Bodhisattva
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Posted : Oct 24, 2011 14:16:04
1. Hold the Sun
2. Religious Standards
3. Shades of Black
4. Solid Steel
5. The Worst is Behind Us
6. A Devil Inside
7. The Wheels Will Turn (feat. Violet Vision)
8. Your Wickedness
9. Closer
10. Every Time I'm stuck
11. Swallow your Pride
12. Love
The Aleph Zero label and its talented artists pushed forward levels of creativity once again, this time with CUTS, the project of musician and producer Nadav Katz from Israel. Somewhere between the music of Zero 7 and R.E.M, lies the spacious world of CUTS, called Hold the Sun. It is the latest chapter in Aleph Zero's colorful sonic exploration, and though you can hear all kinds of influences in there, it doesn't sound like any other band or artist. It sounds like CUTS. You can say it's folktronica, electro acoustic, downtempo or chill, and all those labels can fit I guess, but in the end you can't really define it, and when the music is good like in this case, it's a good thing. What we have here is a lavish moody suit of twelve beautiful songs, yes, that's right, songs, not tracks. There is one wonderfully looming instrumental piece (Shades of Black), but that's all.
Never too dark, but also never too sweet, the album flows smoothly from piece to piece and is interesting and full of gloomy charm from start to finish. In charge of the vocals is Omri Klein, bringing an atmospheric, dynamic and penetrating shade to the music with his lovely voice and strong lyrics. The album is filled with rich guitar layers, tricky synth streams and groovy basslines, provided by Nadav, who is responsible for the electronic core of the album, writing, producing, and also played some drums and percussion. Shay Raviv (the only current member of Violet Vision) worked with Nadav on one song here, The Wheels Will Turn, a sort of a post-rock electronica fusion that also got a nice music video (look it up on youtube). A gentle yet deep song. Elad Rizikowitz played drums on the dreamy, slowmo Swallow Your Pride and the more upbeat, striking A Devil Inside that also features Gal Binyamin on violin. Barak Rozen played the santoor on the open roads hit Religious Standards. I really can't pick one favorite song, because they are all great and combined together work very well as an album, but The Worst Is Behind Us, A Devil Inside, Your Wickedness, Shades of Black, Every Time I'm Stuck, Religious Standards, Solid Steel and Love (a creative cover to John Lennon's song, and a perfect finish for the album) really captured me strongly already from the first time I heard them. But the rest of the songs captured me quickly afterwards. Yes, the songs are accessible and melodic, but there are sounds, movements and scents that reveal themselves more slowly than others with each listening session. This release sits very nicely in the diverse Aleph Zero catalog, especially next to some of the more recent releases like Places I Miss That I Haven't Been To by Eitan Reiter, Falling Through The Earth by Fredrik Öhr, and also next to some older ones like Everyday Life by Unoccupied (Nadav Katz's project with Eitan Reiter), and Dream Wide Awake by Omnimotion. Once again Aleph Zero proved that they have the balls to release what ever they want and think is fresh and unique, without taking into consideration current trends and what will sell more.
Recomendation: So, if you like alternative rock, electronica, and even blues, dream pop or trip hop, you should check this album out. I think that anybody with an open mind and love for good music will find it attractive. Hold the Sun fits very well to a rainy midweek evening, but also to a sunny Saturday morning. I'm happy that the guys at Aleph Zero keep thinking outside of the box, and hope they always will. If you are like me, and always pursue after new and special sonic worlds, then put Hold the Sun in your must purchase list for this year. I think you'll love it.
'The Wheels will Turn' (feat. Violet Vision) official music video:
Bom*shankar
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Oct 27, 2011 10:37
excellent album this one.
Bodhisattva
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Posted : Oct 27, 2011 12:33
Morpheus Music
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Posted : Oct 28, 2011 15:15
STYLE
Downtempo alternative vocal electronica.
The complex electronic soundscapes of Hold The Sun amply balance the strong vocal content here, so that, although this is an album of songs, it is equally an album of hypnotic instrumental beauty. Omri Klein's melancholy vocal style is perhaps the most immediate feature: distantly reminiscent of Coldplay yet with a more introspective edge set deep into the mix. Guitars, bass and drums bring a rock sound to many of the tracks; yet the synths and programming are more prominent and adventurous than much mainstream rock. Digital beats, bass drones and exploratory audio-crafting at times steer the music in the direction of ambient groove or chilled pop.
IN DEPTH
Opening with a pattern of sonar-like blips and guitar fingering, the title track builds gradually into a sleepy downtempo rhythm with looming bass waves and layered vocals. Subsequent pieces range from the alternative pop of Religious Standards and Solid Steel through the bluesy guts and slide guitar of Shades of Black, the bold strings and big beat of A Devil Inside to the very tranquil synthetics of Every Time I'm Stuck. Violet Vision collaborates with Cuts on The Wheels Will Turn: a floating daydream vision with effected vocals and thrumming drones set against mesmerising guitar chords. A cover of the John Lennon track Love concludes the album - emotive and wistful - lush electric guitar strums resonate upon a bed of peculiar electronica whilst sharp string stabs gradually well up leaving a disquieting, uneasy peace.
ARTWORK
The jewel case for Hold The Sun contains a three panel, fold up insert with art work in pale metallic blue. Imaginary urban elements and suited figures hint at the strongly contemporary musical content. The track list is presented on both the back cover and on the insert; inside are also website details and full credits. The flip side of the insert gives over a full panel to thanks from Aleph Zero and a second to technical and contact information. The middle section sees the front cover power towers interspersed with the letters 'cuts': concentric red rings emanate outward from the central c like spreading ripples.
OVERALL
Cuts is the new project of musician, producer and sound master, Nadav Katz. Katz is well known for his work with such acts as Unoccupied, Violet Vision, Kob, Mode 7 and Que. Working here with vocalist and songwriter Omri Klein, Hold The Sun is a dreamy collection of twelve lush electo-songs. The album is released via Aleph Zero Records, demonstrating that the label is constantly aware of broadening the genres offered. In collaboration with violinist Gal Binyamin, Santur player Barak Rozen and programmer Shay Raviv, among others, Cuts presents an album of broad sonic vision tightly bound by a rather unique style. You can find more about this release at the Aleph Zero web site where all the tracks are available to sample, or you can explore Nadav's other projects at his personal website.
MORPHEUS MUSIC
www.morpheusmusic.co.uk ELECTRONIC MUSIC MALL
http://www.electronicmusicmall.com
Nathan
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Posted : Oct 28, 2011 16:16
a3k
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Oct 30, 2011 21:13
i love this album. 10 out of 10!
...
full_on
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Nov 2, 2011 14:23
Amazing. Aleph Zero did it again. I need the lyrics now. Respect!
.
...Be gentle with the earth...
...Dance like nobody's watching...
.
...I don't mind not going to Heaven, as long as they've got Coffee in Hell...
a3k
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Nov 4, 2011 19:09
my copy arrived yesterday
and i thought on you said napo and gave it a go on trying to uncover the lyrics so this is what i have come up with:
...
a3k
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Nov 4, 2011 19:09
1 - Hold The Sun
I wanna hold the sun,
I wanna hold the sun,
I wanna hold the sun,
I wanna hold the sun,
When (?) Look upon the child
Angels is inside (?)
Looking in my eyes
It feels so alive
And my love is breaking up
Power is mine
I can´t get enough
I wanna hold the sun
If holding the sun
Sometimes of a cry (?)
I take you before a life
I will make you feel you´re mine
Cause my love is breaking high
the power is mine
I just can´t get enough
I wanna hold the sun
...
a3k
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Nov 4, 2011 19:10
2 - Religious Standards
Who are we supposed to be?
Selling our destiny
Tomorrow brings us to a change
(?) here the rain
A sinner is not something that is right or wrong
Judging by religious standards
A sinner is not something that is right or wrong
Judging by religious standards
It feels like the clock is ticking
And we all know we shouldn´t be checking
…(?)
Our sins will make us fall apart
Our sins will make us fall apart
A sinner is not something that is right or wrong
Judging by religious standards
A sinner is not something that is right or wrong
Judging by religious standards
A sinner is not something that is right or wrong
Judging by religious standards
A sinner is not something that is right or wrong
Judging by religious standards
...
a3k
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Nov 4, 2011 19:10
4 - Solid Steel
I have settled in my ways
They won´t lead me to stray
Gentle power in my veins
I don´t need to call your name
I am down upon the shade (?)
I ´ve got no one to blame
Closing walls get out of here
I don´t feel no fear
I am made of solid steel
You can’t feel the things I feel
I´ll be flying out of here
In my mind is all so clear
...
a3k
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Nov 4, 2011 19:11
5 - The Worst Is Behind Us
The worst is behind us but now
The worst is behind us but now
The future´s behind but now
The worst is behind of us now
I´ve come to learn
In search of truth
I hear them fight I don´t wanna loose
Cable plugs you to your brain
Media controls it all again
So long for this game of cards
The answer lays where there’s a fog
Your only hopes are microchips
Forget yourself, just move your hips…(?)
People´s mind no signs of change
Ache of calm to close their hands
I hear them pray of search in vain
Their head is all to blame
So many wrongs I don´t divought (?)
For playing cards ...(?)
Crying now for god’s name
And after that show no shame
Blessed covers express the way
But it won´t help you yesterday
Little pills for times in need
A chemical friend is a friend in deed
The worst is behind us but now
The worst is behind us but now
The future´s behind but now
The worst is behind of us now
Game of words worst there is
My actual need make you need
Need the thing that sells you now
It wants you to feel the vibe
If burns a giant hole in you
Can´t feel it all no matter what you do
Fills it all of fake dreams
Nothing seems quite the way it seems
The media, the picture move
Chooses how you see the truth
The truth is now so far behind
And you are going down (?) your mind
It drives you into insanity
The worst kind that can ever be
The rivers dry you can´t careless
People (?)
By now you’re done you’re over with
For you can’t even see you bleed
Forget your soldiers
Watch TV and it will show you how to be
The worst is behind us but now
The worst is behind us but now
The future´s behind but now
The worst is behind of us now
...
a3k
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Nov 4, 2011 19:11
more developmtns next week if i have spare time and i´m not lazy ...
a3k
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Nov 9, 2011 00:38
12 - Love
Love is real, real is love,
Love is feeling, feeling love,
Love is wanting to be loved.
Love is touch, touch is love,
Love is reaching, reaching love,
Love is asking to be loved.
Love is you,
You and me,
Love is knowing,
We can be.
Love is free, free is love,
Love is living, living love,
Love is needing to be loved.
...
a3k
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Nov 9, 2011 00:39
