aden
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
81
Posts :
212
Posted : Dec 24, 2009 00:25:43
|
Artist : Phony Orphants
Title : Computer Music
Format : CD
Label : Iboga records
Release date : dec 09
Tracklist :
1. Recollection
2. Dr. Sachs
3. Razzle Dazzle
4. Liquid Soul : Push (Phony Orphants rmx)
5. Fate is a Long Line of Coincidences
6. Party Girl
7. Sweep Mama
8. Computer Music
9. Ton of Apples
10. Playground
Phony Orphants, the duo comprising Mikael Dahlgaard aka Emok, solo producer as Maelstrom, co-founder of Iboga records, and Jeppe Ørnkilde, returns with a third artist album, 6 years after their landmark « Symphony » release, and 4 years after « It Cetra », their second album. Right from the beginning, PO has forged its own sonic identity, combining epic trance, eerie atmospheres, and lofty melodies, while discreetly and smoothly integrating the influences of other genres, such as Prog-House for the seminal album, or overt Electroin the second opus. Their latest instalment features eight new tracks, only two of which have been previously released, leaving the pleasure of discovering its novelty almost intact.
1. Recollection
« Recollection », as the title suggests, is reminiscent of Phony Orphant’s initial style as heard in 2003. It sports their trademark, large, echoing bass, which ushers in a gentle motif, built up in a long crescendo. The break introduces conversing motifs of guitar-like soaring laments and reverb-laden synth lines, until a perky arpeggio drives the last sequences into an epic mood, perfectly suited for the afternoon, sun-filled dance hours. A nice introduction that establishes a direct filiation with the « Symphony » album.
2. Dr. Sachs
« Dr Sachs » follows a similar pattern to the introductory piece. The first half builds up tension until the midterm break skillfully stages the appearance of a perky theme, which will be pitched up and converse with a countermotif. Another cool, trancey piece, rolling on a wobbling, dance-floor minded bassline.
3. Razzle Dazzle
« Razzle dazzle » is another hybrid, packed with original ideas,that has a pronounced melodic vein which expands throughout the track, building up a truly dazzling polyphonic diversity. The bleeping theme is rather minimal in the initial bars and playfully echoes not only with the bouncy, elastic bassline that underpins it, but also more discreetly with an offset, muffled lead. This main motif is transposed just before the break which launches a melodic offshoot. It is then modulated by a soaring, reverberated guitar-like orchestration. Last but not least, the initial motif is expanded in a long crescendo flaring up the track and endowing it with a truly anthemic dimension. « Razzle dazzle » certainly has the potential to become a hit. It is a great tune, both complex and refined, and should trigger rapturous response on the dancefloor. Double thumbs up !
4. Liquid Soul: Push (Phony Orphants rmx)
The rmx invites the listener to embark on a quite different journey than that suggested by the original score, with more psyish overtones. It sports new arrangements such as the pitched up and down pad, the wobbling, siliconed synth backing up the rhythmic combo, and has groove and appeal.
5. Fate is a Long Line of Coincidences
« Fate is a Long Line of Coincidences » features a subtle Tech House rhythmic combo with the classic rattles, which the high-pitched melodic development is hooked on to, or rather twisted around. Classic, breezy, trancey pads and oscillating synth lines are used as a backdrop, and the nice galloping bassline ensures another dance-floor friendly track.
6. Party Girl
« Party Girl » is another good hybrid, tapping in on pumping Prog House and Trance influences, with a tough, hard-rocking bass/kick combo, somewhat reminiscent of the hit track with Liquid Soul in Maelstrom’s debut album. Yet, after the midterm break which features a tasty and funny conversation sample, the track unfolds more melodically, intertwining two mellow lines. Nice track, and a another dancefloor friendly tool.
7. Sweep Mama
The piece starts true to its trancey roots, with multilayered echoing pads conversing, with the gritty transposed lead unfolding atop. But the mood of the track whimsically changes after the break, which introduces a tormented spooky theme that gets all kinds of twisted fx to create a truly lysergic atmosphere.
8. Computer Music
« Computer Music » is another hard stomping hybrid, featuring tight percussion work, and catchy rhythmic hooks that sometimes throw back to the first PO album. No real melodic development in this number which strongly emphasizes binary pulsation, even if it stages the appearance of the eponimous vocoded voice sample to cool things off and inject a bit of fantasy.
9. Ton of Apples
« Ton of Apples » has a rhythmic combo that borrows from Tech House influences. As always, the melodic nature of the track is disclosed during and after the break. But it is rather restrained and sober, as the piece foregrounds a crisp and shaky entanglement of tight percussion work and electrifying leads, while the trancey orchestration devices, clearly audible, play the supporting roles yet again. Well done !
10. Playground
« Playground » is the longest piece, and draws the curtain on this third PO album. It weaves a rich sound fabric, wraps it in reverb, and lays vaguely oriental overtones across the surface in a trancey way. The core lead is a relentless loop that revolves around a bouncing bassline, creating an energetic and mesmerizing impetus. Nice finish.
Bottom line
This new Phony Orphants will not disappoint the fans, and is warmly commended to you. There will be debates as to whether it has surpassed the « Symphony » album. PO have managed to stay true to their trancey origins, as this album prolongs the vein of their landmark 2003 work (rather than their second release), while updating their sound palette. As in their previous albums, PO successfully experiments with other styles and unobtrusively integrates their influences into their own idiosyncratic soundscape. This album refuses routine and is packed with good ideas, even offering some moments of inspiration. A nice Christmas present.
Aden
Related links :
www.iboga.dk
http://www.myspace.com/phonyorphants
  http://myspace.com/adenbeatersweet
http://www.flow-records.com |
|
|
|
