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Panick - Lab-O-Matic (Neurobiotic Records 2006) CD
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DeathPosture
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jun 6, 2006 16:22
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Panick – Lab-O-Matic
Cover: http://tinyurl.com/pd4rp + http://tinyurl.com/mok6m
Artist: Panick (Israel)
Title: Lab-O-Matic
Format: CD (digipack)
Label: Neurobiotic Records (Italy)
Cat. #: NBR CD 018
Distribution: Arabesque
Date: 29 May 2006
Track listing:
01. 06’36” Menace To Society
02. 06’04” Blind Sensations
03. 06’09” Radioshake
04. 05’40” Incsoc
05. 06’10” Lab-O-Matic
06. 06’10” Chronick Candy
07. 07’04” Class-X
08. 06’49” Cap Zion
09. 07’06” Jibjab
10. 07’12” Manic Miner Edit
.m3u-playlist: http://tinyurl.com/p5s4x (all tracks!)
Review:
Vamos a la playa!
Israeli producer Nick Laniado is out with his second album, following the seemingly very popular Rocket Pocket released by Phonokol in 2003. I haven’t heard that album, but I’ve heard and enjoyed Nick’s input on the 2001 Psysex album Hardcore Blastoff… To put it lightly, I’m not a fan of the endless stream of generic full-on coming out of Israel – but luckily there’s still good full-on being produced. Tron’s smashing debut album Existence released by Liquid Records in early 2006 is a good example of brilliantly eclectic full-on being created in other parts of the world. Truth being, I have limited knowledge into the somewhat extensive Neurobiotic back-catalogue, but from what I’ve understood it’s among the better full-on labels… Let’s find out if this release can verify that…
Let me take you thru the tracks…
#01: Menace To Society
The intro is very cool and suspenseful – unfortunately most parts of the actual track are way too predictable and generic for my taste… And I’m not too pleased with the Infected Mushroom-like twirling synth lines either… Yikes, this is not too good a start… Sure, the bridge part has some interesting tweaks, but generally I’m not too impressed…
#02: Blind Sensations
“Video link-up requested!” After the somewhat shaky start, the next track is better… Sure, the bassline is still pretty bland, but the accompanying FX has more staying power and more ‘bite’… There’s an underlying groove here which I really like – and this track will work wonders on both the dance floors and in the living rooms – with the thrilling break-down part being the leading catalyst for just that… Pretty tasty tune!
#03: Radioshake
The next track seems to raise the bar another couple of notches… The pace has quickened and the basslines seems to have seen a little more consideration… The eerie, filtered voice-samples are sweet and the hands-in-the-air summer-festy touch is definitely present here with the massive punch of the ‘climax’ following the break… Maybe even too much, I don’t know… It’s good, but not great you know…
#04: Incsoc
Well, this track is another IM-clone… It may be VERY well-produced and I’m sure it will work absolute wonders on the floor, but it’s still a clone of something I’ve heard before… And don’t even get me started on the bassline… *Yawn*
#05: Lab-O-Matic
“That runner's smarter than we've seen so far! It's quite a catch. Thanks. Do you think it will convert? To convert is its choice to make!” Luckily the title track is much more interesting… The spacy, high-pitched melodies are both deranged and trippy – and the underlying rhythm section is nothing short of phat… A lovely piece of well-crafted full-on that will definitely turn some heads and move some feet!
#06: Chronick Candy
“Like undulant swirling smoke!” This track has some of the same spacey elements that made the previous track so great – and it has a very appealing, almost marching rhythm that I really like… It’s totally trance-inducing and will work absolute wonders on the floor… Sadly it also has some cheesy bits, especially towards the end of the track… They prevent me from hyping this track totally – but it’s still pretty neat…
#07: Class-X
“Irrational impulses!” Next up is another pretty predictable track – after the brief intro and the first stroke of the bassline and the first cord of the melody you’ve basically heard the entire track… Cheese-fest!
#08: Cap Zion
This one is better – without being great… But the intensity level has been raised again and this is sheer burst of energy… Definitely something that will go down well on a sunny dancefloor at the summer festivals… It’s fast-paced, in-your-face sunny funny frolics! Pretty tasty – but somehow it lacks the X-factor that would have elevated it into the awesome category…
#09: Jibjab
It’s pretty much becoming a rule of thumb now, but here’s another not-so-great track… Sure it has interesting parts, but as a whole this just doesn’t *do* enough for me… Style wise this sways away from dancefloor minded full-on into more epic, melodic trance with hints of psy… Sadly it’s a turn for the worse, and as mentioned above this doesn’t really rock my boat…
#10: Manic Miner Edit
“Please stand back from the automated door and wait for the security officer to verify your identity. Before exiting the train, be sure to check your area for personal belongings. Thank you and have a very safe and productive day!” This is a ‘bonus track’ – and it was previously released on the 2005 Neurobiotic compilation Sonica under Laniado’s real first name Nick… And what a track this is! This is highly focussed, action-packed, smile-cracking full-on… Twirling, old-school melodies and dancefloor orientated basslines that makes it hard not to get sucked in… A great, powerful track!
Alright, what we have here is an album with half the tracks being cheesy and predictable – and the other half being pretty good… That ratio is not good enough! Obviously I would have preferred an album packed to the rim with one ‘killargh’ after the other… That’s not the case here, and that’s really a shame! So, this is not the best full-on album I’ve heard in 2005 – but on the other hand it’s not the worst either… Far from it!
It’s no secret, that I am not a fan of boring, predictable, formulated, iconic Israeli neo full-on – and it’s been quite a while since I had a pleasant experience with a full-on CD made in Israel. Luckily Panick isn’t a total loss – coz as my indication of fav’e tracks below shows, there are indeed some great stuff to be found here… I just wish they weren’t so scarce! Also I wish the good tracks were longer. But let me also stress, that as a full-on album this is MILES ABOVE most of the generic, formulaic crap coming out of Israel nowadays… I’ll take this over Vibe Tribe, Dali or… Infected Mushroom (!) ANY day! Full-on fans will dig this – purists should sample it carefully before making the purchase… Either way – enjoy!
Favourites: 2, 5(!), 6, 10(!)
DeathPosture
External links:
Neurobiotic Records: http://www.neurobiotic.com
Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/release/692531
Saiko Sounds: http://tinyurl.com/mvtue
Beatspace: http://tinyurl.com/qgkez
Psyshop: http://tinyurl.com/l7u9r
Chaos: http://tinyurl.com/opkqv
Cisco: http://tinyurl.com/qhwjx
Juno: http://tinyurl.com/nteuu
Play: http://tinyurl.com/nesgd
  On really romantic evenings of self, I go salsa dancing with my confusion... |
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psyreviews
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jun 6, 2006 17:51
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Released against the backdrop of gushing fanfare, Panick’s second album is, to be fair, streets ahead of his first, which psyreviews couldn’t quite see the attraction of. If you like that fluid, tinkly sort of daytime psytrance then this is for you. And while it’s clever, it doesn’t quite fire on all the cylinders it tries to.
Blind Sensations stands out as one of the good tunes: plenty of sounds all over the place and good general energy, but for the most part it just doesn’t come together well enough. Throughout the album the ideas seem to be borrowed, the movement is often a little too deliberate. Whereas for instance the Commercial Hippies might ease off the pedal to let the music breathe, Panick seems to be constantly trying to coax and prod and pull and push. This means you end up with a result that’s well-produced, with some nice ticklish moments, but that seems to lack the core soul and lose-yourself danceability that we might have hoped for.
There are good moments, don’t get me wrong, but too much of this sounds very underwhelming – it sometimes moves the head, sometimes moves the feet, but rarely moves both. Chronik Candy, for instance, opens well, then goes a bit stopstart and loses its way – frustrating. The more cohesive tracks like Cap Zion and Incsoc are decent, but are formulaic and sound somewhat hackneyed. Jibjab is an interesting retread of a largely Gamma Goblins-esque mushroom trip, and only Manic Miner is a worthy track on its own two feet – released last year on the Sonica compilation.
I understand that it’s an exceptionally highly-evolved example at of what it is. And I mean that: it is exceptionally highly-evolved. It just doesn’t grab you. In the humble opinion of the present reviewer, Lab-o-Matic is disposable.
6
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full_on
IsraTrance Team
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Posted : Jun 6, 2006 19:57
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IMO this album is better than most full on albums released this year.
I did not like the Lab-O-Matic or the collaboration with Sub6 (it sounds a lot like Sub6).
The production level is exceptional (as with most new Neurobiotic Releases), but fortunately this is packet with more than nice production, it's "serious full on" fitting on the lines of others Neurobiotic, Alchemy, Nano and Exposure Productions releases.
Also this release is exceptional for home listening.
On the other side, it did had some non-original moments, but not enough to be called copy/paste.
Overall what we have here is a refreshing release, a good DJ can pick and play the good stuff, and the bad tracks are not bad enough to make me skip them every time.
Check for yourself:
http://www.psybuy.net/?art=28
http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display_release.asp?id=5751
Respect!
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...Be gentle with the earth...
...Dance like nobody's watching...
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...I don't mind not going to Heaven, as long as they've got Coffee in Hell... |
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gandharva
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jun 8, 2006 04:30
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an exception to the boring music made nowadays in israel. but still rocket pocket was better than this but.lab-o-matic is a very good album
dont worry be hippie |
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Justin Chaos
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jun 9, 2006 15:58
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Funny to see how different tastes can be.
In my personal opinion Lab-o-matic is an absolute masterpiece and Nick a visionary.
His work might not been easy listening, I understand this, some people might not get it.
But...listen to this on Acid man, this is a milestone if you ask me, the best Full-on album made in ages.
Of course no need to comment about the production being a Neurobiotic release that´s guaranteed.
For the record...since the release of this album, it´s being played heavily in London and the reactions from the crowd are diverse, depending on the ability of the ocasional DJ´S about how to play it and when.
But...when it´s well squeezed, it´s a dance floor smasher.
For me it´s a 10 out of 10, as simple as that.
My fake plants died, because I did not pretend to water them. |
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sketi
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Posted : Jun 11, 2006 05:53
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yeah who gives a rats what psyreviews thinks anyways  hehe this cd ROCKS 
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edoardo@neurobiotic
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Posted : Jun 18, 2006 18:39
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MoWGLi
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jun 18, 2006 19:03
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Quote:
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On 2006-06-18 18:39, edoardo@neurobiotic wrote:
it surely is one of the most psychedelic releases so far...
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How can you say that man? The most psychedelic Neurobiotic Records release: yes, maybe. One of the most psychedelic releases ever in psytrance history: hell no, not even close. |
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edoardo@neurobiotic
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jun 18, 2006 21:08
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MoWGLi
IsraTrance Junior Member
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Posted : Jun 18, 2006 23:06
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Quote:
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On 2006-06-18 21:08, edoardo@neurobiotic wrote:
for sure not in psytrance history, of course, but surely, IMHO, one of the most psychedelic releases lately...
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With that I can agree.
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edoardo@neurobiotic
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jun 19, 2006 02:44
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u-recken
U-Recken
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Posted : Jun 24, 2006 15:46
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good stuff in there brother...
this albom is one of my favorites for sure in 2006!
a very rare thing too find
best of luck man!!!
u-recken? |
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efrat@MoonStone
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Posted : Jun 26, 2006 11:43
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Great album just like I expected...
Good luck!!
F-Rat MoonStone rec. |
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Astral699
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Posted : Jun 26, 2006 12:58
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Very bad and boring album imo  |
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Suspekt
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jun 26, 2006 17:59
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I’ve always been a big fan of Panick’s stuff- his first album Rocket Pocket definitely made a big impact on me musically- you still catching me listening to it today, and that’s a testament to a quality release. I quite enjoyed his performance at RSF too, although I still think it was the wrong timeslot for his style of music.
Suffice to say I was pretty stoked when I received a copy of his new album Lab-O-Matic, I’d heard only good reports and I was curious to see what he came up with. And disappointed I ain’t! No siree, bob- Panick’s new album is an absolute cracker of a release, one of the best full-on releases in recent memory. Solid stuff from start to finish- definitely proves to me that the Israeli sound can still be fresh and done well- good to see he’s stuck to his guns on this one.
Lab-O-Matic opens up with Menace2Society- a groovy number that very much sets the pace of the album. Big juicy sounds and powerful, stabby leads with the trademark Panick bassline punch and some crazy psychedelic melodies. No cheese here, just top-class psychedelic TRANCE.
Blind Sensations really takes it up a notch- perhaps even the best track on the album! Solid as fuck bassline that really doesn’t let up- future hover gallop gear. Crazy stabby, glitchy leads wind over the top a track that builds at a really nice, steady pace. This is my kind of morning music! Biggest breakdown towards the end leads up to the last section- one of the most solid pieces of work I’ve heard in a while. Tracks like this renew my faith in full-on music, if I were playing this style this is the shit I’d be playing for sure. Rocking stuff, one of the best tracks of 2006.
Radioshake keeps the solidness strait up- super chunky bassline on this one. Mad gallop gear, with more of the crazy panick quirkiness thrown in. His sound has a playful, sometimes silly element at times- but it manages to maintain the solid bottom end the whole way through- picks right up at the end too. Just as I though things could get no better!
Incsoc is a slightly more funky, positive number- big juicy electrobass frequency and the quirk again. Wicked development and progression with the melody in this one- off-its-head psychofunk! Loving it! The title track Lab-O-Matic has been floating around for a while, although I must say even after all this time, it sounds sooo up-to-date. No doubt one of the bigger tracks appeal on the album- catchy hooks and samples, great dancefloor appeal and a bassline that cant be matched. Dark, melancholic grooves for the morning hours.
Cronick Candy is a little less deep- has a wicked tappy percussive drive and more minimal intent. Bassline really takes off in this one- super driving and the higher note gives it a more full-flight appeal. Takes a bit of an unexpected turn toward, moves back into funky territory- man, this guy definitely keeps you on your toes! Horray for innovation!
Class-x keeps the same kind of hover from the last track- bit more whippy on the bass frequency though. This guy is officially now a trance-master- I really don’t think there are many people who are making as tight production as him right now. Again, its really hard to find fault with this one- love the spooky kind of pad feel he gets going, reminds me of a demented ghost train or something. Smashing drugs too, full rocker. Deadly.
My friend had been going on about this Cape Zion tune for a while- It was the first one I listened to when I first got the album. It’s a collaboration between Sub6 and Panick- this always seems to produce good results (no surprise here really, specially if you listen to tunes like Succubus!). Definitely hear the Sub6 in this one- got a slightly more “full” kind of feel to the track. One of the funkier numbers on the album- but still no cheese present. Wicked.
JibJab is the most reminiscent of the stuff from Rocket Pocket- fans of the old Panick stuff will no doubt get a kick out of this one. Stomping bassline and the futuristic psytrance kind of feel- lots of “synthetic” kind of sounds and a really jumpy feel. Absolutely amazing breakdown section about 5 minutes into the track that is one of the production highlights of the cd. Perhaps my favourite track on the album along with Blind Sensations, great stuff.
I’m not sure what a “bonus track” really means on an album. Just seems like the last track for me! Manic Miner closes us off nicely- rolly kind of bassline and some stabbing vocal samples over a winding kind of psychedelic melody line. Hovering and pretty full power, its definitely a slightly different vibe to JibJab. Doesn’t let us down though, a great end to a fantastic cd.
I’ve listened to this one over and over and I’m completely sold- along with U-Reckon, Panick is my absolute favourite full-on artist right now. Lab-O-Matic is one of the best full-on albums released in years, this is driving morning music the way it SHOULD be. Any dj or person who even slightly gets into the morning Israeli sound should get this cd- it’s a breath of fresh air in a scene where good tracks are few and far between (for me at least). There aren’t any of the “ravey” elements present- this is strait forward, huge-as-fuck, groovy psytrance for the morning hours. Congratulations to Panick for keeping the faith alive!!!
9/10
Open Records, Australia
www.open-records.net |
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