bizun_

At first glimpse I didn't like that album. Too loud and too techno. But I didn't give it much attention, so I didn't recognize it's qualities at first. Whole disk is at once: experimental and popular -- the composer did manage to step outside rigid framework of dance music giving us some new sound, and new rhythm -- especially the 6/8 in Kiroyal. Although it was not planned, there is a line thet can divide whole album into two parts, starting from Niemals sterben, there are songs, and my favourite being Der Sturz. Summary? A decent album, many experiment with synths and drummachines, quite pleasant mix of styles and sounds (klang).

2009-01-30 Review Time!

[23:59] So, I was cycling new Grace Valhalla's album in my S1 for several weeks now, and I think it is the time to drop a few words about it. First an off-topic remark: there should be functionality to inform You by e-mail about new releases of favourite artists -- I wouldn't miss this very album in 2008 then... But to the review: SummerCamp is so far the best Grace's album of all I've heard. From the first notes it may be noticed, that the sound and techniques have been redesigned from scratch, and probably some new instruments have been employed. Album opens with nice hummable tune entitled Roselyn, build over a guitar riff of four never-dying punk rock chords. It is nice prelude to the next one, All my life, which albeit a bit more aggressive, is still a slowly revolving sound carpet -- and a hidden surprise for sensitive ear: there are some reverse tape effects in the background. All in all, there is much more 'radiophonicness' (or musique concrète, as Francophone say): many found sounds interleaved with vintage synth we find in title tune of the album, and the culmination of sound manipulation is the Voodoo Lounge, a tripnotic mix of bits and scratches of Latin America soundtracks, that makes You feel almost like You sit within a circle of people during some strange ritual. And there come Dream Catchers, which resembles a bit works of Fred Nachbaur, but again with intriguing background noises, which for first I took for sound artifacts left by reverb machine. But they were intended, just like in next tune, Sandy where some digital whistles at the threshold of audacity give this nostalgic feel of Amiga module music and early sampling techniques. In feeling scattered we find somehow more modern arrange and a play with melody line moved to multiple-resonant drone bass sounding like crazy electronic didgeridoo. This tune also, probably because of the guitar and apreggiated ostinato recalls to mind works of Tangerine Dream. Then we are waken from speechless awe by brief visit In the Savage club -- again a slightly detuned camp guitar and insane dance, only to get back to civilisation by sunDogs, which sound more like a trial given to newly bought instrument, but is very enjoyable. We take a little rest in The garden of birds and waters, which slowly reveals its wonders and leads to grand finale, with delicious orchestral feel of space. Any conclusions? This album is much more than just another ambient sound wallpaper. There is much progress in comparison to previous albums, many ideas, many inventions, and almost touchable fun, that the Artist had while recording this music. I have had fun also. Nine stars on my private ranking and coup-de-coeur. Have I not missed it in November, would definitely win 'album of the year 2008' competition
bye.

wire (2007) -- The latest album. The Author said, this is a compilation of "side B" tunes, that didn't fit to previous albums or needed remastering -- I think, this self-depreciation biased judgement of some reviewers of this album, as I think, from all the three this one is the best. From the very beginning: rash me is readily recognisable tune; still noxed wins my heart by passionate guitar solo; Abyss and fresh are attracting with experiment on sound and editing, where ammoniac is a bit psychedelic in harmonies and sounds ("meow!"). The closing tune, jim, takes us back to the minimal setup know from album psychopathetic: drum machine, bass and guitar -- but this time with brief vocal samples. Will we have a bit more of it in the future? Overall: another Must-have on the shelve. I'll give nine stars! => Once again, after Robotnicka in 2004, French female artist has left me stunned. I allow my self to paraphrase words from Robotnicka's Spectre en vue review by Franklin Bruno. Grace --You do, what the French are conventionally thought incapable of: You rock.

psychopathetic (2005) -- the first compilation. ID3 tags in the tracks say, it was mastered in 2005, although publication to Jamendo was made June 2006. The album opens with title piece -- quite unique mix resembling a bit CASIO keyboard demo song, until the guitars kick in: it is hard to distinguish, whether guitar is played live or looped -- but who cares? The final effect is good. We can hear more of it in the next piece: today  after peculiar harmonies of opening tune now we enter mild, multi-layered sound carpet, resembling distantly Mike Oldfield's late works. So is next in line november MMIII, which adds also some radiophonic effects at the end; them leading naturally to the powers of the herb, which bears strong influence of middle east harmonities, though tailored into tonal restrictions of western music. little ball, which closes the record, is little different in mood than the others -- for me the mood is a bit nostalgic, up to mild depression. The feeling of nostalgia is especially brought by the vinyl noise in the background. Overall -- a nice thing, good both for ambient sound background and for relaxing evening alone with Your stereo -- but why so short?. Eight stars.

Another one: "Mythical Creatures Exhibition", the last but not least work, and candidate for my private Album of the Year 2007 internal award (though lost by hair to Rafał Blechacz's "Chopin's preludes and nocturnae"). This is truly matured work: Joseph has found his own sound, and does not need to replicate radiophonic techniques from late sixties, as he now has his own way. Just like "Songs for the Wild..", this one is also divided in two parts, like old-fashioned vinyl record; side A providing set of catchy songs, concluded with more epic "The Dark Revenge of Jakob Pettersohn" (by the way, I work in Denmark with an individual called Jakob Pettersen). The side B of the record contains only single composition "Project: Dragonsong". People reading DMFA or attending Lost Lake forums may discuss, whether is it a requiem for Dragon race, after Destania's plan is brought to the sunlight, but fan-fiction speculations aside, the piece, which may even aspire to the name of symphony, is utmost beautiful.
I didn't want to re-hear this album with my S1 and headset -- I waited, until I had free evening alone, so I decided to hear it from beginning to the end when I'm on this company trip to Kopenhagen. So, relaxed, with a glass of Tuborg Julebryg in my hand I've immersed in peculiar garden of sounds. And when it came to second, or maybe third movement of "Dragonsong", I suddenly felt all the distance to my home, and almost bursted into tears... This rarely happens, as I'm kind of numb when it comes to emotions. And this, dear Tapewolf, earned You extra star: I put eight-and-half (rounded here to 9) on "M.C.E",