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Shift - Excession (Crystal Matrix)
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Shimmer
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
162
Posted : Apr 27, 2005 11:09
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Shift – Excession
“This is the sound of Shift presenting his second solo album on Crystal Matrix Records. Blending the dark tones of night into the morning rays-this is the sound that pulses through you. A morphing, swirling, driving resonance from deep within. Ominous even...something unknown, an Excession...A power-pack of psychedelic gems-Escape, Explore, Expand.”
1. Stretch
2. Moonchild
3. Closer
4. Toxic Shake
5. Da business
6. Skelm
7. Push it
8. Plug in
9. Cerebral cortex
10. 10th day
1. Stretch
And it starts…in a happy mood. Like waking up from bed and the sun is shining, but not for long. The kick thumps, and the day is in gear. This one comes in and out of consciousness; the melody is catchy and pretty high up in the air. Chris plays with us here, toying with our feelings. We want to let go and explode but he has other plans. Some cool “space” samples and then we’re off again. There are some nice tunes here which sound like they’ve been placed in an empty 10 000 litre drum. When this track kicks into gear it rarely lets go. A nice beginning and you sense that Chris has some new tricks for you to experience.
2. Moonchild
Still a bit slow, these tams are tapping around the place, and are the most immediate melody in the track. Still the Shift sound is present, and after some violent shakes we’re into the main body of the track. This track takes quite awhile to get used to; at times you are in a trance, other times you just don’t know what is going on. I enjoy the inclusion of fight for the front position between all these fighting sounds. At around the 3 minute mark, there is a cool moment which is too short. And then a signature build up and we’re off again. Really cool sounds here, different though.
3. Closer
In true Shift style, no time for introductions! The popping bass and the kick really draw the ears in for an arse-kicking. Very tidy layering of the instruments. And suddenly before we know it we’re suspended in air, and let go again to feel the energy of the track. Really wicked sounds, and this creeping melody which haunts you from a far until it is right in your face, it sounds familiar, you beat yourself up, until you recognise it at the 4 minute mark, the whole track is consumed by an unspeakable fire of energy and high synths. Then the sample. As you can tell the track is layered with Nine Inch Nail’s Closer (At first I though Chris was a fan of Julia Roberts : ) . Awesome, awesome idea. The original song is aggressive and Shift takes it to another level. I loved that he keeps the original melody of the song building from the beginning, teasing and twisting your brain. One of the highlights already.
4. Toxic Shake
The introduction is pretty awesome. The swelling melodies. The driving bass. It pushes along nicely. Some really high sounds bounce around the speakers. The track doesn’t really find its feet until the 2 minute mark, which is good because the anticipation is worth it. It takes you to a really cool place where little aliens speak to you in tongues that you almost understands. There’s this bass which is unrelenting and exciting. And as I said, it really drives everything else. The breakdown is uber cool. From here on out, the tracks come thick and fast and damaging.
5. Da business
Another track which occupies your brain by overloading your senses. The use of the violin and the percussion makes this track an absolute favourite. So much happens in the space of a second. The track is on this stall mode (a great thing), almost like the track is skipping. It really takes control of your mind, it takes a lot of concentration and then when we’ve skipped along until the 4 minute mark, we’re faced with a ringing phone (which actually tricked me the first time), but then a second or two out of the trance, we’re right back in it. Head, feet and body grooving away. This track is an addiction.
6. Skelm
Fade in of the kick. As it comes in, it sounds rough, and angry. And then gets high and mighty until the real thing kicks in. And suddenly. We’re racing a race that has no finish line. Our mind is controlled by these high hats and low bass drives. These winding squelches deepen into our body and we’re moving away from the universe into another world. This track gathers your thoughts to steal them away. There’s this tiny sound at the end of each kick which sounds high and distorted but it’s these little things that get our attention. Pretty cool effort. Loved the use of the breakdown here, takes things back to square one and then back to square billion with a steady build up. This track feels like it is in a rush, and you will be too.
7. Push It
Another of Shift’s “no time for an introduction” introduction. Seems more intent of mixing some mechanical synths together to create a quite cool array of patterns here. The bass pokes its head through from time to time, really cool, it feels like the bass hasn’t had a rest since track 3. But here it’s more like a bridge, while the other tunes just pound the crap out of it. There a nice moment at the 2:30 mark where Shift just scratches away and then pounds you more. Then what feels like a cheesy 80’s television theme comes in, and some equally industrial break beat drums, mixed together with Shift’s irrepressible style, all served up in a salad bowl full of chaos. Very cool. This takes a lot of stamina to get through this without at least tapping your foot, and takes more stamina if you are on the dance floor. Then a cool horror sample helps smooth things out, until we’ve been thrown back into the hole. Really, really, really uber track.
8. Plug In
The kick and bass starts things out, with an atmosphere that is distant from the last tracks. More high hats and a high sound here. The speakers work double overtime here to cope with the distinguishing sounds. The sounds here are stabs, you can almost hear every rough edge until we notice that there’s this subtle build up happening in the background which finally breaks through at the 3:30 mark. Then something that sounds very “Artifakt – Nosferatu” but with a unique Shift spin on it. Energetic and enjoyable!
9. Cerebral Cortex
This melody hits high on your senses list. Really cool to hear something like this in Shift’s world. The great thing about it is that Shift doesn’t make the rest of the track kneel down to satisfy its needs (if that makes any sense). By this stage we think we might have all of Shift’s tricks figured out by he does manage to surprise with this sinister synth, it plays in the background, slowly making it’s way to the foreground…through the bass. Then another version of this cool tune. We’re everywhere and nowhere at once. This track sucks you into its cortex (awful pun I know).
10. 10th day
And the end. Some mist, ghost and screams…and then a squealing cat in a blender which has been fed to a small baby bird singing through a microphone hooked up to an amplifier set to 11! The bass is very cool here, simple and effective. Has this pattern which is just enjoyable to hear. You have a sense that things are winding down but only just. Then a cool moment. “Did I do something to you in the past life” “Don’t play coy with me Princess” FRIGGIN AWESOME!!! The bass just keeps on keeping on. The track sums up a memorable experience. These high reaching sounds and low touching beats. Awesome track.
If you read my review of Shift’s first album “Red Line” on here, you’ll know that I am a fan. This album is a kick ass production. Everything falls into place with the exception of two tracks. This is a different sound though, Red Line sounds space-y but they may be due to the Total Recall samples. Here, it sounds like Shift has illustrated an album for the masses (not in a sell out way) but in a more danceable way. This album feels like it would be right at home on the dance floor, stomping away. There are so many quick drops and nice rhythms here. Another thing to notice, or what I noticed is a similarity between some of the tracks on here and Artifakt’s, which is cool, they are both some of the best artists going around. I was very hyped up for this album to be released and I was not disappointed, I can guarantee that you won’t be either.
Fav(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Overall: 9/10
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I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, slithering, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving. |
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Noise Poison Records
Noise Poison Records
Started Topics :
28
Posts :
579
Posted : Apr 27, 2005 11:53
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High there ......
very well written review, I enjoyed to read and agree in most of its points...... now after I tasted "closer" track I am more obsessed with Chris work than before ..... as a very big fan of Trent Reznor I was damn excited to listen to this !!! 10 points for this goodie from here ...... another outstanding track for me is the "10th day" ..... I have had high expectations on this album and Chris again met his requirments here .... big respect just for touching Trents work and doing fine in this .....
thx
bOOm
I just came out, cause it seems there was a noise outside ! .... added to Parvati Records rooster .. check webside !!!
http://www.parvati-records.com
http://www.noise-poison.com
http://www.myspace.com/dj_ilse |
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OIL
Oil
Started Topics :
243
Posts :
845
Posted : Apr 29, 2005 19:00
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I would say its a good album!
like a 8.5/10. unfortunely i excpected atleast a 9. sorry chris 
the first shift album was more spacy, more original i think.
but dont stop to give us tunez! |
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SuPeR MiA
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
41
Posts :
722
Posted : Apr 29, 2005 22:59
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killa cd. love it VEry much!
i will see the master this week in israHell.
blow the mind the cd. very melody. very good sound. bassline in every track.
good work
9/10 onather killa cd i mean from the guys from south africa BTW the last track is the bomb!!!!! |
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Psychoactive
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
52
Posted : May 1, 2005 10:19
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good luck mate, havent had the pleasure yet but im sure some dogy bloke will give me a copy. love ya work dude.... |
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Voice of All
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
48
Posts :
762
Posted : May 1, 2005 23:37
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Yes it is very solid work we are having here... I realy was not very impressed by Shift's tracks on last compilatons (only Checkpoint was very good one), but album is good for sure!
Spiritual guides are to practice and serve in ways that cultivate awareness, empathy, and wisdom. |
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psychocouch
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
26
Posts :
168
Posted : May 2, 2005 09:18
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A definate progression and maturity shown..production skills geting wilder all the time and i give it a 9/10 too...will spank this one this weekend! |
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Spectron
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
53
Posted : May 2, 2005 14:57
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good work dude...love your killer production
but i was excpected somthing more fresh more creativity more original...im sure its will be like that next time...
8/10 for this work for sure... |
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lukepsywalker
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
28
Posts :
165
Posted : May 4, 2005 05:59
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great stuff as always from chris excellent album , nice and chunky : ) great tracks , love the nine inch nails closer rmx . classic . best of luck for this release , its sure to decimate dancelfoor across the globe
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enichkin
eniChkin Project
Started Topics :
12
Posts :
206
Posted : May 4, 2005 09:35
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Great CD! One of the best in this year IMHO ;]
I enjoyed it.
9/10 (it could be better) |
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Bizzare Didy
Bizzare Contact
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
88
Posted : May 4, 2005 16:55
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Chris - U Killed Me DUDE !!
Big respect for this album - keep it like this 
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slug
Slug
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
114
Posted : May 10, 2005 15:02
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Hey Shimmer - brilliant review!!!
I think Shift has really expressed himself very well with this album. It's dark, it's pounding, but there are many playful elements in it too.
The NIN rmx is a corker; also there's a very "South African" feeling to the intro track (it wouldn't be out of place blasting out of a minibus taxi, Kwaito style).
A very polished piece of work I.M.O. |
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jyoty
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
108
Posted : May 10, 2005 21:50
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brilliant cd ! i can't stop listening to it ! 10 day is my favourite...cuz it's got more of a crunchier gritty sound to it ..which is what i miss a lil on this album compared to older shift.
the new sound still has amazing percussion and basslines....this is why i love shift.
his sound has evolved a lot and sounds much more polished.... oooh so crisp ! i miss the samples he used to use...they made me laugh a lot... this one doesn't have very good samples...i would give this one a 9 ..very nice work... much lighter sound but definiately not cheesy...this cd makes me shake my ass for sure !
p.s. when is the man coming to san francisco ? shift at burning man? wow that would be a dream ! |
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X-static
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
32
Posted : May 10, 2005 22:21
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Shift just continue to explore into space! Very impressive album just like I was expectin. Yeh, it feels litle lighter , but its still so powerfull and hyper!
And the melodys just add more pleasure. You can throw any of these tracks on the dancefloor , it will make a lot of damage! Track # 7 just killa!!! Same with 1,2 , 5 ,6, 10 !
Respect to Shift! |
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[Ada-superwoman]
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
17
Posts :
232
Posted : May 11, 2005 19:28
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