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V/A - Gran Turismo 4 Kicks (Solstice, Sony)
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lazy_i
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
15
Posts :
276
Posted : Mar 18, 2005 05:27
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Artist: Various Artists
Title: Gran Turismo 4 Kicks
Format: CD
Label: Solstice
Cat. #: SOLMC046
Distribution: QQS, Solstice, Sony
Date: March, 2005
First time I listened to this cd in the store, I thought it was nothing special at all- big beats, heavy bass, little melodies. I wanted to read a review before buying it but hell I came back a few days later and couldn’t resist myself… The cover is simple, and if you turn the steering wheel around, you get some kind of scary Halloween smilie face (okay that was unnecessary but it still makes me laugh when I look at it…).
Hardly any name on the cd requires an intro as they are probably some of the most well-known in the game of trance. Sorry for the rest of the free world, but again I bought it in Japan (the last time for now as I am leaving this country for good, I promise) but you’ll get it soon enough, the wait is really worth it- and don’t trust short samples for this one, it needs to be experienced as a whole, kinda like beer and foam…
1) The Antidote - Bullet
The spun boy is back. Good string intro into strong kick. Overall the track has lots of string instruments and has this dramatic edge to it, almost like a James Bond car chase. The percussion overall is very mechanical. It works well in the end, surprised by their performance.
2) Hallucinogen – Bubble’n Tweak
Does the master of it all need an introduction? This one is slower, with the typical beat/ bass from previous Younger Brother tracks. A bit minimal compared to what he usually gives us, but he gets more into subtleties. Reminds me quite a bit of “Magic Monkey Juice” (Younger Brother). Those of you who read the shroomy interview (nice one, btw) know that he didn’t write this track precisely for the game. The whole track seems like a lonely monster trying to express himself.
3) X-Dream – Move and Proceed
Pretty crazy track, things get out of hand here and I wouldn’t be surprised if you get in accidents while listening to this one… eheheh… The track itself is very in-your-face- big beat and heavy melodies. This one seems to have been written for a robot race. Very nice indeed.
4) Etnica – Checker Flag
This one is a bit of a let-down compared to the 3 previous tracks. Pretty hypnotic but the sounds he used have all been heard before in so many different forms that it almost gets boring. However, I could see myself driving in a computer game with it- it has this base and percussions that make you go forward, almost feeling like I have the game in front of me. I like the end of the track a lot, though.
5) Quadra – Back on Track
After his very successful debut album, Quadra is all over the place. While listening to this one, I can’t help but think that perhaps he influenced himself from a Daft Punk track on an older racing game… Typical Israeli full-on in the end, still quite nice and very good production, this one will kick some butt on the dance floor. Still, doesn’t come close to some of the masters present on this compilation.
6) Koxbox – Inside Every Man (there’s a machine waiting to come out)
Keys in, start the engine, and off we are with maestro Koxbox as our driver. The track is like one big plunge into the unknown or perhaps infinity. When I close my eyes, I feel like I am in a flying car that freefalls once in a while. Hypnotic bass, atmospheric background… very dreamy stuff, I love this one, without a doubt one of the best tracks on the compilation. So perfect for a race into space.
7) Eat Static – Dream Snatcher
So can Simon Posford’s neighbor live up to his reputation? I don’t doubt, with a very nice intro here, very Metal Sharon- he has definitely learned some from the master and now is showing off these skills… eheheh, I would do the same. Nothing to criticize here, he has done his homework and gives us something unique and well thought-out. The only way I would race with this track is on some strange planet surrounded by aliens of all different colors and sizes… The track just gets better and better- Eat Static, one of my new personal favorites here if he keeps it up; should he do so, he’s a shoe-in to get his next solo album released on Twisted, and rightly so!!!
8) Alien vs. The Cat – The Race
Don’t get me started on their last album… 1good song….. grrrrr…. I hope they redeem themselves here. Alright, it is a bit better than what we heard on the album and it does keep your interest but very Israeli full-on.
9) Synthetic vs the Antidote – Moon Over The Castle (GT’s Theme- Long Remix)
Eheheh- the beginning of the track sounds right out of typical game studios, with that guitar screaming… This one is very sweet to start off a morning set, a bit slow and cheesy with the original guitar work but will manage to put a smile on more than 1 face. Actually a funny remix when you think of the circumstances
Conclusion- I am extremely happy to have bought this one…  … Very solid compilation into different styles guided by very talented people… I approve for worldwide release and a good introduction to trance (for the most part) to newbies, although I am sure a big portion of them just weren’t ready to hear this high-quality musica played on their favorite games…
One of the highlights this year so far, for me. I can cheerfully recommend this one to all you trance lovers. PURCHASE THIS CD WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT!!!! It is all worth every penny I spent… Tested & approved my friends!!!
Favorite tracks: 2(!!!), 3(!), 6(!), 7(!!)
Secondary tracks: 1, 9
Rating: 9.25/10
  www.frakasound.com
....i am not sure why....
----i am not sure how----
....it just happened.... |
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Dragongurl
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
19
Posts :
623
Posted : Mar 18, 2005 11:31
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Great review, getting myself a copy this week and looking forward to hearing it! Looks like a made a good choice!
:: Life can be as bitter as dragon tears
But whether dragon tears are bitter or sweet
depends entirely on how each man perceives the taste :: |
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Shaqattack
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
71
Posts :
1381
Posted : Mar 18, 2005 12:49
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wonderful album on the whole...was suprised by it actually very very good tracks all of them imo...
the rating totally JUSTIFIED....exactly how much i wldve given the cd..
peacE |
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dj Raflekt
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
20
Posts :
110
Posted : Mar 19, 2005 20:34
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yeah top quality my favs are alien vs the cat great rythm with the melodies , quadra great spun style , hallucinogen and the great eat static , peace |
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*Karma Cola*
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
113
Posts :
2314
Posted : Mar 19, 2005 22:00
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Ok, I just finished listenin to this cd after a long drive home.
1. Big Bass and thick Beat. Liked it as an opener. Sounds a bit proggish in the middle. But gets ur head nodding.
2. Ok track. But felt like somethin else shud have taken the place of second in this comp. A little too soft after the first.
3. Very mechanical sounding track. Around the 5th minute it gets a lil interesting. Not their best work tho. And sounds very 'duvdev' singin.
4. Softish track..nothing great again here.Tho i cant help but likin the bass and beat.
5. Very smooth like all his previous stuff. No suprise here. What you see is what you get, and its a good follow up to the Etnica track. I wud really enjoy this track sometime around 7:00 a.m.
6. Well what can i say about this track. At some points it sounds so spiritual and dense. At other times it sound s like a clutter of noises. But did not skip it.
7. This is my fav of this compilation. Very nice work by Eat Static. Around the beginning of the 3rd minute is when it really gets u moving.
8. My least fav. Just not a good choice to play along with this bunch. And the feeling gets magnified especially after hearin the previous track.
9. Again the magic 3rd minute saves me. Gets better but still leaves you feelin a lil disappointed.
7.5/10
~*** You can tell By the way i use my walk, Im a woman's man, No time to Talk***~ |
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Alex Boshke
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
59
Posts :
613
Posted : Mar 25, 2005 01:04
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Excellent psytrance release,as only Solstice can poduce, great tracks by Eat Static, Hallucinogen, KoxBox, Synthetic and X-Dream!
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-Abatwa-
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
42
Posts :
1087
Posted : Mar 25, 2005 07:48
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nice release, the x dream, koxbox and eat static tracks seem to stand out. (and about the comment on eat static learning from simon and doing homework and stuff, ozric was long around before simon, so i think you might have gotten the things reverse here, as i bet they were a big inspiration for his music  )
`Bottomless wonders spring from simple rules, which are repeated without end` Mandelbrot |
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kabooki_cat
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
76
Posted : Mar 25, 2005 07:52
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hallucinogen track is nice. slow but nice.
rest are okay. eat static a little better maybe.
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Tauch3r
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
96
Posted : Mar 27, 2005 14:58
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is this cd avaible @ psyshop / saikosounds? , or where did you guys get it? (you`re all from japan?) |
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Kaz
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
90
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Posted : Mar 27, 2005 15:18
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Quote:
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On 2005-03-25 07:48, -Abatwa- wrote:
nice release, the x dream, koxbox and eat static tracks seem to stand out. (and about the comment on eat static learning from simon and doing homework and stuff, ozric was long around before simon, so i think you might have gotten the things reverse here, as i bet they were a big inspiration for his music )
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In interviews, the reason that Posford stated for his use of keyboard (despite the fact that he was taught how to play it and therefor hated it originally) was because he was an Ozric Tentacles fan, so you're absolutely correct on half of this, as a keyboard isn't necessarily a synth, and Posford probably did teach more than just a few people he worked with how to use those properly.
http://www.myspace.com/Hooloovoo222 |
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moses
Moses / Loopiter / Bufo
Started Topics :
25
Posts :
239
Posted : Mar 29, 2005 16:31
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Really like the Eat Static track!  |
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dtmoney
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
13
Posts :
261
Posted : Mar 30, 2005 01:09
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I see that they're not many gamers in this forum. Myself being a gamer for almost 20 years, I can honestly say that this is a monumental release!
Some titles such as Extreme G, Fzero GX, Dance Dance games, etc. have tried to implement some trance music into video games, but alas, lacked the punch that many trance(psytrance at least) albums have today.
This is genuine racing music. I have GT4,, and so far it is great. I hope other companies take lead from polyphony(in-house development house within sony japan who created GT series) and release games with psytrance soundtracks. Fighting, racing, adventure, and adventure games would benefit from psy pretty well, since psy has the tendency to create an intense atmosphere. Rpgs and strategical games would not benefit from it though because the music should reflect the entire world of the game, as opposed to a particular enviromnent.
Overall, I give it a 9/10. It falls from a perfect 10 because there's not enough of it in the game. GT4 must have about 40 or 50 tracks in the game. 9/50 tracks seems to limited in my book.
I wish Devil May Cry 3 would've have a psytrance soundtrack  . |
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psy-man
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
12
Posted : Mar 31, 2005 00:35
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I have the real game and i listen the tracks...
its a real soundtracks the cd?
wow
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Fingax
Cosmic Station
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
1235
Posted : Aug 31, 2005 14:24
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i just bought this cd yesterday and i was suprised with the awsom mastering.. fucking brilliant..
About the track i dig almost every one.. killer original music..
My favs are 1*, 2*, 4, 8, 9* what a rmx here*
well done, even if its a game sound its killer, funny and very well digitaly crafted 
keep rocking
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keyop
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
32
Posts :
286
Posted : Aug 31, 2005 17:20
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I concur Fingax,
This compilation has some absolute gems on it that have rocked my world for the past few months.
I personally would have purchased this CD for the Antidote track alone.
Just because this cd was primarily produced for gaming, don't let that put you off.
My faves 1,2,4 and 6.
btw Posfords track was not originally intended for this compilation, hence the slower bpm. Apparentley he wanted to write something faster but due to his busy schedule he had to give them the track he was writing at the time. And what a great track it is too.
Thankyou Solstice.
Just for the rekkid...... Serge Souque aka The Antidote is currentley in the studio working on his next album due out later this year. |
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