Trance2MoveU
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Mar 31, 2006 20:40
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Audiotec
Freakshow
Utopia
This is the second album from Miki, the first being The Magic of Love which was pretty good. Let's start with the cover. Eewww. That picture. I cannot decide if it is gay cabaret clown or a sick pedophile. Either way it gets its point across.
1. Creation
Evolving pad with a whoosh and grating sounds. Scary, like we woke something up  Tribal drums to start with a little guitar crunch and psy.  I could've done without the voice sample, but whattyagonna do? I just done like voices in my psytrance, I feel it brings too much of a house element into it. The leads are fine, however, and I enjoy the way the twist themselves into the track. 7/10
2. Liquid World
Nice soft, melody with a voice floating in the background as chopped up leads take center stage. Some interesting sounds are carried by a non-specific bassline. The break beings a new synthline that works quite well, giving the track a nice groove.  It all comes together shortly afterward followed by a smooth break. A bubling lead arrives and joins the kick and hi-hats for a full-on ride.  Pretty decent track. 7/10
3. Freak Show
Freaky beginning, with lots of sounds jammed together. Simple bassline with some suishy sounds creeping from around corners. At around the 3'30" mark we have a couple of leads twisting into some full-on bliss. Not bad, but nothing to write home about. 7/10
4. DJ's Lovers
Loud, grating lead above a winding pad. It slowly develops into another loud, fairly annoying lead. It shows some promise here and there but seems to just ramble on. I do like the sound at the 5'45" mark, and then it show some pace, but not enough to keep me interested. Average. 5/10
5. Down of Time
Glassy pads with industrial drums. Ominous sounding!  Spooky little girl voice sample as well. The track then gets pretty busy with leads that seem to be all over the place. The original drums come back at the break with the sample, and it sounds pretty good. Funky vibe.  7/10
6. Deep Up
Sad stings with some twisting psy and running leads start us off. The bassline starts up and joins with another lead. This track is a nice mover! There is no wasted space here.  At the next break there is this very delicate melody that is very soothing. The track almost descends into ambient territory as several melodies collide. The speed resumes with another new lead. This is definitely the best track yet. 8/10
7. L.S.Dream
This track is also on the Pure Imagination Vol. 3 comp. Chopped up voice pad, in a soft melody. Very dreamlike. A lead enters the fray along with another pad to give a nice beginning. The bassline picks up the pace and more leads dance nimbly throughout the track. The hi-toned melody inevitably arrives and sounds pure. Beautiful sounding track. 8/10
8. Waves
"I'm sure there is going to be one unpleasant surprise when I'm done'
A crash and talk of quantum mechanics and supreme minds...The bassline comes in a thick sounding lead moves to the front. The break brings another lead that is squelchy and active  The track moves along well with a nice melody at the next break. I can't help but think I have heard it before. A new skittish lead comes in and takes over. Not bad. 7.5/10
9. What is Reality?
Some floating pads and distorted percussive sounds. Sounds pretty desolate.  The groove is funky if not spectacular until a new lead creeps into the mix. And I cannot help but nod my head. Pretty cool break and change in key. 7/10
Conclusion
This CD gave me some mixed emotions. After seeing that cover, I wasn't sure what I was in for. I thought it was going to be dark and twisted, but that is not this CD at all. I liked the rhythms and the melodies. The sounds and basslines probably could have been more varied however. I tried not to let other peoples thoughts cloud my judgement on this. This is full-on and it's not bad. I have heard a lot better, but have also heard a lot worse. As far as comparing it to his previous release, I would have to go back and listen to that one again, as it has been a while. I can see myself driving with this in the deck and chewing up the miles. Would it be my first choice? No, but I think it is still pretty good. 7/10
 Mdk |
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