ARTIST: -JARGONIZED- SONG: DON'T BLINK GENRE: ELECTRONIC / HARD HOUSE BREAKTHROUGH!! SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] I could only find one tune on the artist page: "Don't Blink". So I didn't even have to blink to find the track. Ironic isn't it? This is something else, truly. The artist called this trance. But this is far from trance. It is too experimental, and yes, beautiful to be labeled trance. I will call this hard house because it has the beginnings of a hard house track: psychedelic, agressive, housy, and very experimental. The good is that if you want something completely different in music, this is the track for you. If you are fond of electronic music, I think you will find Jargonized's experiment quite nice. It's full of innovative moves, and really breaks some boundaries of the structure and architecture of normal dance tunes. So if you're now convinced, you really don't have to read any further. Download this tune now! The bad is that there are several themes that define an extremely long introduction to what is the main theme of this track. These different themes don't vary a lot from each other, and the BPM is kept the same. So the dance will go on, but to some this will get confusing, since it will sound like several tracks have been mixed together. This portion also lasts a very long time, and therefore, many people will find the track frustrating (i.e not download the track). The great thing about this song though, is that the different themes sound like they have traits from different dance cultures, which to many will have a very symbolic effect. But anyhow, when the main theme finally hits at 3:25, everything will make sense. "Don't Blink" will still be a very weird experience, but the words "weird and beautiful" will find their way together. The main theme is clearly the best, since it is a sort of a sum of all the themes, if you get my drift. If you don't get my drift, I really can't explain it any further, you'll just have to listen to it for yourself to find out. The next bit is something I discovered by chance. The fun thing is that this track is so danceable that it will be, in most minds, the main attraction of any DJ session. I am not kidding. There are so many different moods in this track that it will appeal to all dancers on the dancefloor. Each dancer, will have their own special moment with this track. So in many ways, this track defines personalities: all dancers won't wait for the main theme to start dancing to the max, but individuals will find their own "main" theme which they like best. This again because there are so many different themes in this track. The best part about this, is that all the themes seem like a team of sorts, because even though they are different, all of them have been created using the same instruments and gadgets. The sad thing is when the track ends (meaning, when there is no more music) there is a 30 second portion with nothing at all, before the mp3 file ends. I am not going to give lower scores because of this, but some may find this annoying, so I'd thought I'd mention it. I could have written a book about this track: why it is so special, and why it should be recognized as a hard house breakthrough by every man or woman who knows anything about electronic music. But, I think I'll end it here and give you the reason why you'll find the extremely high score, (which should be given out on rare occasions only) attached to this song. The sum of it all, is this: listen to this track, or you'll regret it. This will without a doubt change the way you look at music in general, and will most certainly make you learn a thing or two about structure. To every dancer, this will be a breath of fresh air. To every listener, this will without a doubt bend an ear time and time again. To every musician, this song should be the blueprint, or bible if you will, on how to make a hard house track. This track isn't structured, and proves that music doesn't have to have the structure cliché to work. This track is great, so the track would get a high score. But the text in the italic explains then the main reason for my extremely high scoring. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 9.70 ARTIST: 1000 DEAD SURFERS SONG: MORE THINGS IN HEAVEN AND EARTH GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: BOMB THE BASS [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "More things in heaven and earth" is a very sample dependent song. Nothing really flows in this tune. Everything seems to be very sample based, because the whole thing sounds like a jigsaw puzzle which has been put together. A whole bunch of voice samples of unknown origin get repeated a lot throughout the whole track. But then it struck me, after about two minutes of listening: It reminds me a whole lot of the first groups we had when the sample technology was born. Groups that used the Amiga 500 games as BETA tests, before going public. R-Type, Blood Money, and some other shooter games were the market it seemed. One of these groups were Bomb the Bass, which made a tune for an old shooter game called Xenon 2. The tune was catchy, and quite good at that time. You really got to hear the true potential of the Amiga 500 back in the day. Bomb the Bass is also the group that made it through, and moved on to an album which believe it or not, sounded exactly the same as it did on the Amiga 500. Bomb the Bass should never, however, be put in the same place as Kraftwerk for instance, since Bomb the Bass were born under the sample theory, and they really believed in sampling. So everything within the tune is sampled, without any thought of making the track smoother, or cutting down on the loop-feel, or even touching a synthesizer. So now, the year is 2002, 10 years after the Amiga 500 reign, and Bomb the Bass's first CD. A group who call themselves "1000 dead surfers" try to regenerate the oldschool feel to techno, and really go back to basics (as in Stone-age basics.) As charmed to hear this retro sound again as I am, I have to point out that this kind of "thing" is far too outdated. The "best before" tag has long since seen its expire date. Even the sound quality, which would have been marvelous back in the day, is a little fuzzy. That said though, the tune is well structured, and has an extremely good build towards the groove, which this sort of music has to have to work. So I can't really throw my axe down all the way. It is marvelous to see people still holding on to old ways, and not changing old technology. It kind of brings a smile to my face also, when I remember the days of Bomb the Bass, KLF, and the Amiga 500. I can't really say that "those were the days", but to say that things have improved much since then, quality-wise, is a total lie. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 2.50 Structure: 8.50 Interest: 5.50 Recording Quality: 5.00 Long Term Appeal: 4.50 OVERALL: 5.90 ARTIST: A-TOM PROJECT SONG: PARIS GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ANOTHER TRANCE TUNE SIMILAR: TRANCE ARTISTS IN GENERAL [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Paris is yet another trance tune from yet another trance act. It is nice that the actual title has nothing to do with the sample used. This lets you use a little bit of imagination of what might happen. (Spoiler: Sample: "We can make it real." (in) title: "Paris.") The sample "We can make it real" comes booming out my speakers and the trance vibe comes in as an "in your face" experience, telling me that this is it, and there is nothing else. Well, I can respect that. It's nice to see music that has confidence and shows it in a good way. But as we all know, trance is a genre where the word "many" is an understatement. Problem I: is that the sound quality isn't as good as it should be. The tune has a lot of "ticks" in the sound, which can be improved by mere re-recording, so no worries. Problem II: is what I mentioned above. A-tom Project has made a valiant attempt at trance, no worries. But the competition that this tune has will just make it a shove-over, and it won't be all that interesting in the long run. Problem III: is probably the worst problem of all. It has nothing to do with the track at all either. The fact that the artist posts a song for me to review, and then eliminates all chances of me downloading it gets me confused. Doesn't the artist want fans? Many people will want to download A-tom Projects music. That is what mp3.com is for: To download. If a fan doesn't even have a calling card (song) then how is this fan going to find A-tom Project again and appreciate his work (again)? Hmm. In the end I have a tune that I think is far from bad. I even think it has potential, if improved on some areas. But the problems I pointed out sort of tell the story why the score, in the end, turned out to be, this score. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 7.00 Interest: 4.50 Recording Quality: 2.00 Long Term Appeal: 3.50 OVERALL: 4.40 ARTIST: ACETATE COWBOYS SONG: SYNTHETIC GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONICA SIMILAR: CHILL-OUT MUSIC [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "Synthetic" by acetate cowboys is something of a different sound than what I've heard so far on GOM. I wouldn't call this house, because it doesn't have that housy beat that normal house has. Neither does it have that "pump technology" that makes house what house is today. But still, "synthetic" is a nice piece in the electronica genre I think. I'll explain later why I think this song acts a lot as a chill-out song. At the start of the track, I thought it sounded a bit lo/fi. But the artist quickly corrects this by adding strings, some vocal effects, and a smart cymbal inserted. At 1:40 into this recording I think is probably one of the great things about the track. Everything quickly fades, leaving only the strings, beat, and vocal effect left. Beautiful. After this the track plays on the same theme to 7:31, which is the end. The song ends with a minute or so long fade. You might think this sounds boring, but in fact, the theme tune is very nice to listen to. Even though the same theme is played, it has a twist every once in a while to make it interesting. So, it is not a loop that goes on and on and on. The negative side to this track is probably that it isn't for most people. For people who need a beat, and a track that is more direct, this track does not satisfy. Among the simularities between this track and those in the "chill-out" genre is that it leaves a lot for thought and mind. It doesn't has a specific structure as, for example, "trance" or "house" needs in order to achieve its identity. But, as a stand alone work, this track is great! This track makes you curious, and I guess it's a kind of curiousity that gives this track the added bonus: If you close your eyes, and free your mind a little, this track will give you a relaxing experience through a wonderful soundscape that lasts you a long time. yours: www.mp3.com/Xanitra yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 9.50 Structure: 6.00 Interest: 9.50 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 8.00 ARTIST: ALEX DJ SONG: BORN TO KARMA (REBIRTH MIX) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TECHNO, GOA SIMILAR: GOOD, HEARTFELT TRANCE [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artists own page: "The More You Listen, The More You Learn I'm a progressive and melodic trance/techno artist with a mission to make electronic music with kicks, that hit you in the solar plexus, beats to make you dance, riffs to catch your ear and melodies to reach for your heart. Love is Music." -Alex DJ Born To Karma (Rebirth Mix) is a very nice title don't you think? OK, this trance tune is rather different than other trance tunes from mp3.com because it has some culture in there as well. I think it is safe to say that this tune is highly inspired by the culture of India (if I am totally wrong here, please let me know.) This tune that I am listening to, sounds more smart than trance is. Trance is a genre with a vocal, a build, a main part, and an ending (for most trance tunes this is actually true.) But this tune doesn't have the mathematical curse written all over it, which gives this tune a heart as well as that it just sounds good. If you look to the first paragraph once again, and read what the artists idea of what music is, he ain't too far off. If all his music sounds as good as this tune does, he is on his way in my opinion. To create trance is simple, but to create good trance seems to get harder and harder as the mp3.com charts get filled with more and more crap. But on some occasions, people that I haven't even heard about before manages to impress me. Alex DJ, be proud. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 9.50 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 8.90 ARTIST: ALEX SWAN SONG: BEYOND ANDROMEDA GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: TRANCE [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This tune starts right off with beats and bass:) No samples or other riff raff. The tune builds. The tune is nothing exceptional. But the melody, is still very catchy, and gives the trance tune it's own identity which it so desperately needs in the mp3.com money-world. So, yeah, there is nothing wrong with this trance tune. It is well produced, has a nifty melody, and knows when to shut down (end.) I went to the artists site, and the first thing I noticed was this: EVERYBODY, can make some sort of music these days. It suddenly hit me when I saw the artist picture. This guy is very young, still he manages to make grooves such as this? Wow, I am impressed. This guy has amazed me more than the 4 or so other trance artists I've listened to today. All I can say is that if this is Alex Swans so called "first attempt at trance" as he said on his website, his future compositions will seriusly kick some speakers*! Yours: http://www.mp3.com/xanitra yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 8.50 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 8.50 ARTIST: ANGIE´S SPIRAL SONG: INTIMATE SPACES GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This song starts extremely originally with some nice voice samples panning from left and right, then enters an electronic theme of sorts. Angie´s Spiral IS original. There is no doubt about that. Their sound is different from anything else I've heard. Where other artists choose the most used samples for their music, Angie´s Spiral have picked some rhythm samples that I've never come across before. This experience alone is worth downloading intimate spaces for. Sound quality is top notch as it should be in electronic music heaven, and the structure is simple, understandable, and works fine with the given theme. I wouldn't call this New Age, since it's not that far out, as most New Age music is, but it is electronic music with a ambient touch. I recommend this song to anybody who wants to add some spice to their boring playlist, and something new to their mind. This material will not be popular with everyone, but not everybody likes spice, do they? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 8.00 Structure: 7.00 Interest: 7.50 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 8.00 ARTIST: ANUBISTONE SONG: COALITION GENRE: ELECTRONIC / DRUM N'BASS SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Artists own words: "Man, I love this song!!!!! Not too much to it, but it grooves sumthin fierce. It's hard to classify. Definitely between Jungle and Ambient Drum-n-Bass. This song s fun to dance to and also, just to sit back and ZONE OUT!!!!. With this one you just have to let it play......like a coalition for serene grooves......" My words: Yes, indeed. This song does groove a whole lot. I actually enjoyed this song quite a bit too:) But lets get back to the "groove." This song does groove. So much so that my speaker has problems getting all the bass sounds out at any one time. I even tried this tune on my headphones, which don't have so many bass elements as my speaker has. Still, the same result, only here, the melody gave room for the bass, meaning bass only, no melody. Some further focus on the engineering of the bass would be a great idea, since it would then be more tolerated by the general audiences of speakers and sound systems. But enough with the technical talk. I like this tune very much. Its structure is unquestionable: Exciting! Far from the usual start to finish, by the book structure, this is really a nice change. As a consequence the tune is very interesting, and with a new twist that should be looked to with respect. This tune also has a certain "sparkle" that other drum n' bass tunes lack. It certainly is experimental, and there are elements that make it a real screamer for reasons more than one. I love it in the way the atmosphere just fades out, to give way for the more random pad playing, which is mysterious to some effect. Then, suddenly, "whoa", back is the atmospheric beats, and "whooom" sound once again. I actually love (what is in my opinion) the main attraction at 1:56 when the tune completely stops for a wonderfully reverbed ambient harp like effect. Excellent for random thinking, marvel, and dance excel. The problems with this tune isn't its behavior, but more its form. If the bass could have been tuned down somewhat for the weaker speaker, it would receive my hailing. Also, the ending is somewhat difficult to understand. I know it has some symbolic meaning to end a track like that, but if I wanted to end this track like the ending here, all I would need to do was press the stop button. Great song! If you turn down the bass, crank up the volume, and ignore the ending: Download and don't think twice. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 7.00 Structure: 9.00 Interest: 8.00 Recording Quality: 5.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 7.60 ARTIST: APATHEIA SONG: THE DUST HAS SETTLED II GENRE: FOLK / FOLK SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "The Dust Has Settled II" is a wonderful folk hymn of various influences and instruments. It also has a military march drum as a main attraction. I can say it right away, the sound quality could have been better. But this isn't really an issue, since I think the material really has no problem charismatically. This song oozes with charm, as the theme is powerful, and straight to the point in its texture. So if you can overlook a small issue, you'll be happy downloading this song. Its structure is nice, as it builds itself slowly up, to include some faint vocals in the background. It really sounds like a bunch of people have sung this song together, which to me is a nice touch; there is most often only one person singing. Besides, if a bunch of people are telling you that the "The Dust Has Settled", you'll believe them. There is nothing humongous about this track though. It won't blow you away, or anything. But it is a nice touch, humble as it may be. It should belong on anybody's playlist, either as a break from all ordinary music, or a start in the collection of many songs like it. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 7.00 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 8.00 Recording Quality: 5.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 7.60 ARTIST: AUTUMN WIND SONG: AWAKE (DEMO) GENRE: ALTERNATIVE / ALTERNATIVE SIMILAR: SADLY, NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "Awake" has to be forgiven for its sound quality. The mp3 file has "demo" written on it, so it's not the finished recorded product. But believe me, even without a studio, this tune could have been recorded with more care. Firstly, there is a large "tick" sound at the very start of the track. To have a "tick" in between beats can be forgiven, but to have it where the track actually begins to start... Also, everything seems to be too blended amongst a studio / room reverb, and recorded too low. I don't want the song at too high volumes either, because then it will ruin the beauty that I'm about to mention. But still, crank it up man! I'll stop my criticism there, because there really isn't any need for it anymore. This song ladies and gentlemen has tremendous potential: What we have here is a female vocal, guitars and a light drum, and to round it all down some heavy strings, and some sound effects to give this track a cold flavor. Furthermore, the tune flows almost like a new-age piece. It’s very relaxing and soothing. I can't tell you to download the track since the sound quality is just way below standard. But please, check the artist out, and stay tuned for what I hope is an improved recording of this beautiful song. Wow! Hey, by the way, ask the artist, maybe the better version is on the CD? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 1.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 7.70 ARTIST: BEDNJANEC SONG: MIRACLE GENRE: FOLK / INSTRUMENTAL SIMILAR: STATE4 (MP3.COM) [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Miracle is a charming mood music piece, which is best listened to with a sub-woofer as it then produced a very warm, and friendly sound to anybody lucky enough to be listening. The whole melody is very well arranged, and extremely well structured. As you might have guessed, the sound quality is wonderful, and could very well been recorded in a studio since it sounds so neat. Although I prefer more experimental material, I must say I am very impressed by this performance, which is a rare achievement by all standards. If you are indeed a fan of this type of relaxing music, with guitar being the main instrument, you would do well in picking this song up, and maybe even some more tracks from the artist page. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 9.00 Structure: 9.00 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 9.00 ARTIST: BLUE ATTITUDE SONG: SONG FOR KATHY GENRE: INSTRUMENTAL / BLUES SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] I'll let the artist present himself first: "I'm a guitarist who spent many years playing in Blues and Blues/Rock bands at the semi-pro level, doing weekend gigs in clubs. Finally got tired of that and am now having a blast writing and recording original instrumental music. Most of the stuff I do is blues and blues/rock based music, but I have some other genres that I'm also working on. Please listen to my tunes, and feel free to download them if you wish. If you like what you hear, please take the time to rate the song. Being a solo project I get very little in the way of feedback, so all comments are welcome. Cheers, -Dave" Me: Well, you've come to the right place for feedback Dave. Remember, I am one person, and not a crowd. So don't take what I say as "the judgment in black and white.[/]" But I am honest, and hope that you'll find what I write useful. Blue Attitude has produced an instrumental blues tune with a nice theme to it. The recording quality is surprisingly good, so most people who love the electric guitar with have a ball with this tune, since it sounds clean and untouched by hissing, crackling, or other riff raff. The tune moves smoothly along as blues should, and it has a fairly decent structure, which keeps the tune at the sort of "easy listening" style that the tune intends to have. What really makes this tune excellent is exactly this easy listening atmosphere that travels through the tune, and comes out in any room through a speaker when played. It will relax you, and if you preferably like this kind of music, you'll even be tempted to listening to the music in the background while browsing the artist page of Blue Attitude for more decent tunes to add to your listening pleasure. What I can't help say though, is that I wish this tune had vocals. No, not somebody else's vocals. Blues gets so much more atmosphere if the artist who plays actually sings as well. Blues is not my main genre, so you might correct me on this one, but in all my time I've always enjoyed people who can play, and tell their own story through their own voice. Blues is all about stories expressed through music, and an emotional vocalist with a guitar, or other instrument at hand. Emotions can be a lot of things: Anger, frustration, love, sadness, hopefulness, or seeing an artist looking just way bummed out. These are all emotions, helping the song move at a much faster pace. Not all music needs this, but blues, to me, isn't blues without the vocals. Blue Attitude isn't doing anything wrong with "Song for Kathy." In fact, the I would imagine that the song doesn't need vocals. If I was Kathy, sitting there listening, the music, and the artist's look, would be enough for me. But if the song was called perhaps "One day at Kentucky" the vocals would help a lot. If you like blues as easy listening, I urge you to download the track and listen to it yourself. The song doesn't tell so much a story, but maybe a song like "Song for Kathy" really doesn't need a story, since the music pretty much speaks for itself. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.50 Technical Skill: 7.50 Structure: 7.50 Interest: 6.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 6.00 OVERALL: 7.00 ARTIST: BLUE GROOVE SONG: SHE'S LOVING SOMEONE ELSE GENRE: ROCK / EXPERIMENTAL SIMILAR: MOBY [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] She's Loving Someone Else is a feel good track about a little more gloomy subject. There is some awesome guitar playing in the tune, if this is the artists own, or sampled I really don't know. But everything is very well mastered with piano, guitar, drums, and bass well coordinated into each other. The only thing I don't like is the voice sample, which is way too high. The sample is so high, that it actually produces its own clicks, and some unwanted noise as well. This is really sad, because a technicality is going to rob this tune of a better score. The structure of this tune works fine. You come to understand the tune the first time you hear it through (i.e. the tune has a good, and simple structure.) It starts as suddenly as it ends, and the whole thing only lasts a refreshing 3:35, which means it will fit well with people who don't favour the genre, but just want something else in their playlist. This tune is very nice, because it is very "light", and will lighten many a soul from dominating tunes that carry a heavy message. The title of the track is "She's Loving Someone Else", and the tune really answers its own title with "but I'm doing alright." Yes, the tune is that positive, and energetic. I only wish the sound quality could have been better. The tune sounds great, but it's that voice sample that is pressed too high which really is the downer. It is annoying, because I really wish that voice sample could have been perfected. If you are of the forgiving kind, download. The tune will instantly fill you with a more happy vibe. If you in fact are in love with someone who loves someone else, I believe that this tune may be one of your cures. Too bad about the voice sample sound peak though, because this tune was on a roll. As for me, I'm downloading, and turning down the middle equalizer on my winamp player. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 9.00 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 0.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 6.40 ARTIST: BLUE GROOVE SONG: SHE'S LOVING SOMEONE ELSE GENRE: ROCK / EXPERIMENTAL SIMILAR: MOBY [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] She's Loving Someone Else is a feel good track about a little more gloomy subject. There is some awesome guitar playing in the tune, if this is the artists own, or sampled I really don't know. But everything is very well mastered with piano, guitar, drums, and bass well coordinated into each other. The only thing I don't like is the voice sample, which is way too high. The sample is so high, that it actually produces its own clicks, and some unwanted noise as well. This is really sad, because a technicality is going to rob this tune of a better score. The structure of this tune works fine. You come to understand the tune the first time you hear it through (i.e. the tune has a good, and simple structure.) It starts as suddenly as it ends, and the whole thing only lasts a refreshing 3:35, which means it will fit well with people who don't favour the genre, but just want something else in their playlist. This tune is very nice, because it is very "light", and will lighten many a soul from dominating tunes that carry a heavy message. The title of the track is "She's Loving Someone Else", and the tune really answers its own title with "but I'm doing alright." Yes, the tune is that positive, and energetic. I only wish the sound quality could have been better. The tune sounds great, but it's that voice sample that is pressed too high which really is the downer. It is annoying, because I really wish that voice sample could have been perfected. If you are of the forgiving kind, download. The tune will instantly fill you with a more happy vibe. If you in fact are in love with someone who loves someone else, I believe that this tune may be one of your cures. Too bad about the voice sample sound peak though, because this tune was on a roll. As for me, I'm downloading, and turning down the middle equalizer on my winamp player. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 9.00 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 0.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 6.40 ARTIST: BRAD CURTIS SONG: BRAVE GENRE: COUNTRY / COUNTRY SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Part of lyrics: "A father runs into a house that's burnin' it's three kids inside, he brings 'em out, as the house crashes down. Call him brave..." This is a song about brave people, and who the artist sees as brave people. Not who you see as brave people, nor I see as brave people, but the artist's own thoughts on who the brave "really" are. The song is nice, and although I doubt that this has been recorded with a real guitar at hand, it sounds nice with the (easy to listen to) keyboard-type background country sounds. It is easy to like this tune, because it is quite personal with a not-too-complicated structure and lyrics that aren't as long as a book. Nope, your ordinary country type song, that sounds like it really comes from the heart. The sound quality could have been better. For starters, if this really was recorded from a real guitar, this has to be the worst guitar recording I've ever heard! It has to be keyboard guitar sounds, man, it just had to be! Ears don't quit on me now!! The second thing I noticed is that the vocals are much higher in the mix than the background music. But that is just a minor problem. It is worse when you actually can't hear the singer at all, so at least here you hear the man singing for crying out loud! You don't have to check out the artist page for lyrics, because you can just listen. Brilliant, an artist without a phobia for his own voice! Bravo! The artist is a good singer as well, and I really liked Brad Curtis's voice. It gives the song that extra warmth to make the title "brave" more understandable than if for instance Axl Rose of Guns'N Roses sang the same song. The bottom line is it's a nice meal that can be easily swallowed down by many who want to try out a sort of humble country sound. I recommend this tune for the warm hearted nature that it carries, and the fact that it will even create new fans of country music. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 6.50 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 6.50 Lyrics: 7.00 Performance: 7.50 Recording Quality: 3.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 6.80 ARTIST: BRAVO & PRIEST SONG: STRUCTURE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: BEST IF TRANCE [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artist site: This track was originally meant to be a remix of DJ Argon's tune also called "Structure". But because the remix was so different from the original it became a rework... :-) The artist mentions here that this tune actually is a remix of a tune by DJ Argon. But I'm here to review THIS track, not also listen to the original. That's not in my "contract" so to speak, so I won't bother. I only work here, so any relations between Bravo & Priest, & DJ Argon, is none of my business. Review The tune starts off rather funky, with a solid blend of beats and bass grinds. Finally at 1:53 a melody starts to appear, and it all kind of blends in quite smoothly. This tune is extremely well structured. Everything is calculated quite right, when it comes to intro, build up (which I might add is very well done), and the actual main event - which occurs at 03:44. By this point the song will most certainly have everyone dancing. If you're sitting down, you'll be waving your mug of beer back and forth; if you're on the dancefloor, you'll be out of control; and if you're just hanging around checking out people of the opposite sex, you'll most certainly have the right soundtrack going for you. Yes, this tune has it all. It's not that the theme is so super-original, or even that it is so nice to listen to. We've heard it before. But what Bravo & Priest has accomplished here sounds extremely well coordinated, and yes, again I mention structure. This tune is as essential to any dancer as coffee is in the morning, because it is so well produced both in terms of structure, and the tremendous sound quality that bas been exercised. The tune is not far from accomplishing my chart for best trance song of 2002 thus far. The tune seems to make it sound so easy to make trance. But believe me, it's not. It is as hard as ever to get recognized in trance these days, because there is so much crap to choose from. So when I say "choose this tune", I know what I'm talking about, because dance tested, I have been. Sound? Oh yes, it's there. Party? Sure, got a beer? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.50 Technical Skill: 9.00 Structure: 10.00 Interest: 9.50 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 9.00 ARTIST: CANNON PROJECT SONG: STARWAY (PROMO) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE (YES, THEY KEEP COMING DON'T THEY....) SIMILAR: READ ARTIST BIO FOR INFO ON THIS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artist page: "Wow! Lots of WIDE pads, groovy sequences... One of the best tracks we ever made! Download it NOW!" DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO GOD DAMN IT!! Ok, now I can start reviewing. Yes, there seems to be a WIDE arrange of pads on this one. Cannon Project is a loud and proud trance artist on mp3.com, with a wide arrange of songs. The songs range from titles like "Ibiza" to "Dreams." The most intelligent title I found was "Sun Spirit." But I am here to review "StarWay (Promo)", not the titles. Why they've put the "promo" in there, I don't know. Either the song is unfinished, or it needs some retuning, or, uhm I don't know... I am not going to tell you anything about the tune. It's trance, that's it, there you have it, no more explanation needed. But there still are a few things that make this tune special. I do like the cymbal that hits in at 0:45 somewhere though, because it is simple. Some artists tell the world that they are best, because they have the most complicated cymbal structure. A simple 1, 2, 3, helping the beat along is an effect that many underestimate, and should use more often. Well done Cannon Project. Another good thing is the structure. The mathematical piece that this is, is correct, when the answer appears. What I mean by this is that you know when it is going to start rocking, and basically when it will end. The problem with this tune though, if I may be so blunt, is that the sound production itself is a dilemma in itself. Some artists think they get the best produced songs by pitching everything that has to do with tone way above normal. In this case too, the tones have been pitched WAY too high. It all sounds very great in the start since there isn't so many characters (instruments) in the song. But when the song starts to build is when the problem starts to show itself proud and smiling large: If you have too many of these tones (all of course pitched on the same level) striking in all at once, trying to be on the scene, everything gets way too crowded. Whatever happened to the tunes with less of the kick, and more of that warm sound? Ah well, anyway.. When 2:55 finally kicks in, what we basically have is a monstrous crowd of sounding nightmare mayhem that will only hurt ears, and eardrums. No dancing no, because the DJ has to turn down the volume each time the 2:55 comes along. Since most CD players and amplifiers don't have equalizers anymore, it all gets a little awkward. The tune is a valiant attempt, and the melody is (even though I know the score) a-ok. If only the tone could have been a little lower, things could have been just great! Try to re-record this baby, making room for the bass in the climax some more, and lower the overall tone of "StarWay (promo)". Then maybe removing of the "(promo)" in the title will be a good thing, no? yours:Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.50 Technical Skill: 8.00 Interest: 5.50 Recording Quality: 0.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 5.80 ARTIST: CAUTION MC SONG: RAIN GENRE: RAP / SKA SIMILAR: (NORWEGIAN:) WARLOCKS [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "ORIGINAL" is the first thing that runs through my mind when listening to Caution MC. The sound quality is quite good. The song has been recorded upon a rain sample. Although you can actually hear that this hasn't been recorded in a studio, I must say I was mighty impressed by both lyrics, and the vocal with rap insignia. The vocalist sings / raps well, and gives the final touch to this tune. The structure is nice. It leaves breaks for you to hear the rain splatter down, and the extremely melancholic electronic piano gives a nice atmosphere to dwell under. To top it all off the structure gives room for the vocalist's ramblings about his pain. The vocalist's frustration sounds like it comes from a relationship that is over. I'm not saying any more, but the lyrics are very well written. Simple, but VERY powerful. The thing that will split those who download this tune though, from those who really don't is the following. There really is no melody other than the electronic piano, and a constant bass playing. The vocalist actually stands for most of the instrumentation in the track. And while I think this is genius, some will be turned away, and walk to the more melodic ska tunes. Everybody should however agree, Caution MC has here made a track with good emotional lyrics, and powerful atmosphere. The track is recommendable to all who listen to music, because this is new, with a slight personal touch, and very original. This alone, should be enough to earn Caution MC some respect. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 6.50 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 8.00 Lyrics: 9.00 Recording Quality: 7.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 7.90 ARTIST: CENSUS OF THE MIND SONG: GENERATED EMOTION GENRE: ELECTRONIC / EXPERIMENTAL TECHNO SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Once in a while there comes a tune that is quite original. This can be either good, or bad given how you see things. The thing with this track is that it uses stereo effects to full force. Panning sounds to the left and right of the speaker. This in return, gives a very spacey experience, while others, who like things head on, may find the left / right experience extremely annoying. The track starts off extremely nice, but don't think it will stay like the intro throughout the track. For some reason it goes into a sort of "can't decide what to do next" state, where beats, the panning from left to right theme, and a lone cymbal all come into practice at random. The positive about this, is that it will to many sound like something, if not totally new, different and daring. And yes, this is a twist to electronic music. In some parts, the randomization of it all leaves the track completely silent, this is also quite special, and in my opinion an under appreciated tool in electronic music. But in the end, it is more the technical sides to this track that gives the track a worse score than it could have gotten for its originality alone. The random feel of this track, destroys any means of structure. The intro is intact, but other than that you'll be guessing when the track will ever get to the point, or even look at the clock on your Winamp to see how far out in the track you've gone. The sound quality is also something to think about: Firstly, the sound is kind of "wobbly", like the wav file was drowned in water before turned into an mp3 file. I don't know, but this can especially by heard when the cymbal, and some of the beat kicks in. Also, on another note, the ending, is it supposed to sound like that? I listened to it in hifi, and thought it was my connection. So I downloaded the tune just in case. But, yes. The same problem proceeds to encounter me: The ending: There is none. The tune has for some reason just been cut off. No fade, no hint at the song ending, nothing. Where the tune ends, it makes sense, but I just wish the artist would have spent more time making a descent ending for a track he undoubtedly spent a long time making. I recommend this track to anybody wanting to explore the unknown regions of electronic music. As highly unstructured as this piece is, tread carefully. I like the atmosphere in the track, but too many things get in the way of the tune getting a really good score. yours:Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.50 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 3.00 Interest: 7.50 Recording Quality: 5.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 6.10 ARTIST: CHRIS BRADSTREET SONG: WHITE HEAT [EXTENDED MIX] GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: TRANCE GARBAGE [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This tune is another take on trance. With beats, cymbal, and all clichés intact. The structure is ok, as in "it works." The sound quality isn't too bad either, since you can hear the tune clearly, and there is no low, or high volume nonsense. But can we really tell to people that this is something new and improved, and tell people to download this tune or die trying? No, I am sorry, we can not. Several other elements have to be intact as well in a trance tune. Soul!! Yes, the trance-engine that this is works really well in the mix, but does it qualify for the "king of the hill" trophy? Well.... It has nothing unique about it, that makes this tune special. It doesn't have a theme which the listener can remember it by. Since I'm not the "audience", I can not speak for everybody. Sure! Maybe you'll like it:) I'm just saying that it didn't move me (as in me only) as much as many other trance formulas I've heard. I guess this tune turns to the listener for advice. I didn't like it as much as I should have. But the sound quallity, and the structure of the tune, both works quite well, and tells the all so familar story of trance. That alone, is something to admire I think:) yours:Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 4.50 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 5.00 Interest: 4.50 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 2.50 OVERALL: 5.00 ARTIST: CORE SONG: TELL ME GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: LOTS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Yes, another trance artist. At least his page is fairly good looking compared to some other artist sites I've ventured to. One important thing about mp3.com is that they let you personalize your artist page, which is a good thing. The first thing that comes to mind when I listen to "Tell Me" by Core is that it is fairly simplistic. The melody doesn't go to new heights in originality, nor does it excel at being the "mother of all." No, this one tends to be one in the crowd, with a spectacular advantage: this song has probably some of the best engineering I've come across. I ran the song through different sound experiments were I increased the bass and then tone of the tune. The artist has managed to get a 100% pure recording, and the song still makes it possible for me to use my equalizer for my preferred settings. Wonderful:) Some tunes come pre- equalized, whereas this tune is clear and fine without so much of one use of that annoying tool. Brilliant work. DJ's will love this track. The tune stays to the theme and never leaves it. Maybe this is what the artist wanted to achieve, or perhaps there is another reason for keeping the same theme throughout the song. Dancers will also love this tune. If mixed correctly, this tune will blend in with the sets of the finest of DJs that the artist himself so proudly links to on his artist site. However for those of us who just want a decent tune to listen to, or something to add to our mp3 collection, I have to withdraw my support a little. While this tune has what it takes for any dance floor it won't appeal as much to listeners who want cream of the crop originality. Many of us are tired of the bleeding trance, and the blown techno. If it were up to us, "unique" would be the word to save both genres. Alas, core has not taken a very unique approach to this type of music. The quality of the tune falls short when it comes to being "something to be remembered." It may be memorable on the dance floor but on a Winamp play list it will fall short compared to a normal person's favorite tunes. So far -Sound quality wise, this tune is a god. -Structure wise, the tune never leaves the theme. -Originality, is lacking This means you have a 50/50 chance of falling into one of two groups: Either you belong to first 50%, which thinks the quality of the tune sounds nice but lacks individuality. The lacks of originality will make you forget the artist's name which is a shame because somebody out there worked hard on this material, and without any attention what was the reason for making it? Or you belong to the other 50% and download the tune right away. You'll certainly fall in love with the tune, even though it could have been more original. This tune has plenty of adrenaline to keep the blood flowing, and the dance will certainly start, even without the DJ. I'll leave it up to you to decide which side you will take. Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.50 Technical Skill: 10.00 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 6.00 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 7.50 ARTIST: DARKUFO II SONG: PARTICLE ACCELERATOR GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: BELOW AVARAGE TRANCE [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artist page: "A two man techno band whose music is inspired by his Research into UFO's, Aliens and Alien Abductions." $23,647.09 in MP3.com Earnings What is trance? What is (psy)trance? Is there really a difference? Psychedelic trance was the magnificent era when trance was even more trancy. The theme, playing over and over again, would "put people on the dance floor in a trance." (Hence, the trance genre was born.) DarkUFO II as they call themselves are filthy rich due to mp3.com earnings. Many mp3.com artists have struggled hard to get where DarkUFO II are now. I haven't the faintest idea of how an artist can earn this money, either if it's hard work or good promotion tactics involved; I don't really understand it. In some cases it will have NOTHING to do with the music AT ALL. What I can understand however is the music that I review and my opinion about it - in this case: DarkUFO IIs music. Excuse me one minute, I’ve just got to check this one more time. "$23,647.09 in MP3.com Earnings." Yes, that is the text all right. Particle Accelerator is a trance tune, no less, no more. The "Psy", in the trance should be ignored. This is trance, plain and simple. What makes this even more interesting when you think about the $$$ is that the tune isn’t original at all. I've heard a zillion trance tunes that sound exactly like this one and I have heard trance tunes that are brilliant with a big 0$ attached to the artist. (So don't let the $$$ fool you.) It doesn't help it much that the theme of the tune is played throughout the whole track either. There is a slight change in melody at 3:35, but changing the melody one time in the track won't make a genius. The theme, the rhythm, the "beautiful" piano, and the bass don’t appeal to me at all. Sure, the thing sounds good, not great, but surely A-ok quality wise. But, those are alas my only words in the positive direction. Everything else in the track says nothing about talent, or musical experience. This track only says a whole lot about how to create it, what is "beautiful" to people in general, and how to make it sound good. The track is dull, the name of the track is even duller, and the price tag of this artist is $23,647.09. Go figure. But, I guess I'm not a fan (or backer as they say on mp3.com) MIKE supports DarkUFO! see all "backers" ? Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.50 Technical Skill: 6.50 Interest: 0.50 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 1.00 OVERALL: 3.70 ARTIST: DIGICRYSTAL SONG: THE LAST SNOW GENRE: ELECTRONIC / GAME MUSIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] It is weird, but this sounds exactly the same as the sound my computer produces for some of the games I play, all midi files of course. Well enough of that. The Last Snow is a nice touch by DigiCrystal; I'm just not sure if it is all that authentic. I mean, sure, sure, it is beautiful and all, with snow and everything, but it all gets too sweet for me. The sound quality is unquestionable! But, still. there is no substance to the music. It's just a sappy tune to me, that I think belongs more in a game than being made by a musician. But I guess this is music too, so here goes. The Last Snow's main fault is that it changes too suddenly, and doesn't let the listener relax. Even if I listened to this piece six times, I still couldn't make much sense of it. I lastly figured it out: The structure in this tune is complicated. In fact so complicated that the only things I recognized in the entire tune were the intro, with the outro. Between these two, there was no structure. Not at all! It seems as though this tune should have been longer. I have never encountered it before, or encouraged it, but this tune needs more verses to actually feel right. This tune lasts for about two minutes, not being repetive at all. If it lasted four minutes instead, just by playing the exact same two minutes twice, the tune would make more sense, because then the listener would travel back to that beautiful place which he or her just listened to after two minutes. Yup, more understandable already. As it is now, I get lost, and can't put my finger on where to relax in the hellish, bittersweet snow storm that this is. The artist shows talent, but sometimes less is more. Yes, "loop" is a dreaded word, and should be used with caution. But still, having a loop or two doesn't hurt one bit. Every type of music, uses the "loop" philosophy to its advantage: to engage, encourage, and to state a point more than once. Simply put, get the track into your head. This song has so much to say, that it is hard to follow, and so the message gets lost in all the beauty that the song tries to show off. If you want a break in your winamp collection with just some ambient garbage, this is the song for you. But if you want an ambient tune with a clear theme, look elsewhere. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 1.50 Interest: 4.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 3.00 OVERALL: 4.70 ARTIST: DIGITAL DISTRACTION SONG: LET IT SLIDE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / EXPERIMENTAL, JAZZY SIMILAR: NO SIMILARITIES [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] YESS!!! Wow! What a ride! I've heard the whole tune a few times before starting to write this review, and I can only say one thing: "Wow!" There is true excellence behind this piece of work. Drum rhythm, guitar playful goodness!! I really enjoyed this one. This tune is a mix of jazz elements, beats that are wild, but still manages to give the tune a lot of personality. The tune never builds up to anything, or never really climaxes. It just begins and ends right where it began with jazzy, musically wonderful goodness. "Happy jazz" is probably the best way to describe this tune. "Let It Slide" by Digital Distraction is actually something fairly new and exciting when I start to think about it. I have never heard a similar tune on mp3.com, or in the music industry for that matter. If this is "Digital Distraction"s main single they are going to do well. Because this tune is not only a breakthrough as a new style, or form of music. But the tune boasts so much personality and energy, that it will appeal even after quite a few listens. The tune is short, and to the point. No intro or ending, it just starts and stops right in the middle of the jazzy beats and great atmosphere. As a more unprofessional note for myself, I am adding this song to my collection, and looking forward to any productions I hear from these guys in the future. You should all visit these guys, NOW. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 9.50 Structure: 9.00 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 9.00 ARTIST: DIRTY LIGHT SWITCHES SONG: DRIPPING ROSES GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] The first thing I'd like to say is that you have to have good equipment and maybe some knowledge on what software to get when deciding to start making electronic music. The sound quality of this tune is okay, but the sounds themselves are extremely below average. Besides the beat and the cymbal, everything sounds lo/fi, and really sounds like it was made on an old Amiga 500 sampler. The structure seems all right, as the tune makes a whole lot of sense and flows accordingly. But, given how it sounds, that doesn't help much. The artist seems fairly honest, and fairly humble, which I think tilts everything in a positive direction. He really has the structure just right in his music, which is a good start for anybody working with electronic music. So I really have no complaints on structure. Besides good instruments and sound, electronic music you REALLY needs a good structure to make everything work properly. Heck, come to think of it the structure is probably the most important of all actually. So with a little bit of scientific research on the instrument department, and some better equipment, Dirty Light Switches is something to look for in the future. If you need a good example of a good structured electronic piece by the way, I really do recommend "Dripping Roses" to the lot of you. If you nevermind the lo/fi, it is kind of funky in a corny kind of way, and that can only be a good thing, right? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.50 Technical Skill: 5.00 Structure: 9.50 Interest: 5.00 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 5.80 ARTIST: DJ BLUEFEVER SONG: LEGENDARY TRANCE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / RAUNCHY TRANCE SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] There are some moments in my time here at godsofmusic.com when I wish I could give out an award, not merely the simple scores at the bottom of the page. If it was up to me, this track would get a "special achievement" award. Why? If you listen closely to this track, you will discover that this track has extremely high potential, both on the dancefloor, and as a listen. I would normally complain when the bassline doesn't change throughout the track, and when the (what I have chosen to call) string section is the same thing the whole time. But do you hear me complaining? Nope. The theme is very gung ho, Billy-the-Kid western-like, and will definitely wake the cowboy in every dancing heart. The song doesn't waste any time. When the beat starts off at the very beginning, I know I'll be in for a treat. But it's the string section building that Dj Bluefever has inserted at 0:55 that convinces me: This track is something very special. I've mentioned this all before. Trance needs something new. Of course, this trance tune has almost all the means of regular trance. Almost. The idea to have the strings that don't change in the background give a very, ummm, how should I put this best...ummm...oh yeah: Ay, ooh Silver, away! feeling. The only thing that annoys me is the ending. A tune as adrenaline spiced as this one, will need a better ending than a fade, don't you agree? I'm sure you'll agree with me if you'll just listen to "Legendary Trance." Because not only will this tune get the blood flowing of any dancer at any lucky dancefloor, it will also be to blame for people wearing cowboy boots at the local disco, carrying water guns, bringing in their horses named "Whiskey", and shouting at the bartender: "Whiskey!" If this tune doesn't get you going, go to your local police department. I hear they are in need of some cowboys anytime soon. yours: Christian Lowensprung on his proud black horse. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 9.00 Interest: 8.00 Recording Quality: 7.50 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 8.60 ARTIST: DJ DACH SONG: THE MAGIC OF THE CLOVERS GENRE: ELECTRONIC / EXPERIMENTAL SIMILAR: CERTAINLY NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] When I started up this tune, I suddenly felt I had a sub-role in "The Matrix." Have you seen those dancers who stand still, look like zombies, and just move their hands around in a robot kind of fashion? Yes, we've all seen them, haven't we? Well, here is their song. I'm positive about this folks, this is what they listen to. Those people can finally rejoice, because I have just the tune for them. As for myself, who never dances like that, I really don't know what to say about this song. Am I at the Nokia mobile phone ringing song contest, or maybe I just have a robot in my house? Hmmmm, I better go check ... nope only my toaster making that terrible "flip flop" noise again. As I enter my room again, and found out that there was no robot in my living room, I'm practically stunned as I sit and hear these strange sensations coming through my speaker: a constant chaos of weird random sounds! What the heck! Yes, it actually does sound like the more high tech mobile phones of today. What bungles me though is that these sounds really don't interact with each other at all, but more or less pay no attention to anything except that they play on the same BPM as the song. They are on their own, playing around in the community of mobile sounding brethren, making chaos to everything that is structured themes, and more calm musical atmospheres. It's a riot of mobile phones. Our apocalypse is here. The Magic of The Clovers will to some be a total masterpiece, and to others be a constant technical blur of various mobile phone sensations (in other words: Not so good...) The chaotic nature of this tune doesn't produce a very good structure. Chaotic sounds come and go, and it almost seems like this tune could have been produced in more parts than one. Like some do: The Magic of The Clovers [part 1], The Magic of The Clovers [part 2], etc... I can just sit and be amazed and annoyed at the same time, because I don't get this tune. Maybe my IQ level has dropped, or maybe it was too low in the first place. If you feel up to random chaos of sounds, to something that I think was a big-beat type beat, than you are more than welcome to try this out. But as for me, I'm returning to the place I like to call Earth. I'm not saying the artist isn't from Earth, I just like to draw some boarders to the places of Earth I don't want to visit. It's not that I hate these places, I'm just not ready for the robotic world. Not just yet. Taken from the Matrix 2 Morpheus looks down at the new chosen one who is to take over Neo's role over the information highway. With a sceptical look on his face he says: Morpheus: Do you believe that's air your breathing now? The new chosen one looks about, and hears a lot of mobile phones in the distance, creating a chaotic sence of distortion in the room. Then he turns to Morpheus with a confused, but sturdy look upon his face: Ino (played by Christian Lowensprung): I sure hope so. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 7.50 Structure: 3.50 Interest: 5.00 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 5.60 ARTIST: DJ DUSTBUNNY II SONG: ITS ALL THE RAVE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / EXPERIMENTAL TECHNO SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] DJ DUSTBUNNY II is the name of the artist I'm about to review. I wonder who DJ DUSTBUNNY I is? Ah well... This is a techno song made from loops. I'm going to explain a simple way to create a song. I'm not saying that this is how DJ DUSTBUNNY II did it, but be patient with me on this one: If you have these so called loops in wav files, and use a program to copy/paste these loops together, you will of course get some sort of tune. The result may vary from time to time, depending on the program you use. But that is a very simple way to make music. So you might say that artists in the electronic genre have it a little easier creating "music" than artists of the acoustic genre do. If you press play on this tune, you will discover a tune that there really isn't much experience behind. I am not saying that DJ DUSTBUNNY II hasn't got any talent; there are some fascinating and unique new twists to electronic music in this tune. This is not the worst tune I've heard in my time. But, alas, it's by far not the best. There are two things which hurt this tune. 1. I'll mention this first, because I too have been on this level, and there really isn't anything bad about it. As they say: Practice makes perfect, so DJ DUSTBUNNY II just needs some more practice. Here is why: The structure is as structured as your normal raw-footage loop tune. This is the kind of material some electronic artists would consider "unfinished" because the loops are melted together at random. It's not really structured at all. If a tune isn't structured, the tune isn't going to charm many people either. "It’s all the rave" will surely appeal to some people though. I am sure that this is a nice tune for electronic fans wanting a laugh, and dancing all freaky. But for serious actors on the dance floor, this isn't it. It just sounds too homemade to even hint at talent. I am not dissin’ anybody here. I think DJ DUSTBUNNY II has something going with this, for real. As said before, I see potential in what has been done. Some more work, some practice, and DJ DUSTBUNNY II has a hit! I promise you. 2. The thing that is a little more frustrating and that can not be excused in any way is this: DJ DUSTBUNNY II has used the funky base sample used in "Prodigy: poison"! DJ DUSTBUNNY II, if you are going to use a sample from such a highly acclaimed group, please do us, and yourself a favour: Do with the sample so it can not be recognized by the copyright holder. If you don't, you will be in a lot of trouble. Again, I am not dissin’ anybody. This is said to help you (DJ DUSTBUNNY II and anybody reading this) with your musical career. If this is just a hobby for you, than the second point still goes. Samples that sound exactly as their originals (i.e. sounds like a portion of the original song), if it isn't a remix of the original with the authors of the originals permission, it will become distasteful. So please, in your next tune, make your own samples, and if you can't do that, disfigure the samples you do use. This way you’ll avoid being sued. In the end, this is a nice little project, and I urge all you readers to listen to it, just to understand where I and DJ DUSTBUNNY II are coming from. But as far as the score goes, I'm going to have to practice some tough love. Keep up the hard work DJ DUSTBUNNY II because I know you'll get there if hard work is what it takes. Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 1.50 Technical Skill: 0.50 Structure: 0.00 Interest: 7.50 Recording Quality: 6.00 Long Term Appeal: 3.50 OVERALL: 3.10 ARTIST: DJ JADEMAN SONG: BASS GROOVE 2001 GENRE: ELECTRONIC / HARD HOUSE SIMILAR: THE HARTHOUSE LABEL [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Yes! This is the second DJ Jademan song I've reviewed. Just to tell you already, if you don't listen to this, you've missed out. What this is, is oldschool hard trance the way it was made some years ago. This is the way the gods made music, back in the day when mp3.com wasn't even born. When labels like Warp, HartHouse, XS2 the RaveZone (Norway), and ID&T (famous for housy part of Thunderdome) flourished throughout Europe. DJ Jademan proves here that he has either not forgotten this time, or he has just gotten lucky and hit the right specification for a great hard house tune by pure coincidence. The sound is loud people. The main sound of this track will boom out on most speakers, and it is advisable to turn the bass down somewhat so you're prepared for the loudness that comes without warning (yes, you guessed it: No intro.) Hard house of the early 90s was hard, to the point, and had few, if any, voice samples whatsoever. Today, it seems that if a track doesn't have singing it is bound to failure, and most hard house songs really aren't all that hard with female vocals. DJ Jademan has made a short, head-ravers ball tune, that should be played live by all serious DJ's who want to personalize their dancefloor, or serious normal folk who need to test the bass elements of their speakers. It is a shame that the track isn’t downloadable, but most of DJ Jademans other tunes are downloadable, so I'll let it pass. But as a DJ, you'll have to buy the CD to get the good stuff. Another downer is that the sound "peaks" slightly at the start. What this means is that the sound volume of the track is slightly over the allowed maximum. But these are just minor problems, that only personalizes the track even more: A track ain't a person, without some sort of character flaw. All in all, this is a hit. It should be cherished, honored, and played by all who know to appreciate great and real hard house when they hear it. Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 7.50 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 5.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.20 ARTIST: DJ JADEMAN SONG: CHILLOUT GENRE: ELECTRONIC / SOUNDTRACK, AMBIENT SIMILAR: CASTLEVANIA GAME? [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This is a nice atmospheric piece. Dark, gloomy. Almost reminds me of a castlevania game. It doesn't stand out as something completely outstanding, but has enough diversity to make it interesting. The tune will last, I have listened to this tune quite a few times now, and I haven't gotten bored of it yet. So I guess that is a positive sign. The tune may be a bit too dark for some, but I love this kind of music, and wish more artists would produce this type of material. Probably the only problem with this tune not getting a perfect score is that it really does nothing new for the genre. It is a great tune, but it ain't fantastic. Still, it would fit greatly in with a movie or a soundtrack for a game. Especially a "survival horror" game such as Resident Evil, or Silent Hill. Yes, this tune is definetly scary but it is musicly outstanding:) So, I like it. I only hope to hear more from DJ Jademan in the future. Yours: http://www.mp3.com/xanitra yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.50 Technical Skill: 9.00 Structure: 8.50 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.30 ARTIST: DJ JOE SONG: THE NOTORIOUS GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONICA WITH BREAKS INSERTED SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Normally I do not jump to conclusions, but since this song does, I really have no choice. The conclusion that the song jumps to, is that it really sounds unfinished in many ways. It sounds more like the demo cut to the soon to come song which has been tweaked for max performance. The sound recording is good, but could have been much better. To be a breakbeat tune, the song doesn't seem to have enough bass. Even when I turned my bass equalizer all the way up, it sounds weird. The best quality is when you turn the bass off, because then the breaks become the center of attention. Since the breaks sound better than the bass, you will get some enjoyment out of it all if you do some equalizer work on your winamp, or whatever you have. But, sound quality alone does not fall a tune. This though, most certainly does: the tune just is too plain. It has nothing unique about it, and really goes in no new direction that hasn't already been wandered, time, and time again. The break at 1:30 does manage to muster some hope in this listener, but when the same voice sample, and boring theme hits in 15 seconds later, I cannot do other than breathe a helpless sigh. The tune does show some form of attitude, in the distance. But that distance is far too great for me to try to give this attitude a helping hand. So it has to be up to the artist to make a remix, or maybe re-record the tune and do something about the way the tune is structured. The structure you see, is extremely boring: 0:00 Breakbeat theme - 1:30 exciting part - breakbeat theme again - end. There is the structure for ya. The voting system on soundclick.com seems a bit harsh. Either you give the tune a hot, or a flop. Seems a bit awkward and childish to me, so I am glad DJ Joe came here to get his music reviewed. This is far from a flop! But it just lacks that extra cash to make this a hit. If this involves some work, maybe. But it will be worth it to get this baby updated, and flying high. Because it sounds unfinished as it is. Maybe just some equalizer work on the final cut will do the trick? To you as a listener, I would say that this is a tune if you like smart breakbeat tunes, that have a "in between the lines" groove. If this doesn't fit your taste description, continue on your journey. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 3.00 Technical Skill: 7.00 Structure: 2.00 Interest: 7.00 Recording Quality: 3.00 Long Term Appeal: 6.00 OVERALL: 4.60 ARTIST: DJ M.B. SONG: THE SPIRIT OF LOVE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE REVIVED. SIMILAR: THE GODS OF TRANCE [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] What we have here is DJ M.B. He has produced a track that is a very happy testament to what love is all about, and that we should celebrate it in all its forms. OK, before I continue talking, I know what you are thinking: "That is nothing new, well, just bare with me for a few moments, because I will try to make this as short as possible." DJ M.B. is an artist who is about to hit the 300,000 listens mark. Thank God I can tell you why. "The spirit of love" is the overall experience you'll get when listening to DJ M.B. and also serves as an introduction to all of his tracks. So, if you do what I did, and like what I like you'll find that many of his tunes get you in a better mood:) Its structure is not completely new. DJ M.B.'s style in electronic music mostly resembles the structured electronic music you hear on the radio, and there isn't much originality about their structures. But still, I will forgive this, since if the structure had been more complicated, it would probably not have had that same "innocent playfulness" about it that makes this the cute love theme that it is. Sound quality wise: Most tracks today don't have any hissing at all, but that is the least the first thing on my check list. This one didn't have any of it though:) The second thing to check is the beat. No bass swimming in water sequences. Good, this tune didn't have a beat with water in its mouth. But what makes this tune special, and why it gets a perfect score in recording quality is this: If you see all the bars on your winamp is moving, and you can still tweak the winamp equalizer without the sound getting all messed up, is when a tune deserves a 10 in sound quality. He is not the most original electronic artist out there, and his structure could be a bit more on the experimental side for my tastes. But, if you are used to the radio, then you should check DJ M.B out. He has a new twist to what I'd like to call conventional pop-techno, and he is a talent you would want to keep book marked if you like The spirit of love, like I did. yours:Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 9.00 Structure: 7.50 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 8.90 ARTIST: DJ N.R.G. SONG: I'M GONNA ROLL A FAT ONE! GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TECHNO SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artist page: "The wildest and wackiest song I've ever done! A celebration of spliffs and partying! You'll laugh at the tongue-in-cheek lyrics sung by yours truly, get hooked on the addictive bassline and groove to the down tempo, & catchy R&B style beat! Not to be taken seriously! So...just sit back, roll a fat one, get totally spaced out and groove to this totally crazy song! Oh, maaaaan! It's good ****!" That was almost the whole artist text, except for the last word. I put it there so you can understand what this track is all about. This is a track where the artist puts away his talent for a while and decides to make a track that is more about fun than artistry. I can understand this, since as an artist, I have also had that urge. However, an artist should also practice a little self-criticism. At what point is enough enough? When is the joke that the song once was really not that funny any more? Well, it seems DJ N.R.G. never got this train of thought running, and actually made this track, submitting it to mp3.com. Not only that, but he thinks he will make some reviewer at godsofmusic.com laugh his head off. Yes, ok, I did smile, once or twice during this track......... But no, I did not find it funny. This is not my kind of humour, nor did the lyrics, or any of the "8 year old electronic music" content appeal to me. It just sounds extremely unprofessional. Heck, I don't really even have to speak, listen to the artist for yourself! "Not to be taken seriously!" So, was Dj N.R.G.'s submission of this song itself a joke? Where is the real song I was supposed to review??! Oh, no answer. The sound quality is actually quite good and the structure of the track really isn't that bad either. And if that doesn't prove Dj N.R.G.'s talent, just listen to some of his other tunes. When we submit ourselves as artists on mp3.com, we all have our specific goal, or "vision". We also want to ask ourselves if we're really serious, or if this is just going to be a part time exercise, no big deal. Well, not only is he serious on his website, he has actually gone through the time and effort, AND money to make a service for other artists as well! Wow.... I all people were like him, contributing to musical society. mp3unsignedartists is run by him! So it's pretty impressive, and serious stuff. Thus, why DJ N.R.G. would degrade himself by posting this track as a joke on any site is beyond my comprehension. I sincerely believe that DJ N.R.G. deserves better for himself than to post this here. If this was www.jokersmusic.com I would probably forgive DJ N.R.G, and laughed along with him. But since the name on my browser says godsofmusic.com, I can only be sad on his behalf. I can recommend all his other tracks to you though! He does have talent, and he deserves some attention because of it. Actually it won't kill you to listen to this track either. Maybe I'm just a lamer, and this is really quality material comedy at its finest. But if you have roughly the same humour I do don't listen to this track. It will just ruin your first impression of what I thought was a joke in the first place. yours:Christian Lowensprung Download this song at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/161/dj_nrg.html (The link below doesn't work) yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 1.00 Structure: 7.00 Interest: 0.00 Recording Quality: 6.50 Long Term Appeal: 0.50 OVERALL: 3.30 ARTIST: DJ PEE SONG: LETS GO GENRE: ELECTRONIC / HI-TECH TRANCE SIMILAR: FRUITYLOOPS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] ok ok... Eeeh, what can I say: Hurraaah for Fruityloops. DJ Pee credits Fruityloops very clearly on his page. Hurraah, hurraaah, hurraaaaah to Fruityloops I say. With this last note, everybody who makes trance the decent way today, are either doing the lost cause, or plain losing it. This is DJ Pee, an artist focusing his energy and cash on software. Each Music making firm like Fruityloops, Magix, or any other corrupt firm has a basic principle in which they make money: Hey, today’s music industry has many listeners who've forgotten what quality trance is, lets make some software so that trance gets more quantity, instead of the quality. So gullible people download the demo, try it out, but to get the full version one has to cough up some money to make music. This is probably what DJ Pee along with the rest of the Fruityloops fans, did. With Fruityloops you can do almost anything, and have all the tools available that professional DJs have. Or, are they that professional? After listening to DJ Pee, I am amazed at the sound of this tune. It really does define modern trance at its most crisp form. DJ Pee could easily be mistaken for Darudes newest tune, or maybe ATBs comeback as a trance artist. Why? Because did anybody hear DJ Pees tune on the radio? No. Radio has a lot to learn these days. Once the Radio stations just play what sound good, instead of who pays the most, the music industry will be revolutionized I tell you. Because here DJ Pee has produced a fine song which in many ways puts everything in perspective, if you will. If I were to define where the trance genre has gone to, I would have to pick out this tune as an example of exactly this. Trance is no longer produced with synths, or gadgets. The sounds are sometimes made from these tools still, but computers are today what it's all about. A very cost effective way to produce a track, yes? Instead of doing it the old fashioned way, were you had to buy an entire studio to actually just make a trance song. So, were does everything that I've just mentioned fit in with DJ Pee. Well, quite frankly, everything! There is no such thing anymore as talent in the trance genre. The word "talent" is a joke to me. Many of the experts of trance have been doing the trance genre for years, and years. Still, they've been beaten by the computerized world. Now though, it is even worse. Now, for a small buck, or maybe nothing at all, amateurs can get their hands on high tech software. Equipment? Who needs it. The fruityloops software can let everybody make the music they want, with the click of the mouse. Click, click, click, click Click, click, click, click Click, click, click, click Click, click, click, click... there you go.. the tune is ready. Very much like a 3D jigsaw puzzle. What is the problem with this? The trance world of today very rarely gets "new blood." Well, of course the trance genre gets new blood. New artists appear all the time! But, do we sometimes get something unique? Nope. All these trance tunes, that now sound like clones of each other with minor adjustments, are a curse to trance. Trance isn't a genre anymore, it is a disease. The words experimental trance, where have those words gone? Hmm.. It is a nice thing that people like DJ Pee who don't have much of a career in music, can just head to http://www.fruityloops.com and download whatever he needs to get where he wants to be. But believe me when I say this people: mp3.com knew that many made music, when launching. They did not know that fruityloops was just on the BETA process. People who've spent all their lives trying to create the perfect tune are angry. Really angry. That long road doesn't seem so hard anymore since now you can download Fruityloops, Magix, Ejays, or whatever it's called to make music as fresh as the electronic music you get in the store. A Very good example of this is playing the first Enigma CD, and then playing Enigmas latest. Can you hear the difference? This tune would either get a great score, or get slaughtered by me as DJ Pees reviewer this time around. (DJ Pee has been on godsofmusic.com often. Check out his other reviews for the scoop on that.) "Lets Go" is nothing new. But it does have high tech sounding, which means that with the help of some tweaking of the fruityloops gadgets, has made an excellent sound experience. The other good thing is that it will most likely rock any dancefloor, because of its clear and rich base. The theme is also somewhat interesting, and is actually quite nice at 2:00. But the theme never gets any more interesting, since it is on a loop, and soon gets extremely boring. ("Loop" is when you take some 10 second musical piece, and play it over, and over, and over again.) As said, we have heard it all before, except for the extremely high quality of the sound production. There is nothing wrong with new fans of trance downloading this piece. It has clear sound, and will be ok as an all rounder play at any conventional dancefloor. To us more frequent listeners, it will sound extremely dry with no soul whatsoever, very fitting for today’s trance tunes. Understand me when I say the next words (which will sound a bit harsh): I don't think this tune is bad. Actually, "Lets Go" is far from awful. But it is the number of trance tunes out there that makes for the aftertaste of this tune. Fruityloops doesn't make matters better. It is great that Fruityloops is yet another "thing" for people to be doing. But I've heard my share of rubbish with the name "Fruityloops" on it. If Fruityloops had never existed, we would loose a lot of electronic music on mp3.com, yes. But would we really miss it? Don't get me wrong, I welcome the day guys like DJ Pee take over the charts on the radio stations. Because the trance on today’s stations is bought to fame and fortune, something I dislike. But still, mark my words: The day I sit down, listen to a piece like this, and call this quality trance, is the day I finally stick my head in the plastic blender, and press the "3" button. yours:Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.50 Technical Skill: 0.50 Structure: 9.00 Interest: 1.00 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 4.50 ARTIST: DJ SKY SONG: EKG - GENRE: ELECTRONIC / 1 SIMILAR: T-R-A-N-C-E C-O-N-T-R-O-L [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] I'll make this short and sweet. This is YET ANOTHER trance stomper with a (used a 1000 times before) sample in the beginning. WHOOHOOOO!!!!! (eeeh) I can say that if you play this song, you WILL enter loop heaven. If this ain't loops, then the artist really needs to rethink his musical skills, because the technique used here gives away too much: There is a difference between being serious with your music, and just having a hobby. Well, I am not going to tell anybody to get a new hobby, because making music is a lot of fun. But the programming of this tune, is not intelligent at all, and just plain dull if you ask me. Take a listen for yourself why don't you.. As far as the recording quality goes, I have to explain something to you. EVERYBODY now knows how to get the recording quality above avarage. With all the great software out here, it is hard to do anything else. But in THIS song, the cymbals sound double the volume as everything else. So it is a bit embarrassing for the DJ to turn down the volume each time the cymbal comes into practice... To the artist who made this song: Don't feel too bad. yours: http://www.mp3.com/xanitra (not a trance act) yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 1.00 Structure: 10.00 Interest: 0.50 Recording Quality: 1.50 Long Term Appeal: 0.50 OVERALL: 3.00 ARTIST: DJ SVENSK SONG: DOWN BENEATH GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: UHM, [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This trance tune starts off rather nicely, in my opinion. If mp3.com released a trance compilation, this tune would be on it. Why can I say this already, when I have only heard one minute of it so far? Well, the answer is simple. The melody is -- simply said -- beautiful. The beat is exactly right; it's not too loud, but it manages to stomp it out on its own. There is a little cymbal in there that helps the beat go along, and there are echo effects to give even more depth to what is an already beautiful theme. If every trance tune was as good as this, I would have no problem with the genre. But "trance" as a genre is well overused now. I think that music such as this is the only thing keeping me from skipping the genre altogether. DJ Svensk has created a formula that everyone in their right mind will enjoy. Even trance haters will love this tune. It is simple, short, to the point, and just very extremely well done. My last thought concerning this song: Trance is probably the most crowded genre in electronic music these days. So why do we need another trance tune? Well, if you visit DJ Svensk's site, I think you will see why you should make room for "Down Beneath." Download right away, or regret you did... this is a trance genre breakthrough! yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 8.00 Interest: 8.50 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 8.80 ARTIST: DJ TAO SONG: METHYLRAVER GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Here we have another trance machine at hand. A nice synth loop starts off the 6:33 long ride which DJ Tao calls Methylraver. Methylraver is a very straightforward experience, where the 1, 2, 3 beat is backed up by the cymbal in between the beats. Very unoriginal, but still, even today very effective. The theme, a sort of progressive psychedelic combination, is actually played a staggering 3 minutes with no break, or hint at stopping. It works well for the first 30 seconds and manages, in fact, to be quite impressive. This since the pads do sound very well recorded and manage to give away to a nice crisp sound when the equalizer is tweaked a bit. But the continuously pounding away till the very 3:11, when the beat and everything else suddenly stops, is a bit too long if you ask me. But, when it stops, everything changes. Phew. This is when the tune gets a facelift. With a mood resembling that of the great Grieg himself builds, builds, and drops to the full effect. A mood change for the better, because it relieves dancers, and listeners. But when the basic beat comes back, my sigh of relief, gets a turnover: Turned into a yawn. But lets sum things up, since I now heard the "Methylraver" sample at 4:32. I sort of know now how the whole thing is going to continue anyway. This is your usual trance tune without question. There are some high-tech advantages to DJ Tao, but other than that, this IS trance. The beat is standard, the cymbal is nothing but standard, and this makes for a very yawning experience indeed. Even though the artist surely does intend for this to be the "new thing", it truly isn't. But, it is a nice try at what is a drowning sea of waves. Yes, those waves are very much building up a storm at sea; now aren't they. What I am trying to say is, I have heard this sound before, and I have heard this style before. I have heard that sample before (not in those words ("Methylraver"), but pretty close.) Trust me, I have heard the beat before, I really have. There really isn't anything more annoying in today’s trance tunes than a cymbal, created to such a frightening extent that it only copies the behavior of the beat. However, if we take away the sea of other trance tunes, and just look at this one: A fairly average tune. It's not groundbreaking. It is just somebody else’s way of telling everybody that he or she knows how to record a tune that sounds something like a trance tune. If this was a different genre, I would probably not jump to that conclusion, but since this is trance, I have no other alternative. Sorry. There are several elements in this tune that make it interesting, like the progressive touches, and the fact that it is very much made for any dance floor. But Winampers should avoid this track. It does get old, pretty fast. So unless you are a DJ, and have the option to mix this tune in with other tunes, I would seriously consider skipping the idea altogether. Said in short words: If you are an absolute trance "must have" this is the tune for you. PS: To artist: There is a slight skip in between 05:04, and 05:05. I didn't mind it much, but I just thought I'd mention it, since some people are perfectionists. yours:Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 3.50 Interest: 4.50 Recording Quality: 6.50 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 4.90 ARTIST: DJ TRANCENDANCE SONG: DREAMNASTIX_ GENRE: ELECTRONIC / DANCE, SOUNDTRACK, SIMILAR: EARWAX, WESTBAM, MOBY [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Before I start reviewing the song I would just like to make a note about the song lo/fi button on mp3.com: I found a huge difference between the sound quality in the lofi version and the hifi version of this song. On the lofi version, some instruments are in fact missing. This is important to inform you of, because without the cymbal in the tune, the music loses a lot of its dynamicism, and sounds in fact incomplete! I highly urge all of you to consider playing this song in hifi if you want to check this song out before downloading it. "Dreamnastix_" by DJ TRANCEnDANCE (as he calls himself) has no introduction at all. The tune starts off with the theme, cymbal, and heavy beat right on. I feel that the introduction should have been there to give listeners a feel of the personality of this track. But that is just a minor problem. The track is extremely powerful when it comes to melody. The soundscape in between the rhythms and cymbal is quite impressive, and gives a sort of dreamy surround sound feel. The artist, I think, has picked just the right genre for this tune. It's dreamy, progressive, and danceable. The great thing about this track is that the beat is not too dominant. You can jump up and down to this one, as well as sit down and listen to it without getting a headache. It is not something that acts just as a dance act, or as a musical breakthrough. The tune is just a plain simple ride through 3:15 of a dreamy atmosphere, with fantastic accurate beat and cymbal. There is a problem that may occur with some listeners which I have to point out, though. The tune sometimes seems to not go anywhere, and some listeners will tend to think "what does this tune want from me?" There is no real theme to this tune, but a soundscape that acts as some of the atmosphere that this tune creates. So theme enthusiasts -- and people who need things to sing along with -- should stay clear away from this one. But as a relaxation, and jump up and down experience this tune is just right. So what I think is that we actually need more of this kind of music. The atmospheric melody (without a theme) with the intelligent beat inserted is just the spark of innovation that the electronic genre needs. Artists do tend to tell the world too much: "This is my music, and this is who I am." DJ TRANCEnDANCE would make a nice addition to any mp3 collection, because his music is something new, danceable, relaxing, and doesn't throw too much personality in your face (because that also can be too much.) Dreamnastix_ is nice to chill out to on the beach, and also works for any beachball party (if any.) I guess this makes the extra hidden message for this track become clear: "Just chill out, and listen to the music." Nice piece of work:)! Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 8.50 Structure: 0.50 Interest: 8.50 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 7.50 ARTIST: DJ ULTRAFUNKADELIC SHITPOODLE SONG: TRIPPING THE PSYCHEDELIC LIMBURGER GENRE: ELECTRONIC / EXPERIMENTAL ELECTRONICA SIMILAR: UHM? [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] For once, I am going to let the artist’s description do the talking: " I hate trance. You hate trance. We all hate trance. I mean, c'mon, how creative can you get? How many snare rolls climaxing in a cymbal crash and the resumption of the same ole' 4/4 drumbeat. Buuut, once in awhile, I like to place my tongue firmly in cheek, break out the good ole' kick-hat kick-hat, and bust out some wicked filtering on my 303 and 404. I never spend more than an hour or two on a track. I don't know why I do it. I'm sick, really. Sick." Do I really have to review this song to tell you that this isn't a very accomplished piece of work? Ok, maybe I do. This is a sort of an experiment (if I can call it that) where the production is a mixture of layers put together in a chaotic mix and a cymbal that plays on a frequent basis. To call this trance, is wrong. This isn't trance at all, but more some sort of scientific music experiment made to see who likes it … and who doesn't. I actually think it has some potential in a more symbolic sense; however this will come across as noise to most people so I won't linger too much on my personal taste in electronic music here. Besides, the artists own words really tell the whole story. Trance is an overcrowded genre these days, yes, but the trance genre would be NOTHING if it weren't for the people that made good trance back in the day. The trance back in the day did not suck, and many songs were masterpieces in their own right. Even though the Trance of today is a bit below the standard that the gods of the first half of the 90s set, Trance would be dead now if it weren't for the few goodies of today. So I refuse to agree with the statement which the artists burps out at us (that him, and we, and you hate trance). I don't hate trance, I just recognize the fact that on-line services like mp3.com help exhaust this genre in a great way. But sometimes something happens, and one tune jumps out of the crowd to becomes a classic. This tune isn't one of them. As an experimental tune, however, this isn't too bad in my opinion. You'll have to decide whether I’m right or wrong on that one though. What goes without saying is that trance is something that has to be believed in to work. Like all things, if a genre doesn't get enough attention it will die. It will take a long time for trance to die because of its huge body of releases these days, but if artists come up with statements such as the one DJ Ultrafunkadelic Shitpoodle produced then the trance genre will surely perish in its own (now) polluted body fluid. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.50 Technical Skill: 1.00 Interest: 6.50 Recording Quality: 7.50 Long Term Appeal: 1.50 OVERALL: 4.40 ARTIST: DRIFT UK SONG: THESE DAYS GENRE: POP / ROCK /POP SIMILAR: PINK FLOYD [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] It is good to know that some people still produce music with vocals, and normal instruments. This pop / rock tune is very relaxing, as the artist said on his homepage at mp3.com, and it does remind me of Pink Floyd somewhat. The guitar playing is without question exceptional, and the little synth in the background is great for the mood of this tune. The bass, and low drum also does it's job. What I really found interesting is the vocal. It is seldom that the vocal is as crisp and as clear as it is in this tune. Not too low, not too loud. It perfectly fits in with the tune, and this guy knows how to sing! He doesn't only sing, but he sounds like he's really putting his heart into every sentence. I have heard people who know how to sing, but aren't really putting much effort in acting out their singing. Can't say it enough, the vocal here is both, crisp, nice, and heartfelt! When I listened to this tune, I felt totally at ease, because the music filled my soul in such a way. This tune has soul, man! I mean it! It ain't only lyrics, but I felt that this was a part of the artists life that went out in this tune. A lot of work went into making this material, I am sure of it. I think there is too little of such music anymore. There is too much commercialisation behind each product, and it ends up lost. This song however, comes straight from the heart, and has real people behind it. I urge you just listen to drift uk, just to get what I am talking about. When music gets as heartfelt as "these days" I have trouble describing what I hear in exact words. But the only thing I can say is "wow", there is true talent behind this work. I know that getting famous with music today is hard, but if I don't hear anything at all from these guys in the future there is something seriously wrong with the music industry today. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 10.00 Structure: 7.50 Interest: 9.00 Lyrics: 8.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 8.80 ARTIST: DUALSCAPE SONG: SUNBEAM GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: ZZZZZZZ [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from mp3.com: "Sunbeam 5:56 Melodic dutch trance track with emotional synth build-ups. Ranked #1 in www.beatmaka.com top 40. This track has got lots of positive feedback from fans. (bpm 144)" This is a trance tune that makes you wait 80 seconds before it starts to develop into something a little below average. At 2:15, the tune really shines actually, with a nice little electronic trumpet sound, and low strings in the background. But I am going to make this review short and simple, as you'll have to understand this quickly to get my drift. There is one simple problem with this song: ||||| Imagine if you will, the equalizer that I have drawn. The one to the far left controls the kick of the bass, the next one controls the depth of the base, the one after that (the middle one) is usually for the vocal or "whoomp" in the actual sound, the next one is for the depth of the tone, and the last one to the right gives the tone more sharpness (or kick.) There are of course more advanced equalizers, and a 3 bar version, but this is the basic one. It seems that the artist has pitched |||TT the two on the right a little bit too high. This results in a tune that sounds plastic, and not so humane as it should. When creating trance, one should be careful to give a tune too much "sparkle" as it were. The tune will just get an even more electronic feel, or as we norwegians call it: a ‘Plastic’ feel. This is the main problem with the song as a stand-alone effort. If this problem were to be cleared up, the tune would probably fill some dance floors or... As we all know, trance is huge, and this tune had little effect on my further belief that trance will flourish in the years to come. It is just another run of the mill trance tune, with a beautiful string section in the middle. But of course, tuning down the plastic feel to it would give the song a little bit more personality. If the artist doesn't plan to do this, you can. Just tune down the equalizer somewhat, go to the "preset" section of winamp (the player I usually use) and save the config for this tune, and you'll actually have a great result! Trancefan: Check it out, no problem. You'll like it, I'm sure. Electronic fan in general: Avoid. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 3.00 Technical Skill: 6.00 Interest: 2.50 Recording Quality: 0.50 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 3.40 ARTIST: DYSMUSAX SONG: ATLANTIS GENRE: ELECTRONIC / INNOVATIVE DRUM N' BASS SIMILAR: SOURCE DIRECT [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] When I pressed the link, I got a download request automatically for a song called "Atlantis. I downloaded the track and gave it one or five listens. The track in itself is extremely experimental. It's a sort of an attempt at drum & bass with a whole lot of reverb. The reverb is so immense, that it actually gives the track a very washed out feel. When recording an electronic track such as this, of course, reverb is essential! It will get dull with just flat sounds when making an aggressor such as this track. But still, add just a pinch. Don't throw the whole sack of flour in the dough! Other than that, I have few complaints. The sound quality otherwise is outstanding. The theme is there, the sound is original, and the structure does what it should: it is born for dance, so it hints at when to groove, without having annoying "go, dance now, hey ho" or any other annoying sample in there to tell us when to start moving our feet. There is a "come on" sample in the track, but that is in between the four beat successions that the track produces, so no worries. This music is for electronic people only. Acoustic folk stay away! You will only bash at the talent which you don't see. Yes, there is use of loop structuring evident, but who cares, this is electronic music made for the dancefloor. No more, no less. The truly delicious thing about this track (and the thing that makes me almost forgive the overflow reverb use) is that the bass isn't actually the beat, but in fact it's the theme that is making the bass! Can you believe that! The theme! Wow, my god, genius! I don't know if it's intentional or not, but that is a stroke of brilliance which every dancefloor deserves to taste. That said if you are a drum & bass freak, you'll love this song. It has what it takes to be innovative, and it will innovate wherever played. Just bring a burnt copy of Dysmusax's Atlantis to any Drum & Base gig, and watch the show. Just make sure you turn your surround option all the way down first. THEN the volume all the way up - and start the clubbing people. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 8.00 Structure: 7.50 Interest: 8.50 Recording Quality: 5.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 8.00 ARTIST: EAJAE SONG: THE ANTHEM GENRE: RAP / RAP SIMILAR: 2PAC ON A BAD DAY, USING EJAY [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Well, eeh. Here we have an artist, who either has a bad artist name, or uses Ejay. Yes sure, I'd agree that all rap artists, sound like they use Ejay. There isn't much melody in the background on any rap track, only a loop going over and over, and over again....(and again.) There are exceptions of rap artists who actually can produce good music behind their rap antics. But no, this artist isn't one of them. Sure, the guy can rap, but you'd have to be a very hardcore member of the rap society to actually swallow this song whole. Sure, the artist can sing, but the track itself is pretty dull, and has a very dull and flat structure. To start with, there really isn't anything more intelligent behind this track than instrument loops, a dull beat, and some very poor orchestra attacks every once and a while. The artist too has to loosen up. Yes, yes, sure, he does know how to rap. He would have knocked me off my slippers that's for sure. Lets try it: "I'm Christian Løwensprung, reviewing this song, yeah, looking at my body I'm not wearing a thong! Yeah, artists hate me; I'm just doing my thing, hell yeah, you want a fight, come on over, ding ding!" Hehehe, ok, maybe I have a carreer in rap after all. But, eeh. Seriously. A rap act is sometimes sad, or aggressive, whatever the lyrics are about. The rap here doesn't change in volume, tone, or behavior. It is just bla, bla, blah, blah, blaah, blaaaaaaaaaazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.... I don't have much knowledge on rap, gangsta rap, or any other genre. I usually tend to curve past all the rap that sounds like this thing, no matter how much more emotional the artist's rapping is (2Pac, (supposed to be God of this genre.)) But I've certainly heard rap, with more instrumentation than what is displayed here. I've played Grand Theft Auto 3, I've heard ICE-T, and loved Coolio when he was around. You can be all the rap fan you want, but hear this: If I loved this rap style where the loop is tolerated, and I actually loved 2Pac more, I would have given this track a much higher score. But since I come from where I come from, I need rap with a song, not a loop. I need something that isn't as dull as this. Period. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 1.00 Technical Skill: 2.50 Structure: 3.50 Interest: 2.00 Lyrics: 5.00 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 3.70 ARTIST: EDGEMERE SONG: OBLIVION GENRE: ELECTRONIC / GOTH SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] For various reasons, I have had to split the objectivity of this review, with the more personal opinion later on. I have never done this, but found it necessary this time for reasons the reader of this review will have to guess at. THE OBJECTIVE Edgemere has an original take on a sort of dark style of electronic music. I have to warn consumers that this song contains explicit lyrics (as they like to call them on mp3.com). This is a type of electronic mood music. While there is a bass drum evident in the tune, it is quite intelligent, and is supported by another drum, a soft cymbal, and some other more unknown gadgets. The structure of this track is a bit twisted, since all "breathers" in the track come suddenly and unexpectedly. Even though some parts of the song makes perfect sense, other parts and a BPM change (at 04:44) make the structure disfigured in some places. But this is hardly a huge error, since the overall product really relies little on structuring. The sound quality is all top notch though, and the just-so-slightly distorted vocals are a nice touch, and help give the tune personality. The aggressive vocals also help tell us all where Edgemere want to be with their music: dark and gothic. Original, and nice. THE SUBJECTIVE The song starts exactly at 0:000 seconds. To actually start the song like this is quite effective, but I think that it deletes the humanity in the production somewhat. There is little doubt that this is a huge track. It oozes with originality, and that extra-cunning edge moves it forward. It isn't just an electronic tune; it is a bridge to those who've listened to gothic heavy metal music long enough, and want to make A LITTLE step in another direction. My personal opinions about this kind of music, either electronic, or acoustic, won't matter much. So I will not utter them here. Just take my word for it that listening to this track, whatever place you come from, will give you something new, and probably exciting too. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.50 Technical Skill: 7.50 Structure: 6.50 Interest: 8.00 Lyrics: 7.50 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 7.80 ARTIST: ETIKEMIC SONG: JUST DROP IT GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ENERGENIC 70S DISCO SIMILAR: 70S /EARLY 80S DANCE ARTISTS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Etikemic sure knows how to produce a tune with fine sound. Right from the start I had to turn the volume down. I wondered what was wrong, and if I had turned up the volume. No. It was Etikemic who had just produced a tune, crisp to the core. Of course, the bass could have been turned up slightly. But I'll choose crisp over "whoomp" any day. So I turned up the bass on my own system, to solve the problem. This is dance music, and there is no doubt about it. Energenic dance music, with great vocals. Just Drop It has a sort of 70s, early 80s feel to it, since it seems that some of it has been taken straight off the local disco of that time. I must say that I am enjoying the style of this track. It isn't "one of the crowd," but shouts out strong vibrations that many techno, and trance vibes would drool over: Its drum precession is tuned to perfection, the instruments used bring me back to the good old days (when people knew how to make dance music), and, eh, what else is there to say? "This track make me want to dance, MAN!" A new feeling will make many smile. This one tastes good old disco music, and it’s this that helps this track oh so much. From start to finish this is a fast ridden experience with beats sometimes teasing at big-beat qualifications, but then suddenly, we're back at the dance beat again, ready to tap our feet, and wiggle whatever we’ve got going for us. If you're feeling funky, this is the track for you. Great for going out, and putting on those clothes that you only thought you'd wear at a bad-taste party. Just make sure you tell your friends: Your going to the disco. "What?!!" I hear your friends say. "The disco??!! What ever happened to the rave yo??!" Ok, just listen to this great tune, and you'll agree with me on this reply to your friends: "I'm going to the disco, with these clothes on, this tune pumping, and hey, y-you know what? I'M PROUD OF IT!!! yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 10.00 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 9.20 ARTIST: EVIL DEATH MOTHS SONG: BRIGHT WHITE XENON GENRE: ELECTRONIC / STONE-AGE TECHNO SIMILAR: ATARI / AMIGA SAMPLED MUSIC [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Here is the information I found about this song on the artist page: "***Top 6 Song***" Yup, that's all the information I found about "Bright White Xenon". I don't really know what a "Xenon" is, but it sounded cool, so I had to give the track a whirl. Message before the review: As you will soon find out, I've been quite harsh on this one. I usually don't draw conclusions this fast, but this time I am going to make an exception. I hope that if you read through the whole thing, you find my comments fair. There is one simple but effective error with this track. Right from the start, I can hear that this track is extremely low-tech as far as the instruments that were used. In fact, the tune I hear is the same music I was impressed with on my Amiga 500 music tracker years back. Believe me, that was a long time ago. It really doesn't help the track much that it starts improving a pinch after 1:20 minutes, because most people will have slaughtered the track by then anyway. The few people that do remain though, won't be that much impressed till about 2:34, when some strings enter the scene. These strings sound extremely synthetic, yes, but the track gets a lot better, and sounds more neat with the strings attached. The strings should probably have started the track, since this would have made the first impression a lot better. The real problem with this track though is that I really can't tell if there is some real talent behind it. I did not find any info on the artist page, so I turned to the "artist-info" section. What I found there was even more depressing: I found absolutely nothing. OK, so then I checked out the artist's other tunes... wow. What I listened to still had the loopy loop, but the sound really improved. "Ambient Corona" and "Hard Lime Cider" are both beautiful, so if you're curious, check these out. But alas, I have a mission, which was not to review "Ambient Corona" or "Hard lime Cider." No. I took the assignment to review "Bright White Xenon." Since I took the mission, and ventured through the track with confusion and denial, I must ask myself why an artist with obvious talent chose this tune for a review. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.50 Technical Skill: 0.00 Interest: 1.50 Recording Quality: 5.50 Long Term Appeal: 1.50 OVERALL: 2.20 ARTIST: FACTION OF HATE SONG: TONITE.THE.FUTURE.DIES (DIFFICULT MIX) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / CHILL OUT SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] When I first went to listen to this track, I found no less than three versions, and it was unclear which I should choose. So I picked the "difficult mix". If someone gets angry at me by doing this I must apologize, but I could not find the "tonite.the.future.dies (original)" anywhere on the page. But no matter, the version I chose is quite excellent indeed. This track is an extremely abstract experience. I would guess that this is a remix of the original, where the sounds have been twisted, misplaced, played with, and in some cases played backwards. The overall product seems more like an experiment than anything else, but I like experiments! "Faction of hate", as they call themselves (cool name), have the whole single "tonite.the.future.dies" on their site. Even though I couldn't find the original cut, I must say that the version I heard would most likely be the version which I would appreciate the most. "Electronica/trance" as the artist called their original song, doesn't sound so much my style anyway. This is an abstract chill-out experience like no other. It carefully projects sounds out your speaker: some synth, some piano, and some atmosphere. But all the sounds mix for a fantastic dream experience. I would recommend this tune to everyone that needs a nice experience in their mp3 collection. Throughout the fantastic splendor of the effects, a theme comes into play. This is the only time when the piano doesn't sound all distorted, and many will hum along to this part. Beautiful. Wonderful. Outstanding. I think that if I give you the exact time when this theme plays, it will ruin the surprise! Experimental, yes; but wow, experiments can really amaze sometimes. Faction of hate, you'll have to excuse me if I picked the wrong version to review. I hope that you continue to produce a few more songs in this beautiful chill-out style. I can't say anything about your trance tune, I really can't. But I can say that you really pull off the chill-out genre quite nicely. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 7.50 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 8.10 ARTIST: FARRELL QUINN SONG: LOOKING FOR HOME GENRE: COUNTRY / COUNTRY SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Farrell Quinn has here produced a fairly average country tune. A strong voice, with a confusing, but firm message attached, gets ruined by a dull structure, and the naked fact that it isn't very original. Firstly, if the reader has heard of the Eurovision Song Contest which mainly consists of European contestants, you can probably guess at the originality of this track. "Looking For Home" is far from bad! Don't get me wrong. In a Eurovision Song Contest, I would have given this song my vote for sure. But, sigh. Since this song has so many other contestants to compete with, other than those European Blah Blah Blah, I guess there isn't much more to say. Farrell Quinn is a promising artist, with weird stats. Great voice, promising lyrics. With some more structure resurrection, and some fresh new thinking in the spirit of "originality" Farrell Quinn should be a name to look for, in the country, in the future. Eeh. Lyrics Sitting in the darkness looking at the sunrise orange and grey on this cool misty morning. I got my jeans and my coffee this ol' place has been my haven thought to be a friend of mine when did the emptyness steal it away? The rivers run blue to the valley I realize, A familiar voice I should know. That I'd almost forgotten. Just trying to exist on this pain, someone elses scenerio... Life is lost in the aching for the strains of the tune that are gone. But someday I'll be there, the reflection in my eyes and a peace inside, that I'd almost forgotten. So I'll keep on looking to put these chains aside, where the water runs clean and high... giving me a new life... (bridge) Oh Lord, take me back, so I never feel I have to roam... Looking for home, looking for home... Looking for home, I've been looking for home... yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 5.00 Structure: 3.00 Interest: 5.00 Lyrics: 7.50 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 5.90 ARTIST: FLUFFY STARR SONG: CONTROL FREAK GENRE: ELECTRONIC / VOCOLIZED INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICA SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Fluffy Starr is a very unique experience indeed. Heavy female vocals affixed to electronic music is something we've all heard before; but the way that she sings that is quite unique. Fluffy Starr shouts out the message "control freak", and asks the listener if he or she IS one. This type of music is very interesting, because it lets me, as a listener, give a reply without getting an answer. There is something wrong with the way this tune has been recorded. The beats and vocals are very dominant, while the tones which help define the tune are recorded at extremely low volumes. The bass is the only thing that carries the melody of this tune. So you are left with a bunch of beats going off in a structured pattern and a vocal that is so loud it only reflects on someone with an attitude problem, rather than talent. I am sure that this was not what the artist intended, because the tune is quite unique in every way. It actually has high potential. But the recording as it is now, seems like the "demo" version, not (I hope) the final product. I do however highly recommend this tune to you if you are in a relationship right now, with a partner that is a "control freak." If you do not know what to do about the problem, or just want to let off some steam, this is the tune for you. Other than that, I didn't get much out of this tune. The track does not appeal to me at all, and I have little interest in it whatsoever. If only the melody of the track had a little more spice and the vocal a little less volume. If only. "If only" is something we should all ask ourselves every once in a while now isn't it. "If only I wasn't such a control freak." We have to ask ourselves these "if only" questions to get to know our faults, and maybe try to correct them. I say this because: if this song was re-recorded, equalizing the music with the vocal, I think I wouldn't be complaining as much. This tune has brilliance, there is no doubt about that. But if the recording stands in the way of any song's performance, there should be a re-recording. Not only to improve the track, but to honour the whole project. There. I've had my say about this matter. There is nothing more to say. You are probably thinking as of this moment: "If only Christian Lowensprung wasn't such a control freak. You are probably right. (If only) yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 4.00 Interest: 2.00 Recording Quality: 2.50 Long Term Appeal: 6.50 OVERALL: 4.20 ARTIST: FRED JONNY BERG SONG: PEOPLE OF BLUE DIMENSION OP.4A (SOLO PIANO) GENRE: CLASSICAL / CLASSICAL GENIOUS SIMILAR: YOU NAME EM, [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artist page: "Op.4a consists of 8 short movements for solo piano, starting with "Waltz of the Queen op.4a no.1", which also is featured at this page as a single movement. The movements are named :"Waltz of the Queen", Absent Brain", "Nudification","Unsteady Course", "Intermezzo", "Persecution Mania", "Crushing the Giant" and "Resignation". Please read the "Song Story" for further details." I just now had the honour to listen to some of Fred Jonny Bergs finest work. He has been reviewed at godsofmusic.com before, and has gotten a 10 on one occasion. I just thought I should mention it, because this history clarifies a lot of who Fred Jonny Berg is. He has a lot of talent. You can just press the url down below, listen, and find this out for yourself. The sound quallity is extremely good to be a classical piece! Even though the sound quallity isn't picture perfect, one has to remember that this isn't electronic music. In electronic music one can twist and turn the sound quallity, since its all very mechanic, not organic. In an aquestic piece like this, getting sound quality good is also important, but it is more difficult since the music doesn't come from a machine. Background noise, and the like will mostly affect the tune. So I'm surprised there isn't more background noise in this one. Maybe the artist used a studio, or maybe the artist has pretty nice kids living at home? The structure of this piece, is one of the main things that attracts me. Because it isn't just a build of a song. You see, the structure in its own way, defines the emotions being displayed, it isn't just the architecture of the track alone. But I'm not going to go into that, you'll have to listen for yourself to understand this. But I'll try to explain on a more technical term: This tune is set up of different movements, but it really sounds like one song since it is structured, and well organized. Brilliant Work! People of Blue Dimension op.4a (solo piano) starts off with a beautiful theme, that is relaxing, has an undertonal sadness about it, but still is "hopeful," in its fullness. Then, comes a lot of different themes, all with their own personality and displaying their own emotion. But at 5:55, the same theme as on the intro (if I may call it that) comes back into play. This acts as a sort of a light at the end of the tunnel for me. Because there were so many different themes in this piece, I can't pinpoint them all. In fact, sometimes, this music gets so rich in texture, that I have a hard time following what is going on. Fred Jonny Berg plays the piano beautifully. Not too hard, and not too soft either, but firm, and calm as due. I don't think I've heard similar in all my classical experience. Yes, I've heard some pieces from Ravel, displaying the same type of playfulness being showed off here. But still, this was an extremely thrilling experience. This music touched something within me, and that is what makes this music so unique. It does to me, what music should be doing. Music should grip something inside, and cleanse whatever is there. People of Blue Dimension op.4a (solo piano) is something truly special. There are several elements in this piece which makes classical music shine throughout! Not only does this music make the genre itself more exciting, but it will surely prove to electronic-only fans that classical is a genre to behold for its honesty, richness, and imaginative nature. All this, with just a piano!! It is amazing that so much emotion can be thrown into one piece of music. With all this emotion in there I find it hard to believe that a track of any kind would make any sence. But it seems that here too Fred Jonny Berg scores. He has managed to keep the structure intact, and the whole thing flows very nicely. I am surprised I haven't heard of this man before, seeing as though we come from the same country. Many people look to classical music, and think about the "good old days" and with good right. Most people who know how to play a violin, or a piano, don't really compose their own music, but play the pieces that have already been made. You know, those made by Mozart, Beethoven, Handel, and of course Norway's very own Grieg. Very few people talk about the classical music of today, and that also with good right. Because where the heck is it? Well, I hope I will give them and maybe even you, something to talk about with this review. I hope I will enlighten you, so you too can tell them "hey, look no further, do I have the man for you" and point them directly to Fred Jonny Bergs site. I can't think of anybody else who deserves a 10 more than Fred Jonny Berg does. Fred Jonny Berg is a gem, that not only plays classical music, but composes it as well. His unique style, his songs, and his talent, should put him where some of today's finest classical composers are. Why? Just listen to the man. It is a rare time I hear such fine music such as this, and it is classical music! To give this a low score would be an outrage. Not only to me, or to you reading this, but to everything that "music" should stand for. Music today has become a world of MTV, and corrupted radio stations. People don't choose their own music, they get fed the music they think is good. mp3.com may also have its set of problems, but: This is also an occasion to thank God for the internet, and mp3.com for letting us discover this (to me) undiscovered artist. Also, let me thank godsofmusic.com that is now letting me post a public opinion about (in this case) Fred Jonny Bergs music: In today's world, we have with almost no exception "freedom of speech." I believe that this right is equally so for music, and if Fred Jonny Berg "has a dream" I'll be sure to listen. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 10.00 Structure: 10.00 Interest: 10.00 Performance: 10.00 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 10.00 ARTIST: FULL EFFECT SONG: MINDSTATE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: ALL TRANCE ARTISTS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Mindstate starts off very quickly, and leaves nothing for an intro or even a build. In some ways this is good, because it shows it means business, and doesn't waste time. The bad thing about such a quick beginning is that DJ's will have a hard time using this tune in their mix, if the track was ever available for such a mix. If a DJ's mix was without breaks it would be exhausting to dance to. I liked that the mindstate had a break in the middle with a beautiful little melodic piece, before continuing the beats.. On the other hand though, if you forget the fact that this track will be difficult for a DJ, it is well produced. The constant sounds work well building the trance atmosphere that every trance tune should have, and although some may find this tune repetive, it is to me quite melodic. I guess it's the lack of an intro, and the lack of a real ending that really makes the track suffer. (The track has no intro, or ending whatsoever.) The track is well produced, and is one of the better trance tunes outhere. The track is actually so well produced, that I am going to check out Full Effect's site (http://www.mp3.com/fe) for some other tunes. Just to see if they can master other genres? hmm. But, anyway. I have to be honest. This is trance, and is a genre that recieves a lot of ammo these days. I have to criticize this form of music now, because it leaves little to the imagination. We all know what trance is. Trance is probably what made the techno scene and we are all thankful for that. But mindstate from "Full Effect" does nothing to re-invent, innovate, or even modify the trance genre somewhat. mindstate is a trance tune, plain and simple. Since the trance genre has long since died out for me and I think that the trance genre as a whole (both signed, and unsigned artists) has grown to an annoying hinder for other genres in techno. The Trance genre is dead (but does not know it yet). There is no intro, or ending in this tune which makes the people start to wonder when to start dancing, and the DJ wonders when to start mixing.. Christian Lowenspung xanitra@hotmail.com EDITOR'S NOTE: Gods of Music is not responsible for the opinions of its reviewers. The reviewer's stance regarding Trance Music is his own. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 6.00 Interest: 5.50 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 6.00 OVERALL: 6.90 ARTIST: FUNKBOX SONG: BRING BACK MY HAPPINESS GENRE: ELECTRONIC / HOUSE SIMILAR: ? [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] The title "Bring back my Happiness" was spelled wrong intentionally, I know as much. Because I think I know what the artist is thinking: Make a track that will bring back the listeners "happiness." Another thing is the very beginning of the track. This track starts off quite on the humorous side actually. A bass that sounds a bit nifty starts this tracks up in a nice way. I might of course be wrong on this account, but the introduction, and the title is very well thought out, if I may say so. In the later stages of the track, FunkBox inserts a beat, with an intelligent drum cymbal rythm helping out, and a theme in the background which is both soothing, and funky at the same time. It doesn't matter that the track goes on and on like this for a while, because the theme is not annoying in any way. Relaxing atmosphere as this tune carries, it doesn't wear and tear as much as many other house tunes do. If this didn't have as much beat, and if it didn't have many of the elements that make house, house. I would be tempted to put this track under "easy-listening." I became relaxed with this tune, and felt the urge to tap my feet at the beat. Well done FunkBox! Many people misunderstand the genre house, and think that house is just another way to express the word "techno", or "trance." House is indeed a totally different genre within electronic music, and I urge you to check out FunkBox if you are new to house music. Every house track has to have some sort of advantage over every other house tracks out there. Some people will move away from this tune, and come to the conclusion that this track is just made too simple. I guess its in the end I understand that it's the thought out simplicity, that gives "Bring Back My Happiness" personality and its own advantage. Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 8.00 Interest: 7.50 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.40 ARTIST: FUNNY BROVAZ SONG: WALKIN THROUGH THE HOOD GENRE: OTHER / COMEDY (THEY SAY) SIMILAR: I HOPE NOT [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] I couldn't really find the song "Walkin Thru Da Hood" which the artist told me to review, but on his artist page there is a song called "Walkin Through The Hood", and I thought that it must be this track the artist is referring to. But what struck me, wasn't a song. It wasn't even trance (which I am usually fed.) No, this was nothing, except talking. Sometimes talking so loud that my speaker almost blew. So, listening to this thing in other than headphones is killer to your speakers. Ok, so now I had a dilemma. I usually listen to music, and seldom listen to people talking. But, since this was talking, and I had picked this track, I thought that I was obligated to listen in on the talking. Since this is supposed to be some sort of comedy act, I'll let you in on the basics, without giving spoilers: The talking, is between a hoodlum sort of gangster criminal type deal, and his sub-conscience. The criminal is the guy with the rough voice (the better actor of the two), and the other one has the annoying "kick it to da spika" voice. Well, anyway. This gangster tells the tale of something that happened to him the other day, and the subconscious acts as a sort of a listener coming with an occasional slang like "ai'ght, word" that sort. If you find this "story" funny, will have to be your own guessing. I did giggle a couple of times. But as you will find out, like I did, when the thing starts to get interesting and will soon start to get to the point, it gets really bad. The point gets slaughtered by a cheap plotline. Not only that though. It suddenly turns into bloody murder, and inappropriate material. Here we actually get fed how somebody viciously kills another human being for some money. The "Parental Advisory" that mp3.com has as the only filter, can really be discussed. Because this isn't only some cursing, but this is actually a tale about somebody killing somebody else. Yes, we find it entertaining in the movies, because we are entertained. So, we know its the movies, Hollywood, entertainment and go home and say "that was a good movie." But since I wasn't even slightly entertained by this, I don't think it's that tasteful. So the "entertainment" that is usually the excuse for killing somebody in any kind of production wasn't there. So, in the bitter, sweet end of it all, these are some amateur’s attempt at comedy, that ends up not only tasteless, and a threat to speakers world wide. It all comes down to that this should be banned from mp3.com and everybody else's web page (if any) for promoting violence, selling drugs, and top of the line bad humor. yours:Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 0.50 Technical Skill: 0.00 Interest: 3.00 Recording Quality: 1.00 Long Term Appeal: 0.00 OVERALL: 0.90 ARTIST: GHOST IN THE DARKNESS SONG: WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND GENRE: ELECTRONIC / INDUSTRIAL SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] There are few artists that I know have talent from the start. This artist is one of them. I really can't say many negative things about "Ghost in The Darkness." He has been to godsofmusic.com before, and gotten some reviews which I didn't care much to read. The scores on these were everything from "ok", to, "mediocre." But "you bleed, you learn" and although I don't know anything about Ghost in The Darkness's other tracks, this track really has everything that original music has to have when it's born unto this world to be called "original." The vocal is dead serious, aggressive, and actually quite furious. Singing on a sexy 16 bit type sound synthesizer, this artist shouts out "What goes around, comes around, you'll find out someday, somehow!" Structure is actually quite perfect. It manages to give this track a certain edge throughout the short two minutes it lasts. It manages to let the vocalist shout his speech, makes a room for dancers and headbangers alike, and even has a cute 7 second high hat solo in the beginning. Outstanding! Sound quality is huge! The excellent 16 bit synth as mentioned, is in my ears quite beautiful, and sets the stage for a lost age re-emerged soundscope. I think all of these cheesy trance sounds are getting quite .... shitty, to say the least (phew). There isn't much lyrics you have to learn to sing along with this track, just shout out "What goes around, comes around, you'll find out someday, somehow!" on occasion, and you'll look great at parties. This man has gotten a record deal, people, and I see no reason why not. Godsofmusic.com is based on quality - but it is also based on opinions, and opinions can really make a difference when it comes to seeing the good and the bad. I believe I have learnt this more than anybody here, since I have gotten many a time from reviewers, and artists alike: "Why the heck did you score that tune so high? It's crap!!" And also: "What is wrong with you man? This is good trance, can't you hear that? Pling, plong, pling, pling plong?" So, I have to mention: If all the other tunes by "Ghost in The Darkness" reviewed on godsofmusic.com held the same quality as this tune, I can but grovel in the dust, and stand tall at the same time: This is in MY OPINION great music! It will fit all people! It will embrace dance acts, and headbanger balls alike! But, it will also welcome those who don't like this music much, because it only lasts two minutes! Quite enough for anybody! Even those who hate this kind of music, will endure. Industrial goth music for the new age, bring it on! Or as two cartoon friends of mine would put it: (Beavis and Butthead) "This music kicks ass!" And believe me, sometimes, there really isn't a better, and more perfect description of good music than that. "Ghost in The Darkness", the stage, is yours. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 9.00 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 9.30 ARTIST: GRAWIZ SONG: SKYLINE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / DREAM (?) DANCE SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF. [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] GraWiz claim that they make music in the "Dream Dance" genre. If there is such a genre, I’ve never heard of it, but the music is definitely dreamy. The tune starts with a nice little sound that is extremely crisp. Already I know that this has been recorded with great care. That's about everything there is to say sound-quality wise. It's close to perfect, except for one little error. By the end, the beat gets in touch with the piano, and that's not a pretty sight (uhm, or, should I say, "listen."). Other than that, this will make a lot of people jealous of how to record a techno track. As far as the melody and the overall personality of the whole tune goes, there is little to say. Although sweet, the song doesn’t change much throughout the whole track. The little mobile-phone sequence isn't very catchy, but helps to make the atmosphere spacey. This in turn justifies GraWiz’s choice of sub in the dance genre. The problem though is that if you want something to get hooked to musically, this is not it. I found it hard to hum along to because of its short life span. So I would recommend this to a DJ or to a dancer, rather than to a collector of dance tunes with memorable themes. The tune is nice, not too original, but not too mainstream either. The main melody is backed up by a booming base, a synth effect that fades in and out, and later the piano and clap. This all sounds quite amazing doesn't it? Well, still, I feel that the track should have been longer, and been given more personality. The theme already there is nice but I was really waiting for the main theme (if it existed) to kick in. Instead, the track ends with an echo of the mobile-phone sequence. Hmm.. I have nothing against this track, I find it very interesting since it doesn't make too much of itself. It's nice to see a dance-act that doesn't have to make it bold and loud to make it work. Still, I think "Skyline" could have been a little less shy theme-wise. But if you are the type who likes the shy characters, this tune, defines the word "perfect." Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 7.50 Technical Skill: 7.00 Interest: 6.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 6.90 ARTIST: GRAY AREA SONG: ORIENTAL NIGHTMARE GENRE: ALTERNATIVE / LEFTFIELD SIMILAR: PINK FLOYD IN WHEELCHAIRS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] The first thing I thought of when listening to this was that it had been recorded by an old geezer. This old geezer has a state of mind so incredibly complicated that it would take a dozen scientists to get a grasp of what he even thought of when he started singing. You've heard Pink Floyd, right? Who hasn't? Those old geezers who make music, which is good, and think they are gods (which they are not). Well, multiply them by 100 or so, and you'll get this guy, or Gray Area as he calls himself. All his tunes are put under "leftfield" which is quite right, since (nevermind the genre) this music is in the field left of where the actual ballpark is. So when all the rest of the music you usually hear, and love or hate, is in the ballpark, you actually hear the old geezer singing to all his strain on the field, with grasshoppers hopping about. He is actually trying to get your attention. Hmmmm. Time to get professional: The sounds in the mp3 file sound lo/fi to me. I downloaded the song, but still thought I played it in lo/fi; so the recording quality could have been way better, by today's standards. The vocal varies in quality. It's hard to hear what the artist is mumbling about, because the vocal is in fact too unclear to make any real assumption of anything. As far as the 1-2-3 march rhythm goes, I managed to make out a pretty dull structure which works in the long run I guess. Sigh. Oh my God, this song is boring man! I wish it had some more spunk! But, I guess, nobody is perfect. If you have an interest for very deep music, I can actually recommend this to you, and throw you in the crops for you to sing along. Ok, you ready? No, cover yourself in hay for christ sake so you look like a farmer! There you go!! Check these lyrics out so you know what you're dealing with here: Sleeping Japanese begin to move Blissful eastern dreams are twisted new Incidental screams come shrieking through Oriental nightmare Dreaming China dolls long to awake Trapped in vacant halls Arrive the snake Backed up to the wall the buildings quake Oriental nightmare Restive Balinese are all afright Chewing Betel leaves all through the night Falling to their knees They start to writhe Oriental nightmare Ok, did you understand that? No, I'm not talking about you with an IQ of 160. I'm talking about you other people! You didn't huh? Sigh... yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 1.00 Technical Skill: 7.00 Structure: 4.00 Interest: 2.00 Lyrics: 4.00 Recording Quality: 5.50 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 4.00 ARTIST: GULLY JEWELZ SONG: DEMONIC ANGELZ GENRE: HIP HOP / RAP SIMILAR: WARREN G [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This song starts without an intro, but really just begins with everything at once. Since it really started without no further ado, I'm going to really cut to the chase on this one. I don't think this hip-hop tune sounds so very professional. Don't get me wrong, the artist sure knows how to rap, and really has some talent when it comes to gangster atmosphere. But what it all comes down to is comparing this with all the other hip-hop tunes I've heard. The structure isn't very exciting to start off. I mean, it's a 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4 build, all the way, and that can really get boring in the long run. Secondly, the recording quality is flat and dull. Yes sure, it sounds ok, no hissing, or tick sounds in the recording. But it would be a little better, and more fresh with some stereo effects. This tune sounded like it was recorded in Mono sound (because everything comes at you all in the same direction, all at once. Flat and dead, in other words.) But the worst thing on the entire track has to be the loop that keeps repeating over and over again (which kind of explains the black & white structure.) This loop repeats itself from start to finish of the tune. Sorry, but I'm supposed to review a song, not a loop with an added rap thing. Oh, the artist hits the "off", and "on" button on occasion, but that doesn't fool me. I heard that loopedy loop thingety thing. There really isn't anything more to say about this. The artist himself is a-ok, he just needs some better tech for making tunes. He also needs some direction on creating a more exciting sound. There are several good things about this track, and the artist shows potential. The lyrics are good. No cussing (which is rare), and there is a sort of Warren G funk to it. Yeah! But still, there are just too many things to point a finger at to really give this a good score. I have no trouble seeing that this artist's future is bright; a little more practice on some areas, and he's there. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.50 Technical Skill: 2.00 Structure: 1.50 Interest: 6.50 Lyrics: 8.50 Recording Quality: 2.00 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 4.40 ARTIST: HERBERT WEIXELBAUM SONG: BAROQUE SNIPPET/SIGNAL GENRE: ELECTRONIC / WONDERFUL CLASSICAL / UNFINISHED TECHNO SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This piece starts off with a beautiful baroque theme played on a electronic piano. The beauty of this introduction is overwhelming. Even though it doesn't sound up to par with a real organ, its texture alone is ingenious, to say the least. The first twenty-seven seconds are so brilliant, in fact, that this could have been the whole tune alone. The structure and musical beauty of the intro make every second worth gold. For even more goodness, one could play these twenty-seven seconds in a loop, over and over, as long as one wanted. But this is no looped intro nor does the tune end at twenty-seven seconds; all the beauty just stops. What comes next is somewhat weird. A sort of a bassline that isn't too loud, and a clapping acompanied by a little charismatic rhythm that goes off at random. Later on, a theme played by strings, and a weird sound in the background (sorry, I have no other explanation of it) makes up what is the main course of this song. There are also some bird calls in the background. Ok, those were the pure fact of what this tune is; now comes the less objective explanation: I so much wish that the title of this song was "baroque" instead of "baroque snippet/signal." The start of this tune just deserves to be heard by everybody! It truly is something else, and hints at a talent beyond many a proud man. But what comes after, really doesn't do much for me. I'll give it points for being unique, because the snippet/signal part really is something I've never heard before. But the song after the introduction lacks kick and adrenaline. It's just a silly sort of techno theme with no real drive in it. I know that many if not all artists put a lot of effort and work into their work. I can also tell that this piece has much thought behind it, and that there has gone a lot of work into making it. But I still feel that the overall product lacks the punch to get it going. The ending proves this the most, since it's just a simple fade, and nothing more. Fades in my opinion, are the easy way out. "Baroque snippet/signal" is a valiant attempt; one that should still be checked out, though. If you are in a hurry, you only have to check out the first twenty-seven seconds of it. Because as said before, and what could be said over and over again: The first 27 seconds are so brilliant, that this could have been the whole tune alone. The texture, structure, and musical beauty of these seconds, make every second worth gold. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 4.00 Interest: 2.50 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 6.50 OVERALL: 6.00 ARTIST: IHOKAS SONG: KIERTO GENRE: ELECTRONIC / NOISE SIMILAR: EEEH [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] What we have here isn't actually a tune. Or is it? This is noise, music to some, noise to others. What manages to be a 1:35 bizarre experience (and I truly mean b i z a r r e) leaves me baffled at what to think. At first glance this is just exactly what the genre is called, "Noise." The same thing that occurs when you listen to your lawnmower, or when the traffic gets so dense that the result is noise. What we have here though, is well produced. Most noise tunes I've heard occur at random. When one wants to make a noise tune, one has to think carefully at what to achieve. A symbolic meaning? A hidden message perhaps? Also, since "noise" is stripped of all musical values, one has to think of whether it is worth it. "Noise" is far from pop, and will tell many people that the ones responsible for the product are very special, very unusual, or quite insane. Some of you might think that this isn't music at all, and qualify me nuts for even giving it a score. But this needs a score. A score to give the artist some reflections as to how I enjoyed this tune. Yes, I have some experience with noise, and Ihokas has here made a very unique piece of artwork if I may say so. The problem as I see it, is that I personally need some sort of symbolic meaning behind a "noise" track. I couldn't find that anywhere here. But that is just a minor personal preference. The reason why this tune doesn't score so many points with me, isn't because I don't like it, or find it intriguing, but because of public demand. There are many people out there which will plain and simply just not be interested in this piece, because it is so "far out." Noise will forever be a genre named on MP3.com as one of the most bizarre genres that can be found within the electronic genre, and in any genre. Noise is what it is. There is no excuse for calling a noise track "noise" and putting a structured instrument in the tune. But, a tune has to still have some sort of form, symbolic effect, or give out a puzzle of a picture for us to solve, to at least be a little more understandable. I do recommend you check it out though, just to test yourself. Maybe you will discover a new genre, which you will want to explore a little more. Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 7.00 Interest: 8.50 Recording Quality: 6.00 Long Term Appeal: 3.50 OVERALL: 6.60 ARTIST: INOX SONG: GENRE: ELECTRONIC / FATAL TRANCE SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artist page: "INOX is a solid metal!!! NO OXYDE my music is solid techno.......the way of passion is love..... thanks for great support to all my fans the net is fantastic way to promote music... you public are the first actors of success.. all this album songs is created in one month august 2001 in holiday time!!! " There is an interesting facet to this artist page: not a single track of Inox’s is downloadable. Should I say “What a shame” or “Thank God”? Judging by the artist text above Inox figures he wants to make some money on mp3.com by luring people to buy his CDs. He comes with a cheap line about "love" and points to his CDs, then tells us that Inox is a type of metal. Wow.... But, the artist is sort of right about removing the download option. But just sort of. You see, mp3.com is going downhill. Artists make less and less money from mp3.com, and yes mp3.com is really just starting to suck big time … but we all know that. I mean, mp3.com has been going downhill for a long time now. Not allowing songs to be downloaded is not the answer - it just makes fans that don't have access to a credit card angry and won't make the artist any richer. Anyway, what I was expected was your average, unassuming trance tune. But what I got –wow- was so not what I expected. After pressing the play button I had to ask myself, "is this a joke?” The tune starts with some sound effects panning from left to right. After that it all starts a fairly average build. The basic "build" sounds good, and it does sound great sound-quality wise. Then it suddenly starts to sound incredibly unprofessional. (Whoops.) Firstly, faint sounding samples in the background that whine about "trance" something do part of the job. Secondly a bass-ish sound that really doesn't mix with the rest of the beats and rhythms appears, and sounds too random. Yet all of these have been put together in the manner they have for a purpose it seems: yes, it is “original”. As Butthead would say "This sucks like nothing has ever sucked before." It just sounds unprofessionally made, I'm sorry to say. After nearly 3 minutes of rubbish the tune starts making sense, but this will be too long for most people to wait. I found myself listening --in extreme annoyance-- at how a (surely) descent person would record such a fluke of a tune and actually go to the time and effort of recording vocals with his own voice for the fatalistic track that this is. But then suddenly 2:54 struck me: everything went back to normal, and the structure finally seemed to be intact. The actual melody started to come into practice, and when it does reached this point, it showed its shiny side with some nice piano and effects. Even the vocals made sense, though they were still a bit too faint compared to the rest of the sounds. At this point I thought the tune was out of the woods ...then the hurt came in again: just when the tune started to get better the music ended(?!.) This is an example of a tune that doesn't make ANY sense structure-wise, or any sense at all. It pays no attention to flow, and how a trance tune should be built. It has a beat, cymbal, and a bass line all the way up to 2:54 … so what? I've heard a zillion of those before. To some extent, an artist can do something similar to this and probably get away with calling it experimental. But if the result ends up sounding like this, it’s not an experiment I want to participate in. The bottom line : This is a tune that feels like unfinished homework. Some re-structuring of this track would be great! Additionally, the vocals whine too much and are too faint. They should be made louder. This tune is recommended to any kind of person who wants an example of a badly structured tune. Other than that, I can’t recommend this tune to anyone. It didn't grip me at all, and just sounds plain bad. I can't see it appearing on any WinAmp Playlist or Dance floor in the near future. So, what is there left to say? To the artist: "Better luck next time, and don't break any mirrors anytime soon?" Or, should I say to you people: "Thank God the song isn't downloadable?" Help me out here will you? yours:Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.00 Technical Skill: 2.00 Structure: 1.00 Interest: 0.50 Recording Quality: 5.00 Long Term Appeal: 0.50 OVERALL: 1.80 ARTIST: J. MARK INMAN SONG: MUSIC FOR COMPOSER ALONE 2 (IN 4 MOVEMENTS) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / PSYCHO MUSIC SIMILAR: ?!!!!!!!!!! [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Imagine a mumbling zombie, the Guns 'n' Roses vocalist gone mad, some distorted guitars, and an amateur on drumsticks. You can't imagine that? Well, I couldn't either, till I listened to this piece. I think this piece of music really engulfs anything I've ever slaughtered here on godsofmusic.com. The artists, which I gave low scores, really lacked equipment, skill, or hadn't been collecting all the experience needed to make a good tune. This band however, tries its best to be a load of rubbish. To put this in the noise genre is a disgrace to good noise music. The tune fails to make me comprehend why I'm even hearing the sounds coming out through my speaker. I know how the technology of my stereo works, but I really thought it was my stereo that was at fault. Now that I have checked all my cables, and see that everything is in order I can only breathe a hard sigh. This unstructured monstrosity, which has the only good side of accepted recording quality, is a composition from hell. I can't call this talentless, because I really don't have the qualifications to review this "tune." But then again, even the devil himself has better taste than this. I hope even he would have chosen a better torture tune than the one being displayed here. If I go through the more deep approach of myself I can maybe say that there is some symbolic meaning to this track. But, there are better songs about loneliness that has no screaming in them, and that portray loneliness in a much more sane way. "Music for Composer Alone 2 (in 4 movements)" is "nodding head" defined, and should be hailed as the one and only example of a burned out musician. If not that, it's not much use. Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 0.00 Technical Skill: 0.00 Structure: 5.50 Interest: 0.00 Recording Quality: 0.00 Long Term Appeal: 0.00 OVERALL: 0.90 ARTIST: J. TABOADA - STULTIFERA NAVIS SONG: LUNA DE NOVIEMBRE (NOVEMBER MOON) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "Cold November moon is one of the most beautiful things you can ever see." (Artists own words.) Ok, just to tell the artist: New Age was BEFORE the description of ALL genres in electronic music, because people in CD stores didn't know any better. NEW AGE music, is un-rhythmic meditation music, both in sound, and if beat. So now you know. Review: Luna de Noviembre (November moon) is a beautiful, and well thought out electronica piece, which many will find has the same style as some old folk music has. This song just makes for a very relaxing, and soothing experience, which many will come to enjoy. The structure is unquestionable for this sort of genre, and the recording quality is warm, and tender. There really isn't anything more to say, since the music speaks for itself. I recommend this to all electronica fans everywhere, and folk music fans who might think differently about electronic music after hearing this tune. yours truly: christian lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 9.00 Structure: 7.50 Interest: 6.00 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 8.10 ARTIST: JACOB E. DARKCIDER SONG: DREAMSCAPE GENRE: INSTRUMENTAL / MOVIESCORE SIMILAR: NA [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Jacob E. Darkcider as he liked to call himself has here produced a nice electric guitar / guitar mood piece. You can clearly hear an atmosphere in the piece, as if recorded in a large room, or hall, or something. Either that or the reverb equipment used is truly tremendous! This immense reverb has its downside though, but few will notice it since the atmosphere in this song is so powerful. There is a tint of hissing sound in the background, and although this doesn't interfere a lot with the rest of the track, it's there. The structure of this song has to be mentioned because there are things here to mention. The main theme does tend to repeat itself one time too many, and although this music is meant for relaxation, I do wish the song was shorter. Just a tad shorter, maybe a minute or so, to not rust the main (probable) intention of the track: To soothe. Another thing is the ending. Why the artist ends the tune like that is a little beyond me. Did he fall asleep at the end, or is the last note supposed to be like that in the end? Sounds like a plain falling down man. Oh well. The song is a good attempt, and it will find its heart with many. The only reason why it doesn't score top notch with me, is probably, honestly, because of the competition. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.50 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 5.00 Interest: 7.50 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 6.60 ARTIST: JACQUES GOUDREAULT SONG: JOHN BARRY IS A LIAR GENRE: COUNTRY / COUNTRY SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] They don't come in numbers these guys. Good country music is hard to come by. Jacques Goudreault seems to know what he's doing though, and seems to be one of the unsung heroes of the unreleased country music on the net. He also seems to be full of wisdom, as the interview further down below (copied from his page) shows. This country tune carries all formulas that bakes a good country tune: A good, and intriguing story (the lyrics), a soulful feeling (every country tune needs a soul), and solid{/b], tight lyrics. The structure is good, it keeps the pace of the track, and keeps the punch in the story told. The sound quality is outstanding! It keeps the freshness of the instruments (the instruments don't sound like electronic instruments), and still manages to produce a crisp and clean sound. Yes! I know that country is quite so popular, as lets say, Britney Spears. But, what it all falls down to is that this is an artist with his heart in the right place, and this, in combination with a good knack for telling stories, make this one of the most powerful old-school country artists I've ever heard. Interview of Jacques Goudreault: Why this name? Elvis was already taken. Do you play live? Local open stages, cafes, bars and community events. How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry? Everyone has an opportunity to put their music out and get exposure. It's an excellent medium for sharing one's music and affordable to anyone. It also broadens the gap between styles but also quality. How else could a guy like me, in Little Town Canada be heard by folks in Australia or get played on a Belgium radio station without a major deal. I still buy CDs, but now I can listen to the music on the internet first. Would you still sign a record contract with a major label? There is no substitute. Good artists make good music, good contract makes good cents. Band History: Like so many, into music as a kid, trying to grow up in spite of the Stones and the blues and other distractions. Dabbled at writing and guitar, dropped it for many years until I found myself hanging in a circle of my never-do-well good musician friends. So here I am, without much of a voice or guitar ability, just getting my stuff, down, and out. Your influences? Stan Rogers, Dylan, Blue Rodeo, Prine, Greg Brown, Guy Clark, Townes VanZandt, Willie P Bennette, Catie Curtis, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris and all great folk/roots/country songwriters (old and new) with those disctintive voices and writing styles. Favorite spot? Les Iles de la Madeleine (or for you anglos..The Magdalen Islands Equipment used: 1990 Martin D35 guitar, 1980 Epihone, L'Etude Classical, Lee Osker and Golden Melody harmonicas Anything else...? Copyright notice: If you like what you hear, cast a vote and drop me a note. Be advised however that all material is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make a reasonable number of copies for your own personal use. You may not reproduce, distribute, publicly perform or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner. ,- Jacques Goudreault ___ end of interview. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 9.50 Structure: 9.00 Interest: 9.00 Lyrics: 9.50 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 9.00 ARTIST: JAMES MCCLAM SONG: HOLD IT BACK GENRE: ELECTRONIC / SOUL, JAZZ, SOUL SIMILAR: UHM... [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artist page: "I started when my DaD gave me my first Guitar there I began strumming along in time only to find a computer to upload My songs...like walking in the world feeling so great and taking small steps to open each gate...then I knew what I must do..That is to share my love for music to you." All I can say is "wow." I don't get to listen to so much music like this on Godsofmusic.com This is a quite funky tune, with cultural roots and deep moods. The whole experience that the author creates is quite overwhelming (on the positive side). The vocals are what make this a wonderful experience. They are a mix of beautiful and charismatic female singing and a female "Shaggy like" rap act. This, with the groovy theme included, makes for a taste like no other cake I've ever eaten. The reason why I am so overwhelmed by this piece of work is that I do not know an inch of how the artist could have gotten all this talent together, and put it on an internet site? More so, be so humble as to not be more loud about who and what James McClam is. This deserves to be played on the tube for gods sake! Well, actually, I'm quite glad that us internet users get to have some aces up our sleeves too. There truly are some great talents out there, lost on the huge network that we ironically mumble out as the www. This tune, and the artist James McClam at artistlaunch.com doesn't just prove this statement. It shoves the statement in MTV's and radio stations faces, without getting too rowdy. This tune makes me proud to be an internet dweller. Even though the tunes here aren't downloadable, it's worth every second you spend on this artists site. Listen to everything you can and feel the groove enter your soul. This type of music will probably not appeal to everybody out there, because of its very deep down, and special nature. But the score I give now is a dedication to the masterpiece that this tune is, and that I hope many of you will visit the artist page for inspiration, and an experience true to the word: "Music." Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 10.00 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 9.60 ARTIST: JAY C. WINGARD SONG: AVE MARIA GENRE: INSTRUMENTAL / EASY LISTENING SIMILAR: AVE MARIA [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Everybody has heard Ave Maria right? If you haven't, well, I can't tell you to be ashamed, but, a good example is the end theme in the movie "Alive." That's where I heard Ave Maria the first time. Jay C. Wingard has here made a replica of Ave Maria. I must say, he has done a good job. Although my favorite interpret of Ave Maria is the version in the movie "Alive" I must say that this is a very beautiful version, although it doesn't have any singing. Jay C. Wingard has used strings, piano, and guitar / harp kind of deal to make it all work. So, all this put together makes for a very nice experience. Although I think that originals should be remembered, and not copied, I think it's marvelous that people can copy originals to this extent. If you are an Ave Maria fan, and want every version there is to get, then I recommend this version to you as one of the better versions out there. Because believe me, there truly are a lot of Ave Maria's pondering. If you however, want the best of the best: Do as I did: Buy the "Alive soundtrack." yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 6.00 Interest: 6.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 6.00 OVERALL: 6.60 ARTIST: JONATHAN SANDERS SONG: VIENNA GENRE: FOLK / PIANO MUSIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Wow! If only this song had been done in a studio! This is a beautiful song played by a great pianist. The piano is performed with beautiful strokes, and it is a quite simple tune. But with the lyrics attached to the beautiful track, the whole experience is a wonderful, but sad voyage into the world of Jonathan Sanders. As mentioned before this track is lyrically astounding, to say the least. I will not spoil the surprise; you will have to listen to the song to figure it out for yourself. Jonathan Sanders' singing is great, as it is heartfelt, emotional, and gentle. A powerful vocal, would have ruined the song, since the lyrics are so tender. I promised no spoilers, so again: You have to listen to the song to know what I am talking about. But still, I think this song deserves a studio, since it would be wonderful to actually hear Jonathan Sanders helped with today's technology, in giving the vocal a more firm, and clean sound. But over to the more technical terms of the sound production and the structure of this song. The structure is wonderful as it gives the song the mileage it needs to complete its story, and not be too complicated. A complex structure would ruin the intended sad atmosphere that this song gets after a listen or two. The recording quality is not as good as everything else. There is a slight hissing sound in the song, I'm afraid, and this will seriously hinder the enjoyment of perfectionists. But I still hail this song for all that it is. It is a very personal song, given by an artist with a heart and a voice; something we truly need in today's music of gadgets, sex-focus, and misfits. Thank you Jonathan Sanders for giving us this: just music. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Structure: 7.00 Interest: 8.00 Lyrics: 10.00 Performance: 9.50 Recording Quality: 5.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 8.30 ARTIST: JOSH WHELCHEL SONG: GURAVITA: WAR OF LIFE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ORIENTAL: EXPERIMENTAL SIMILAR: NOPE. [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Guravita: War of Life is a very special treat. Actually so special that it is highly original, in more ways than one. I'm tempted to say "oriental", in that the style of this kind of music feels very random, as "oriental" music sometimes also is. Some oriental music is considered art, because it is so different from the west's keen bounding to structured tunes, and not so very much the more playful style that the Eastern music carries more of. It's almost the same with this tune, several different formulas of theme get thrown at you from several directions all at once whilst the main attraction of things happen at 00:19 where a constant bashing of a chord on a synthetic piano seems to be the order of the day. The tune itself is wonderfully recorded, and all trinkets in this dough sound fresh, and not out of date. These ingredients in themselves are a taste I've never put my tongue to before, and I am very fond of new tastes. In fact, at 00:56 it gets very interesting, because it almost sounds as if electronic music actually came from the 1800's with all the other folk songs and classical music we had from that era. But after a while, the glory turns to a more pale figure: it gets a little too silly with the bass fiddling and it sort of turns into a Disney theme, till we again hear the daring, but wonderful bashing of the chord at 01:57. This is indeed a different experience, and will take some getting used to. But there is a true talent behind this tune, and it is a true delight to hear something as experimental as this tune is. The artist thought that the world needed this tune to move. Who am I to tell the artist otherwise? I think that many elements in this track make it an art piece in itself, and again I mention my excitement about something new and original. But there is alas also some parts in which the tune gets too weird even for me, and will therefore attract a much smaller audience than it could have. Are you interested in art? If so, take a gander at this piece will you. Doesn't that sound wonderful? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 6.50 Interest: 6.50 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 7.70 ARTIST: JUSTIN SKOMAROVSKY SONG: PLANET OF THE APES GENRE: CLASSICAL / SOUNDTRACK SIMILAR: ALL GREAT TRAILER SCORES [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] As posted on artist page: Hi, I'm Justin Skomarovsky, a 16 year old composer with ambitions to become a film scorer. Welcome to my page of mp3 film music. As it is difficult to find work at this age, I primarily write music for movie trailers. I have recently posted my second piece of work, my music for the "Planet of the Apes" trailer. On this page you can also find my "Pearl Harbor" trailer music, as well as two other cues for various projects. I will be posting more trailer music soon, so please check back shortly. Enjoy. The song I'm about to review is two minutes long, as the artist said, he makes music for movie trailers. As a general listener, and as a fan of movies as well, I must say that Justin Skomarovsky knows what he's doing: The music I heard seemed highly acceptable to be one of the movie trailers for the upcoming movie "Planet of the Apes". There is even a little detail in the end, where some of the instruments give room for the "coming soon to a cinema near you" bit. Nice touch. So I guess, in this case, the tune is well structured, and clearly fits the "movie trailer" criteria. As far as the music quality goes, it is not perfect, but I have no trouble saying it is very, very good. The strings are almost as real as the real thing, and the atmosphere really resembles your usual movie trailer. If I closed my eyes right now, and made a sort of fictional "Planet of the Apes" movie kind of thing, I know the trailer would be extra nice with Justin Skomarovsky's music in the background. This, you think, probably ain't as important. But IT IS! If I called my song "Matrix" I would sure as heck do a lot of research: Watch Matrix several times, think about what a score for matrix would sound like, and maybe even email the guys responsible about copyright issues, before I went ahead. The artist has clearly gone through a lot of research into making this song, because if I didn't know any better I would actually think that this was the actual background music for the original trailer for "Planet of the Apes." There is one thing that I should mention though. This is a song for a movie trailer. As the genre implies, this is a song for film buffs. Sure, people who play role-playing games, and need some mood music in the background would do well to choose this piece. But all in all, this is movie material, for movie fans only. But, there are a lot of people who will enjoy this track I'm sure. Said again, if you might consider this background music, this is an excellent choice of dramatic 2 minutes. If you ignore the "Planet of the Apes" title, the suspence and drama of this short song, will be nice on its own. Prepare any roleplaying game you have, or plug in some strategy game, this piece will be excellent indeed. If you also happen to be a person who wants to make a trailer background score for your movie-trailer, I am glad I could be of service, and direct you to Justin Skomarovsky Because he just might be the man for you. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 6.50 Structure: 9.00 Interest: 7.00 Recording Quality: 8.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 7.50 ARTIST: JYUJINKAI SONG: THE FALLING GENRE: ALTERNATIVE / ALTERNATIVE ROCK, INDUSTRIAL SIMILAR: NIN, MP3.COM: THAT KID [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Where I come from, everybody makes music, old and young. They all have their eJays, music programs, or gadgets that they use so proudly. They often tell me "you just have to check my new tune out on mp3.com, it really rules!" I often give them the benefit of the doubt and check their stuff out. Yes, it is well produced and everything, but does it come from the heart? The reason I put the first paragraph up is due to one simple fact: Everybody can make music now. A few years ago it wasn't so easy to get good sounding tunes without having to buy some gadget, or two. So now that we ALL can make music, how can we distinguish what is good from the bad? Well, the problem is, we probably can't. We won't know if a tune is good before we've actually listened to it. All music sounds that good now. But what we can say is if it comes from the heart or not. Take Jyujinkai for example. He uses a guitar and his voice with the help of his computer to make music. How can this be different from a normal sampler freak with just computer knowledge? Well, the evidence is clearly stated in the tune itself. I don't really have to tell you. This is probably a tune that has more heart than most, or all of the material that I have had the honor of reviewing here on GOM. I don't know now and will probably never know how personal the artist has made this track, but that is not important. The important thing is that this really is the artist’s own creation, no samplers, gadgets, or other riff raff. No, this is Jyujinkai’s very own singing, very own guitar playing, and with some aid from his computer he’s put it on the Internet. And there is but one thing here that is certain: The singing is brilliant, the guitar is precise, and the overall feeling of the whole tune is quite amazing! It has aggressive alternative rock behavior to the core and also carries a beautifully played guitar theme that melts in with the chaotic industrial atmosphere that the artist wanted to create. But the most amazing thing here, is that the artist uses his own voice, not just for singing, but also to create some of this chaotic atmosphere that I'm talking about. Everybody can mix a sample or two together with a thumping beat and create a track in the end. I believe that Jyujinkai sees music as something more than this. His music really tells the message, and in his own words: " [ T H I S I S J Y U J I N K A I ] I don't have all the technology... I don't have a recording studio... What I have is a need to make music... Make you understand... Understand this... Bear that in mind..." - JYU I know that everybody won't find this music to their liking. Music can get too personal. But you won't know until you give it a whirl, right? Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 7.00 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 6.50 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 8.50 ARTIST: KARAOKE KING SONG: LAMB [KING OF THE LAMBS REMIX] GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ABSTRACT, NOISE SIMILAR: HTTP://WWW.MP3.COM/THEYTA [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] To those of you who don't know, abstract is the unstructered form of ambient music. Anything that doesn't have structure, and too many beats gets placed here, in my opinion. Lamb [King of the Lambs Remix] started out quite slow. I am actually unsure of who made this song. It said on the homepage "thanx to jaddajadda for making this remix." So I am not sure if this actually qualifies as the artists own work. But heck, here comes the review. First off, I thought that this tune was pretty unprofessional. A sound repeatedly playing is not my thought of something extremely well produced. As the song progressed I became used to the sound which is a strange vocal sample, mixed with a bass and echoed beats. The tune strongly progresses into something mysterious, and atmospheric. I would say that this piece of work would fit excellent in some psycho horror movie (no, not the Scream series, but those really psycho B horror movies.) The whole tune really is a test to speakers: The bass is so loud I almost thought that the base peaked the max mark at some points. But again, a question mark around the author of this piece of work. As abstract, this is something surely different. Not that the abstract genre is different in every way but this tune is a new approach which I haven't really heard before. The ingenius use of the vocal sample is very unique, and deserves a lot of respect. The tune ends in a silent echo, and the whole thing is then over. I must say that I am amazed at the creativety of Karaoke King (if this is his work) and hope to hear more from him in the future. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.50 Technical Skill: 6.00 Interest: 7.50 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 7.20 ARTIST: KEYMYEK SONG: SIRIAN PERSUASION (FULL) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / (MODERN) NEW AGE SIMILAR: FSOL [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Keymyek slightly resemble FSOL's more recent work because they use music to create a mood. I am not saying that music in all does not create a type of mood. It's just that this type of music really enhances the "mood" aspect in that it has no vocals, and no disturbing bass drum. It's only a mixture of patterns with synthetic instruments (note: no loops) to create a very rich listening experience, and a world of its own. The same can be said for movie soundtracks. A good score for a movie really doesn't mess too much with overdoing itself, but will be more atmospheric in that it blends with what is happening in the movie. Since this is the type of music that this is, this tune has no structure. It's a blend of atmospheres in different styles, and I cannot describe each of them. But it all sounds very professional and extremely well made. So I can't give the tune any faults on recording quality. It is easier to record new age, than let's say a trance tune, but when the tune uses stereo effects to full knowledge, I can only marvel and give a handclap. The positive about this kind of music is that it will really free some minds. People who haven't even heard of new age before, will want to check out this artist for perhaps more similar works. It will even free those exhausted souls tired of trance and techno meant for the younger audiences (Scooter mind you.) The negative thing though about this type of music is that it will only appeal to the more experimental type of folk out there. Conventional Internet dwellers will look to this tune as something made by a freak, and turn back to their usual non-complex trance, and techno. In the end there is a slight gap between the two audiences this tune will get, but I implore you: If you feel experimental, and have heard some of the likes of FSOL (future sound of London) or Vangelis, you will want to check this artist out. Even though I myself like experimental techno the most, I do at times turn to this type of music for a trip into chill. Maybe not as complex as this piece, but heck, maybe I'm not that complex. yours truly: christian lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 9.00 Interest: 7.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 7.60 ARTIST: KONEC SONG: NUSKOOL CHIPCRAFT GENRE: ELECTRONIC / GAME MUSIC SIMILAR: (THE AMIGA 500) [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] If you are a fan of memories, this music will surely bring back the good old thoughts of the Amiga 500 and even some older game machines. The sound quality is A-ok, although the quality of the tones themselves is a bit outdated by today's standards. The structure is probably what makes this tune shine most though: It leaves places for the track to breathe, leaving breaks here and there, and really giving room for various stuff happening (to be a little less complex.) Anyway, brilliant stuff! Nostalgia fans will most love this track, but people looking for new style techno will most certainly be disappointed with this tune. This is a chip off the old block techno tune that seems almost like it's taken from a game or something (Amiga 500, yes?). To accomplish this and to copy this old style 100% is of course an achievement on its own, but I doubt it will appeal to many people. The Amiga 500 is dead, with a few ROM's available on the internet. Making music such as this was impressive about 10 years ago, which has now turned into a museum spectacle. But maybe there still are people who wish to visit this museum. If you are a visitor, then this is the tune for you. Maybe you'll find me there as well. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.50 Technical Skill: 4.50 Structure: 7.50 Interest: 8.00 Recording Quality: 0.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 6.00 ARTIST: KRAEONZ SONG: WALK, TRIP, PAIN GENRE: OTHER / NOISE SIMILAR: NOPE [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] What we have here, is somebody who wants to be the baddest of the bad in the terror genre. If you don't know what terror is, I'll tell you; Terror is the fastest, and hardest of the genre techno. Gabber is the main genre from which terror was born, and if you don't like gabber, you will probably lothe terror as well. Even terror has to have some sort of structure though. Yes terror is fast - so complex structured tunes won't work, but I did expect some form of structure still. But then I saw the artist’s excuse: I saw the word "abstract" in the artist’s description of his music, a word highly related to unstructured ambient music. Since this is unstructured terror, I can only call this noise (the genre for the people who really actually loves to make, that's right: Noise.) So, I have to ask, what is noise, really? Is it supposed to be what the word implies? "Noise"? I have actually heard this type of music with some symbolic meaning. One artist for example named his track "radio static" and the music had some meaning, because the sound you heard was actually what the title implied: Radio Static. The title to this tune is "Walk, Trip, Pain." This would then mean -metaphorically speaking - that we would hear somebody walking, tripping on some form of "vitamin," and then suffering from severe pain afterwards. So did I hear this? No. What I heard couldn’t be described in any other words than noise. No, not ‘noise’ as in the word, and then the description of the (music) genre, but noise as in the description you'll find in every dictionary. The sound is way above maximum, which really leaves a lot to be desired. That scratching sound you will hear in the track is not part of the song, but is what happens when the artist who recorded it records at too high a level. In some form, recording a track a little above normal is quite ok. But when the volume is boosted such as this it tells a story of an idea that in the end turned out to be a very bad idea. This is probably the poorest score I have ever given here on GOM, and the evidence is not in this review, but in the song if you ever decide to play it. I can see what the artist intended: To be the scariest one of them all. But I wasn't scared, fascinated, or even slightly moved by this material. I found this song as entertaining as listening to my lawn mower. If you find your lawn mower interesting, you will definitely find this track a nice change. Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 0.00 Technical Skill: 0.00 Structure: 0.00 Interest: 0.50 Recording Quality: 0.00 Long Term Appeal: 0.50 OVERALL: 0.00 ARTIST: LAXI SONG: OSAMAS THEME GENRE: ELECTRONIC / IDM SIMILAR: UH [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Osamas theme. Hmm, haven't I heard that name somewhere before? :) Osamas Theme is a nice, crisp take on what I'd like to call a theme-oriented song. There are several parts in this track, where each one differs slightly from each other, making for a very interesting listening experience. It's all a mix between a symphonic experience, and somewhat more bizarre. There is also a very neat military drumbeat that drives this tune along to the very 10 minutes that this lasts. Structure wise though this song is pretty much useless. This song seems like several different songs (some people like to chop a long song, and call the different parts "part 1, part 2" and so forth). If there hadn't been the little gap between the parts, and if they were mixed together a bit more, for a more "complete" feeling, the structure-score in this case would have been better. But nonetheless, this is a nice piece, and yes, could just as well be the theme O.B.L listened to before he sent the planes in the twin towers. No, I'm not going to ruin this piece by going any further than that. "Osamas Theme" will not make you understand O.B.L more, but will probably make you lose your patriotic side. At least, for about 10 minutes. The sound quality is ok, but not top notch. The sound has just been squeezed a little bit too high in some parts.. How many times do people need to see that it is not their job to record a song as high as possible! We have amplifiers, and speakers for that man! Ah well, anyway.. This is a piece for those of you who want to relax and go on a mind-trip for 10 minutes. Those of you who don't think that sounds appealing may want to reconsider before pressing the download button on this tune. All in all, this is a brave attempt that loses itself in some last technical errors, which could have been avoided. Also, some, who lost their loved ones to the Twin Tower disaster, will not find much of an answer as to why it happened. They will probably want to talk to the artist who made this song, and find out instead. But, still. What the hidden meaning of this track is, will have to be everybody's guessing. yours:Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 3.00 Interest: 5.00 Recording Quality: 4.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 5.60 ARTIST: LEELEE SOBIESKI ROCKS SONG: ESCAPISM GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: SASH [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This is a trance tune; plain and simple - there is nothing "experimental" about it. It has the sounds of trance, the beats of trance, the cymbals of trance, and everything that trance is, good or bad. Or so I thought. The song begins with an admirably nice introduction that lasts for about a minute before the trance starts. The beat does stop from time to time to make way for the intro playing once again. There is nothing original about this, but it does help the track to come across as being more intelligent than your average trance effort (yes, trance is that stupid). In the end there is a sort of irony to the artists own words "heavenly trance", given that the introduction is mixed with the main theme of the song. It then sounds like a bad mix by a DJ. Everybody knows that you should never mix two themes together; it just won't work. The track as a whole does manage to stay alive with me though, even though I have heard many more original tunes than this one. 1. It manages to stay focused and also to stay clear of the most boring clichés. 2.The theme is nice, the intro is good, and the overall sound production (even though the bass could have been a little louder) isn't too bad. 3. Its charisma is probably its strongest point. Even though this type of trance isn't original at all, this tune has its own touches that make it unique in every way. To sum it all up: Most of us are all tired of trance, but check this one out. You may like it, after all. Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 4.00 Interest: 3.50 Recording Quality: 7.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 6.40 ARTIST: LIQUID DAMAGE SONG: NOTHING LASTS FOREVER GENRE: FOLK / FOLK SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This is one of those songs for everyone of us who have gotten our hearts broken at one time. The artist tells us about a true love that didn't last. Oh boy, do I feel at home with that theme, as I'm sure many others will. The vocal isn't studio recorded, or anything like that, but the message gets sent out nice and clear. The lyrics are very well written, and catchy too. There is in fact a magical "home-made" feel to this track, that I think serves it well. It gives the impression that the artist knows what he is singing about, and this can only be a good thing. This is probably the only factor which takes acoustic music two steps ahead of electronic music: actual humans "inside" the music, not behind it. The structure isn't too complicated, which is fine too. You don't get lost, since there is no reason to do so. This should be a fairly easy song, so the song stays as catchy and simple as it is. This song isn't really about music tastes, or preferences. This is a song about your life. If you found your true love and there were some problems, I think that "Nothing lasts Forever" will suit you just fine. Put it in your playlist right now! If you've found your true love, however, and are in a relationship right now I'd not download this track if I were you. All I can say is, I'm happy for you, and I hope it truly lasts forever. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 9.00 Structure: 8.50 Interest: 10.00 Lyrics: 8.50 Recording Quality: 8.50 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 9.00 ARTIST: LIVIN' SONG: GIRLFRIEND GENRE: HIP HOP / HIP HOP SIMILAR: MISSY ELLIOT, PINK, WHATEVER [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This is Livin'. She claims to be far above "the others" when it comes to her "unique lyrical flow," whatever that means. The lyrics are hard, and to the point. But other than that, if you really got something out of the lyrics other than the artist talking on your favour, and not actually telling you something, and even teaching you something is beyond me. OK, smile, because here comes the good stuff: what I can say about the song's production is that it really sounds very professional. It seems that this artist has thrown a lot on one card, or maybe this artist actually can afford a studio. But in any rate, the record quality of this song is top notch, and really couldn't be better. Really sounds like the song is album ready, and there isn't a better sound than that. On a more general note, the structure flows in a nice pattern, making room for the groove of today's hip hop frenzy to run wild. Nice! One last thing before I stop: this song has sort of its own territory. You'll surely find this tune at discos, being played by car cruisin' boys, and wherever there is a party goin'. But, uhm, eeh, do you like hip hop? If the answer is yes, no question: download. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.50 Technical Skill: 9.50 Structure: 7.00 Interest: 1.50 Lyrics: 4.00 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 6.50 ARTIST: LJOVA SONG: AMBIENT CHILDREN GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ABSTRACT SIMILAR: 4 YEAR OLD ON KEYBOARD / FSOL, VANGELIS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This song starts rather dreadful actually. Right at the start the sound peaks way above maximum with several below standard keyboard sounds. There is no music whatsoever, just this throbbing noise coming out of my speakers. This horror continues until 1:22, when it all fades away, leaving a beautiful pad melody behind. Although I now find myself in a wonderful melody which even sounds a lot like the likes of Vangelis does not help this situation much. You just can not start a tune like that! It will scare any future fan away. Oh. no, there that dreadful thing is again (02:40.) What's next? Oh, here we go.. eeh.. A way below average keyboard choir sound. But now at least I don't have to listen to that diabolic sound. Actually, it all is quite nice now, and I see what the artist is trying to achieve with this piece. A sort of symbolic meaning of sorts: From dreadful to peaceful, and back again. Oh no there it is again... aaaaarg!! (05:25.) Aaaah!! Aaaarg!! aaaaaa!!!! Oh, my God! This song lasts for another 12 minutes! I'm really suffering here. Ok, while I listen, I might as well talk about the structure, and sound quality to get my mind off things.. The structure is exactly as I mentioned: From dreadful to peaceful. There is no intro, outro, buildup, or anything like that. Just the two sides: The dark side, and the light side battling for attention. As said earlier, I can understand what the artist is trying to achieve with this, and it is a nice touch. I don't know if it works as a structure, but this is an abstract tune, so I guess I'll let it be. (Abstract = Unstructured, experimental ambient music.) (08:30) There are extremely beautiful parts on this track though, like right here. Beautifully mastered pads, with "wooosh" wind atmosphere in the background. Truly beautiful, and proves that a mind on its own brainwave has been at work here. I can also throw in that the sound quality is tremendous, I just wish the sound hadn't packed as much wallop when the dark side enters the scene. Yes, the sound does not peak as much that you actually hear that there is too much sound being pressed out. But it still is a very uncomfortable sound, artist intended or not. But, there are some nice moods in this track as said before. Come to think of it, I haven't heard much from the dark side since the 08:30 mark, phew. This is a peaceful place this. I'm actually chillin' now:) The below average keyboard sounds have developed into something that sounds extremely like Vangelis, of FSOL for those who digg those guys. There is even something that sounds like a river, or water splashing at 12:40.. Nice touch:D Well, there is about 4 minutes left, so I'd better start closing this review. The point that I've been trying to make here is that this is a track not suitable for all people. Most will not tolerate the incredible noise at the start, and will then not accept the artist as talented at all. Many will try to stick with the track, till the second noise pounding comes in, to then leave the track and never be heard from again. Considering the little audience this track might have (except those reading this throughout review) I'll have to depart the track of some of the score it could have had. Because there isn't a lot of people left to listen to this track. But who are left? Well, maybe you who are reading this could be daring enough to venture into this track? But hear me out first: I believe that very few want to stick it through to the 08:30 mark, where the track becomes extremely beautiful and harmonious, so good luck on your journey. This journey, WILL test your courage. Therefore, the lesson learn't here today is, it is a nice touch to be symbolic, and to break free from structures, and other things that musical geniuses have created ions before us so that we can have something to walk on. To create a new path is always exciting, because it leaves a new road for us willing to explore it. But don't throw mines at the start off the road where the road sign is for crying out loud! Let us explore a little first, be gentle to us. We've never walked here before!! Ok, thank you for listening. You may now enter. Beware of the mines till you come to the 08:30. There are some tricky turns, and some more mines down the road. But once you get there, once you enter the valley of the 08:30, put on some sun-lotion, lie on the grass, hear the river a little further down the valley, and drift away my friend. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 6.50 Structure: 5.00 Interest: 5.50 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 2.00 OVERALL: 6.10 ARTIST: LJUBO SONG: DREAM GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This is a sort of easy going electronic piece, meant for driving, walking, and maybe even dancing. What makes this tune shine, are many things. One of them for example are sound effects that begin the tune, and end it. To me, it was a story of the dream somebody has after being involved in an accident. The structure isn't too complicated, and lets the tune play with all kinds of instruments like a piano, some strings, drums, and several synthesizer effects. All this recorded on very good sound quality. Some of the beats could have been recorded at lower volumes, but that is a minor problem. All this makes for a very unique, and fun experience which I think every one of you should try out. If you're into electronic music, it's not very hard to like, and even fall in love with the simple and beautiful nature of "Dream" by Ljubo. There is also a very nostalgic feeling about this track. I don't know why though. That this is a very special song, gives itself off at 02:00. I'm not going to say anymore, just listen, you'll eventually get my drift. I think I've talked enough. Go to the url below, and listen for yourself. Close your eyes too, I think that helps the experience even more. Music is a wonderful thing, isn't it? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.50 Technical Skill: 8.50 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 8.00 Recording Quality: 8.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.20 ARTIST: LOST IN PLACE SONG: QUEEN BILL GENRE: ELECTRONIC / INDUSTRIAL SIMILAR: NIN [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] As the artist mentioned: "(note to reviewer: this song is humor)" I don't want to go into what kind of humour this is supposed to resemble, but I'm going to ignore this statement, and treat this song as any other song I review here. The tune starts off pretty good, with a drum session going on, and a nice electric guitar riff. As the distorted vocal enters the scene, it gets worse though. Does somebody have a lyrics sheet for me? Please? The vocal is so distorted that I can't hear what the guy is rambling about. There, I thought my complaining was over, but when 0:59 hits, the whole thing gets ruined with a not so silent but deadly distorted guitar sample. This sample is actually so distorted in sound, that it gets impossible to listen to. All musical qualities that this song lingered, is gone, and forever lost. This is a mix of industrial, and pop. Sort of like Nine Inch Nails actually. There are also some electric guitars in the song which try to give this harsh distortion of a tune a theme, but alas, all I can hear is distortion. Nine Inch Nails have a cunning symbolism to their use of distortion, but here it's just there. It's nothing, to no use whatsoever. In fact, the whole thing really is hard to listen to, and that is why I am here: To listen. There really isn't anything more to analyze from this tune, since it really is difficult for me to make anything else out of this unholy noise that has been pasted unto this creation. I am flattered that the artist picked me as his reviewer, and even wanted me to laugh in the process. I really am flattered. But sorry my dear artist, and I really am sorry (with no sarcasm attached:) If this was an attempt at humour, I'm not laughing one bit. All this electronic rock rubbish has given me a headache. Give me some folk music, somebody?!! Please? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 1.00 Technical Skill: 2.00 Interest: 0.00 Recording Quality: 2.00 Long Term Appeal: 3.00 OVERALL: 1.60 ARTIST: MACHINE BOY SONG: UNPREDICTABLE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / BIG BEAT SIMILAR: CHEMICAL BROTHERS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] The first thing I thought of when listening to this tune was the Chemical Brothers. The same style, the same vibe, the same Big Beat flavour. But this, of course, is not them. But wait! This is Machine Boy. A formula, which to my knowledge, combines heavy electronic experience, with guitars, and rock-n-roll influences. The combination: an extremely adrenaline-spiced experience that can be a great listen in any environment where some spice is needed, or any dancefloor where the DJ isn't scared to experiment. This song got me going so much, that I actually wish it was longer. This, of course, isn't much of a problem, considering that the rest of the tune is almost flawless. The structure is nothing to complain about. The sound quality: close to maximum. The vocal is crisp and clear, and I love the effect were the vocal pans from left to right. The originality of this track is unquestionable, since I've never heard such an incredible mixture of instruments in a song before: synth strings, bass goodness, crisp drums, electric guitars, all played Big Beat style. Yes, now that I listen to this goodness again, I really wish it was longer. I know Machine Boy from the past. I know that they produce good music. But this was a surprise even to me. Even though the song is only 2:22, you'll enjoy every second that this song plays, on whatever you manage to play this song on. I recommend this to every Big Beat fan everywhere. I would also like to send this out to all music enthusiasts. To some, this Big Beat style will seem a little unusual. Of course, we are all different, and thank God for that. But maybe "Unpredictable" will make you look in a new direction. Big Beat is a genre overshadowed by the supremacy of trance, and techno. Let big beat reign this time, and play "Unpredictable." Play it loud! yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 9.50 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 6.50 OVERALL: 9.00 ARTIST: MATTHEW JAMES SONG: RIGHTEOUS WOMAN GENRE: FOLK / FOLK SIMILAR: I HOPE SO [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] I had actually planned to just listen to this song, and review it another day since it is way past bedtime for me. But when I heard the music pouring out through my stereo, I just had to review anyway. People, this is music. It touches you with crisp clear composition, great guitar playing, wonderful lyrics with a great vocal as backup, and believe it or not even a violin in the middle. Yes, this song has it all, and the message of the song is something even I can recognize myself in. So I guess the word "talented" is the phrase I'd use for Matthew James. The sound quality is perfect for this kind of music. It is exactly right, and sounded like I was listening to a CD. The structure follows the singing and the lyrics perfectly. In fact, I think this has to be one of the best artists with a guitar I've heard in a long time. It is hard to not commercialize for this artist, but I will try not to, too much. What makes this song so special is the message that comes with the song. The lyrics explain everything very well, so I won't ruin anything. But I can summarize by saying the song explains a a man's true love for a woman. There is even a sort of symbolic part of the song, since this woman that the artist is singing about plays the violin in one part of the song. If this was intentional or not is not known to me, but there is only one thing to say: beautiful! If you like music I urge you: go to Matthew James page now, and check him out. Listen to his songs, and buy his CD. You'll be doing him, me, yourself, and music a favour. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 10.00 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 9.00 Lyrics: 10.00 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 9.50 ARTIST: MICHAEL SANDLER SONG: QUEST OF THE CRICKETS GENRE: NEW AGE / NEW AGE SIMILAR: BRIAN ENO [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artist page: "The village seer receives an oracle that the Key of Orion must be found and brought to the village to be blessed by the Good King. If the key is not found, the doom of all in the Northern Lands is assured. The king sends word to the Distant Forests, calling for help from his friends the magical crickets. The crickets agree to help. After arriving in the village and consulting with the king, the crickets depart on their quest amid well wishes and tears of longing. The crickets and the villagers know there is danger in the days ahead. The crickets set out with heavy but resolute hearts. This song is available on my CD ‘The Cricket Cycle.’ The Cricket songs were produced ‘live’ using only using an electric guitar and effects. No synthesizers or editing were used." This track is pure new age. Of all the so called new age wannabes I've reviewed in my lifetime, this song has the genre "new age" written all over it. This is what makes the track good, and bad. The good is directed to new age enthusiasts. This is with out a doubt a must have! Music made only from an electric guitar is not something new, but new age music made from only this instrument is a road that not many have traveled. The artist classified this as ambient music. Well, it is not ambient music. Ambient music will always have some sort of structure, no matter how simple. But the only structure here is reflected by a gradual build up later. This is not structure but rather just a direction that the music takes. It would be wrong of me to judge the structure of a genre that doesn't need a structure at all, so I'll leave it be. This track is also great for guitar enthusiasts. I honestly didn't know the electric guitar was meant for new age music, but I guess I was wrong. Many, (including myself) will be impressed by the use of this instrument in this fashion. Never before have I heard an electric guitar so carefully projected, and still sounding so beautiful. There is a true guitar master behind this song, so those of you who play the guitar will actually learn a thing or two just by listening to this song. This is new age, there is no doubt about it. The track, although not repetitive at all, doesn't change much in tone (i.e unstructured.) It just wonders along its own personality, without paying much attention to what the listener as an average wants. This again, is what makes the track unique, it dears to be in it's own unstructured world, thus earning its genre "new age." This is then the bad thing about this track. This is NOT ambient; this is relaxing music, meant for meditation and the like. Those readers who need music that is a little bit more in control (beats, theme, "structure") should take heed before listening. This music isn't really "in control", but rather builds an atmosphere for people to work in. Pop music makes people sing, dance music makes people dance, some classical music, or in this case new age music makes people calm. If you are an artist of any sort, you should also watch out for the following: You may think this is rubbish, and say "I can do that." Well, no, you can't. New age music is in fact a very hard genre to accomplish. It can only be called new age if the people involved are totally at ease, meditated, and relaxed within themselves. A little hint at a structure would ruin the whole thing. The radio plays structured music, MTV plays structured music, even life itself has some sort of structure, so, to completely free oneself from this structure, not be inspired by it, and make a tune such as this can only be highly respected. Creating good new age music takes talent, knowledge, and experience. I would think it even more so, if one just played electric guitar. Wow, I am excited about this track. Not since Brian Eno have I heard a tune touching this environment without getting too complex, and thus getting the cursed structure which new age should have! This is an accomplishment, and this is the best description of this track, without going into details. I really recommend this to everybody who's a music lover. It will not appeal to all of you, but I truly believe that most of you will find a space in your heart for this tune. If you open your mind a little, close your eyes, and press play, you will discover what I did. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 7.50 Technical Skill: 10.00 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.70 ARTIST: MICO SONG: GREAT SPACE COASTER (DEFINITELY OTHER) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / CRAP! SIMILAR: PLEASE TELL ME THERE AREN'T. [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] On Mico's page, there are several "fans" praising this song to the heavens, calling this the best thing that has ever happened to them. Well, I'm not a fan. But if this song is everything they say it is, I'm going to have no trouble throwing flowers at this tune. Turns out however, that all the praising of this song, was either a mocking bird, or zombies. The best way to describe this song: A dream kind of theme (don't take this the positive way), with a voice added a huge echo speaking about the "great space coaster." This, with a loop on top, and you have approximately what I've been listening to these last two minutes. The sound quality is ok, but that isn't hard to figure out since this was recorded right from "Sonic Foundry ACID 3." One of the many excuses for this kind of music. The thought that there probably is a talented man behind this, makes me really depressed. To actually think of a normal human being being able to conceive such a horrible construct is beyond my sane mind. Somebody once said to me "open your mind." Does that actually mean to take an axe, and open it completely? If that is true, I really wonder what the artist of this tune looks like. To actually whisper to myself "this suuucks...(in my mind=!!!!!)" is more comforting. Because that makes everything fall in place, and doesn't make me think of how the artist must look like at all. Everybody makes mistakes in their lives, and this is probably (hopefully) one of them. Because I really can not believe I'm hearing this stuff at all. Are my ears alright? "Pop, Pop!" Yes, they certainly are. If the artist called this song "voice in my head" this song would probably have gotten a better score. But, this, thing that I'm listening to has no scope, no flavour, no essence, nothing. It's just an idea-map that hasn't been developed further. It's a broken jigsaw puzzle, where the finished jigsaw puzzle could probably be called music. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 0.50 Technical Skill: 2.00 Interest: 0.00 Recording Quality: 5.00 Long Term Appeal: 0.00 OVERALL: 1.50 ARTIST: MICROBE SONG: HIGHLANDER GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCY DITTY SIMILAR: MP3.COM TRANCE [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Oh yes, a lusty babe in the beginning!! This guy knows how to sell!!!! YEAH!!! No seriously, this is another trance tune with a passionate female sample in the beginning. So, is there anything more to say? I am really embarressed when artists mix sex attributes, with the now very "cheap" genre "trance." The tune though, has it's strong points. Its production is almost perfection, and there is little to say otherwise about the melody. Too bad the sound that comes in as a "helping hand" to the normal tune in 1:55 ruins the whole thing. If you are a trance enthusiast, I guess you will like this tune. If you grew up with mp3.com (and nothing else) you will love this tune. But as for me, who has experience with some great trance acts (before mp3.com) I must beg to differ. yours: http://www.mp3.com/xanitra yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 1.00 Structure: 0.00 Interest: 0.00 Recording Quality: 8.50 Long Term Appeal: 0.00 OVERALL: 2.90 ARTIST: MIFNAR DAEGOR SONG: VAMPIRIC TRILOGY - PART 2: DECLINE GENRE: ROCK / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Mifnar Daegor has here produced a song with several electric guitar samples, drum samples, and other samples which really aren't worth mentioning. What we have here is somebody's attempt to convince everybody he can play the guitar, when what what he's really doing is convincing us he can put a bunch of samples together, which really isn't that impressive. At least, not today. The structure is fairly boring, and doesn't persuade me otherwise that this is genius material. The sound quality is ok though, but I guess that comes with the territory: If you've read the manual about putting samples together, you should also have read the instructions in the manual about getting sound quality just right. I'm not going to say anymore about this. You'll have excuse my harshness, on the mere technical side of this track. The track is likeable, and nice to listen to as it has a good theme. Some of you will like it, and download it. The reason why I'm so upset about this work, is probably because putting a bunch of samples together doesn't really impress me anymore. With electronic music, it is very rare to actually find somebody who's bought a synthesizer and produced music without the use of samples. Can't really excuse those guys either, but still: If the artist after reading this review of his own work, says I'm wrong; that this was indeed recorded live with the artist with guitar well at hand, and a tasty straw between his teeth, how come this song sounds so, dead? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 3.00 Structure: 2.00 Interest: 4.00 Recording Quality: 7.50 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 4.50 ARTIST: MIFNAR DAEGOR SONG: VAMPIRIC TRILOGY - PART 2: DECLINE GENRE: ROCK / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Mifnar Daegor has here produced a song with several electric guitar samples, drum samples, and other samples which really aren't worth mentioning. What we have here is somebody's attempt to convince everybody he can play the guitar, when what what he's really doing is convincing us he can put a bunch of samples together, which really isn't that impressive. At least, not today. The structure is fairly boring, and doesn't persuade me otherwise that this is genius material. The sound quality is ok though, but I guess that comes with the territory: If you've read the manual about putting samples together, you should also have read the instructions in the manual about getting sound quality just right. I'm not going to say anymore about this. You'll have excuse my harshness, on the mere technical side of this track. The track is likeable, and nice to listen to as it has a good theme. Some of you will like it, and download it. The reason why I'm so upset about this work, is probably because putting a bunch of samples together doesn't really impress me anymore. With electronic music, it is very rare to actually find somebody who's bought a synthesizer and produced music without the use of samples. Can't really excuse those guys either, but still: If the artist after reading this review of his own work, says I'm wrong; that this was indeed recorded live with the artist with guitar well at hand, and a tasty straw between his teeth, how come this song sounds so, dead? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 3.00 Structure: 2.00 Interest: 4.00 Recording Quality: 7.50 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 4.50 ARTIST: MIKE PRZYGODA SONG: SELF-SUFFICIENT GENRE: FOLK / UNPLUGGED SIMILAR: FOLK CHAMBER MUSIC [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artist page: "Based on one of the most beautiful chamber works I've ever heard that my friend composed. The singers sound like a choir of angels..... lyrics written by Mike Przygoda..... music composed by Matthew Muñiz..... music arranged by Mike Przygoda..... Corinne Lysaught: harmony vocal..... Kathleen O'Toole: lead vocal..... Mike Przygoda: guitar" Lyrics (if you wish to sing along) Lives don't stand the march of time Whispers of broken rhymes leave And all we receive Is time I walk through my lonely dream And I fail to see, I just can't see your eyes And without you around I won't even try And if I could ever sing Songs so pure and make you smile I would spend my days Hold'n you near and never leave again Oh how I miss you so Winter just fades away I'll wake to a bright new day Alone Here we have a beautiful song made and arranged by a group of talented people. The song is recorded live, from a bar, club, or someplace, so obviously the sound quality of this file isn't all that hot. I can already hear you complaining, but if you compare it with some MTV unplugged recordings of bigger names, it really isn't all that different. Except for maybe the vocals get pitched a little too high at times here. But enough of that! This is a good song! On a quite personal note, and to side-step on my own for a bit, this song reminds me a lot of the music played in the game Baldur's Gate 1 when you enter the bar's there. The same atmosphere was in this tune! I won't give it extra score, but that was an extra added bonus for myself personally, since I love that game so much. So, if some of you have played that game, and loved the music in it, download this song, and keep it safe! To the more larger crowd: If you have room in your heart for tunes with less than perfect sound quality, you really should check this song out. It is poetry added music. Although the song is only two minutes, it doesn't matter, the song doesn't need more time: The song flows like poetry because the structure is picture perfect. Again, the sound quality is live recorded, but can you forgive this and download the song anyway? The clapping in the end truly is deserved. If these guys got together again, to record this song in a studio, I know it would be worth it. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Structure: 10.00 Interest: 7.50 Lyrics: 9.00 Recording Quality: 3.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 7.70 ARTIST: MORBIT SONG: MAN WITHOUT A SOUL GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "Man Without A Soul" is a really powerful song. When I say powerful, I mean exactly that. A lot of "self" has gone into making this song. There are some truly emotional vocals, sung by the artist himself, and the music is nothing but original. Vocals, and music clearly come from somebody who wanted to make a difference The ‘thing’ with this song is actually the singing. I don't know if it's genius or just a coincidence, but the vocals, although not entirely fitting with the song at all times, create a fantastic atmosphere. The recording quality of this tune is amazing. Wish I knew how to get my voice like that. The atmosphere that this tune gets from simple sound quality alone is astounding. People will want to explore this tune many times, because of its varied structure, mystic vocals, and fantastic blue side. It's every artist’s own will to experiment that makes me give an artist a plus. I believe that it is this sort of thinking that will bring music to new heights. Morbit clearly displays courage for having the guts to put this song up for a review. Morbit may also see himself as a little bit lucky. Not all people would have praised this song as much as I have. Lets face it; we all come from different musical backgrounds, and believe different things about where music should go. Well I believe that this tune will go far in the right ears, and if the right ears are listening, this tune will go far. I recommend you to try out something new, and check this one out. In the artists own words: This is my first song with my vocals in it. Some people like them, some people don't, but in the least, I tried. It seems to be my first song with a piano in it. From the rest of my songs this has more meaning to me. It is probably the saddest song I have. Straight from the heart, and that people, is where music should come from yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 8.00 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.60 ARTIST: MOUNTAIN MIRRORS SONG: VOICES GENRE: WORLD / WORLD SIMILAR: UHM, IS THERE? [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Mountain Mirrors is one of the many groups on mp3.com with a homepage on ... mp3.com. While many artists on mp3.com sound exactly the same with trance beats hitting left and right, Mountain Mirrors seems to have decided to sound completely different than any other. Good! Mountain Mirrors has here produced an almost New Age piece, with cultural roots inspired from the very heart of India, and maybe also some parts of the Middle East. My problem though, are the vocals. Firstly the vocals are in English, so this means there is a sentence being uttered throughout the first part of the track. I hear you now: "Hey?! I'm English, what is your malfunction dude?!" When I've heard this type of music before, it's been some Indian man chanting, or some Arab shouting out a whole lot of sound which I can not even begin to describe. What I'm saying though, is that Mountain Mirrors put something from their culture, and put English vocals in there. Yes, Jeff (whoever that is) sounds like he is chanting, ranting on, or doing something. I can't even call it singing with a straight face. But in my opinion though, to produce such a track, you either produce the whole thing, with Indian singers or you leave the whole thing alone. Now, the artist might think I am unfair by saying this, and think that music is for everybody. So, yes it sort of is, but no, it isn't. If I came from India, and heard that somebody had tampered with our culture, our sound, and our religion (because lets not deny it, this music has some heritage from religion) and made it their own, I would get really mad. I've heard many talents throughout the world (yes, one group is even from USA) who've created music with roots from India, and have made it sound exactly the same with even the same language in the lyrics (if any). The result is that India has accepted this kind of music for what it was: New Age music. The guys who made it knew what they were doing. If they did one mistake it would be like pissing on India history, culture, and religion all at once. They took their precautions, did their research, and made music exactly as the national folk music artists of India made. So no trouble. But enough with that, this really has nothing to do with the song. Sound quality of the tune is warm, and nice, and fills the room like a hand in a glove. The tune really creates a warm and calm atmosphere for meditation, thought, or any other activity related to this song. I really don't understand why the vocals are there though. They are nothing but annoying, and that is probably also my excuse for the paragraph further up the road. But the vocals aren't annoying because of this or because of that. They are just annoying! It is hard to actually try to ignore these vocals as well, because the reverb used on them really is a harsh treatment to any persons voice. But I guess the artist wanted the vocals to blend in with the atmosphere. So, if that's possible, let's move on. I feel there isn't a need to mention structure in this tune, since there really isn't one to mention, but the tune could do well with some beats and structure work nonetheless. Although the sound quality is great, I couldn't quite relax with the vocals. This tune is something of an experiment on the artist's part. This kind of music didn't appeal to me, and to be quite honest I got a little bored in the long run. I have actually never encountered a tune where the vocals, or voice sample ruined so much. But still, I'm not you, and you are free to do as you will. If you like meditating music, maybe this is your thing. I am not right all the time, and maybe this tune has some moments. Heck, maybe it even shines on occasion. When the vocals aren't there, there isn't much to complain about. But again, the clash between culture, and an artists own random conquering, can not be excused or ignored by me, or anybody. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.00 Technical Skill: 4.50 Interest: 0.50 Lyrics: 0.50 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 0.50 OVERALL: 2.50 ARTIST: NETBORN SONG: FAQ V1.072001 GENRE: ELECTRONIC / SYMBOLIC ELECTRONICA SIMILAR: VANGELIS [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] FAQ v1.072001 is one of those experiences that I can say is unexperienced. At least by me. Well, I've heard similar from Vangelis, but his works still fails to be as complex as this though. I'm not trying to compare this to Vangelis, but it did remind me a lot of Vangelis. At least in the start. Netborn tries very much to be special, and it truly is. If I analyze the tune somewhat, I think the tune tries to give the picture of all the information we have to take in to survive in todays society. That was what I got out of FAQ v1.072001, but of course you might be of a completely different opinion. FAQ v1.072001 is a much more symbolic, and cultural experience, than a music theme. I am actually tempted to put this in the genre noise, because a lot of it isn't what it should be. The actual problem though is that this is EXACTLY as it should be. So it gets very confusing. The BPM tends to change slightly and if it doesn't, it sure sounds like it. Beats come in from different directions and everything is very "surround sound" at the most. 2:22 sees a flute sound entering the scene, that too, very jazz influenced, and not really the theme that the song needs. So, if we mix, jazz, noise, and ambient, we have a very good description genre-wise on what this tune is. To me, this material is very abstract. I usually like abstract stuff, but when it is so unstructured as this is I tend to back away. I mean, I know this tune is not supposed to have any structure. I still think though that the chaotic behavior of this tune could have been kept as an introduction, and that a theme of some sort could have been inserted. Just to give the tune some integrity. Therefore, I have included the "structure" part in my scoring. If this tune had the structure I am referring to, FAQ v1.072001 would have the symbolic effect intact, and still be something that could be remembered as a song. Not only (to some ears) loads of sounds molded together, with a beat that changes in BPM slightly. Of course, I am sure, some of you will find this unstructured piece a work of art and ignore my words of "wisdom" (if you will.) If you are interested in something unique to your mp3 collection, THIS IS IT. If not, I see little reason why you should go to the lengths of checking this out. If this review doesn't convince you to check Netborn out, their page (as of 4 of September 2001) sure won't. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 8.00 Structure: 3.00 Interest: 6.50 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 5.90 ARTIST: NEVERDEAD SONG: SMALL BOX GENRE: ROCK / HEAVY METAL BREAKTHROUGH!!! SIMILAR: SEPULTURA [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] I have two things to tell you, before I review this particular song. Firstly, I can tell it like it is, because this is the freedom of speech community. I hate Heavy Metal. Rock, is A-ok. I have nothing against death metal either. Because death metal, even though some of it has satanic means, is calmer than heavy metal. Heavy Metal isn't that satanic, no, but loud it is, fast, and yes, too loud for my taste. I tried to listen to Sepultura, because they at least had some thought behind the chaos. I thought Chaos A.D was a brilliant album. If only it wasn't so freakin’ loud! Secondly, the artist showed me to http://www.neverdead777.com, and the artist name is supposed to be NeverDead, right? But on the "mp3 tag file" (if you have Winamp: Right-click on the mp3 file, and press "file info."), I saw the artist name "Majik" ("http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/11/majik.html") So then I started wondering, who has produced small box?? Majik has clearly produced the track, but, to direct me to http://www.neverdead777.com gets me confused. But I did go to Majiks site, and wow! It's amazing stuff. Simple but effective. A nice band picture, and a gothic look. Love it! This is a Heavy Metal tune, that isn't so annoyingly loud. That means that not only Heavy Metal fans can listen to it. In fact, there is a little charming little electronic saxophone or whatever in the start, which really is a quite charming entrance to a quite refreshing heavy metal tune. The reason I loathe Heavy Metal so much is probably because I didn't know that Heavy Metal could be intelligent. Even though I knew that Sepultura were intelligent, it seemed that the sheer noise they managed to throw out, overclouded their intelligence. What was left was only noise. But Majik (aka NeverDead) has here produced a not so fast, head-banging capable, thrashing tune, that has incredible lyrics. Yes, the lyrics are so incredibly good, that they are actually the highlight of the whole tune. This, with superb guitar play, and with the help of some electronic gadgets make for an almost excellent experience, in my opinion. I am going to end this review soon, because there really is nothing more to say. The reason I highlight "my opinion" is because I have been avoiding the Heavy Metal genre for a long time. I didn't know tunes like "small box" existed. For an artist to actually get ME, of all people, interested in the heavy metal genre, is a breakthrough performance on its own. Yes, I did pick this tune because I wanted to review a Heavy Metal tune for a change. But you can say I stumbled upon this tune, by accident. So it is pure fate or luck (if you will), that this reviewer found Majik (aka NeverDead) when he did. What isn't luck at all though, is the talent behind this song. If you are a music lover, you should check this out. Its aggressive behavior without the distorted lyrics and noise, will soothe many people who've missed a good old thrasher for a long time. Its lyrics will engage even the most wise of listeners, and its dance-act capability will even fit in as a surprise to "dancing only to techno" heads. http://www.neverdead777.com or only this tune, is without a doubt a must check out, a must listen, a must download, and a must worship. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 10.00 Interest: 9.00 Lyrics: 10.00 Performance: 10.00 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 9.50 ARTIST: NO LOVE LOST SONG: SLEEPING BEAUTY GENRE: ELECTRONIC / AMBIENT SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Sleeping Beauty is an ambient piece lasting two minutes. It's a pad driven tune, with some wind samples in the background, and mysterious voices in the foreground. For the mere two minutes that this tune lasts, it really doesn't manage to do much. No Love Lost has here produced an ambient piece that feels more like an intro to some CD, rather than a stand-alone track with pattern, theme, and all. The structure is simple enough: since it sounds like an intro to something, it's really nothing spectacular. The sound quality, if not totally clean, is way up to today's standards. But if I can speak on the track's behalf, and translate what the track is saying to the artist, maybe my point can come across a little more firm and hard: Song: - "I wish I was a bit longer. Because now, I'm only seducing the listener for two minutes, and then walking out the door. I am a tease, and I don't want to be a tease. I want to evolve into something bigger. I am beautiful, but I want to turn into an adult and get to show my full personality to every man or woman who wants to explore me. But you created me, oh master, and I have no complaints. I am glad you did create me, and that Christian Lowensprung, who really is a nice guy, got to explore the little beauty that I am. I am beautiful, but I don't want to walk out the door after two minutes! If not, could you please make my brothers and sisters a bit longer, so they can be remembered? Because I only last two minutes, and it is a sad thing to only last two minutes...." Reviewer - "Bye Sleeping Beauty, say hello to your master for me, and tell him to keep up the good work. " And Sleeping Beauty left off back to Earth, were "No Love Lost" resides, knowing well that it had been in the place of the Gods of Music. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 6.50 Structure: 5.50 Interest: 9.50 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 4.50 OVERALL: 6.80 ARTIST: NX PRODUCTIONS SONG: WIND IT UP (LIKE THIS!!) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / SHINING BIG BEAT SIMILAR: PHAT BOY SLIM LIGHT [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken off the artists page: "If this doesn't get people interested in Nx Productions Then I think I might just give up!!! Time was spent tweaking & re tweaking this baby to get it sounding just right. I'm always given credit for my production, But this time I really went for it!! If I cant get to that #1 spot I have been waiting for with this Then I guess I never will!! If you enjoyed 'Masterplan' Ya gonna love this. This has got to be the funkiest by far! Big, no, Huge beatz, basslines to die for & riffs that will just rip ya apart. I even went really crazy & recorded my own voice on this one. But if you do like it Dont just keep it to yourself, tell everyone you know!!!!!!" The artist gave me a choice - it was either this song or "Masterplan." But when I read the artist text, I was a bit moved. To tell everybody he is about to give up on music if this tune doesn’t hit the spot is quite drastic. So I had to go for "Wind it up (like this!!)" because I personally think that nobody should give up on a dream, no matter what the future outcome of that dream may be. If the outcome isn't what you hoped for, at least you know you tried. Firstly, let me just go to tell you that "Big Beat" is not something I hear very often. When I hear a Big Beat tune, I will often give it some extra credz for just being a big beat tune. Well, Nx Productions is a big beat artist, no doubt. With every song being in the big beat genre, Nx Productions is something to look forward to for any Big Beat fan out there. Fat Boy Slim is a name that strikes my attn. when listening to this material. Still, I've never quite approached Fat Boy Slim with light steps all the time. Many of his tunes have sudden moments were the music just breaks, and a weird, noise section jumps in. This disrupts the dance and should have been made illegal in my book. Cool it is yes, but just for a few listens. NX productions don't have sudden breaks in music that get replaced with annoying noise effects, or other riff raff. Here the music stays flowing, to the very end. Great stuff! Thank you!! The sound quality is awesome!! The structure is outstanding!! The tune is big beat heaven if you ask me. Anybody in his or her right mind should be listening to this artist for some big beat inspiration. I've heard too many people being inspired of the big man P.B.S and created so many breaks inside their tunes that I've stomped their heads with their own records! But this is a clean, honest production with no sudden elapses of one mans (bad) humour. This is a tune, and tunes by NX productions (if you will) that should replace some of the trance or techno tunes in any disco whenever possible. This creates a light, jump up and down, throw your weight around feel to the dance floor. This is good, because a dance floor can get too serious on occasion. Yes NX productions are responsible: You have truly outdone yourself here, and all honor and respect to you for that. Your voice is amazing, so keep that voice in your tunes. Never give up! You will reach the top if you keep this up. I truly hope that these words helps you in both your career, and hobby as a wonderful big beat enlightener. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be jumping up and down for the next 45 minutes. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 9.00 Structure: 10.00 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 9.10 ARTIST: OUTSOURCE SONG: SUNSET GENRE: NEW AGE / NEW AGE SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Outsource has here produced a New Age tune. It starts very relaxing, with some pads, and effects going back and forth. Everything starts to build up, but this doesn't really ruin the New Age atmosphere. So although there is a little drum entering the scene, I'd still call this New Age music. If you're into New Age, this is your thing. There really isn't much of a structure in the track, other than you know where it started, and when it is about to end. The sound quality is A-ok, not much to speak of; the pads tend to get a little too dominant at times, but that is barely noticeable. Well, heh, that's about all there is to mention about this song. Its impressive that the artist has avoided all temptations of creating a solid theme for this song; thereby preserving the "New Age" feel. So 100% New Age material is hard to come by these days! It's a 11:21 journey into a new world, of pads, different beat effects, and a groovy atmosphere. For those of you who like the kind of music with no theme attached, little or no structure, and the kind of music that lets you think for yourself and meditate on life: The name is New Age, and this is the tune for you. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 9.00 Interest: 7.00 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 7.50 ARTIST: PALKO SONG: ADALIA GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] After my last review of Palko's "Alone", the artist emailed me again, and wanted me to review his track Adalia. I was honored of course, and this is my review of Adalia. This song starts off rather original, with a cute tune, and an innocent (almost childish) beat. What makes the beat so childish is that there is really no bass production to speak off. It's just a beat to keep the rhythm, not something for subwoofers. Instead, the nice bass sounds that round out the in-betweens in the theme are made for subs, and bass elements. Genius! Nice to avoid that thump, thump, thump monster. The nice rhythm section that ends the sort of intro mood starts off at 1:23 and really gives a nice touch to an already positive vibe, which really does bode well for this song. In Palko's last track, Palko really couldn't decide which theme to choose from, and instead chose a lot of themes. Here however, Palko has worked more with one theme, and this makes the tune catchier. This will surely put a smile on many faces, when they hear it. Bravo! The song also has some neat side paths, such as the quick road found on 04:07, but the artist knows not to tread too long into the wilderness. So at 04:37 we are at the highway again. Nice!It is breaks like these that also make for a very nice structure. The main parts of the track are well placed, and come at a place that make sense. The review isn't without its complaints though. Although the sound quality is good, some of the sounds used are a bit lo/fi by today's standards. But I'm not going to bash too much on this since I think this is the main factor of the track's innocence and charm. Some of you might want to look elsewhere for more high-tech stuff, but for those of you with an open mind, and a sad heart, pick this song up. If it’s raining, I'm sure this song will put sunshine in your day. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 7.50 Structure: 8.50 Interest: 8.50 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 8.10 ARTIST: PALKO SONG: ALONE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "This gentle, yet driving, melodic trance track keeps its uplifting mood as it winds through its different themes." These are the words displayed below the song of Palko. "Alone" is the song's name, and hmmmm, this is trance. At first, the music seems very soothing and calm, with the sounds becoming firm. But after the two minute point, the whole thing gets a little old. With the change at 02:21 it suddenly strikes me that this is one of those tunes where the artist had too many themes in mind for the track. So instead of choosing, the artist decides to put in all themes in the song, appearing after each other in a nice queue kind of fashion. So if we are really technical, and black and white: Theme 1: 00:00 Theme 2: 02:21 Theme 3: 04:00 Theme 4: 05:45 (I'm not saying it's exactly like this. The themes fade in and out of each other nicely. But still, this is the schedule, people.) The result of this is that at parties the DJ can pick any theme he likes best in the tune, and play that portion to the dancefloor. What it is to us other people in general, isn't that much at all. If you produce trance, you need a good theme that sticks in people's heads, and makes the floor move. What this tune should have been is a 3 minute trance tune with ONE theme. I like theme number two the most, with the nice piano the best. This piano theme is also the saddest theme in my opinion, and therefore also co-exists best with the track title. Other than this small lecture, the track sound quality is standard, as you'd expect from a good sounding tune. Yes, with today's tech, pretty much everybody can make standard sounding techno tunes. The structure is so so, because the structure has been drawn into proportion to make room for these several melodies. Not to mention the terrible ending of the track with a simple fade out (the same thing as you would do, by turning the volume down slowly. Cool huh? You can actually do this, without stopping the CD completely. Wow!) So the last thing here, is really a word of advice, rather than telling the artist what to improve. There really isn't anything to improve. The artist sure has imagination, and that is good. The trance theme is soothing and nice, which I hope should bring inspiration to beat-machine based trance fanatics. But Palko, stick to one theme next time, and you're certainly going to be less confusing to anybody listening to you. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 7.00 Structure: 3.00 Interest: 5.00 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 5.80 ARTIST: PASSION FOR RUSSIAN SONG: RACHMANINOFF CONCERTO NO.2 GENRE: CLASSICAL / CLASSICAL SIMILAR: CLASSICAL MUSIC [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Is it just me, or does this pan off a little weird? I mean, in the artist description, the artist tells us that his instruments used are: "Piano." But in "his" song I can hear strings, horns, drums, and well, the whole orchestra/concert experience in fact. So maybe the artist had some aid from his fellow concert members? Or maybe, this is some form of Karaoke thing, with the piano missing? Ah well, as Bill Paxton said in the movie Aliens: "Don't ask me, I only work here." What we have here is classical music, and I know what you are thinking. Classical music? What kind of classical music? Well, to tell you the truth, I don't really have a clue. I know what classical music is, but to go into describing what form of classical music this is, or what era it is from will be to difficult a task for me. The only thing I know is, that the song is not composed by the artist, but some fellow named: Rachmaninoff. Instead of me doing a lot of research about this dude, you can read the scoop here I know one thing though: There are two types of classical music in my humble approach to this world I know so little about: Classical music, and heartfelt classical music. The former type is the classical music I have little or no interest in. But the latter music that actually moves me in some way, manages to be the kind of music I want to hear more about. This is music for classical enthusiasts, and musical lovers alike. The piano played by Kui Min (the artist) works brilliantly with the WLU Symphony Orchestra (there, now I gave some credit to the orchestra as well.) In the end, this is classical music that should belong in every mp3 collection. It is dramatic, romantic, and powerful as beautiful mountains are. Ok, I tend to get too deep when listening to classical music. Sorry. This is brilliant reproduction of the great pieces of times past. Artists like Kui Min, (The Passion For Russian) help us who know little about classical music to get in touch with classical music, and maybe find a side of this music style that fits our own mood, and maybe even lifestyle. Brilliant Kui Min! Keep up the good work! I know I'll be checking out Rachmaninoff some time soon. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 9.50 Performance: 8.50 Recording Quality: 7.50 Long Term Appeal: 9.50 OVERALL: 8.70 ARTIST: PERENNIAL SONG: SONNET III [EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY] GENRE: FOLK / BEAUTIFUL FOLKMUSIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Here is a slightly particular treat that I stumbled across in my wake to discover new music. Short, but still strikingly honest, this piece has beautiful woman's vocals and a soft gentle guitar. What is even more curious is that vocals appear on (in my case) left speaker, and the guitar on the right speaker. Some may of course find this annoying, since maybe their speaker setting makes this a bit tedious. But in my case this was quite nice, because if I ever got tired of the vocal, I could play the sound from the right speaker, and if I got tired of the guitar.... Well, you get my drift. The tune gets the impression that the band is actually in the room, with the lady on the left, and the brilliant man or woman with the guitar on the right. I hope this piece was indeed played by two people, because if not, the speaker situation kind of leaves the whole thing in an awkward spot. What makes this piece so brilliant though, is that this is folk music. No electronically gadgets other than those used to record the music. Yes, you might ask "what makes this so brilliant?" I say brilliant, because it gets more and more seldom that I hear music as acoustic as this one anymore. All the plastics on the radio, and whatever else gets tiresome. So it is nice to breathe some natural music every once in a while. Call it an escape from the cityscape if you will to nature. (Me going deep for a moment there). The sound quality is very good, and the structure works fine, since it doesn't have to be so marvelous. In this case: A song begins, and ends. The structure needs on this songs merits not be explained more than that. What saddens me a bit though is that to some, and yes, maybe even to my own mind; this piece is too short to make any difference to me looking toward the folk music genre. It will work as a breather to the hard bass drums, and the ear thrashing keyboard hitting that may appear on any winamp list. Any collector of folk music will most undoubtedly worship this track and look forward to any other release the artist might have in the future. But to the noisier crowd, this tune will not be convincing enough to make them look another direction. I urge you though to check this track and the artists other tracks out as well. To the folk music spirits out there, if perennial's music is as good as this track, this really looks promising. They have listed their tracks as "poetry." To be quite fair, poets themselves don't need music to fascinate a crowd with their words. But maybe, you'll find perennial's music enough to satisfy your own self defined poetic justice. yours: christian lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 7.50 Structure: 6.00 Interest: 7.50 Lyrics: 10.00 Performance: 8.50 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 7.80 ARTIST: PETER DOYLE SONG: MUSIC IS SO WONDERFUL GENRE: ELECTRONIC / GARAGE SIMILAR: BAR1 [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "PETE DOYLE has been one of the UK'S top up and coming DJ's chasing the premier jocks for their position. Fired up with a passion and real talent - here lies the new blood of Clubland! His meteoric rise since his residency at Cafe Mambo (Ibiza) has seen him become one of the busiest in the new breed, not just content with DJing at weekends and getting busy in the studio all week Pete still finds time to party like there's no tomorrow." OK, something I pasted and copied from the artists page, now over to the cold facts: The music. Yes, PETE, this is not bad at all. This is house for house goers. The whole house track is pure house like no other. I don't think I have heard a house track yet that really defines the genre. Well, this track defines UK house. Believe me when I say this: This is good in the UK only. Ever since the house movement became a reallity in the UK, everything hasn't really accelerated into something marvelous. The UK house scene builds on the same old house formula that many other countries have advanced from ages ago. As an excuse to doing this, they actually invented the (call it sub-genre) garage. So, everytime they came out with a junk house tune some agent would say: "This ain't house, this is garage." I am not saying that this music is bad. I am sure there are lot of UK enthusiasts ou there that would really enjoy this thumping track. It is by no means bad actually, and is energetic as punch! Great vocals, and everything that a (should be) great house track should have. So why am I giving criticism? Well, I think it all has something to do with personal taste. I for one first encountered this type of house 10 years ago, and danced to this on a regular basis. But, I guess as I grew older, the UK didn't. So I turned my eyes on other options: I became familar with the ever growing Scandinavian house scene. Brands like HartHouse, XS2 the ravezone (house), and many great DJ's have developed the house genre into something expressive. France also has helped the house genre develop into a surviving, still growing strong "brand" as some would call it. House is by all heads a dying art. Trance is taking over more and more, and techno is in the shadows. But is there room for house? Yes, there is. But not in your ordinary conventional disco. There it is that "long live the beat and the conventional tripe rythm, with the commercial type melody" type deal. If house is to survive, it needs to be the opposite of trance: Personal, epxressive, and original. "Personal" means that it comes from the heart. Pure and simple. "Expressive" means that it has it's own personality, and doesn't build itself on countless clichèes, and a woman that know how to sing. "Original" is actually personal and expressive put together just to make a shout to the statement: It has to be unique to be any good. Unoriginal house music may sell, but it won't last. This tune had none of these words. Yes, again, this tune is great! But, if you ask the question if the house genre really needs another one of these? No, it doesn't. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 0.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 5.00 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 0.50 OVERALL: 4.40 ARTIST: PHAROHTIC SONG: AREA 52 - SGC GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE DITTY SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Area 52 - SGC is a trance tune with the progressional style in mind. This is trance, there is no doubt about that. The genre specs are all there, and it's almost as if this tune would be the tune to pick, if one was asked to describe the genre "trance" just through music. This tune is a 5:30 long beat experience, with echoing sounds of the progressional formula. There is nothing wrong with the production. The sounds are crisp, and neat. They aren't too loud, and make the tune triumph high on being a good piece of production. The piece in itself, fails to impress me though. I have heard so many trance-designs such as this before. There is little, or absolutely nothing about the tune that tries to give trance something new. This is something we've all heard before. If this was a few years ago, let's say 1997, I would have liked this tune most likely! But we are now in the middle of 2001, and trance like this has started to show its wear and tear. Of course, this is a matter of taste as all other things. Maybe it's just me who's an old sourcrout and have been with trance since it's beginning. (early 90's) and that this music will appeal to the more younger generation. As said before, the production is picture perfect. Imagine looking at a movie on VHS. You love the movie, so you want to buy the movie on the DVD format. Well, here I would like to say that you get this tune in "DVD quality" already. I have heard many tunes which have good sound quality, don't get me wrong. But this tune has that extra crisp sound, that you have too look long for. With other songs, the cymbal is either too high, the bass is too loud, or the beat too hard. Well, everything here seems finally tuned to the last detail. This means, that this song can be played on ANY stereosystem with no problem attached, with equalizers or without, and still sound good on earphones. Believe it or not, the sound of a song may vary on different systems. But the great sound quality will not help this tune much getting in trance heaven. The crisp sound quality doesn't diminish the fact that the same melody is used throughout the song (after the intro which ends on 1:43.) I am not saying that this tune is bad. Not by a long shot! It just doesn't appeal to me as something new. In the trance world of 2001, we need new trance to keep the genre alive. To me, this tune is just another one of those trance ideas that "is made for the dancefloor." The new slogan should be "re-invents the trance genre." Because as of right about now, the trance genre is in need of just this: New ideas, not old ones. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.50 Technical Skill: 7.50 Interest: 4.50 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 4.00 OVERALL: 5.70 ARTIST: PISCES SONG: LIFE WITHIN GENRE: ELECTRONIC / CHARISMATIC TRANCE SIMILAR: ATB (ALSO QUITE SMART) [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Another trance track is on the loose, but this time around it is a little bit more on the smart side than its brethren. The song starts with a smart rhythm worked around a great reverb. The track then builds itself up to a not-so original theme … but heck it works!! The reverberated rhythm continues playing along side the theme until 2:22 when the theme momentarily makes way for an innovative sound that builds the song even further. When the new sound gets inserted into the original theme it really starts developing into something incredible! It is weird how this tune keeps getting better and better as it goes on - not because it sounds totally dull in the start but because you soon realize that there is a heck of a lot of talent sitting behind the pads. Usually I have something against trance music because of the quantity of songs out today; but this tune is really something else because it has loads of personality. While “Life Within” isn't the most original tune it boasts so much talent and personality that it works quite well. This review is short and simple because there really isn't a lot to complain about. Most audiences will like this track. Even if you hate trance you will probably forgive this track for being in the trance genre and actually recommend this tune to your friends. Download this tune. I think you will like it as much as I did. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 7.50 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 9.00 ARTIST: PORCH DADDIES SONG: PLACE TO PUT YOUR HEART GENRE: FOLK / FOLK SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "Place to Put Your Heart" belongs in the folk music genre, although it does borrow some traits from country music. Porch Daddies are Michael Babb and Stephen Quigley who've been playing together "in some form" (as they like to put it) since 1996. With such a long time getting to know each other, and I would think a lot of experience with music before the meeting, talent is a phrase I don't have much trouble mentioning. The tune starts with a simple one, two, three, four drum, before the nicely coordinated but playful style fills the room, and a theme comes into play. The vocals, although not perfect, fit the "home sweet home" mood of this song to the tee, and really give this tune what little it lacked instrumentally. All of this combined is actually well recorded. Sound quality is by my ear bulletproof. The lyrics themselves aren't too complicated, and really do help a lot in keeping the simple and gentle atmosphere flowing. But yes, the lyrics are very well written, and with the "gotta have a Place to Put Your Heart" being repeated a bit throughout the track, help with the commercializing of the track, and melting it into the minds of any who listen to it. Also, just to be fair, this "effect" can be overdone, but I didn't feel that at all, since I was too busy enjoying the song, so there you go. What makes this track so special, is that it is easy to fall in love with. The groove (as I call it) is existent throughout the whole track, and really makes one tap some feet, and even dance or move to the music a bit. It's a simple song, with simple but good lyrics, and with an extremely powerful atmosphere. All this, and still being as humble as this tune is takes a lot of skill to accomplish. The result being that this tune will attach itself to anybody, with a taste for all kinds of music. Those who only listen to techno, or just listen to heavy metal, or classical might still be interested in this track, because this tune doesn't demand a lot of effort to be listened to. It isn't very hard to like, and that is probably this song's biggest achievement. Therefore, I can just add this to my own collection of memorable tunes, and recommend this tune with all my heart to every music lover out there. So, if you're looking for a place to put your heart, try this tune. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 8.00 Interest: 8.00 Lyrics: 8.50 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 9.00 ARTIST: POWERFUL BLUE SHOVELS SONG: TURN IT UP PART ONE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / HOUSE SIMILAR: LFO [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This is the same as a little bit less original LFO music, with some voice samples. There is actually nothing to complain about. The tune is well structured and manages to show a lot of sense from beginning to end. The recording quality is equally mastered with great performance. The artist hasn't put his music on mp3.com which has enabled his mp3 to be sampled at a 192 kbps bitrate. This means that the music will sound extremely crisp, and fresh. (mp3.com has a 128 bitrate standard, which limits the sound of the original wav file somewhat.) Commenting on what's wrong with the tune is actually looking at my own taste in music. I don't find this music very charismatic. In fact, this tune was a word I seldom use about music: Boring. So, if the music in itself has no obvious errors, and maybe even somebody else may like it, should I bash the tune? Both yes, and no. No, because I think that those who like the less noisy house sections will enjoy this tune. This is a great mello-out dance tune and will work well after a rampage of beats from many a commercial artist. Just turn of the trance and bring this tune in, aaaaaah you say, wonderful change in both a atmosphere, flow, and a severe noise reduction. My taste goes more to the tough and bold. Even though I wouldn't' even fantasize in my wildest dreams of rejecting this tune after a long hard rave, I still think that this tune doesn't make a rave alone. But this is of course just a BPM preference that I have. You may in fact like it. So I am going to stay very neutral when scoring this tune. Still, I do feel that the tune could have made a little bit more of itself. I understand what the artist wants to achieve, and it works great "in the mix." This tune will be a welcome change to any stomp beat that is being overused in today’s commercial world of trance, and trash. But as a standalone, it would leave people quite honestly, either dreaming, or simply bored. If you are a DJ, pick this one up now! Don't hesitate!! If you are a winamp man, decide for yourself when listening to this. Are you dreaming, or bored out of your mind? uhm... yours: Christian LoZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz........ yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 4.50 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 3.00 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.50 OVERALL: 6.30 ARTIST: PSICODREAMICS SONG: LONELINESS AND SADNESS WALTZ GENRE: ELECTRONIC / AMBIENT SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Firstly, calling this track New Age is wrong; "ambient" is a much better suited word for it. "Loneliness and Sadness Waltz" is a creation I really don't know what to make of. Firstly, for all the beauty that this track may hold, I don't see any real soul behind it. Every single sound that I hear in this song is a sample. Samples are great but you have to structure a track so you don't hear the sample imperfections! The low-frequency choir in the song is often out of tune, and sings on without paying any attention to where the tune is actually going. The tune doesn't try to follow the choir either, and this is where the "sample" assumption comes in. A real choir would try to follow the tune in some manner, whereas this sounds like a really bad cut/paste job. What's even worse is that the track tries to be so powerful that it gets cocky. This 2:05 song really is nothing to have on your play list if you want something authentic (as opposed to a bunch of samples pasted together). But, if it turns out that "Loneliness and Sadness Waltz" isn’t just samples -and the artist will surely tell me this later- how come the structure is so disfigured? Did the choir start singing too early? Too late, perhaps? If the name of this track was "The choir that were all stoned" I would have forgiven this tune entirely and given a much better score. As for record quality, I have no complaints. It’s mostly the structure that leaves everything a mess, and for this reason I don't see the potential in this tune. Maybe some people will forgive its shortcomings and download the track. The bottom line is that I wasn't impressed, captured, or even a little bit touched by this song. I just sat there, listening to a bunch of notes, pads and a displaced choir. NO, I did not listen to junk! I listened to "a bunch of notes, pads and a displaced choir." To me, this is another guy's hobby copy/paste thing, which will wind up in my humongous place of unchallenged oblivion. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 1.00 Technical Skill: 0.50 Structure: 2.00 Interest: 0.00 Recording Quality: 8.50 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 2.80 ARTIST: PÖHÖDUO SONG: VAUVA HUMPPA GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TOO LOUD SIMILAR: NINTENDO [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Pöhöduo is an artist that has produced a song that is recorded extremely high. It peaks on all sound monitors on my computer. I had to turn this tune all the way down, all the way down in fact! I have never heard a tune this loud before. >From what I heard, in the more soft parts of the track was that the instruments used sounded like the same sound my old Nintendo machine makes when I play megaman. I have nothing against this bleep, bleep sound. In fact, I think it's rather charming. But when these bleep bleeps, turn into honk honkedy honk honks, and threaten my speakers existence, I have to draw the line. So, eeh, "can somebody give me a healthy working environment, please? My poor speakers, booboo, abobobobo." What all this mumbo jumbo means is, don't under any circumstances download, play, or think about pressing the link below. Pöhöduo, lower the volume man! Submit a review here again, when you've gotten to know the volume button a little but more. Then I'll gladly review you again. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 4.50 Technical Skill: 0.00 Interest: 0.00 Recording Quality: 0.00 Long Term Appeal: 0.00 OVERALL: 0.90 ARTIST: RACHEL RODRIGUEZ SONG: CHEATERS NEVER CHANGE GENRE: COUNTRY / POP SIMILAR: SHANIA TWAIN [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Basically what we have here is a song about cheating in general. The genre is a sort of country / pop cross kind of thing, and would work okay if the subject wasn't cheating. This is something I will discuss further down below. Rachel Rodriguez's voice is excellent. A country star in the making I'd say, and the song is very well performed. Structure is tight, and concise, and mixes well with the message that the artist wants to tell us. Everything from start to finish is actually very well produced, and will most certainly be well recognized by people who're looking for a talent. So you might want to check this song out just because of these simple facts, because other than I'm what I'm about to mention further down below the song is great in all aspects. But since this is a lyric dominated song, one tends to concentrate on what the lyrics mean, or what story the lyrics are trying to tell. The conclusion really is that here we have a woman with a great voice, a great synthesizer, and a hideous message. "Cheaters never change" are the words, and "all they ever do is stay the same." The subject of cheating isn't really something you talk about. If I'd cheat, I wouldn't talk about it like it was something I was proud of. So this is basically a girl to girl song, about the artist finding out that cheaters never change. She is not doing any finger pointing, so I guess that men in general, never change. Hmm. Maybe the artist wants to be saying this is a song for girls to sing, if they find out their man is cheating? Well, gets someone going I guess. As said, this to me, is not country, but more a mixture between pop and country. In other words: bad combination for this subject. It actually sounds a whole lot like Shania Twain's sort of style. The song is well structured, and the build of the song actually works better than the lyrics themselves - because the plot of this song is, to say the least, disgusting. Cheating is something you talk to the one you're involved with, not something you sing to your friends about, in a happy voice even! Yes, this song is happy, oh so happy. I'm walking with a big smile on my face "I found out, cheaters never change!" Nope, it doesn't work. I'm not protecting cheaters in any way, no I'm not. Cheating is bad. But it's the way you bring it up the table that has to have some form, tone, and care. Rachel Rodriguez has a great voice and all. The sound quality of the song is good. But the awful thing about this song is that it speaks to girls in the cheapest way possible. YES, cheating is bad. YES, cheating is terrible. NO, you don't sing about cheating to girls like the way Rachel Rodriguez does here. The artist really wants to start a gender war with this one. Girlpower and all that rubbish! It would be better if the lyrics were more like "How could you do this to me, I'm all alone...I only loved you, but all you think about is your bone." Yes, it's tasteless, but at least here we would feel sorry for the artist, by either: A: Oh, did he cheat on you, you poor thing. (or) B: Oh, I feel sorry for you, your lyrics suck man! Ok, so Rachel Rodriguez's lyrical skills are better than mine, but I hope you get my drift. Girls are better at hiding their more "innocent" sins than us guys are. Rachel Rodriguez's song feels like another point the finger at every guy out there kind of song to me. Oh yes, when girls hear this song, we're going to have "girl-power" all over again. "Let us get all the "garls" together, and cut all of the guys private parts off. Can't we have a little guy-power, for once?!! Yes, I know, if I was a girl, I'd probably give this song a 10, and say "you go girl." But sorry. Last time I checked I wasn't a girl, nor am I the underdog who actually supports this kind of thrashing at all guys in general. Women are jealous, and this song is deadly. So as the guy I am, with my bone on the table, I say "I ain't a dog. So, Rachel Rodriguez, take your girlpower, elsewhere." yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.00 Technical Skill: 5.00 Structure: 7.00 Interest: 2.00 Lyrics: 0.50 Recording Quality: 7.50 Long Term Appeal: 3.00 OVERALL: 3.80 ARTIST: RIDDLER J SONG: BEEN TOO LONG GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ||HIP-HOP GOODNESS|| SIMILAR: TOO GOOD FOR THE SIMILAR [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from artist page: "Riddler J's first Christmas song takes a dark & gritty twist on this fine slice of Trip Hop. Rest assured, you ain't never heard anything like this 'til now! *Local No.1 Hit*" I wonder how big "local" is (?) Ah well... This is a sort of hip-hop ditty, with some uptuned electronic sounds to it. The attitude of this tune is quite fresh, and does not resemble the usual garbage hip-hop tracks I'm used to hearing on MTV. No, this is an original cut on the subject hip-hop, with great sounding vocals, and uhm, eeh, a fairly average electronic theme in the background. Yes, this is hip-hop, and since the electronic music isn't supposed to be the "main attraction" anyway, I'm not going to give them much attention (since the main attraction are the vocals.) But I can say that it all works:) The structure is good, and the sound quality is beyond my expectations. The atmosphere is sort of sinister, and the theme is a kind of clever take on what the artist calls his Christmas song for 2001. (Be that 2002 probably, since this review is way overdue.) Actually, everything about this tune is close to perfection hip-hop wise. It doesn't have the good old clichés that your usual hip-hop masters like EmineM, or the other brothers of the black flavor produce. But this has a tremendous freshness about it that should make this a hit wherever. In the end, we have a masterpiece in the hip-hop genre. The thing stopping it, is maybe the fact that it will, to many, come as a surprise. Many will not even recognize this track, and live to enjoy it. The genre really needs inventive material such as this, and this song should be hailed by fans, and record labels everywhere. I just hope this review helps the artist in any way possible. I am already a bigger fan of hip-hop with this artist on the map. Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 8.00 Interest: 8.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 8.70 ARTIST: RIVERTRIBE SONG: EVENING STORM GENRE: ELECTRONIC / NEW-AGE, AMBIENT SIMILAR: DEEP FOREST, VANGELIS, [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Firstly, let me just say that the song I am about to review is not downloadable. You cannot get this song by clicking on some link. You have to buy a CD to get RiverTribe's material. You may ask if buying the CD is worth your buck, since we are here for the downloads right? Well, just read my review, and I'll answer that question later. I'll get right to the good stuff. What I heard was a 9-minute masterpiece to say the least. I'm not going to begin to guess at how the sound of this material has come to these heights, but I am seriously considering buying RiverTribe’s CD myself. What makes this song incredible, is in the simple charm that it creates the same atmosphere as the title of the song; Evening Storm. The musical atmosphere contained herein is so powerful, and tender at the same time that you'll get swept away. RiverTribe doesn't really need my review to know that they are good; I seriously believe that they are here on GOM to be discovered by the people at GOM as well. Fair enough! There is one thing that has to be mentioned though, to be fair to other artists who can't afford the expensive stuff. I have heard a lot of music that really defines excellence without that much equipment. A guy can have all the gear in the world, and still make rubbish. It also goes without saying, that to make RiverTribe’s music you would need a serious amount of equipment to get music such as this so rich in detail. This is not cheap music, made on samplers or anything else. This is as real as electronic music can ever get, (if this is electronic music, and can be called that.) So again, RiverTribe is in my eyes not good because of the sound quality or any of the effects used. But I saw the obvious talent behind this song, which the song actually proves for me. To describe the music in short words (God forbid): A soundscape made up of sounds taken from the forest (maybe also even sounds taken in an actual Evening Storm) is introduced. Then the theme of the song enters the scene, and really lures you in. Finally, you will discover the wonder, and magic of this ambient piece, when you experience the whole 9 minutes: Really relaxing, soothing, and natural born amazing. There really isn't anymore to say. I am going to stop right here so you can listen for yourself. Know this: Music like this shouldn't be made available for download. When it sounds this good, the artist deserves your full attention. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 10.00 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 9.60 ARTIST: SARENA TYLER SONG: 3 AM GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: EARLY 90S UK TECHNO [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken from the artist's page: "Sarena is known for spinning a more Garage and Deep House set. No one took her serious[sic] when playing Trance or Progressive House." Sarena states "What better way to be taken serious[sic] than making the music". This is a trance tune that begins nicely with a relaxing soundscape. Then the trance starts: A mix between trance and garage (without the vocals). That this artist is a pro shouldn't be denied, just visit her web page and you'll see what I’m talking about. However, the problem with 3 AM is that the theme is extremely stretched out. It does however have its variations, featuring everything from electronic piano to electronic guitar. This is not the sort of trance that I am used to on mp3.com, and whilst this is refreshing for a change it's just too original for comfort. This type of music is meant for turntables where the DJ decides the structure. However in the mp3 environment it just gets old fast. The worst thing about this track actually has nothing to do with the music, but rather with the quality of the sound. It peaks on several occasions, especially when the loud bass hits in. I can tolerate sound peaks. Sometimes loud sound is just what the dancer ordered. But when the bass sounds as this, above maximum as it is, it really injures the whole track. Overall this is a piece for DJs who want a nice oriental song in their collection. If you burnt this song to a CD then you'd have a great song even without the turntable, to mix with something else of course. But for every day listeners, this is a track that should be listened to first, before being downloaded. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.50 Technical Skill: 2.50 Interest: 4.50 Recording Quality: 0.00 Long Term Appeal: 4.00 OVERALL: 3.30 ARTIST: SCRAPEX SONG: STIGMA GENRE: ELECTRONIC / DRUM 'N BASE SIMILAR: KINGS OF DNB MINUS STRUCTURE [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This song starts with some fairly below average sounds panning from left to right. But the kinder garden sounds quickly diminish, as a quick, tasty, and intelligent beat enters the scene. This beat resembles something that Drum and Base sounds like, so that is what I've called the sub-genre. You'll have to judge for yourself, if this is correct. At 02:00 the kinder garden sounds re-enters the stage, but this time in a more innocent form, to then leave again. Strange. Hmm. The sound of this tune, is close to unique, as I haven't exactly heard this kind of sound before. A minute or so later the evil kinder garden sound, which actually sounds like electronic violins smashed against a wall, help the tune develop. But, uuuh, when is the main theme coming around? It seems the structure of this tune is a bit deformed: It's missing the main part! Or, maybe there isn't any? Well, I thought of everything I've heard this far as a build up to something horrific (in the good sense of course!) But since this part I'm speaking of, never came did it. Ah well. The most exciting part of the track, is near the ending actually when there is only 1 minute and 10 seconds of the track left. Then things really start to cook; we're talking 20 more IQ points of beats, more intelligent sound effects, and some of the horror I wanted. But too late I suppose, cos it was over so quickly. Ah well. Back to the drawing board. If you like drum 'N Bass, that sounds great sound-wise, but doesn't seem to go anywhere (till it's too late) this puppy, is for you. Maybe the awesome last minute is worth waiting for? Your call. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.50 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 2.50 Interest: 4.50 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 6.10 ARTIST: SINIK SONG: KILL YOUR MAKER GENRE: ALTERNATIVE / INDUSTRIAL [DARK] SIMILAR: NINS ELECTRONIC SIDE [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This tune starts with a sort of spooky introduction. Quite interesting is the way the artist has used his vocals, or some sample to create the atmosphere along with the dark atmosphere that this introduction creates. Guessing from the genre, this ain't an ambient tune so there will surely be some beats soon. There we go! At 1:29 the beats hit in. I can already tell, that my own musical preference will influence the score of this tune somewhat. This is exactly the kind of electronica I think is intelligent enough to stay in minds of the people, long enough to be recognized as something of a breakthrough. I don't know how to interpret the title of the track "kill your maker", but guessing from the sounds used, I would guess some robots that are tired of being controlled by their creators, and go on a killing rampage. Somewhere on 4:35 the outro comes in, which is a nice ending to a brilliant song. I liked this song a lot, so I have to use the elimination method to give the scores. The tune surely holds a lot of charisma. Since I found myself somewhere in a dark place, computerized, highly technical, evil, and distorted. Brilliant! The technical skill, and recording quality within is unquestionable. The tune has been recorded at max, with no distortion in sound. That takes experience and high-tech gear to accomplish. My interest in this track is obvious, so I highly recommend this to dark-theme enthusiasts, and DJ's who are willing to play something a little bit different on their conventional dance floor. This may not appeal to the mere portion of the people who stay away from dark tunes, such as this one. But to the rest of us(:), wear something black, look fierce, press play, and start the mechanic dance. Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Structure: 9.50 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 8.50 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 8.50 ARTIST: SOLAR EXPLOSION SONG: A NEW DIMENSION GENRE: ELECTRONIC / PROGRESSIVE TRANCE SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] The first thing that met me when I entered the artist's page, was a quite cool look at the page itself. This has of course nothing to do with the song I was going to review, but it is the first impression...kudos to the page designers. This is actually the second time I listened to this tune, because my first review of this track wasn't as good, so it didn't get through the G.O.M editor crew :) Well, probably just as well. The song starts off with a sample, and then all that trance goodness hit my speakers. If you like progressive trance, this is the tune for you. Both bass, and the melody are aggressive and gives the tune a "hardcore" feel to it. My first impression of this tune was not good, but after listening to this tune a second time, I actually grew to like it a lot better. I think that this is a dance tune that will grow on you. You might say that I am having a good day, or that I was hit on the head, but that has nothing to do with the music in itself. I like this song, it's that simple. The trance tune as a whole isn't really a stand out compared to some other trance I have heard, but it does shout out what it wants. No nonsense. It will make the dancefloor move and isn't that what most dance music wants to do? As a pure dancing experience, this tune is close to excellent. It knows when to take a break, and let the dancers rest for a while, before it continues it's progressive attack on speakers everywhere. The bass has a sort of "whoa" sound, so I guess it will feel extra nice on a huge stereo system (I only have a couple of headphones from Sony..) Shortly said, nothing new. But the tune stands on its own as a standout progressive trance tune, highly recommended for any dancefloor, and as a great listen for trance lovers everywhere. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 7.00 Structure: 7.50 Interest: 7.50 Recording Quality: 8.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 7.70 ARTIST: SOUNDWAVE CHILDREN SONG: SHINNING (303MIX) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / HARD TRANCE SIMILAR: CYBERPUNK RELATED TRANCE [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Firstly, I can't help but wonder if "Shinning (303mix)" is actually spelled wrong. Maybe the artist means "the shining." But I checked the artist page thoroughly for any clues at spelling mistakes, but the artists English skills are up to par. So, "shinning" has to be some playing with titles on the artists part. The tune itself doesn't really get any structure till 2:55. Before that, it's a clash of noisy beats, melody, and other gadgets which I can't name the name of. Shinning (303mix) is hard stuff! The bass/beat tends to shove some of the music in the background out of the way. It's actually when we don't have so much going on in the track that the song improves. But the moments were this happens are alas, quite few. I say "alas" because, this is not what I think hard house should be. Maybe the problem is that I don't know you get when you mix "303-Acid-Tekno dark-cross over" together, or what that means." The only thing I can relate this song to, is hard house. The song would be great if some of the strings in the background could be more apparent, but instead the strings (that were so strongly needed) are replaced by the continuos synth loop that goes on and on from 06:00 minutes till the end of the track. If I made a rave, and called the theme "cyberpunk" I think this track would fit in well here. Shinning (303mix) is chaotic, noisy, and energetic. Maybe it would be fitting for a Blade 2 soundtrack? Ah well, no matter. The strings that I mentioned that starts at 02:00, could have ended this track so much better! It would have been beautiful I say! Maybe given this track a symbolic ending. But instead, with the synth loop going on and on, I can't say I know what the artist wants to tell me, or wants to achieve on the dance floor. The track lacks meaning, and is just too noisy, even for hard house. The track does have potential though: Even with all the noise, it would have been the move of a genius to involve the strings a bit more in the song. But as it is now, it holds no candle in my heart, or in my head. My headache doesn't help it much either. Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.50 Technical Skill: 3.50 Structure: 2.00 Interest: 6.00 Recording Quality: 6.50 Long Term Appeal: 6.00 OVERALL: 4.40 ARTIST: SPLIT EFFECT SONG: FREEZE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / EARLY 90S NEW AGE SIMILAR: BRIAN ENO, VANGELIS, JMJ [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] The tune starts with your basic 1, 2, 3, 4 drum rhythm. It sounds as though it really isn't going to go anywhere at all, and that the whole production was going to be a laughingstock. Until, of course, the impatient little me listened for a few more moments. What comes next, on top of the 1, 2, 3, 4, is a tune that manages to catch me in my more frustrated form of moods, and calm me down. Freeze is very much like the electronic music served up by Gods like Vangelis, and Brian Eno, back in the day when "dance-rhythm" wasn't really invented yet for electronic music; back when electronic music was referred to as new-age, and when only intellectual people listened to the "CDs with the weird covers." "Freeze" takes me back to this beautiful but pressurized period, when record labels wanted to find people like "Prodigy" and "2 Unlimited" to spice up the electronic genre somewhat. But before these two came along, electronic music could be found along side with classical music. Freeze is what we today call "ambient," one of the genres that escapes the cheezy beat genres of today. It is also a beautiful ambient tune at that. It claims the right to the title "Freeze" because not only does it try to get you thinking about a cold environment, it really IS cool ("ahem".) If you are one of the more newer generation of people who've grown up with trance and techno, this might be a tad too "soft" for your liking. But if "soft" is the filling you enjoy, or if you are of the more "back in the day" people (such as myself), maybe you too will find a space in your heart for this tune. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 8.50 Long Term Appeal: 7.50 OVERALL: 8.50 ARTIST: STACY GOLDEN SONG: JUST ANOTHER DAY GENRE: POP / FUNKPOP SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Artist description taken from MP3.com: "Stacy Golden approaches songwriting from a lyrical point of view creating a musical vehicle for the words underneath. The music is accessible and yet unique but always melodic with interesting twists and turns throughout. To bring all this to life, she sings with an intensity that makes each word tell a story. She draws inspiration from many musical forms to culminate in an adult alternative/contemporary pop that is funky, edgy, soulful and reflective." Stacy Golden seems to be a serious artist, with a strong message at hand. Her music, is yes, very "lyrical", as it were. The lyrics are very well written, in funk-english of course, so now you know there aren't a bunch of spelling mistakes in them. So yes, both the vocal and the message being spread is A-OK. But, uhm, ehem, eeh, there is little musical content whatsoever in the song. The vocal seems extremely focused, and shoves the music somewhat in the background. This of course, when the vocal is as powerful as it is here, the music has to be quite humble. This gives this tune the same attributes as rap, for instance. If you don't like rap, there isn't much to listen to in the music, because the music is either missing, or it has been ripped from a copyright. On the other hand, this is far from rap genre-wise. But if you took away the vocal on this tune, what are you left with? A cheesy funk loop. That's right, there is no melody. The singing is extremely good, but except for the guitar riff at 2:22 this song lacks what I would call a theme. It's just the message, some funk, and that's it. You should be my guest and check it out for yourself. Surely you are more funky than I am. Stacy Golden will go far, I'm sure of it. But a song has to have a theme that is catchy as well. If there is no theme to speak of, we have an awkward situation on our hands, now don't we? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.00 Technical Skill: 8.00 Interest: 3.00 Lyrics: 8.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 5.80 ARTIST: STANDARD FORM SONG: ORACLE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / PROGRESSIVE TRANCE SIMILAR: WESTBAM [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken straight from the artist’s page: "A happy sounding trance tune which is in my opinion my best produced trance track yet. It symbolizes how I feel right now. The worst is over and I predict good things to come in the summer :) Enjoy, Oracle." STANDARD FORM is an artist backed by 303Infinity, so the artist has to be in good hands then right? Straight to business now. ‘Oracle’ is a quite original attempt at trance. This is trance, yes, but the structure of the tune is very intelligent, not too complex, and keeps a long distance from the basic 1, 2, 3 phenomena. In my ears it is this kind of music that will renew the trance genre in general. This is obviously what everybody should be talking about when referring to good trance. The bongo drums and intelligent theme inserted with different variations are quite unique indeed. There has obviously gone a lot of practice into making this. Creating this kind of a musical structure takes familiarizing with ones skill, equipment, and a little research in what the public wants. I can clearly see this welcomed by DJ's around the world because of its ingenuity and energy. There is a lot of junk out there, and I am not only talking about the free music available on the Internet such as on services as mp3.com. The elements that make this tune attractive are two things that are extremely important to a trance track: It has to be danceable, this so people can dance to the song. It has to have a nice theme. Seeing the balance between these two is difficult. If a track is too dancy, the track will not go into people’s heads, and that can be devastating for a trance tune. A trance tune has to have some sort of theme to at least have some personality or charisma. A track should never be just built for the dance floor. This will kill it, in the long run. But on the other hand, if the track is too melodic, it will sound cheesy or overdramatic. A trance track that is too melodic will not encourage people to dance, but will rather make them sit their butts down and listen. Trance was made for dancing, so if people are sitting on the dance floor then we have a serious issue that I'm not going into details about. On a more sound-quality note, there is a slight problem with the sound being too high when all the instruments shove in at the end, but this is a slight problem which isn't too important. People will tend to ignore such cases, if the overall product is fascinating. The other problem that I should mention which is a far more important one is that some may not recognize this is as trance at all. The song may be too complex for some. Others may actually go at stating: "Were the heck is the basic sample of a woman moaning, and the simple intro-build-main-down-outro trance structure that I love so much?” The answer is "Not here, try another trance tune." But to those who want to dance to trance, with an IQ, you should really check this out. I recommend this tune to all trance hearts out there. As for myself, I prefer something of the more experimental nature, but that's just me; I love this tune, don't get me wrong. I have a smile on my face, because I know many of you godsofmusic.com readers will enjoy this track. But probably the most important thing: To those who love electronic music, but have grown to loathe trance, this is a breath of fresh air. So you should really listen to this. It deserves your full attention. Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 10.00 Structure: 9.00 Interest: 8.50 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 9.10 ARTIST: STARCHASER SONG: IT'S EVIL GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE SIMILAR: TRANCE CLASSICS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] What you are probably wondering, is, how can a trance tune of any sort get a 9.9. You are probably wondering if I have a screw loose. Well, here you go, what follows is my reasoning: The difference between this trance tune, and so many other trance tunes I have heard can only be described in one word: "Unique." This is a trance tune that defines what will save the trance genre in the years to come. We all know that the trance genre has become dry and dull. What this tune does, is take the basic formula, and builds on it. In the end, the result is something truly outstanding. This tune is a pure delight to my ears: It has 7 or 10 changes in melody. Normal (mp3.com style)trance tunes have 0. There is also smart use of a sample in the tune. The tune is six minutes long, and that is normally a minute too long for a trance tune. Trance tunes should try to not cross the 5 minute limit. Just wait till you hear this tune. Believe me, you will find the length just right. The tune has a an intro, a build, a main theme, and an ending, like so many other trance tunes. But, what makes this trance tune excellent compared to the other works I have heard is that this tune is just plain innovative. It stands out amongst the crowd. OK, so I have now answered a lot of questions why this tune is delicious. But, have I answered the most important question? Uhm, now that I re-read, no. So, why did I give this song a 9.9(??!!) If I were to compare this tune to every trance tune ever made, it would be on the top 20. But if I narrow this tune down to just mp3.com, this is the best trance tune on mp3.com at the moment. Of course, I haven't listened to every trance tune ever made but I have listened to a lot of trance, and feel I haven't missed a lot through the years. The only thing I found to complain about with "It's evil" is this: I don't think the "it's evil" sample is the artists own. I am not sure where I've come across this sample. But I think it is from some horror movie or something. If the copyright holder of this sample finds out, there is gonna be trouble. But that is just a minor problem. Because this tune is HUGE. It isn't just the tune, but the principle; The trance genre needs a cure. The word trance, associated with a song, has become a curse. OMD's like mp3.com, pollute the trance genre, telling the world that crap trance, is good. This is wrong. If I was the doctor for the trance genre, "It's evil" by Starchaser is one of the cures I would issue. Take two listens and call me in the morning. Yours: http://www.mp3.com/xanitra yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 10.00 Structure: 10.00 Interest: 10.00 Lyrics: 9.50 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 9.90 ARTIST: STARLINE SONG: WHO YOU ARE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / 2001 TRANCE SIMILAR: ALICE DEEJAY [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Starline, and I come from the same city in Norway: Trondheim. Even though many will say that the capital "Oslo" creates more music because of its size, I would have to say that Trondheim has the quality, Oslo the quantity. But anyhow, I'm here to review, not to talk chit chat. Starline is one woman, Line Stjernen, and the talent behind "Boombox" (whatever that is (according to the artist herself.)) I've heard many a tune from Starline, being high up on the charts as she is. But I've never really taken a liking to any of her material, except this tune. This tune isn't so mainstream as much of her other material. This is in fact her best tune, so putting this song up for a review, was the right call. To make a long story very short: Trance was clean of the vocals about 7 years ago, but more people have been looking towards trance since artists started blending the blessings of singing, with the usual trance formula. The result: A more mainstream trance, which more people would love, than the old-school trance I grew up with. Starline's tune "Who You Are" manages to break a little bit free of the mainstream trance today, and actually surpass the artists we know on MTV and radio stations around the world. We've all heard Alice Deejay and her tunes. Well, Starline's work isn't far from the genre that Alice Deejay is in. Except that "Who You Are" feels a little more heartfelt than the plastic rubbish produced from the other corner. If we leave the singing out though, we are left with trance. Trance with nothing original about it, and no real drive for the dancefloor. It's the singing by Starline herself that makes this tune a nice tune. The rhythm, which is highly technical, may not be suited for all dancefloors. But this is good for driving, singing along to, mainstream dancefloors, and radio plays. Yes, I do think if Starline attempted a play at the Norwegian radio stations here in Norway, it would hit home with many people. I highly recommend this tune to ANYBODY reading this review of mine. Starline has here produced a winner, in everything that "winner / to win" says in the dictionary. I say that "ANYBODY" can listen to this tune because it is gentle in the way it presents itself. This tune is not excellent in one field, but is a great all rounder. It's very humble, and still manages to get the message through. This with the help of the nice theme, great rhythm, and Starline's singing. I like this tune, there is no doubt about it. But I represent those individuals who love the more experimental touch to music. So, I can never fall in love with this type of music. My particular taste is in the more hardcore/experimental part of electronic music. That's my taste, pure and simple. But pay no attention to me. We experimental folk are few. If you are one of these "individuals" though, you should know I said what I said, before listening. "Who you are" is an astonishing achievement, that should be heard by all of you. Take a little time off, and press play on this track. I know you'll love it. It will touch your heart, and move your body somewhat as well. As for me (the old "sauerkraut"), I'm heading off to the experimental plane, once again. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 7.50 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 6.50 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.00 ARTIST: STEFAN KOOPMANSCHAP SONG: _CONNECT() GENRE: ELECTRONIC / MINIMAL SIMILAR: L.F.O [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] It's nice to relax for a change, with something other than trance. This song is minimal, and is best described using as few electronic instruments as possible. The song is simple. Extremely simple. It consists mainly of some hardcore-resembling sounds as an introduction, and a simple theme tune that builds itself up later on. The song is not long, and seems to me to be a little unfinished. If it was finished, in Stefan's ears, than why do I think not? Probably because the theme itself says nothing to me. It doesn't grasp me, interest me, or move me, like most other minimal tunes I've heard. Yes, the track is well produced. The sound is what can be expected, but nothing spectacular. The almost hardcore beats -- that aren't too loud -- make the track a very unique experience, but it's the theme melody that needs some work. Artists like L.F.O, Autechre, and Aphex Twin even, have already been here before with worse sound quality tunes than this one. But the themes used there moved me, they made me dance, and made me want to go buy a CD and ask the guy in the counter if he'd heard that special tune, by that special unknown someone before. This is a tune best suited to those new to the genre, and the people that need a flying start at what minimal really is. So to those of you who've gotten tired of the trance plaque, I urge you to check this one out for something different to your mp3 collection. With me, it could also have been a little longer in length to give it more depth at what this track was trying to tell me. But I think that those who are newcommers to the minimal genre will like this one a whole lot. Me? I'm off to find myself a minimal experience with more heart than this one. yours, christian lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.50 Technical Skill: 4.50 Interest: 3.50 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 5.10 ARTIST: STRAYDOG SONG: RHYTHM NATION GENRE: ELECTRONIC / EXPERIMENTAL TRIP HOP SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] When you have an artist like Straydog you'll know you'll get something experimental. Of course, the music gives Straydog the name. Straydog's music is a form of an experimental form of trip-hop, kind of techno mixture. Using copyright samples from various locations, the artist has managed to make a really fresh take on electronic music. It's all so fresh, that people will be dancing just because this is entirely new, and will cast a new sparkle on the dance once again. Structure in this one is quite messy. From some point of view, experimental music really needs no structure. But I'm going to go with the average listener on this one, and be a bit picky. The song changes in speed in the start to finish. From the trip-hop mood it has in the beginning, to the rather gabber-speed finish (with the same trip-hop drums.) So many will fall out of the wagon halfway through. Sound quality is near perfect though. There isn't much to complain about at all. In fact, nope, there isn't anything to complain about. I tend to like the sound more round than this, but that is just a personal preference of mine. I think the metallic sound that electronic music gets from "perfect sound" makes it even more artificial than the name would have it, and removes some of the humanity that this form of music also has. But no matter. This is your chance to relieve yourself on something that I found extremely refreshing. Great for car-cruising, dancing, and grooving. But, uhm, as a sit down listen, this one can get a little bit of a hassle. But I'll leave that one open to you, "the viewer" to decide. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 8.00 Structure: 5.50 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 8.50 ARTIST: STYLOPHONE SONG: ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS GENRE: ELECTRONIC / JAZZY IDM SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This is probably the most jazz influenced IDM piece I've ever heard. If not that, it surely has some style towards that genre. This piece is very special in that it really is an unusual experience. The tune starts with a very funky groove in the very beginning, and when 0:46 hits, a casio keyboard flavour instrument starts kicking in. The casio keyboard hammering seems much louder than much of the other atmosphere in the tune, so the tune really gets a new face once this happens. In my opinion, the main attraction (casio sound) could have been lowered to give way for the soothing atmosphere that was already there in the beginning. Some should say that this was a minor fault, but my opinion is that the rest of the tune gets old pretty fast with the casio hammering on my speaker. It gets better at around 1:15 because then the casio keyboard seems to fit more into the piece and it actually sounds like the music is going somewhere. But 2:29 proves that the casio hammering was meant to be there for a purpose, or just a clear final tweaking errors of volume levels. The structure works though. Everything makes sense from start to finish. The facial the tune gets with that casio keyboard is astounding; it completely changes the tune. For the better? Well, I'd have to say the volume IS too high on that casio keyboard thingy. Other than that, this is really a charming tune. The playful playing on the keyboard will appeal to many. So I urge you to indeed check it out. I did like the ending a great deal, because the ending really was spectacular in its efficiency. I still hold my ground though, about the volume on that main instrument. It should have been lowered somewhat, and on some occasions lowered more than slightly. But that is just what is coming out of my speaker. Since I have made it as a personal rule to not tweak a tune with my own equalizer (to be most fair) I can't do that. But if you do some equalizer work on this baby and save the settings you made, I think you have something here that you will both enjoy, and play often. You'll be running to the loft for that old casio keyboard, that's for sure. Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.50 Technical Skill: 7.00 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 6.50 Recording Quality: 4.50 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 6.90 ARTIST: SUNG JOON KIM SONG: TULLER WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GENRE: INSTRUMENTAL / INSTRUMENTAL SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This is a sort of a love theme with piano, a violin, a cello, and (amazingly) a harp (or something) in the composition as well! The artist's own personal goal is to become a composer for film. I don't see this goal as entirely impossible. With this artist's talent, and a little help from his friends (who play some instruments in the tune) and internet independent music gaining more and more fame and fortune, who knows? The song is very "light", with no complex structure, or theme changes for that matter. This is one thing that gives it a very "being in a film quality" feel. The studio wanting to buy this theme for a film wouldn't have to change much production-wise either, because of very high sound quality and good atmosphere with not too much reverb. Brilliant! What makes this tune's audience a bit scarce though, is that people who actually like structures that are complicated, with a theme that surprises you as much as amazes you, will probably harass this song for its easy going nature. But to all else: I recommend this song to any playlist I know. If you're a music loving fan, and need a theme for your role-playing game, playing with toys (Lego's, Transformers, etc.) and need a love theme for two of your characters, this is EXACTLY the theme for you. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.50 Technical Skill: 8.00 Structure: 6.00 Interest: 8.50 Performance: 10.00 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.40 ARTIST: SYNCOPE SONG: SKY GENRE: ELECTRONIC / JAZZY DOWNTEMPO SIMILAR: NIGHTMARES ON WAX [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] I really though this was going to be another bass stomper. Another one of those "here I am, hear me roar" tunes. I was dead wrong on that one. "Sky" is a tune well suited for chilling out to. It's not in the "Chill Out" genre, but is very much close to it. The tune has the ability to whisk you away into the city, cruising in your car, with a soda and mini-umbrella on the side. That is what the tune did to me at least. Thank God for imagination. The groove and obvious jazz influence that this tune carries gives this tune a light but powerful groove, which to many will deliver a smile. To others, this tune will be a little too quiet. Individuals who want the tunes that take control from second one, should stay clear of "sky" by Syncope. But those who want a relaxing experience, and an inspirator, not a conductor, should go press the link to the artist page at once. I'm not going to tell you anything about the tune, on how it is and so on. I've given you the genre specifications, and hinted at its beauty. The rest is up to you, the reader, to explore. What I can say, though, is that the tune is well structured. Everything makes a lot of sense such as when the song starts, excels, calms down, and ends. There is no experimentation in the way this tune has been put up. This way is best, in my opinion, to not kill off the chill-feel this song gives out. For some reason, I couldn't find the review of Syncope's "yourname", which according to the artist has already been reviewed by godsofmusic.com. But I can tell Syncope this: this is another review for you guys to paste on your page and be proud of. Because your music truly is something to be proud of. Great stuff. yours: Christian Lowensprung: yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 8.00 Structure: 10.00 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 8.50 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 8.70 ARTIST: THE CHRISTMAS TREE SONG: DECOMPRESSION GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONICA SIMILAR: STATE4, SPARK, AUTECHRE [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] What I have discovered here is a band with a wonderful song. I'm not going to be more complex than that - this song rules in every way known to man. This song doesn't confine itself to any genre, or become any more elaborate than that it starting from electronica at its base and building from there. The percussion is a breakbeat of sorts, but to label this song as Breakbeat music is just wasting the time of the genre’s enthusiasts. Few words can describe this experience in detail, so I won't give it much effort. You'll just have to listen to this piece of artwork yourself. As far as technical quality goes, the song is close to perfect. There are moments when the song overdoes it in the bass department and distort svery fragile speakers, but that is a problem for those who have fragile speakers. Hehehe. I am going to keep this review short and recommend this to every person who likes the music of Aphex Twin, FSOL, or Autechre (and, if you are familiar to mp3.com, some rarer artists like Spark and State4). If you have never heard of any of these artists you have a choice: you can either experience something wonderful or … well … ehh … I have actually spoken to people who don't like this type of music. These people, who tend to stick to basic trance and formal techno music, will not enjoy this song much. But if you are familiar with the artists mentioned above this song is one of the new classics for this type of music! Download now or die trying!! Uhm, and, ehem, if you are a techno/ trance slave who wants to free your mind then you are of course welcome to download too:) yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 8.00 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 9.20 ARTIST: THE ELYSIUM FACADE SONG: MERIDIONAL GENRE: NEW AGE / NEW AGE SIMILAR: BRIAN ENO, VANGELIS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] When an artist tells me to pick a song on their page, I usually have a hard time since this makes me influence the score that is supposed to be for the artist. Not my pick of tune. But I picked the tune on the top of the artist page, and didn't go to the trouble of listening to which track was the best. If I should get a spanking for this, will have to be up to the gods. This extremely dark New-Age piece I encountered was extremely well recorded. The sound is perfect. By my own personal experience I know that recording a tune like this isn't the hardest thing to do. A trance tune is more difficult, because you have to get the beat just right, not too hard, and not too soft either. While here, I felt the atmosphere was the thing that was well recorded. The atmosphere of this track will fill your speakers with a warm touch, not overwhelming them, and not being annoyingly low either. Nice:) Since this is New Age, this isn't something to talk about structure-wise. There basically is none. There is just an atmosphere. A good New-Age freak once wrote: "It isn't what you make, it is what you record." What he probably meant by this was going out in nature, and recording "nature" and calling it New Age. This is what New Age is. It's creating an atmosphere, and not even touching the world of structure-based tunes, were beats, builds, intros, and all those are essentials. "This tune lasts a long time!" I hear you say, but, heck, 11 minutes went by like water to me. I drifted away in the mood "The Elysium Facade" had "recorded" for me. It isn't that this music is totally mind-blowing, but it is extremely relaxing, and sets you in an emotion. It lets you think more clearly than other music does, and it surely calms stress, as well as pain of every day life. I know not all of you will like this track as warmly as I did, but please bear with me: I will recommend this tune to everybody, even those not used to New-Age music. This tune serves its purpose well. This is New Age, and deserves to be called just that. It's soothing, relaxing, calm, and fascinating, all at the same time. Highly recommended. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 6.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 8.50 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 7.00 OVERALL: 7.80 ARTIST: THE PARTS THEY LEFT OUT SONG: YES YOU DO TRY(VOICE OVERDRIVE REMIX) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / EXPERIMENTAL SIMILAR: EEH [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Eeeh.. When I pressed play on this I didn't really know what to think. I mean, I have never heard of the genre voice scape before, so I am probably not the right person to say if this is a good piece of "voice scape" work at all. I have to stick with what I know is good, and what I know is not. I am not saying that this ain't good. I can not say that, because I don't have anything to compare this to. The piece that is approximately a little over a minute, is a bunch of vocals mixed together, and that's about it. I can't even make out if the vocals are an attempt at singing, or anything to that effect at least. What I heard is, to me, not music. I am here to write reviews on music, and not, uhm, "voice scape?" The only thing I do know for sure, that I did not like this whatever it was. I don't need to know anything about genres to understand otherwise. But I also feel that somebody obviously went through a lot of trouble to make this, and it wouldn't be fair to review somebody's hard work which I have absolutely no clue as to how to appreciate this kind of... stuff. So, uhm, I guess that's what I had to say about this "song." The only fact is that I didn't like this. I didn't really dislike it either but it didn't appeal to me one bit. Since I don't have anything smart to say that can technically be proven historywise, or even relate to a subject about the genre you call "voice scape," I am going to leave the scores quite open. So no criticism, no roses either. If you do want to enlighten me on a good piece of "voice scape" please let this humble reviewer know. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 3.50 Technical Skill: 7.50 Interest: 5.00 Recording Quality: 5.00 Long Term Appeal: 5.00 OVERALL: 5.20 ARTIST: THE SINGING ANIMALS SONG: HANDEL'S WATER MUSIC (WHALES) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: WHALES (AS IN ACTUALLY THE ANIMAL, NOT A GROUP) [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "The Singing Animals" They have that name for a reason. Their music is entirely sung by animals. Well, that is what they want us to believe anyway. Because what they've actually done is pitched whale sounds in various frequencies, and tones to create the desired notes. So the song, is The Air from Handel's Water Music." This may sound completely tasteless, but I think you really should check it out nonetheless. You'll be surprised at how beautiful it all actually is, and it all sounds so marvelous now that whales sing something us humans can understand. You've probably seen documentaries with whales singing, and it all sounds very melancholic and to some ears; beautiful. Some of you may even have thought: If only I could understand what these whales were singing about? Well, we can't. The whales are on their own, on our television sets, and we sit there on our chairs in complete and utter amazement and maybe a sort of sadness that we can't join them in their singing. We can not join their world. We can not swim. We need notes, or a song to sing. And by God, we are not whales! Well, The Singing Animals have actually gotten to the length of putting whale singing to music. Yes, maybe the sound of whales singing already was music. But at least now we can take part in the singing world of whales, and perhaps even sing along if we're really feeling the mood. The sound quality is unquestionable. The whale samples are spotless, more whale samples on top of each other doesn't increase the background noise. Bravo! The structure is as you'd expect from any Handel piece, but the whale singing is so harmonious that the structure is in some parts hard to figure out, so I'll leave that one open to anyone willing to give it a more throughout scientific pinpoint. You can use electronic music in a lot of ways these days, and this tune is an example of one of them. With a little imagination, one can go far. Some may say that whale singing should not be tampered with, and should be left as natural to life as it is, and on some terms I agree. There are CD's now that you can buy with whale singing, and only whale singing. Hmm, maybe that is where The Singing Animals got their samples from. But I don't really care about all that. This song was more a smile on my face, and I am glad that there are so many new sides and ideas to electronic music being discovered by artists who are willing to share them with the listeners. That, and ONLY that fact alone proves that electronic as the standalone genre continues to be as mysterious, as the whale's powerful and enchanting singing is. (And maybe, just maybe, we humans are as mysterious as whales, we just give ourselves too little credit.) yours truly: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 7.00 Interest: 7.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 7.80 ARTIST: THE STURG SONG: FIANCE OR FINANCE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / STYLISH ELECTRO-(EURO)POP SIMILAR: PET SHOP BOYS / CARS (?) [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "Fiancé or Finance? Which is it that you prefer honey?" :) Hehehe Ok, I guess that I was the one singing along with this tune, you'll get my drift if you'll just go to the artist page and listen. This is a tune that really pays little attention to what has been done before, because it tries to be its own thing (in many ways.) The song, which is in the electronic genre (as stated by artist) actually has lyrics... In a clever way, this song is a sort of a poem, sung out by a man who has a sort of a "couldn't care less" attitude towards the singing part. No offence to the artist in question, because this angle on the situation is a HUGE boost towards the impact of this product The Sturg call "Fiancé or Finance." The meaning of the track (I think) is up to each individual to figure out. I for one had my own thoughts:) As far as the technicalities that godsofmusic.com is aiming for like structure, and recording quality and such, I won't give them much attention. For the picky persons out there: The structure is intact, and the recording quality is good (not great, but...good.) Ok, phew, there. The reason why this song gets my blessings, is because it is refreshing: It's not only a song, but it delivers a message, in a poetic manner that I've never heard in this type of genre before. It's refreshing to hear an artist’s voice. 1. Because it is original. 2. It does add a lot of personality to the artist tracks. 3. Shows that the artist oozes of self-confidence. Download this tune though. It is worth it for the conversation, singing along to, head thumping, or just a giggle or two. Brilliant work. Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 6.50 Structure: 7.00 Interest: 9.50 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.50 OVERALL: 8.00 ARTIST: THEWITHIN.COM SONG: IN HIS HOUSE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Thewithin.com. Whether that is their name or an address to a website is to me not certain. But I truly hope that all the artists of the world don't start putting .com after their name. Because I think that will seriously put an end to music as a free form of communication, if you get my drift. TheWithin.com has here managed to put together a song that has a nice touch to it. It's calm and relaxing, but at the same time very playful with its easy drum rhythms and various beat effects (note: No beat, or bass-drum.) The artist suggested that it’s new-age, and yes, it very much resembles new-age. But it has too many beats, voice samples, and its short length doesn't make me want to call this new-age. New-Age, was, at least here in Norway a reference to all electronical music styles. When 1994 hit, they knew better, and started to move the new-age over there, and techno and trance to the other shelves over here. Music teachers refer to new-age as the very pieces that are made for meditation purposes, or no-stress classes. So this is not new-age. But its calming nature will make you think about what you just listened to, and will make you repeat plays every now and again. The easy structure of this track is pretty dull. To some; you have the intro, which is about 3:02 long, and to others: This piece is just a soundscape that is meant for thought and listening, not dancing, or feet tapping. The sound quality of this one though is very much what you'd expect from a good recording: No hissing, clear-crisp sound, and a little space for us to tweak the performance of the track on our equalizers (equalizers = a phenomenon more and more seldom.) I recommend this piece for everyone wanting to have a sort of "commercial break" if you can call it that in their winamp playlist. An "escape", if you will, from the commercial junk listed on the radio, and created by those who think they know what appeals to conventional zombies of MTV. First a note to the artist: This is not meant as criticism, but helpful advice. Do yourself a favour and write track name, and artist name in the mp3 tag-file. This way, the person who downloads your track will find you if she, or he finds your work brilliant. yours truly: christian lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 8.00 Structure: 5.00 Interest: 6.00 Recording Quality: 8.50 Long Term Appeal: 6.50 OVERALL: 7.00 ARTIST: THOMAS BECKER SONG: PINK MOUNTAINS GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Thomas Becker produces what he likes to call "New Age" on his site. There are several tunes there, some of them already reviewed on godsofmusic.com So I'll play this tune, while I write. The tune starts of wonderfully, not completely to my taste, but I'll try to stay with it. The music is in fact a mixture of old folklore traditional music, and electronic music. The sound quality is all right, and there are several elements in this tune which make it quite a treat. For example, it will appeal to most people who just like a relaxing theme song for a yoga session or whatever they have in mind. What people do in the privacy of their own homes is not my business, but this music fits that activity quite nicely. Alas, there are several problems with this tune, which make it inaccessible to most others, I'm afraid. First off: the whole thing sounds cheesy! It sometimes gets too overconfident, and shows itself off too much. I sometimes caught myself blurting out "down boy, down!" Having that reaction when listening to a song is not good, trust me. The other problems are less notable, but still, also have to be mentioned. The song is way too long. It repeats itself way too much, and is just (again) way too long! The structure is dull, and leaves nothing to the imagination. It's almost like you could listen to the first two minutes, and then you know the entire song by heart. You actually know when the cheesy guitar is going to start funking, you know when the military drums make their appearance. So if you ever downloaded that song, you would go "oh, that song" whenever the song started its cheesy entrance. And yes, calling this "new age" is not an excuse. This track is well suited to whatever you do in your own home. But it is not suited for parties, it is not suited for dancing, not for listening, and not for driving. This tune might actually catch a driver sleeping - and the last thing the bystanders will hear is not "screech!" but that cheesy guitar. I wouldn't even recommend this song for relaxing, since it is starting to annoy the heck out of me! I've been playing this song since I started to write this thing, so I'm turning this off right now... yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 2.00 Technical Skill: 0.00 Structure: 2.50 Interest: 0.00 Recording Quality: 6.50 Long Term Appeal: 0.50 OVERALL: 1.90 ARTIST: THOUGHT TWICE SONG: DIGITANALOUGUE CESLESTIAL HIDEAWAYS GENRE: ELECTRONIC / ELECTRONICA SIMILAR: ELECTRONICA MASTERS [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] We rarely get a treat such as this in the music industry these days. I am not saying already that this tune is great. I am just saying that true electronica is rare now. There always has to be a silly excuse to put in a beat somewhere and put in "something for the dancefloor" in the song description. That's why, with me, this tune is already above a avarage score. Because somebody dared to make a slowed down, intelligent, personal tune. Putting this in the progressive electronica mark really hits the spot nicely. This is progressive electronic music at it's most finest. There are melodic textures here to make even the most inexperienced music lovers mouth water; Beginning and ending really are a stroke of genius, with a clash or a sort of swish sound which starts and ends the action. Piano, and a monotone groove really does it's work to give the track a tight atmosphere, and anybody willing to explore has a nice rhythm with not too much beat to guide them. But my reason for my high score, is in the end that this tune is rare. Lonely as it is in all the trance jocks, and rave freaks. I am glad to hear that we still have artists such as this around. I would have welcomed this tune just because of the genre. But now that the tune is as great as it is I have no problem giving Thought Twice the score that I give. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 9.50 Structure: 10.00 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 9.50 ARTIST: TITO AND SWAN SONG: GOTTA GET OFF GENRE: ALTERNATIVE / PLAYFUL ROCK SIMILAR: R.E.M, GREEN DAY, NOFX [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] The first thing I thought of when listening to this track was R.E.M's "Shiny Happy People." "Got to Get Off" is in the same kind of mood and genre (if I can call it that) that R.E.M's old classic is. So I can say with a smile that if you liked the "happy go-go" rock tune that "Shiny Happy People" is, you will love this tune as well. I call this "Playful Rock" because both the handling of the instruments and the singing is very light, i.e. not so heavy (some would use the word "serious.") The result of this is a tune that can make everybody smile (again, as the R.E.M song does). The artist's other tunes remind me more of Green Day, or NOFX. So Tito and Swan has a lot of talent. I am an electronic man. But it has to be said that I usually have more tolerance for people playing real instruments with "real" voices. People deserve extra applause when they put not only many hours of hard work into their material, but also something of themselves in there as well. If you like rock produced by the talents of NOFX, Green Day - and in this case R.E.M - you'll do well in checking Tito and Swan out. The only thing lacking for these guys is a studio. And I'm certain we'll have some new guys making record deals in no time. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 9.50 Interest: 8.50 Recording Quality: 6.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.30 ARTIST: TOM SAVAGE SONG: CHANGE MY WORLD GENRE: FOLK / EASY LISTENING / FOLK MUSIC SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Tom Savage is an extremely refreshing experience right from the get go. The first thing that I noticed was the quality of the music production. Getting vocals as crisp as Tom Savage delivers only lets you think about how great his voice blends with the warm atmosphere of his music, instead of thinking "how a vocal should sound". I have heard of the "healing power of music", and I'm sure, you the reader have heard this sentence before. But never before have I actually felt this healing aura so great, than that of "Change My World." "Change My World" is actually so powerful it almost feels like it came from a Christian environment, this even more powerful with the organ in the beginning. But I am a bit glad that it isn't in the "Christian" genre. Because, from a personal experience, I find Christian music makes me take a stand towards religion, instead of really listening to the music. But anyway, this has nothing to do with this review. So excuse me, but I just felt I had to mention it. Structure-wise this tune works. I am not saying that this tune needs a complex structure to work at all. There is a logical pattern to which the tune progresses through the exactly 5 minutes that it lasts. So I won't go into anymore detail about structure. But ok, enough with the technical things. I must say that there may be some things tweaking the score I'm about to give to this tune. Not a lot of tweaking, I am a professional here, but hey, the birds are singing, I'm happy now, and it's a new Wednesday morning:) A wonderful tune like this to start my day really was wonderful to hear, I kid you not. I am usually into electronic music, and as strange as this may sound, I didn't even know talent such as this existed on the internet. I've heard similar country-mood artists on movie soundtracks and the like, but this song swept me off my feet and landed me on my two feet smiling. I'll be looking into Tom Savage, to see if any of his other songs are any good. Even maybe consider the CD purchasable online, this as a "thank you for the music" sort of deal, but also because I want to have this music on MY CD-player, and not have to sit by a computer to listen to this wonderful music. That is something I feel more at home doing with electronic music. I can not even begin to explain what happens, but the song sort of gives you a gift in the end: A new start, on a brand new day. That is exactly how I felt it, and that is also why I explained the thing with the "healing power of music" in the beginning of this review. I am going to let you discover "healing power of music" now, and let you have the freedom to check Tom Savage out for yourself. I know people differ in music tastes, but hear me out when I say this, “Let Tom Savage heal your soul.” Yours truly: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 10.00 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 8.00 Lyrics: 10.00 Performance: 9.00 Recording Quality: 9.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 9.20 ARTIST: TRANCELATOR SONG: DIRECTION OUT (ORIGINAL EDIT) GENRE: ELECTRONIC / CHURCH TRANCE? SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Trancelator - another trance act. But yes, hehehe, the name is quite cunning, and well fit for a trance artist. Actually, this artist produces more than trance, but since this is trance I'm about to review, well, what more is there to say. Direction Out [Original edit] starts out rather slow; slow in the sense that I've heard this type of trance before. The whole build is clever but trance flavour has grown tiresome to my taste. So I thought this would be a normal trance tune, but I ended up putting my own words in my mouth. At 2:00 the whole thing changes in character and actually gets kind of groovy. The whole thing before the 2:00 minutes were in the same tone, so it was hard to be impressed by the track at all. But after this, the song grows into a kind of church-trance type deal. I don't know if this was Trancelator’s intention, but it really sounds churchy. I've never heard a church style trance tune before, so this is the part of the tune that made me smile. The groove and the church funk atmosphere is all there to give this trance tune that something extra which helps it stay interesting. The best thing about this track is probably the funk. People will dance to this tune; of that there is no question. When it hits home everybody will be dancing to the sounds of the lord (again, non intentional). What strikes me the most is the artist’s obvious dedication to his work. This I like. This musical hobby that the artist shows, or whatever it is, seems to be something that the artist loves doing. The artist website is filled with useful info on, you guessed it, the artist. This, you think, is probably not that important. But, it is! To show people that you love what you're doing not only gets people more interested, but tells them that if they don't like your work, it won't be because you didn't give it your all. This is all in all a brave attempt at the overstocked trance genre. It holds a candle to many other trance tunes I've heard and that extra special devotion the artist shows doesn't make matters worse either. The only complaint I have is with the sound quality. Some portions of the song have been pitched too high, and this makes for a bit strained experience sound wise. But if you can forgive this error then there really is no reason not to check Trancelator out. He has a wide range of different tracks in different genres and a whole bunch of personality. I vote you go for Trancelator’s website, on the now famous mp3.com. Trancelator isn't rich and thank God for that. It seems the poorer the mp3.com artists are, the better the music is. Hmm. How about that? You go Trancelator! Yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.00 Technical Skill: 8.50 Interest: 9.50 Recording Quality: 4.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 7.90 ARTIST: UZ SONG: KONE V.2 GENRE: ELECTRONIC / OLD-SCHOOL HOUSE SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] UZ's website is in Finnish, so I had a hard time finding the track I was looking for. I soon figured out that the tunes were actually put in a very logical fashion, so it wasn't too hard for too long. Kone v.2 is actually a very simple track, with a nifty baseline, beat, and structure. The theme is quite simple, and has an even more simple mood. Actually, the whole tune gives the impression that everything is simple, and things don't have to sound too complicated to work. This tune is fairly average in all aspects from a techno perspective. The bass is somewhat funky, and one of the best parts about this track is the jazzed up cymbal that works extremely well in brushing up the track's more unique side. I thought perhaps this track belonged under techno, but no. This isn't techno: it's too funky, and too slow in both drive and atmosphere. So I thought of "house" and there you have it. This is an excellent house track indeed. The house tunes of today usually have some sort of vocal, or sample, to the point of house being "garage." But if you forget house as of 2001, and leap back a few years, you'll get an excellent experience with this tune. The production is too average to give it huge scores, and the overall product is not roaring with brilliance, since it just sounds too average (even though the artist meant this intentionally). Many people will with no doubt think that this is too simple to be any good, and that the artist surely doesn't have much experience with music. But look a little beyond the horizon (it isn't far to the horizon in this case, so it won't take you long to walk there). The cunning smartness of this track alone makes it a must-listen, because (as said earlier) things don't have to be too complicated to work. It is not simple to make a track simple intentionally when most people will think of it as unfinished or that the artist didn't give it much of an effort in the first place. But if you listen close you can hear the talent that lurks within these tones, without being too bold and bright about it. "Life should be simple, not hard." This, in the end, was the thought I got when listening to Kone v.2. So, even though this track is far from astounding, will come to many as a good track in its own right. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.50 Technical Skill: 8.00 Structure: 7.50 Interest: 8.50 Recording Quality: 7.50 Long Term Appeal: 9.00 OVERALL: 7.60 ARTIST: VAMPIRE SONG: INTRO TO GENRE: ELECTRONIC / EXPERIMENTAL SIMILAR: XANITRA [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This music reminds me a lot of my own music actually. It is very experimental, and explores new paths in musical structures. It's an intro to an album, so I have no idea what the rest of the album is like. But if it is as good as this, I don't think the artist should be worried about the album's well deserved accomplishments. The sound quality is good, and the structure is well organized. There are several effects in this tune as well as the music, which really builds on the "horror" that this song has. There is also a voice sample which I think is unnecessary. Having that there has nothing to do with the actual mood, or theme of the song. I mean, let us get real for a little bit: What on earth does a countdown to a rocket launch have to do with vampires, or any of that sort? Ah well, maybe I'm the one at fault here, and misunderstood the theme of this track. Anyway, you've got to check this out for yourself. If you're a movie-score fan, or just mood music in general, check this out now! yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 8.00 Technical Skill: 9.00 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 7.00 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.00 ARTIST: WET BOX TEENS SONG: [C.L: SONG NAME TOO VULGAR FOR GOM] GENRE: ELECTRONIC / IS THERE EVEN A GENRE FOR THIS KIND OF MUSIC? SIMILAR: PORN FILM END SCORE [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Disclaimer: If you are under 18, visiting the artist site is not advised. Parental advisory is highly recommended. Before I go on reviewing, there is one factor in the score I want to cover. The recording quality of this tune is quite good. Ok, now I've explained the high score in that category. Mp3.com has really started putting the pressure on artists the world over. Each artist is subject to advertising messages from mp3.com like "bid on our auction, pay for our PAS, do this, do that, do anything, but SPEND a lot of money!” The problem with this is that when artists produce desperate songs like the one I'm about to review, mp3.com can only shrug their shoulders and say "uuuh, we're not the ones responsible." But let's not blame mp3.com for material such as this. Let's just give mp3.com the finger and tackle the problem at hand. I am here to review one of the many thousands of victims coming from mp3.com. In this case: "Wet Box Teens." I'm going to ignore the bad about this song for now and concentrate on the "ok" parts first. The music here was produced to have vocals. One can hear this, because without the vocals, the tune is fairly easy listening. Try for a moment to ignore the vocals and presto - the melody works, and actually made me twitch my head from time to time. It would actually work for a "happy go go" easy listening dance tune, and one would surely get some sexual slapstick humour going with this one, without the vocals. But the name of the artist isn't "Trance Super", "Techno Whoomp", or "Ejay loverboy." The song name, is not "Trance explosion”, “hint at love”, or “love me baby." No, the name of this artist is Wet Box Teens, and the song is called "Hungry £€£€£." This is the stuff that can only be found on the adult section of mp3.com. So now, it's about time I mentioned the lyrics. The song is about a girl with a hunger. No, she is not hungry for MacDonald’s food, but for sex. That's right, sex. The lyrics went, uhm, uuh, well something like, this girl wanted something inside of something, and she wanted to taste... eeh, right. Hey, we've all wanted a person, yes, and sex is a wonderful thing. But there are many ways to project sex in a song. Some use the hidden method, and say, "touch me" and the rest is up to the listener to understand. Other (victims of mp3.com advertising for example) take the direct approach, don't waste any time, and say "%&"## me in the &&%/& so I can #¤#¤%#¤, and #"¤"#"#¤, and do some #"!¤"#¤, with a wet "#!"#% lick £€$££ sick @£$@£ barf £@$@£@ ....gROAn.... barf...." Those were basically the lyrics and I don't have to go to anymore detail about them than that. So now I have to talk to you "Wet Box Teens." I am really sorry mp3.com is commercializing and putting pressure on artists. Some can handle the pressure and still make decent music, but still must rely on auctions to get noticed. Others, like yourselves, make porn. Porn is good. I have nothing against porn, really I don't. In the right setting, porn can actually spice up a thing or two. But I am here to review music. Musically, the lyrics are honest, yes. But they’re also sexist, inappropriate and dirty to say the least. So should I blame Wet Box Teens for this, or should I blame mp3.com? Well, in the very long run, mp3.com always wins. Mp3.com is all about money, and nothing about music, we can all agree on that. It’s the artists that create the music, and mp3.com is the platform, which is as questionable now as Windows 98 is on a worried computer. But it’s the people that can cope with, or ignore the pressure that mp3.com puts on its lifeline (the artists) that manage to produce good music. Show me an artist that can create unique music, and twitch an inch towards looking at mp3.com banners, and I'll show the man respect. Wet Box Teens has obviously suffered from mp3.com greed, and went on to create this… junk. Yes, this is junk! If you left out the vocals, it would at least be music. But several factors including ethics, morale, and censorship from general audiences come into my mind as I give this score. As a Star Wars themed closing would go: “mp3.com has become a very hard force to master. But to become a Jedi, one has to struggle, fight each and every day, to master the ways of the Jedi, meaning not to make money, but to make some decent music and be proud of it! It is my regret as teacher, and learner, and master of the force that Wet Box Teens has gone over to the dark side. Another artist lost, to the sometimes dark clutches of the force." OK, OK! Maybe it wasn't as good as Star Wars, but it sure was better than that Star Wars Episode 1 movie. That sucked huh?! Desperate as that was... jeez... yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 1.00 Technical Skill: 0.50 Interest: 0.00 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 0.50 OVERALL: 1.80 ARTIST: WHEREVER COOPER LANDED SONG: OVERDONE GENRE: ALTERNATIVE / ROCK SIMILAR: GREEN DAY, NOFX [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] What you'll discover, as I did, is that no matter how high tech these guys look, they sound awful! A "garage sound" is an understatement for these guys. It really doesn't matter how well they play, or that the song in itself sounds all right. The sound quality is terrible! Yes, we all wish for a studio. But some people can actually get their sound quality up there without too much effort. But as you can see if you go to the URL, these guys have wires hanging all over the place. In the middle there seems to be a computer of some sort, and in the center of all the "supposedly" high tech vibe are these two guys on guitars and microphones. So, eeh, what it all comes down to is the production of this tune. There is lots of potential, and I hear that the talent is really there. But since the sound performance on this one is so bad, I suggest these guys actually hire some studio time and some pro guys to record their track. Then, things will sound more professional, and things will most undoubtedly skyrocket from there. Because, the lyrics, or what I could make out of them sound pretty good. Really got that Green Day / NOFX thing going. So for all you fans of those two, check these guys out. Be forgiving, and you'll like them. But I have to stop the commercializing there. The sound garbage is just too overwhelming to even give this a decent score. The noise which comes from too high volume destroys the acoustic feel to the guitar, cramps the vocals, and heck, the whole atmosphere around this track is just noise further down the song. As said, give them a studio, and these guys will flourish. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 7.50 Interest: 7.50 Lyrics: 7.50 Recording Quality: 2.00 Long Term Appeal: 4.00 OVERALL: 5.60 ARTIST: WWW.14YEAROLDKOREANGIRLSHAVINGSEX.COM SONG: UNTITLED GENRE: ELECTRONIC / DREAM TECHNO SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] I picked this tune to review because I wanted something to punish. I was in a bad mood and everything, not to mention cranky after not getting any sleep. So there I was in my pajamas with cute little pink teddies, ready to do some pounding. Probably not the best environment for reviewing music though. In fact, I thought a lot about not pressing the play button and going to bed instead. The odds of this tune getting a good score were not good. Take a reviewer who is cranky, and really not too hot at the moment. Take a band named www.14yearoldkoreangirlshavingsex.com Put this text below the song the obvious steamy reviewer is about to listen to: "As of yet to be titled(email for any suggestions). What I consider the least crappiest song I've made so far. What I like most is that it actually takes longer to listen to than it took me to make it. Something I always try to do with my noise." and you obviously have a pretty bad combination. But still, I decided to go with it, and pressed the play button. The result was astounding, not just did my mood rise, but I was glad that my obvious "slaughtering a song" would be someone else’s song. Because "untitled" is something truly amazing! "untitled" has so many different things in it that it is hard to really describe this track as anything structured, but the tune has a mountain of personality. This is probably the most charismatic production that I've heard in a long time. I don't know where to begin describing this tune, but the words "spontaneous", "talented", and "beautiful" tend to spring to my mind. The fact that the volume is a bit over maximum in places just adds to the personality meter, and doesn't really ruin the overall power that this track holds. The main thing that you'll discover when listening to this track is that it is so "dreamy." I highly recommend this tune to everybody yearning for something exciting and new. I wish I could give you more reason to listen to this, but there really is nothing more this humble, tired reviewer can say. I am more awake now. "Thank you www.14yearoldkoreangirlshavingsex.com for giving me something to drift away to. You said you needed suggestions for a track name? Well, how does Cure for not Dreaming sound? That was my suggestion anyway, hope you liked it. I also hope this review does justice to your tune. Ok. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go to sleep. I think I'll be dreaming now:) Yours: Christian Lowensprung (Zzzzz) yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 10.00 Interest: 10.00 Recording Quality: 7.50 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 9.50 ARTIST: XENOTYPE SONG: LAST ATTEMPT GENRE: OTHER / INDUSTRIAL SIMILAR: NIN [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] The first thing that struck me is how quickly this song starts. Exactly from 0:00 the song starts with lyrics, beats, atmosphere pads, and everything there is to "music general man." “Last Attempt”, or, "[ATTEMPT]" as it stands on the website, is a hardcore industrial tune. So for those of you who find this a blessing, I suggest you stop reading right here and check the song out. Because the next few things that get mentioned have a more technical term to them, something that shouldn't be important if you are a real industrial buff. The song has no intro or build. It seems that the song has just been started in the mid-section of the song, with no logical ending whatsoever. This, I am sorry to say is going to be hard on my understanding of the structure of this song, if there is any at all. The only structure I can figure out is that the BPM (and this is not a dance track mind you) stays the same throughout the song, and hey, what sort of structure is that ey? The sound quality is A-ok; crisp, clean, and no errors that I can hear. The lyrics make sense, and the vocal sounds great! This tune reminds me, if this is not a clone of Nine Inch Nails. Some of the exact atmosphere and even instruments have been used in this track that NIN master, and I like NIN, so no worries. It is more that this music starts at a very awkward spot: In the middle of a track. If this was intentional, or maybe the artist has the whole song hidden away some place, I do not know. He did give me a song called "Last attempt" to review, but the only thing I found was "attempt", and two other songs on the artist’s website. So I picked this one. I can understand the artist for removing a song, 86 days to wait for a review is a long time, so I'll take that factor into play. I recommend “Xenotype” to anybody interested in NIN or industrial music in general. Because this tune truly has potential. But industrial needs a structure to work properly, so since this tune clearly has none it is my job to point this error out. I still urge you to check the artist out, despite my score. yours truly: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.50 Technical Skill: 6.00 Structure: 0.50 Interest: 4.00 Lyrics: 7.00 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 5.40 ARTIST: XERVANA SONG: ANGEL OF DEATH GENRE: ELECTRONIC / GOA MASTERPIECE SIMILAR: RAVE MISSION COMPILATION, ASTRAL PROJECTION [ visit this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] This artist caught my attention, because the artist name is very much like my own. The likeness ends there though. Xervana has produced a track much like trance, but make no mistake: this is far from trance. "Goa", as the sub-genre is called, is a bit more heavy than your standard trance. To many, Goa is a mixture between some of the ingredients that trance carries and the complexity of electronica tunes. What we are left with is a recipe to make a trance tune which really has no peak, but rather speaks in a more general tone than that of its older brother. Now with that said, Goa is in many ways an excellent formula for game soundtracks. Background music that defines an atmosphere, and really sets no standard for when things begin and end. Therefore, Goa is highly unstructured, for better and for worse. The tune itself is highly well produced. Maybe one of the best resemblances I've heard to this tune is the awesome Rave Mission compilation, if any of you know if it. You can hear that this isn't produced on any sampler, or any other equipment that many so called "artists" use today. This tune has been produced "from scratch" with synths, keyboards, and the like. At least, that is the impression I got from the artist site. There really isn't anything to complain about, when it comes to the quality of this mp3 file. Everything is as it should be. That is also why I've given so high scores in both technical skill and recording quality. The structure is missing, but that is a genre qualification and not an error by the artist. So Xervana has done the research, yes? The problem with this tune is actually the genre "Goa" itself. I for one, think that Goa gets a little too abstract, and really doesn't focus on a theme. Music there is, but the music is more bizarre, and rather creates a soundscape, rather than 1-2-3 notes which one can sing along to. "Angel of Death" comes highly recommended to: - Soundtrack enthusiasts, everywhere. Because this tune really does define a mood, and belongs in the ranks of "excellent" for additional background music for games, and soundtrack enthusiasts world wide. - For dancefloors that are Goa themed, this is a must download. To me, Goa tends to be a genre much like "terror." Terror is a genre that really can't get as beautiful themewise as hardcore / gabber, because of its speed; as is also the case for Goa. Goa isn't fast, but the genre requires a lack of structure (or if any structure, it should be "hypnotic"). A Goa track must be quite limited on catchy themes and samples. Goa is much a misunderstood happening, and many have said that Goa is only the trance's weak sibling. But Xervana has here produced a tune that gives Goa beauty. Few Goa experts manage to do this, so all applause to Xervana for this achievement. - Role-playing fanatics will also love this tune. I put this on a separate point, because I know some of you play role-playing games, and that finding action music that doesn't take attention away from the game is difficult. Well, here you have a tune to add to your collection you role-playing fans you) This has been a very long review, and I apologize if reading all this has come to exhaust you. But I felt I needed to mention all this as background information, before I came to the conclusion. Conclusion: Angel of Death is in many ways a work of art. It clearly shouts "Goa will never die" and can only be described well enough if listened to by you. As a closing, I've never been fond of Goa. I've never seen what makes Goa special. Ever since mp3.com started out, Goa has been a disaster to say the least. Astral Projection, some songs on the Rave Mission compilation, and some few exceptions from unheard-of artists have been the best (in my opinion) that Goa has had to offer. I now accept Xervana as a new source for goa music, and have added this artist to my "best of Goa" list. If you like Goa, and know a little bit about were I'm coming from, you should download this tune. Because if the future of Goa was up to Xervana, I'd have to cheer the artist on and shout, as one of the "yee of little faith": "Long live Goa!" yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 7.50 Technical Skill: 10.00 Interest: 6.50 Recording Quality: 10.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 8.80 ARTIST: Z6Z SONG: PLEASE WAIT GENRE: ELECTRONIC / EXPERIMENTAL SIMILAR: NONE THAT I KNOW OF [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Be warned: This is not for the conventional listener. Lyrics: Wait here till the morning comes 'cause I might loose my way I don't know """"""""""""" I don't know my way again Wait for the sun wait for the sun I won't go """""""""" I don't want to loose again. z6z have here recorded a tune that really is revolutionary in terms of music, and vocalists cooperating to bring music forward. Instead, the music, and the vocals seem to go separate ways, for better or worse. I truly believe that this is for the better. The vocals symbolize the "lost his way" part of the lyrics, and the music is really the road in which the vocalists try to find. Genius! As far as the actual music goes, it's your basic electronic guitars, string, and a cymbal to just mention a few. The sound quality is good, and the structure exciting enough to hold anybody's interest long enough to hear through the track. The music is intriguing, if not that, unique in every way. z6z has here produced a song which deserves everybody's attention. So I implore everybody to check this song out, and be amazed or appalled by this track. I can't promise you'll like it. What I can promise you is a new, and unique experience that takes a little getting used to. But once you'll get there, you'll find that the style of this track may fit to your liking. If not, well, you have at least humoured me, and I thank you for that. Either way, get this track at the url below. I don't think you'll regret this new, and exciting tasting treat. As for me, I found this new taste refreshing, and jumm jumm, can I have some more? Please? yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 5.00 Technical Skill: 7.00 Structure: 8.00 Interest: 9.00 Lyrics: 7.50 Recording Quality: 7.00 Long Term Appeal: 10.00 OVERALL: 7.60 ARTIST: [ TRANCEFIGURATION ] SONG: THE BEAUTY OF SILENCE [DMXMIX] GENRE: ELECTRONIC / TRANCE (SURVIVOR) SIMILAR: TRANCE (SURVIVORS) [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] "The beauty of Silence" is the name of this track, and yes, the name itself will lure many people to play this song. However this isn't ambient music, but plain old Trance. (don't be fooled by the "silence" part) There is still, however, a symbolic meaning in the song. There are little elements in this piece that make it original. At the same time the drive and texture of this tune makes it a nice track to dance to. It never becomes too confusing since it sticks to the basic theme very much throughout. It doesn't make too much of itself, since its a trance theme that starts, and ends, with your basic cymbal clash in the end. When a tune is born with the title “Trance”, it’s equivalent to a baby being born in a field of depleted uranium: there are so many contenders looking for the means to survive in what it really is a very harsh environment. Some babies will suffer the unfortunate consequence of being born with too many arms and legs, and...."stuff". Fortunately this baby has all arms and legs intact! Thank goodness. But despite having all limbs intact (ok, ok! Structure, I mean structure! The tune is well structured, ok?) there are still a few problems left in this track. So in this field of depleted uranium, I am now in my radiation suit, looking upon “The beauty of Silence” What rescues this tune from complete destruction is the fact that its charisma and easygoing nature are quite charming. It doesn't start with so many different ideas in mind that the listener gets blown off track. Instead, it will make a lot of people go "aaaaaaaaaaaw" and actually listen to the entire track without getting bored. The theme is generally repetitive but interesting, with enough variations to make any trance fan stick with it. On the dance floor it will surely kick some arse, and I am not going to fret about the DJ favoring this track above other tracks with more complicated formulas in his/her “box of records” (which more and more people today refer to as “play lists”, go figure.=) The reason this tune survives in the field of depleted uranium isn't just because of the basics (well recorded with a solid structure) but also because of its very playful nature: “The Beauty of Silence” is very humble, yet very willing. It is very simple, yet very catchy. This all makes for a heck of a replayability factor!! It may evoke different emotions in us each time we play it, but we will come back to it again and again. See what I am getting at here? What we have is a basic trance tune that manages to get a reviewer who thinks this type of Trance is great. Why? Well, if you don't like Trance, this tune works well as background music, or music for a videogame etc. This tune doesn't wear on you: No WHOOMP base, or annoying cymbal structures that go on and on to lengthy proportions. No fancy, and luscious sounding girls going "ooh, aah just a little bit" on every throbbing beat. No, this is a simple product with high quality. This is a fighter and it will be noticed. It will survive. yours: Christian Lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 9.50 Technical Skill: 8.50 Structure: 7.50 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 9.50 Long Term Appeal: 8.00 OVERALL: 8.60 ARTIST: µTE SONG: INPRONOUNCEABLE GENRE: ELECTRONIC / MINIMAL, IDM SIMILAR: EXTREMELY BIZARRE IDM [ "Google" this artist ] [ more by this artist ] [ more in this genre ] [ more by this reviewer ] Taken directly from artist page: "I use scientific ability to drop over the bomb and manufacture arsenal. Superhero is not necessary" This is IDM at its most bizarre form. IDM can either have some sort of structure (put simply: intro, main theme, outro), or it can be more experimental. This is, by far, the most experimental piece of music I have heard in a very, very long time. The artists page is fairly unique in both its design, and texture. Yet, so simple, for example compared to my page on mp3.com. Why I mention this is because the artist page pretty much told me already that I was in for a pretty unique experience both in music, and how this artist presents his work on the Internet. The music is strange, and wonderful at the same time. You are either scared by the bizarre nature of this tune, and will probably after listening to it the first time, leave it alone for a while and come back at a later time. Or be curious at its playful experimentation with both texture bending, and beat experimentation. This without getting too out of hand, because the whole thing only lasts a two and a half minutes. What makes this tune so good in my mind, is its sneaky way of captivating the listener, luring the listener into the songs own world of weirdness, and strange sounds. I was captivated, I was trapped, the song had me completely under its control, until the sudden clash at the ending. To describe this music without mentioning the word "art" would be a sin on my part, because this piece truly is something of a someone’s crafty hand. There is no structure whatsoever in this tune. The only thing you will know is when you look on the timer of your mp3 player; you know when it is going to start, and when it is going to finish. Other than that, there is no relevant structure to this tune. The whole thing lasts only 2:31 minutes, but still, some people who want the theme, who want to know when to start dancing, or when to start clapping, should stay away from this tune. I say this because its structure is completely lost. What I mean by structure is that, when a structure is intact, you will know what to expect in the tune. When you know when the beat is going to arrive, when the cymbal sound will start. Some structured tunes, are so based on structure that they become clichés in themselves. But with this tune however, I can only say one thing: Expect the unexpected. But, if I put this in another way, as a more of a closing: To those of you who believe that maybe, the music shouldn't tell us how to feel, or what to do at what time, but instead describe a state of mind, and let us think for ourselves, should really check this 2:31 work of art out. Because I'm overwhelmed! I am looking forward to visiting Ute’s page, closing my eyes, and looking at some more pictures real soon. PS: If you look at the artist name there is a strange "u" symbol in there, which I have never seen before. Maybe you have, but I couldn't find that strange little something on my keyboard. So if somebody could give me a clue as to how to pronounce this letter, and what to do to get it on the screen I would be most grateful. Thank you. yours: christian lowensprung yours truly: Christian Lowensprung My music My Homepage Charisma: 10.00 Technical Skill: 9.00 Structure: 2.50 Interest: 9.00 Recording Quality: 8.00 Long Term Appeal: 9.50 OVERALL: 8.00