve, I'll make one every month .
     
    Anyway, enjoy the mix right now! Description + Tracklist below:
     

     


     
    Tracklist:
     
    01-Alex S. - Party With Pinkie (VIP)
    02-Archie & The Living Tombstone - Hush (Club Mix)
    03-Matthew N. Featuring Rosemary - Luna's Reversion (Original Mix)
    04-Sim Gretina - Small Wings (Original Mix)
    05-PinkiePieSwear - Flutterwonder (HMage's Dancefloor Club Remix)
    06-Thorinair - Blackened Empire (Original Mix)
    07-Sim Gretina Featuring Memj - To The Mooooon (Original Mix)
    08-Silva Hound with Omnypony Featuring Princess Ril - Bass Rocket (Original Mix)
    09-Assertive Fluttershy - Boo Hoo (Silva Hound Remix)
    10-Aftermath - Go To Sleep (Original Mix)
    11-Daniel Ingram - Babs Seed (Silva Hound Trap Remix)
    12-UnderpΩny - She am Sky (Neu KatalYst Dark Sky Remix)
    13-Reagan Murdock and PonyVisation - The First Snowflake (Original Mix)
     
    Description:
     
    Well, ok, lets do this:
     
    I kick things off with an awesome classic by Alex S.: "Party With Pinkie (VIP)". This track is one of the first famous tracks made by someone from the fandom. Seriously awesome Electro House. And Pinkie Pie's vocals are lovely.
     
    We move on with "Hush" by Archie and The Living Tombstone. While TLT might be recognized by his agressive style and awesome Dubstep remixes, it feels great to play a lovely Progressive House track from him. This is the first time I listen to Archie, and I'll definitely play more of his tracks .
     
    Later on, an original song from the Four To The Floor album, made by Matthew N. featuring Rosemary titled "Luna's Reversion." This one is a slowburner. At first you'd think that this track doesn't fit at all within the mix, but please stick with it and you'll enjoy it (perhaps not love it, but enjoy it nonetheless).
     
    I continue with a lovely Electro House that doesn't feel so Electro-ish: "Small Wings" by Sim Gretina. SimGren is one of my favorite producers out there, and he's really talented. Even though some people will feel that this is too Housey, I love this track! And the lyrics are pretty neat.
     
    ANOTHER CLASSIC! We all know, love and praise "Flutterwonder," so it was natural for me to play this awesome track. The problem I have with the original is that it is too short... But hey! There are remixes, and HMage's remix is perfect! Also, the mix takes another direction thanks to this .
     
    While the lovely "Flutterwonder" ends, some Trancey strings "rise" and the aggresiveness comes back! Thorinair's "Blackened Empire" gives us an idea of how it'd feel to be under the ruling of King Sombra. Simply awesome!.. I guess.
     
    Then I keep things lighthearted with another lovely Sim Gretina's track. "To The Mooooon (Feat. Memj)" is a simple, yet astonishing Trance track. This one will definitely brighten your dark heart and take you to space.
     
    Some delay, a little bit of breathing time and BOOM! First Silva Hound's track in the mix! "Bass Rocket" is a collaboration with Omnypony and features Princess Ril's vocals. Dubstep all the way! Banger club track that keep things interesting. It might be (MIGHT BE) my favorite track of the mix.
     
    Then I go on with Silva's remix of Assertive Fluttershy's "Boo Hoo". Even though the melody is sweet and the vocal snippets are pretty kind, this definitely becomes another banger. A slower feeling, but still a banger nonetheless.
     
    Fluttershy becomes evil for a while with "Go To Sleep" by Aftermath. Even though it is a really fast track, feels more relaxed and allows me to play with the tempo for a while. I love this track because it can be used to change the mood of any dj mix in less than 4 minutes.
     
    The last Silva's track is here! His Trap remix of Daniel Ingram's "Babs Seed" is simply... SWAG! Even though I don't enjoy Trap music that much, this is definitely one of the best remixes ever made to this track. Lovely version.
     
    Drum & Bass hits your head with Neu KatalYst's remix of UnderpΩny's "She Am Sky." Lovely piano, great atmosphere and awesome use of vocals! I'm a great fan of NK because of this track. Won't tell you anything else, you need to experience it yourself!
     
    Finally, instead of just playing any other EDM track I decided to end this mix with a track that always makes me think of the beauty of winter: "The First Snowflake" by Reagan Murdock and PonyVisation. I definitely love Snowdrop, and this dj mix feels exactly like the first snowflake I make: not perfect, but beautiful for what it is.
     
    Anyway, hope you enjoyed my first mix please let me know your opinion and tell me about your favorite tracks! Also, follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook Fanpage
     
    Take care .
  4. cd_solidsnake
    Artist: M83
    Title: Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts
    Label: Mute/Mute Corporation
    Cat. #: 9251-2
    Release Date: July 26th, 2004
    Format: CD (1 x Unmixed)
     
    Tracklist:
     
    01. Birds
    02. Unrecorded
    03. Run Into Flowers
    04. In Church
    05. America
    06. On A White Lake, Near A Green Mountain
    07. Noise
    08. Be Wild
    09. Cyborg
    10. 0078h
    11. Gone
    12. Beauties Can Die
     
    Review:
     
    M83 became worldwide famous in 2011 and 2012, due to the release of its 6th album called "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming" and, specially, to the 2011 single "Midnight City." Some people think that this is a new band, but good Celestia, they're wrong. So wrong...
     
    M83 was formed in late 2000/early 2001 by Anthony Gonzales and Nicholas Fromageu. While I've always said that the place of origin of a musician doesn't mean he'll be influenced by the music in that place, this is indeed something that happened to both Gonzales and Fromageu, and it is the best thing that could've happened. Because of the rich musical culture in France, M83 is a collage of different styles and genres that could go so bad, but it somehow manages to sound coherent. Is like a puzzle with a thousand pieces that perfectly fits.
     
    Right now, I'm about to review the critically acclamed "Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts", M83's second studio album and the last one made by both Fromageu & Gonzales (nowadays Gonzales is the leader). While this one sounds a little bit different to what you heard of it recently, this album is the one that saw M83 becoming the Synth Rock band that it is this day by blending both its Ambient/Noise/Leftfield background with Synth Pop/Shoegaze sounds. This will be an album full of exciting musical textures and beautiful soundscapes, backed up by my own story/interpretation of this album.
     
    Anyway, lets get ready for this musical journey...
     
    Things start with "Birds", a lovely track that practically screams "'Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts' in a nutshell!". Ambient recordings of birds, a lo-fi glitching texture and some lovely strings build up the moment while the glitch texture becomes robot-ish voice which magically fades in and repeats "sun is shining, birds are singing, flowers are growing, clouds are looming and I am flying" before stopping all of a sudden. One of the best ways to introduce an album and the beggining of this journet through several magical places.
     
    Next, the first track of this album kicks in with some strings playing while the toms mark the beggining of one of several great moments. "Unrecorded" is definitely a great musical piece that sounds both so warm and cold. The ambiguity of this track makes it even more appealing, specially with the gloomy pads and the subtle keys on the middle break while an acid synth serves as a texture generator. The contrast in this track is so lovely that the only bad thing is the fact that it ends too soon (at least for me).
     
    Now that we got ourselves a gloomy feeling, is time to get our heads up with "Run Into Flowers." While the shoegaze inspiration is obvious in this one, this is still one of those tracks that works because of it's clever musical structure that can be enjoyed by everyone. Still, I believe there's weird simbolism in this song (a man asking for "peace and chemicals" while a lady repeats "flowers" every two seconds. Can't stop thinking about the 60's somehow...).
     
    If you took some drugs with the last track (somehow...) then is time to confess your sins "In Church." This is a lovely ambient track with some beautiful organs and cleverly used glitchy textures while adding background voices to simulate a chorus. Then the track becomes epic by adding a lovely pad and bass that raises the feeling. This one has to be one of the best ambient tracks ever made (and they do have some amazing sound engineers, in my opinion).
     
    While we get out of church, we face reality once more in "America." The looping ambient recordings lead us to upbeat drums, keys and the use of movie dialogues (something that was used too much on the previous album). All of a sudden the music stops to leave us on with an hypnotic synth note that slowly gets pitched up while bringing back the previous elements and adding a noisey synth to create one of the best moments in the album. The soundscape created by this track is so energetic and up-paced that it'll be hard to continue after moving out of this dead city.
     
    Holy sh*t! Slowly fading in, some strings and the ambient recordings on a mountain (at least that's what it seems to be) introduce another epic moment in this album. "On A White Lake, Near a Green Mountain" comes in and deliver us another ambiguous moment: We feel like this is an epic but melancholic journey to some beautiful but dangerous destination. You can feel both the beauty and desolation of this place with this masterpiece that ends abruptly with a simple yet stunning snare that marks the end of a precious agony.
     
    But this is not the end, no sir. As abrupt as the previous ending, we have a sudden beginning with "Noise," which reaffirms you that this is indeed a Synth Rock album. The beautiful structure is backed up by the tight drums, excellent guitar riffs, beautifully executed keys and all slowly becomes "white" due to the reverb (like, lets say... White noise?! THIS GUYS ARE SO CLEVER!). It feels like my life is just fading away so I can rest in peace from all the hatred and despair...
     
    Or at least it was about to fade away, but somehow I'm safe now, and the journey's not over. Since I'm alive, is time to become part of this place, to leave those dead cities once and for all to embrace this beautiful and desolated place that sometimes seems to be where ghosts hang around and dead wanders. I guess it's time to "Be Wild" and face the other side of the world. Now focusing on the musical aspect, this one is by far iconic and epic. Oddly, this is not as ambiguous as the other tracks (something that has prevailed this far), but more like a "challenge accepted." The lovely lead is backed up by subtle pads and those lovely glitching textures that continue to appear throughout the entire album. Some background vocals before the middle section and BOOM! A beautiful synth kicks in with some perfectly programmed addicional keys that are so playful and harmonic!.. And all of a sudden, we have yet another abrupt ending that cleverly uses the exclamation of a woman in it (AH!-) and some "whistled" delay.
     
    Now, we have to get rid of our feelings to become tough and hard. Is time to become "Cyborgs" to survive this place; this is my mission now. This track is beatufilly structured and cleverly uses some industrial textures and old school 16 bit sounds to sound like real cyborgs. It feels like you're listening to a glorified video game theme. But like 16 times more epic. The climax comes when a guitar is introduced and creates one of harsh moment that makes everything even more beautiful somehow. It slowly fades away while lopping the same section over and over again, like a robot following the same order again and again...
     
    Now, I've survived this place for "0078h" straight, and I'll continue fighting this land. This track is really energetic and has a great pop feeling that anyone can listen to (no wonder why it was a single). The beautifully chopped vocals are a plus and the upbeat drums are awesome! Too bad that it feels like it's out of place (compared to the rest of the album, I mean. After some really lovely and relaxed moments, this one goes too fast!), but is just a really minor flaw.
     
    Wait a minute... I was alive some moments ago. Am I... "Gone" now?! We almost reach the end of this album, and is time to die with this awesome track. The strings sound almost in your face while the drums start to fill the room with their slowly paced programming. Warm pads and other strings join the party before a noisey synth slowly fades in and turns into a scream, a realisation: You're gone. You can feel the desperation in this track, the realisation of your death. And the resignation of accepting the end.
     
    But in the end, I have to see the bright side of things and see the beautiful places you found, the great journey you had and the fact that I've finally understand that "Beauties Can Die." And then become ghosts who are lost for eternity. Just like me. Just like them. Just like you.
     
    Just. Like. All. Of. Us.
     
    And we will come back to this special place we died on. To make the living realise the same. To make them join us.
     
    Forever.
     
    Final Thoughs:
     
    The final track is the end of the journey and I really don't want to spoil a beautiful ending, that's the reason I didn't talk about it. I really love this album to dead. Both Fromageu and Gonzales are musical geniuses and they created one of the most iconic and amazing electronic albums of all time. There is only one flaw in this album and is the pacing and coherent nature lost by "0078h." But, again, is just a minor flaw that won't affect the score that much.
     
    Would I recommend this album? OHFORLUNA'SSAKE!YESIWOULDANDIWILL! It is one of the most perfect albums ever made, and if you really call yourself a music fan you should listen to this as soon as possible. Not many times you find a perfect jewel in a sea of average releases. Seriously, just finish reading this review and go listen to this MASTERPIECE.
     
    9.5/10 solidpoints + cd_solidsnake's seal of perfection.
     
    Thanks to @@Moog for the request. If you keep asking for this kind of albums to review, damn I'll love you forever (why don't you and Dawn join me down that I'm a lost ghost? We have da muffinz here :3).
  5. cd_solidsnake
    Artist: Various Artists (Sasha)
    Title: Invol<3r
    Label: Ministry of Sound
    Cat. #: MOSCD290, MOSE290
    Release Date: March 17th, 2013
    Format: CD (2 x Mixed), Digital Release (19 x Unmixed, 2 x Mixed).
     
    Tracklist:
     
    CD 1 (Invol<3r)
     
    01. Taragana Pyjarama feat. Kicki Halmos - Growing Forehead (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
    02. ThermalBear feat. Arrow Down - Turn The Tide (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
    03. Little Dragon - Crystal Film (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
    04. The XX - Chained (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
    05. Benjamin Damage & Doc Daneeka feat. Abigail Wyles - Battleships (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
    06. Ultraista - Smalltalk (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
    07. Ananda Project - Moment Before Dreaming (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
    08. James Zabiela - The Healing (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
    09. Blondes - Wine (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
    10. Keep Shelley In Athens - DIY (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
    11. Sasha feat. Kicki Halmos - Shoot You Down
    12. Foals - Late Night (Sasha Involv3r Remix)
     
    CD 2 (Beatless Mix)
     
    01. Taragana Pyjarama feat. Kicki Halmos - Growing Forehead (Sasha Beatless Remix)
    02. ThermalBear feat. Arrow Down - Turn The Table (Sasha Beatless Remix)
    03. Little Dragon - Crystal Film (Sasha Beatless Remix)
    04. The XX - Chained (Sasha Beatless Remix)
    05. Benjamin Damage & Doc Daneeka feat. Abigail Wyles - Battleships (Sasha Beatless Remix)
    06. Ultraista - Smalltalk (Sasha Beatless Remix)
    07. Ananda Project - Moment Before Dreaming (Sasha Beatless Remix)
     
    Review:
     
    Almost five years has passed since the second entry on the Involver series was released by Global Underground label (2008). While the first part of the series iss very melodic and progressive, Invol2ver gives us some dark, twisted Techno-like beats while being more dancefloor oriented.
     
    With those two successful previous installments, every Sasha fan just went nuts when the third part was announced. The expectations with this one were higher than with the other ones and every fan was eager to know more about the release.
     
    In case you're not familiar with this series, is all about Sasha remixing some great artists (both from the EDM and indie scene). Sasha has been doing this since the 90's (does anyone remember the Chemical Brothers' "Out of Control" remix? Or the amazing Madonna's "Ray of Light" remix?) and it is natural that his remixes are expected to be awesome.
     
    When the final tracklist was revealed, everyone was shocked to see some unexpected names like The xx, Blondes, Taragana Pyjarana and even Foals among other artists from the Indie scene, but really few important names in the underground EDM scene. Also, the title: Invol<3r ("Did he seriously... Got to be kdding!" <----- average fan reaction to the title). It seemed like this third part was going to be a dissapointment. But, just like Equestria Girls, we couldn't say anything until we listened to it.
     
    I got the digital edition (same price as CD + unmixed tracks), and I was really anxious to finally listen to it. I skipped the unmixed tracks, because "dj mix is magic". And...
     
    It all starts slowly, building the foundations of the mix with Mr. Pyjarana. This part is really epic and it pays off the long intro (when that beat finally kicks in... BOOM!). We quickly continue with one incredible highlight of the album/djmix/compilation/whatever: ThermalBear's "Turn The Tide" Invol<3r remix. This track is just brilliant: simple, yet so stunning, with attention to details. Really lovely.
     
    As we procede, the mix becomes a little bit... Flat. "Crystalfilm"s remix is not exactly the best way to move on, even though it works. The problems come with "Chained" by The xx. This was one of the most expected remixes from this installment, and we found a boring, dull rework. It is really emotional and well made, but if you want to dance this is definitely a no-go.
     
    In this moment I notice that the transitions are a bit ruff, unlike Invol2ver where they are seamless. Anyway, we get one of the best tracks after this dissapointment: Doc Daneeka and Benjamin Damage's "Battleships" is simply superb and one of the best tracks here. Abigail Wyles' voice is simply beautiful and provides a lovely feeling along with the heavy percussions and the awesome groove.
     
    Afterwards, we listen to another highly expected remix, I'm talking about "Smalltalk" by Ultraísta. This one is definitely going to divide people. You either love it or hate it due to it's 90's proggy feeling. It feels like this track was made in 1998 and got released as a bonus track in this album. Since this will be a matter of preference, I won't say anything else about it.
     
    "Moment Before Dreaming" comes next and this is one of three magical moments in a row. The bubbling bassline along with the percussions and the well modulated pads turn this one into a winner, but if you still doubt it's greatness, the beautiful vocals by Marta Gazman will convince you.
     
    Zabiela's "The Healing" gets an astonishing rework by Sasha. The bassline makes it even more agressive than the previous track but keeping the mellow feeling. The male vocals work perfectly. And I HATE male vocals in dance tracks. We move on with a track that most people call a "filler", but it is indeed one of the best remixes in this compilation: Blonde - "Wine" (Sasha Invol<3r Remix). Compared with the other remixes, this one is an uplifting track; so full of joy and happiness! Sasha keeps the vocal stems of the original track while working on FXs and a lovely bassline that will make even the most professional DJ/producer jealous.
     
    Then... It all goes a little bit flat again. Keep Shelly in Athens makes it's appearance with a remix of "DIY". Even though this track is not bad, the vocals seem to be out of place. I understand that the original has barely anything to do with EDM, but this one is not the best. Most people agree that this one is one of the lowest points of the album/cd-mix/compilation/whatever, which is bad considering the amazing lead it has.
     
    Before the end, Sasha shows us his only original track in Invol<3r. "Shoot You Down", which features Kicki Halmos vocals, feels better than the previous track, but still misses to regain the momentum built before. By no means I'm saying this is a bad track (just listen to it and notice the way it plays with underground ideas and comercial House sounds! GENIUS!), but this was not the most appropiate moment to play this track.
     
    To close the album Sasha choose one of the most awesome tracks from the indie scene. Foals' "Late Night" remix by Sasha is just another great masterpiece... That fails to build the momentum once more. It misses the epic sensation we get from the middle part of the album/cd-mix/compilation/whatever, even though is arguably the best track from this release. At least it manages to make you feel like the journey was worth it, closing with piano chords and looped vocals.
     
     
    The second CD is a "beatless mix", with the first seven tracks being featured without drum patterns. This feels like a bonus, but it is a lovely one. At least you'll listen to some of the best melodies in the album without any kind of distraction (beats, pls).
     
    Final thoughs:
     
    Would I recommend Invol<3r? ABSOLUTELY! But you really need to keep your expectations lower. This is not a bad album/cd-m-I'm sick of that, let's call it "release"-but it is not the best one out there. It won't be part of the best 2013 Electronic & Dance albums of the year, but it is pretty close to be.
     
    7.7/10 solidpoints.
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