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MAUXUAM lp
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MARGHERITA
Master Margherita
Started Topics :
156
Posts :
1442
Posted : Apr 27, 2008 00:51
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vector_0
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
113
Posts :
1191
Posted : Apr 28, 2008 19:00
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I must say, I'm very happy that this was released for digital sales immediately. More labels should take note of this! so without further ado, here is my review:
1)B4 After -
A great foreshadowing of things to come. The beat is broken in a way that makes you suspect some "killargh" but keeps you on the edge waiting for it.
2)Extended Body -
Serves as a bridge to the rest of the album. Glitches begin filling your headspace but not in the pretentious, over-bearing IDM way. Hearing Alan Watts gives me faith that I should keep listening. Better watch out, Maux, you don't want your psychill artist friends knowing that you like psychedelic thinkers 
3)Jahnesh (Divine Cluster Version) -
Things take a turn for the goofy in this track. Makes me want to light up a blunt and pray to an elephant god! I really like the little flute loop in this track. it doesn't need to be anything crazy, but a tiny bit of melody from an acoustic instrument goes a long way. I would like to have heard more snippets like this peppered throughout the album, but it seems to be taking a minimalist approach regarding melody.
4)Stones of Gaza -
If I were a radio DJ, I'd deem this track to be the first single. Its got a bangin 2-steppy trip hop beat and the kind of synth bass line that really talks to you. as the track progresses, more layers of glitch and drums ensue; i picture myself rockin the chill lounge with this one
5)Where Was I Going? -
Tempo picks up a little as we move away from the goofy and back to the mysterious. This track feels a little stagnant to me; could use something in the forefront of the soundscape to focus on. Nevertheless, the beat is well done and the background noises keep it interesting
6)Viavai
We're still a little uptempo from our usual mellowed out slow-beats. This track reminds me of "Where was I going?" but with more happenings in the headspace. Kinda reggae-ish, but glitched out in what i'm coming to understand is the Mauxuam style. I think a little vocal sample could have taken this track the extra distance, but it remains an interesting, driving, and pleasurable track
7)Ulezak (Snakebyte Remix)
Yes! The original, which appears on the Interchill compilation "Dissolving Clouds" was the track that made me realize this guy exists. This remix greatly exemplifies the growth (musical growth...probably no growth in social skills) Maux has undergone in the past few years. All the sounds are much more crisp and refined, as well the actual construction of the track. I would describe this remix as "dirtier/grimier" or simply "badass." Some samples that were buried and miniscule in the original jump into the forefront of this track and grab you by the balls.
8)Cloudcycle -
Maybe its the name of the track, but i get a distinct "floating" sensation from this one. The beat is disconnected, yet flowing, as if there's some phantom resolve. Good balance of melodies and glitch in this track. It doesn't really go anywhere, it just is....can be a good or bad thing depending on what kind of mood you're in.
9)Infinity Minus 1 -
An epic closer. Mauxuam gives us a break from the drum machine until about 4 minutes in when the beat hits with that synthbass you will now recognize as the mauxbass. The track remains atmospheric as various sounds tickle all the best parts of your speaker system as if its an effort to say "farewell."
10)Wiggly Things -
The encore track! I really liked listening to this track on Mauxuam's website and am happy he brings out a little 2 and a half minute version of it as a final hoorah for the album. Just atmosphere here with a muffled vocal sample that alludes to his psychill roots
So all in all, I like this album. I can see why Maux is trying to distance himself from "Chillout" as we know it....There's nothing particulary shamanic or overtly psychedelic about this album, though it could appeal to the psychedelic minded person. Not a lot of world elements or vocals; instead its filled with subtle yet bizarre blips, bloops, and buzzes. And despite the head-nod beats, there are many moments which could be described as not-so-chillout.
I would recommend this to the chillout fan who's looking for something slightly out of character, or to the IDM fan who's looking for something with a little more flow. Vice Versa seems like a neat bridge between these two styles.
  http://soundcloud.com/rob-vector |
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maux
Mauxuam
Started Topics :
28
Posts :
546
Posted : Apr 28, 2008 19:36
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uouuuu....what a review vector !
you not just a fan....you write like a music lover 
tnx for the good words...and accurate description.
some notes:
Jahnesh flute is not a sample loop....but a heavy dubbed flute played by Craig from Organismic.
Extendedbody glitches by Shiranami
Viavai is featuring Master Margherita ....sob.
Cloudcycle and B4 After are featuring mr Greg Hunter.
since you bought the digital album here there is the digital cover...the all 6 pages of the digipack in jpg:
http://mauxuam.net/mzk/viceversa/picts/viceversa_cover4web.zip
ps.if you explore a bit my website you will find a video of wiggly things glitchmix...it's called holodancer... "There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain will never improve, and that's here." Aldus |
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vector_0
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
113
Posts :
1191
Posted : Apr 30, 2008 01:59
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Quote:
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On 2008-04-28 19:36, maux wrote:
you not just a fan....you write like a music lover
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Aw, thats sweet, but you're just saying that because i'm writing about your album
I had no idea you recruited such talented people to help on some tracks! Greg Hunter, wow, lucky you!!
Thanks for posting the covers....I work in a print/copy shop by day, and plan on running off some nice high gloss prints. Especially love that mandala! who did you get to design that magnificent creature???
http://soundcloud.com/rob-vector |
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maux
Mauxuam
Started Topics :
28
Posts :
546
Posted : Apr 30, 2008 02:28
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Quote:
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On 2008-04-30 01:59, vector_0 wrote:
I had no idea you recruited such talented people to help on some tracks! Greg Hunter, wow, lucky you!!
Thanks for posting the covers....I work in a print/copy shop by day, and plan on running off some nice high gloss prints. Especially love that mandala! who did you get to design that magnificent creature???
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I didn't recruit any of them, we met on the way ...we are good friends...and so we did some music together.
the mandala is a pencil drawing done by another good friend, anita gabrielli.
there is a gallery of her drawings with more creatures on my website here:
http://www.mauxuam.net/image/gallerie/slideshow%20guest/neetz.html
ps.I suggest the prints not on glossy paper "There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain will never improve, and that's here." Aldus |
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damon
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
88
Posts :
2122
Posted : Apr 30, 2008 02:51
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vector_0
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
113
Posts :
1191
Posted : Apr 30, 2008 03:34
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dare I ask?...........
I do.
whats your problem with glossy paper? Its been used as CD covers for years now and we all love it! Futura 80# Gloss Text is a classic! I heard they just came out with a new type of gloss paper a few weeks ago, but I haven't heard it..........!.!..uh,....... I mean............copied..stuff...onto it yet
http://soundcloud.com/rob-vector |
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Outolintu
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
63
Posts :
1477
Posted : Apr 30, 2008 22:31
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my thoughts about the album:
b4 after:
a good choice for the opening track of the album. sets the right mood, kind of quirky, slowmotion trippyness. to me this definately is psychedelic music right from the start. i see somehow this track as a spiceworm traveling without moving, folding space back and forth. the track has only a few elements which usually would make me press skip or fast forward but the subtle and clever writing/programming keeps the worm wiggling and this bird's entire attention is guaranteed.
extended body:
more bass heavy work. slow start building up a gloomy atmosphere until one of the few melodies on the album comes twirling in. i know you (maux) are going to hate me for this but if ott would be more tripped out he might have done this track  it is a compliment since i like some of ott's material very much too. the vocal sample surely will divide people into the "you preach" and the "say it out loud" camps. since i agree with the message i have no problem with it. very hypnotic tune but the ending is a bit too abrupt. could have nodded my head to the groove for some mmmh let's say... 32 bars longer : ).
jahnesh:
very accurate title. first thing that comes to my mind after this slow stomper starts is a woozy elephant making it's way to get a new bhang lassi. the smoother, hypnotic flow of the first two tracks is now contrasted with some edgier, "aggressive" beats. just got to love that bass and the head spinning efx. funny, how a track can be heavy and still bonky at the same time.
the themes are being showcased, hidden, morphed and then thrown back in your face making you think: "wait a moment didn't i just hear that?" the answer is no, you didn't. it was a version of a version in a delicate compositional web.
stones of ghaza:
now the glitchier, fluidier side fades away and right from the start you get fat, dirty junk beats. beat construction is simplified, the woozy atmosphere cleares up. this track could be a slow starter on the dance floor and because of the energy and straight forwardness it lacks in depth and interest that the previous tracks had. i could have managed without this track. for me it
breaks the flow of the album. since i think i know a little bit about maux this might just be the effect he desired. also the title leaves me a bit puzzled.
where am i going:
yeah, this is more like it! i forget them stones and try to figure out where we're going next. back to folding space, distorted space that is. broken rhythms, u-turns, quick stops and some head scratching. this tune is a deep diver and i'm not sure if my lung capacity is sufficient
for the whole 8.02 minutes, slight anguishness is detected after 6 minutes.
viavai:
aaaah, air! back on the surface. glitchy, groovy electronic dub rubbing my body. just got to make some funny moves between writing. really happy about the groove. quite suddenly this groove is brought to a halt. i could have easily enjoyed more structural progressions here. maux could have made up his mind concerning where he's going 2 minutes earlier and stayed in viavai a bit longer : ) hmmh, did i mention already how splendid the groove was?
ulezak:
building up slowly, familiar, dark landscapes until a fat bass mashes your brain. whooomp. the pace slows down from the previous tune and the bass and beat combo starts to wrap you around it's index finger while circulating in air. this is truly fat, hypnotic, trance inducing audio
stimulus. well, what is a ulezak? i think it's a giant swinging lazily in a even bigger hammock digesting a massive meal and hick-uping every now and then. once again there are not many musical elements but the cunning use of sound effects and the slight but meaningful modifications keep my brain occupied without breaking the trance flow. de-whoompalicious.
cloudcycle:
very delicate, smooth, spacey build up reminding me of some golden age ambient tunes i've enjoyed. floating around, enjoying the guitar and efx until bass and beats sneak up into visinity and pull me back onto the ground. the production is a bit muddier than on the previous tracks but it doesn't disturb me enjoying the music. at around 4.30 minutes the tune shifts it's shape into a groovier, fluxating one. digging the track structure here that is giving some fresh twists to the album. a prime example of a well thought out and written chill tune.
infinity -1:
continuing on the more ambient side of electronic music this track almost stretches out infinity around you. a very spacey (in both ways feeling and surrounding) start gets accompanied with a hefty beat after some 4 minutes of drifting around. a subtle build up follows and we're back where we started this journey in rich efx'd, quirky slowmotion trippyness. maybe this should have been the starting track after all? in any case a most enjoyable tune.
wiggly things:
a disturbing outro with a witty speech sample (my answer to the question is: yes) closes the album leaving me a bit dazzled. what, no happy ending? maux, stop smirking!
hats off and congratulations to mauxuam and to interchill for releasing this fresh and original debut. there are very few electronic albums these days at hand especially in the psy-scene (is it actually accurate to say interchill is a part of the psy-scene?) that have had a positive effect on me. this one has and i've been able to listen to the album repeatedly without losing interest. i'm also finding new bits and bleeps i hadn't noticed before on every new round.
this is intelligent, mood rich, well produced, psychedelic adventure music for curious and demanding chill connoisseurs.
"no one ever sweats on a plug-in" -moby |
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Alienc
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
87
Posts :
768
Posted : May 1, 2008 11:48
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i`m looking forward to this even more now |
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Justin Chaos
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
117
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3086
Posted : May 1, 2008 21:23
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I've really enjoyed reading your review Outolintu.
My fake plants died, because I did not pretend to water them. |
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maux
Mauxuam
Started Topics :
28
Posts :
546
Posted : May 23, 2008 04:28
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Alienc
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
87
Posts :
768
Posted : May 30, 2008 12:12
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got mine yesterday, mmmm nice album, interesting & fresh. |
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BlackSun
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
39
Posted : Jun 4, 2008 14:44
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Nice one Maux - awesome release by the way !!! xx
The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open |
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DjSchofield
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
21
Posts :
1050
Posted : Jan 15, 2009 05:42
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Still enjoying Viceversa.
And am absolutely stoked to hear that Mauxuam is playing on the Sunday night at Rainbow Serpent Festival.
Can't wait to catch you live dude (if you're still moonlighting around the blue pages)... |
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