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Jon Cocco

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  1. SPACE CAT - BEAM ME UP BNE RECORDS http://www.psynews.org/media/covers/beammeup.jpg 01. Invasion - A- 02. Robotalk - A- / A 03. Beam Me Up - A- 04. Space Cats - A- / A 05. Cat On Mushroom - A- / A 06. Kreak - A 07. New Horizon - B+ 08. Funky - A- This is such a strong, creative, and engaging debut. I LOVE the sound/melody (synth) work, psychedelic influence, and supporting sounds and influences to the GOA approach. From Robotalk and Space Cats, to Cat On Mushroom and Kreak-- each track is unique, distinct, excellent. The artist creates a rich, intriguing, and engaging world with each song -- brimming with intelligence, movement, delicious ingredients, and gripping terrain. Talk about futuristic, cybernetic, and elaborate, technological beauty! Simon Postford (Hallucinogen), Transwave, Infected Mushroom, Oforia via MFG, and Elysium collaborated on this album and you can hear the influence. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS - Beam Me Up (self titled track) starts great. The second half to last third however (unlike other songs) could have used a bit more refreshing with ideas and innovation. - New Horizon could have been more interesting and memorable. IMO this is one of the less strong songs, compared to most others. - Funky is great and gets better as it progresses, however a melody in its second half sounds a bit too inspired from Astral Projection IMO, though it works and I end up really like / loving this song! CONCLUSION This is easily the best Space Cat album EVER RELEASED in my opinion. This debut (Beam Me Up) is so entertaining and fun to listen to-- it's exciting, dynamic, complex, imaginative, risk-taking, visionary, smart edgy, emotive, innovative. I could go on and on. The usage of accents is clever albeit simple and effective too. I love several songs on the second album (Shapes of Sound), though several songs feel inconsistently lackluster to me in contrast to the best ones (unlike here where every song is great if not super). The third album (Power Up) has some great melodies IMO, but it's less Goa influenced with structures that sound a bit more conventional at times. The forth album (Mechanical Dream) is closer to Psytrance influenced Full On or Vice Versa-- more a hit than a miss thankfully, but lacking in super songs IMO. When it comes to Beam Me Up, I'm impressed. I'm right up there with you guys, 100% -- This is one of my favourite albums. This is a MUST HAVE CULT CLASSIC Psychedelic Goa-Trance album. I love it. Favorite tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 A- My other reviews on Space Cat's albums are now up 1999 - Beam Me Up A- 2000 - Shapes of Sound B 2002 - Power Up B+ 2004 - Mechanical Dream B-
  2. Wow, okay I've been looking forward to a new album. And I want to hear the tracks I haven't heard yet above, those that weren't on Fairytale. But what type of album is this exactly? It appears to be a combination of older and new tracks, a handful which already released on Fairy Tale, so is this a "mixed album" or a "best of" album? It doesn't appear to be a real sequel.. I'll check. Whoa. 30 dollars for an album?! That's like 2-3 albums in the US, without shipping. http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=7382 Update.. Wait, what is this?! I just became aware of this at saikosounds. The new album is out? But it looks completely different from the tracklist above? Am I getting confused with two different things here? I just found out about this today. And of all things, the long awaited sequel to Fairytale is unavilable at saikosounds. It also says it came out July 3, 2008 but I can't find a review thread for it on here. Was that July 3rd date never updated and the album hasn't officially come out yet? http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=7382
  3. THE DELTA - SCIZOEFFECTIVE D-DRUM 2000 Track listing: 01. 07'26" Pop 02. 07'27" Travelling At The Speed Of Thought 03. 00'49" Intro 04. 10'37" Thing 05. 07'52" Delta Skelter 06. 08'12" As A Child I Could Walk On The Ceiling 07. 09'52" Supercell 08. 06'43" Dr Rayman 09. 06'58" Quiet And Still 10. 05'18" As A Child I Could Walk On The Ceiling (Dub) The Delta - Scizoeffective is X-Dream's best side project to date. Scizoeffective is also one of the strongest albums in Dark Psy Trance. Although I prefer X-Dream - Radio when it comes to dark albums by them due to Radio's virtual super songs back-to-back track list and approach, Scizoeffective is darker, meaner, more brooding, and downright powerful and heavy as Hell as times. The introduction are good, at times excellent. The songs are atmospheric too, like walking through an evil castle or driving through a dark and chaotic land. My general gripe with the album is that some tracks don't seem to reach their full potential. There are several great, excellent tracks here. Even the mid/down-tempo tracks towards the end are good. But only one song on this album blows me away: Thing. The other tracks such as POP blow my ear drums away due to their relentless, cranked up bass lines, but I can't seem to find a track nearly as infectious and well designed as THING, although several are up there. For this very reason, I haven't returned to this album that many times since I got it in 2001. I've been listening to it lately, hence the inspiration to finally write a review after reviewing previous X-Dream albums and side projects, with exception the the second Delta (never heard it to date, was turned off after reading so many mixed reviews). 01. Pop has some of the heaviest bass I have ever heard in a song, ever. It was clear these artists wanted to thud the floor and destroy people's ear drums in the process upon producing this heavy, booming opening. It's atmospheric and complimented by eerie children's voices, though a continuously repetitive and otherwise uneventful power house until around 5:40 after a cool, echoing sample. At this point some melodic elements arrive coupled by industrial rhythm. I prefer the second half of the song though I was never a big fan of the track. I can see why people would like it though. It's very dark and relentless throughout. It just doesn't do much for someone like myself who prefers hearing something a little less minimal, more developed, melodic, infectious, and juicy. I admire this one more than I enjoy it. B+ 02. Travelling At The Speed Of Thought is instantly more enjoyable to my ears. Starting off with a strong and catchy echoing sonic/riffing melody. A second, less tearing across the atmosphere compliments it, amongst other sounds. I like this song because of the melody lead, the strong intermissions, one around 2:05, and its relentless and driving approach, development. The song really takes off around 2:30, and again in sound around 3:00. I like higher octane energy as their style relates to here, though I cannot help but feel their more minimal style compared to X-Dream's Radio for instance. What they've crafted with less here is effective. My only gripe is the track doesn't develop much past the 4:25 mark; it more or less recycles past sounds and ideas with little to no evolution, save for the alteration return of an eerie, nicely mixed in gothic choir. I like this song more than POP but find it a bit repetitive too the longer it progresses, past the five or so minute mark. B+ 03. Intro is not much more than the sound of a band or orchestra holding the same sustained sound as if practicing before the live performance. It doesn't do much to compliment the album save for giving it an introduction. I suppose the idea of putting an intro as track 3 is original. But that's about it. I won't even bother rating this. N/A 04. Thing is a monster. It is THE monster I have been hoping for all album. Often when I think of X-Dream or one of their albums, several superb tracks come to mind. But The Delta hasn't really impressed me so far, until now. This is everything I wished POP was: the massive build up, energy, excellent melody/sound work, atmosphere, craziness, development, evolution, and more. Super in virtually every way, Thing is a catchy, albeit terrifying nightmare. It would be amazing if The Delta produced more tracks as imaginative and memorable as this and beyond. This is my favorite song on the album. It's superb. A 05. Delta Skelter is put in a tough spot after the previous monster. It's pretty good though, and appears to be a less high octane follow up to Travelling At The Speed Of Though due to it's few higher pitched and echoed melodies around an industrial wind/atmosphere effect and continuous beat. I actually enjoy this one as much, sometimes even more than the second track. The lower pitched melody mixed in with various other sounds gives it a nice variety, though in the end it does seem bit repetitive in retrospect. That's just The Delta's general style on this album. B+ 06. As A Child I Could Walk On The Ceiling is the highest octane number since Travelling At The Speed Of Thought and the strongest since Thing. Returning is the eerie, emotive choir tune, an interesting zone or intermission of suspense in the middle, and a guitar that enhances the piece. I like how the guitar is kept few and far between on both the album and the song. Overall not as impressive as Thing but very well done nonetheless. The sample and melody around 4:40 to 4:55 is excellent! A- 07. Supercell is very bleak, dry, and heavy. It sounds like driving at nighttime during war. You can hear the bombs going off in the background. This mid-tempo number reflecting disaster and chaos I find very gripping, even in its own subtle, more minimal than previous numbers way. I couldn't imagine the track's story being anything else other than destruction, anarchy, war, chaos. Here we have loud bomb, almost mortar rounds coupled with huge, distant bursts as if multi-ton bombs are being dropped in the distance. Suddenly the beat begins like a tank rolling across the post apocalyptic or that which is being destroyed environment. Various war sounds are utilized as melodies in the beat. I think this is a very well done, psychologically disturbing or comfortably numb piece in its own way. It may come across as a lesser friendly song on the album due to its capitalizing on a listening/story concept that one that appears more dance friendly. It's a good track nonetheless, though I would have preferred some catchy melodies. I think the artists wanted to keep this dry and basically melody free to emphasize the story, the sound of terror, war. B+ 08. Dr Rayman is second (?) mid-tempo number on the album after the previous, more introspective piece. It sounds more instrumental, orchestrated, and contemplative than some of the previous numbers. Who is Dr. Rayman? Oh, that's right, he's a doctor. No I mean what is the story here? The track's space takes us through varying emotions from contemplation to despair and back to contemplation, potentially hope. I like the song; it's interesting, creative, and different from previous tracks, though it doesn't make much of an impact on me for better or worse. It's also the least dark song on the album so far, but I'm not taking points for that. B 09. Quiet And Still is the third softer and mid-tempo (?) song on the album so far. I like it, and its melodies. I actually enjoy the album more because of these mid-tempo numbers than I think I would have had the entire thing been like the first half, with few exceptions. I like the calming in this number after recent chaos. It's as if the artists are creating some peace after all of the darkness they've created. Again however, the song isn't all that eventful or gripping. But it's pretty good. B 10. As A Child I Could Walk On The Ceiling (Dub) is a dub/downtempo version of the original. It's very well done. The slower speed compliments the faster version and ends the album strong for a slower number. B+ In conclusion, there isn't anything quite like The Delta - Scizoeffective out there, not even in the less psychedelic, more tech-trance sequels. The artists behind X-Dream gave birth to a very distinct and refreshing/unique style when producing this album. One of the things I like most about it, is it's ability to try new things while in some ways reinventing and/or seriously complimenting the sub-genre. For these reason and potentially others, Scizoeffective remains one of the most recommended side projects by X-Dream, and one of the most admired and enjoyed albums in dark Psy Trance throughout the world by general consensus. Favorite tracks: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 B+
  4. I like the aggression, darkness, and the melodies on this album. It's the one album I'd categorize being dark from all of the Suntrip Records releases to date. It's a very unique release and several tracks build and develop very well, regardless of their shortcomings. The songs lack evolution but they do develop well within one stretch as opposed to changing form via sound environment. I don't like the repetitive, uneventful opening track Tecmorning, and No Return is definitely not one of the album's finest. Nor is Back Basic (goa mix), though a strong climax or return to aggressive melody work around 4:50 may suggest otherwise to some degree. Furthermore, the introductions are weak, non existent at times. The strengths, if one likes this style, is in its rare and aggressive dark yet creatively melody-driven, psychedelic approach. Overall I like the album and feel that it does compliment Suntrip's library. It's definitely one of their most interesting and unexpected releases. I'm simply not in love with it nor find it great as a whole. - SKRENO - MATRIX (REMIX) - STICKY WEB - THE LIGHT
  5. Wow, not a single post for this in 2007. I ... am .. surprised. Apsara is still one of the greatest (arguably the best) New School Goa compilation to date. It has held up so well in my collection over the years. Each track is strong, gripping, and varied with ideas and sounds, passionately created. I enjoy listening to Apsara straight through every time. It's wonderful. It's not just the impressive track list but how well and effectively each artist (and Suntrip in communication) made their song. The artists here did an amazing job. The result is more or less greatness, excellence back-to-back, for an entire 70-80 minute ride. This may be the best compilation I've ever heard in goa trance.
  6. I've heard the album a couple more times recently. Goasia has good intros and buildups and I like that. Several songs are a bit too tame and predictable however. These include the middle third of Octagon (I don't mean to be nit picky but it starts out so strong), Liquid Soul (nice melodies but I've heard this all before[/i], Taboo, and Per Aspera Ad Astra. To some degree I feel like these songs are like an innocent child afraid to explore further away from the shallow (more secure, predictable) end of the swimming pool. But they all have elements that are well done. I like the ethnic voices in Per Aspera because they stand out from other tracks. Musically however it's decent, nothing great. The song seldom seems to develop or evolve into a more catchy piece as it progresses with some very small (6:50-7:10) exceptions. However starting with the beginning, the Intro is very warm and attractive and front some wonderful work. Space Travellers, From Other Spaces, and Sunrise are great and/or all more or less excellent. These three songs I enjoy listening to so much from beginning to end, again and again *repeat.* Though I may be a bit delusional with Sunrise because the first half is clearly not as gripping as the second, which is beautiful.. Anyway, I'd love to hear more songs on this level and beyond. The last song is pleasant too. I really like sustained sounds and the first several minutes, the downtempo direction. But the voices and the overall song and sound in Pray For Rain seems just a bit out of place for the closing track on such a traveling Goa album. The song does not seem to correlate well with the story, the previous songs before it. I would have (and I think numerous agree) loved a more powerful downtempo/ambient Goa track to end such an otherwise cool and unique album than what we have here, which is very nice sounding. I most enjoy the first several minutes, especially from around 1:15 to around 1:50 and I suppose the overall direction with the voice male/female hymn's seemed a bit awkward in closing to everything I've heard before it. But I do like the song. I think he could have just ended the song with a more powerful, downtempo track. In short, I still like this album, though I was expecting a little more from Goasia based on a handful of previous songs. Nonetheless, some of the artist's best songs are on this album. None are bad or average either. I'd love to hear more songs like the best ones. My favorite track on the album is Space Travellers because it is gripping and intriguing from beginning to end. There is so much going on in it. The second or so half of Sunrise, which is my other most favorite track here, is super. But the first half isn't as infectious as it is in Space Travellers. This artist should seriously consider making an amazing follow up to From Other Spaces and going all out. This album is filled with quality songs.
  7. I'd like to sample the album. Are there samples for this anywhere? The album's not on Saikosounds or Psyshop to date. This is the most I've heard so far: http://www.myspace.com/thedeltaisback
  8. I'm posting this because I don't think its been done before. I remember a thread that said something along the lines of "Which Suntrip albums do you own?" But not this one. Suntrip is such a popular name here at psynews and combined with the fact that they've released so many albums that the majority of listeners seem to really like, well, which ones do you consider the best (or most favorite) to least best (or least favorite. From those you own. 1. RA - 9th - A- 2. Filteria - Sky Input - A- 3. Sundrops: Lights In Motion - A- 4. Khetzal - Corolle - A- 5. V/A - Opus Iridium - B+ 6. V/A - Apsara - B+ 7. Filteria - Heliopolis - B+ 8. Goasia - From Other Spaces - B+ 9. V/A - Twist Dreams - B+ 10. Ka-Sol - Fairytales - B Can we please get a "Your Favorites" Sub-Forum in the General section soon with various other "favorite" threads added to it. There's like half a dozen floating around the General section all within the last several weeks.
  9. Update: This album is like a super energy pill to listen to (especially to drive/dance to at nighttime). I was listening to it again, lately. It's impressive how far Jannis pushed the limits with his debut. Yes I know it used many similar sounds in general. But each song (Operation Pulse, Domestic Modulator for starters) is so massive, powerful, and varied with ideas. It's rare on any album that every other song is so strong too. Sky Input is the most maximal album I've ever heard. A bit much to listen to straight through for me. But when it comes to high octane music Sky Input is virtually unmatched. I've been really happy with the changes, fresh approaches (see Filteria singles on V/A - Apsara, V/A - Opus Iridium respectively) over the years. They've been great so far and I think we've really needed that, fresh approaches, directions. I'm really looking forward to Filteria 3 and/or the KOB debut. Whichever comes first. I think it's wonderful how Suntrip gives artists extra time to finish their passion project. The result is something most people find very special like Filteria's Sky Input, Khetzal's Corolle, Ra's 9th (for starters).
  10. CHAKRA AND EDI MIS - THE PROMISED LAND Krembo 1996 Track listing: 01. 08'35" X File (Original Mix) 02. 09'05" Liquid Troll 03. 08'58" Barbarian 04. 09'19" Brain In The Box 05. 09'55" Club Mad 06. 08'59" Hell Razor Puzzle 07. 09'30" Combine Harvester 08. 09'20" Final Mission This is an awesome, UNDERRATED album. After all of these years.. it's very old school Goa and in some ways combines elements associated with Juno Reactor and Transwave. The aggressive, lift off opening track actually reminds me of Juno Reactors more tech-trance, Psy-influenced Beyond the Infinite sound, though put into a super song here. The Promised Land doesn't seem to copy either artist, rather develop its own darkness and light style and push it through the roof. I find every song great on this album, but the first is superb. The melody/sound work and their general, aggressive approach to Goa is incredible at times, and very nostalgic, in the old school vain. This is one of the finest releases I've ever heard in my life that I've waited more than 10 years to hear. Sickly surreal and infectious, driving Goa trance. I thought The Promised Land was going to be peaceful. Boy was I wrong. This is a constantly developing, evolving, and invigorating experience. 01. X File (Original Mix) is massive. Wow. This is one of the best Juno Reactor-esque songs I have heard. EVER. The song doesn't chill down too much, though it loses a high level of energy from 2:50 to 5:18 to compensate for a strange and creative, though far from riveting excursion through what sounds like a psychedelic, tropical rain forest. Sometime before 5:18 however the transformation into something clever has already begun. The track suddenly takes off with an infectious, Goa melody and never seems uncertain for the rest of the duration. Don't let the area around 3:25 fool you, nor the animal sounds that follow. The track has an excellent rebound and climax. The number as a whole is wonderfully catchy and imaginative. By today's standards, the song is awesome. I heard it for the first time this year. A- 02. Liquid Troll follows up the prevous number very well. Chakra hasn't lost their edge. They've reinvented it for another head rush. I love the sound that begins around 1:35 and how it moves as a "shakey" main melody until the stronger current comes. Then the Goa lead comes. It's rediculously catchy. Unlike the previous rocket, there is no weaker moment. The song becomes more developed and psychedelic as it progresses. The melody/sound work is dynamic, stylish, and absorbing throughout. This is one of the best Goa songs I've ever heard. A 03. Barbarian is a melodic roller coaster with several transitions of suspense, buildup, and climax. Who said this song is too Psyharmonics? I think he or she was talking about the higher pitched, symphonic melodies. I think they're tasty, but a bit too pitched high at times. The song is less aggressive than previous numbers. Nonetheless, it's quite energetic and animated. What I love about the artist's style here is that they seem to have no limits, long as they stick to electronica (generally Goa) with few exceptions. Certain ideas are developed and pushed certain ideas through the ceiling I've noticed. What's weak about this song? Because it has elements of excellence. I'd say the weakness lies in its strength, ironically. The main melody lead beginning around 2:31 to 3:09 is catchy. Though it may appear too pitched as symphonic melodies are generally more sensitive on the ears than many other "well known" titled melodies in Psy/Goa. The song is really built around this melody for the most part so it's a matter of tastes I feel. I found the previous two tracks stronger, more gripping than this one, regardless that the main melody here stands out more than on previous tracks. B+ 04. Brain In The Box again begins with a gripping "shaky" albeit echoed sound that will front many more organic sounds and melodies. The track, as is the others, is produced by one gripping sound paragraph evolving and flowing into the next. This is another interesting, energetic and complex rider with an even more sharply melody appearance as it progresses. A- 05. Club Mad is the super Goa/club-friendly main melody masterpiece on the album. Just listen to this. It's not clubby. It's not mainstream formula, though appears to follow more of a formula in Chakra/Edi Mis' style than previous tracks. This is a Goa dance song that would rival most club Psytrance songs by today's standards, though because it's old school, it may appear less culturally favored. Such BS. This is such an aggressively great climax lead driven dance song. A 06. Hell Razor Puzzle is very melody juice filled. A beautiful sound spashes through the rhythm that few artists have done so well in the past via Old School Goa, such as Transwave. Fileld with crazy, zipping, popping, and bottle rocket shooting, rock skipping Goa butterfly sound effects, the song is creatively built and develops into a more driving road runner. A- 07. Combine Harvester is another strong, psychedelic vehicle. The artist's once again demonstrate build a super catchy and trippy dance track around a gripping and novel PSY "shakey melody/sound," never dismissing their aggressive edge and intensity. The song is however less comprised of various melody structures as previous tracks, it's a little more predictable but driving and fiercly catchy, melodic nonetheless. B+ 08. Final Mission is more calm than previous numbers, but the artists avoid the concept of a Goa Ambient/Downtempo number to create a slower goa/psy trance piece. Following the continuously growing and developing of style of the artist's here, their previous songs, the echoed Psy melodic skip across the atmosphere as more layers arrive. It sounds like a dozen robots all moving around with different bells and tools. An original rhythm is comprised of all of these clinks and clanks. An industrial ambient tune appears rather simple. Suddenly around 3:52 the volume and aggression lifts a notch as the song exercises new expertise. The song becomes more thick and driving around 4:49, though it's a gradual development. A woman's voice enters around 6:18, a most unexpected and gentle, peaceful part on the album. The thudding of the drums compliments the gentle instrumentals; enter a violin. The track seems to be attempting to pull off at this point, but again, the artists satisfy the senses when they readjust the theme back to stronger energy around 8:00. It's as if they had a strong back up slid up their sleeve just incase a listener wasn't too fond of the more experimental, softer part. This is not the most infectious song on the album. But for a more chilled Goa/Psy piece, it's filled with interesting ideas; more work than don't. B In conclusion, The Promised Land is excellent. I can't believe this was released in 1996. While not every track is superb, most of them are great and several are amazing!!! The artists came up with a fresh style, though the first song seems Juno-inspired, that deserves to be placed in any Goa lover's collection along the likes of Transwave's Helium, Phototropic and more multi-genre inspired works like Juno Reactor. Chakra and Edi Mis' debut, beginning with the second half of the opening song, establishes their adventurous choice to capitalize and expand an innovative style in the free spirited genre of Goa. I recommend finding a copy. Burning a copy. Don't burn the copy. Or take it out of the collection if you haven't heard it in a while. It's extremely effective to drive to with a nice car system. A year later in 1997, Pleiadian's I.F.O. would come along and raise the bar in Goa. But for 1996, even 2006, and 2008+ The Promised Land is one of the coolest, most innovative and unique albums I have ever heard in Goa Trance. New or Old School it doesn't matter. This thing is excellent. I've listened to it straight through a dozen times within two weeks. It's just a very strong album with several, though few weaknesses. Favorite tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. A-
  11. Yes. That's what I'm saying. One thread can go there now that is currently on page 1 via the general section titled: "Your Favorite Album Of All Time." Another is Your favorite artwork. And "Best Dark Psytrance with melodies" where people posted many of their favorite dark psytrance songs/albums with melodies. Just to name a few. Simply collect the "favorite" and "favourite" and "best" (same concept) threads and put them in a sub-forum via the General section. They'll probably be little to no merging necessary depending on few, potential doubles posted at different times. If that's okay with whoever decides to do that when they get around to it. People can re-edit there favorites. This is an open sub-forum for people's favorites related to our music here. That's it. Yes. The favorites thing is so common. Too common. There should be one sub-forum so this is easily accessible. Yes.
  12. I wonder if Suntrip Records (since I associate them to new school Goa releases now days more than any other label) will ever find an artist who is able to produce an amazing New School, dark Goa album. The Ka-Sol album was pretty good I thought, but nothing spectacular. And it seemed more Psy than Goa. I'm talking about something that's really stunning as Tandu's Multimoods is for instance. But for our time now.
  13. I don't know how many times I've seen repeated threads here for the likes, such as.. - Favorite Psy song - Favorite Psy, ambient, Goa song (and/or) album. - Top ten favorite albums - Top best albums - Best album(s) - Best Dark Psytrance album(s) - Most psychedelic song (or) album ever - If you had to pick only one!!!! - Your favorites (list) - etc, etc, etc. I've decided this. People are often curious about what's considered the best. It's subjective. Sure. But it's a very popular topic. And there are so many.. too many threads that repeat too often about this topic. Searching for such threads amongst thousands of threads is cumbersome to say the least. Even when using the search box. Is it possible to have a (sub) forum in the general section that brings all of these threads together so people are channeled in the clear direction of this often searched for topic? Every year I see more and more threads along these topics and I think, wow, this has been done so many times before. I don't feel like responding after the (I've lost track how many) times. Why not just make a forum in the general section called FAVORITES or FAVOURITES (however it's spelled) and loop previous related threads there, even merge several identical ones if necessary and this would be really cool for many people. I.e: Your top (whatever number) Psytrance, Ambient/Chill, Downtempo, Goa (albums, songs), etc. Obviously these would be separated threads in a forum within the General forum. Those "other" forums at the top. Is this possible? Am I in the wrong section to be posting this and if so can someone please move this to a section where this can get some attention from more people in charge here. Start with one of mine for instance. http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=40949 There are so many more. It would be nice to have these together. They also make so many newcomers aware of great releases and help stimulate and expand the life of this wonderful music. Comments? Moderators?
  14. More new, fresh, super songs like Ground Zero please. :clapping: Make a strong, tremendous sequel. Please all new songs. Amazing songs. An artist has one shot at his or her first sequel. Give it all the delicious qualities of a real follow-up. Binary Sky was great. Underrated, but strong in terms of New School Goa albums.
  15. You know why there are more votes in the "other" category? Because this artist has made so many amazing, wonderful songs. You have to include more songs in the poll like the one I'd put way up there with Exit Eternity, and that is.. BLACK LIGHT From the Earth Crossing album: My favorite New School Goa album ever made along with Filteria's Sky Input, Khetzal's Corolle, V/A - Pyramidal Trancendence, V/A - Opus Iridium, and RA's 9th... to date. Update: Speaking of which.. where the heck is Exit Eternity? Is there like a limitation of poll spaces?
  16. It's hard to have one favorite because I enjoy so many albums in so many different genre's. Far as Goa goes, I would say Pleiadians - I.F.O. (and my favorite song on I.F.O. is Asterope. If I had to choose one Goa song actually, it would be Asterope.) followed by Hallucinogen - Twisted Astral Projection - Another World Chi A.D. - Earth Crossing Hallucinogen - The Lone Deranger Transwave - Backfire Cosmosis - Cosmology Doof - Lets Turn On Pleiadians - Family of Light and more.
  17. My favorite track is Dzog Chen by Astrancer. It is one of the most crisp and refreshing, delectable new school Goatrance songs yet. This compilation has magic. It's more the Goa spirit I fell in love with growing up, more than V/A - Twist Dreams. Though certain songs capture magic well over others. And Ethereal, though they created a great number here, really brought their sound to a higher degree of presence with 2008's Moondawn on V/A - Opus Iridium - Uptempo double album. But I enjoy there track very much here, and how it develops. Ethereal just has to release a new, main Goa album. I don't know what's taking so long. They're incredible artists. Pyramidal Trancendence is one of the best new school Goa compilations out there, period. Astrancer must release an album on par or beyond their work here.
  18. There is something deeply sensual and capturing, magical (some spiritualists may describe as vibration raising or consciousness expanding) about Deep Space and Flow. But I couldn't say the other tracks affected nearly as much as those two more sanguine and meditative songs did. Though I found D5's debut excellent overall, a huge and positive spash in GOA. It brought forth a style that filled most listeners who heard it with joy. The sequel, Second Phaze was pretty good, good at best I felt. It lacked super songs or appeared to have few songs many people considered super, if any, one or two, or parts or moments within certain tracks that were great. Second Phaze was still an interesting release but I considered it a disappointment when comparing it to Transdimensional. Pleiadians IFO is, well.. to me at least, there are at least three songs (MAIA, ELEKTRA, and ASTEROPE) that have topped or impressed me more than anything and/or almost any song I have ever heard in my life. It's as if aliens put addictive frequencies (or the ideas via sub consciousness into the artist's heads) into these songs. But I could say the same regarding Deep Space and Flow regarding a certain sound, feel. That is also like the dumbest statement I've heard in a while. I do like freshly squeezed orange juice though.
  19. Enough! Enough about the blow job! ;p
  20. Jon Cocco

    RA - 9th

    Nice review abasio. 9th is "Album of the Year" from me so far. That being by a main artist, group. V/A - Opus Iridium (Uptempo) is up there though. And wins best compilation if that's an option this year. It should be. Compilations should be separate from main artist albums when you think about it. Distant Systems for Chill/Ambient or V/A - Opus Iridium (Downtempo). RA - 9th is a very memorable album. Each track is so diverse, different, catchy, involving in different sounds/ideas, and substantial from the song next to it. There is dark. There is light. Both are combined at times to form these living, breathing worlds. That's one thing some New School Goa lacks today I've noticed: the magic or the "presence of life" in the music. In other words, the passion, the soul. 3. Predator is my favorite emotive Goa/Psy song of 2008. It's extremely uplifting while maintaining a drive throughout. A song can be driving without being dark and aggressive and this song proves it. Just in the light, which I find beautiful. It's very positive sounding and compliments the darker, more aggressive song before it. I like this one more. It puts me in a good mood, my state heightens. I can feel it. 5. Other Self is amazing for a less linear Goa number. (the art of Goa is not being too predictable, because you're free! 6. Time Current is awesome for a slightly more linear (but thankfully building and evolving) Goa/Full On number. 8. Transcendent is arguably the most abstract number here, a powerful, innovative design of mysterious architecture; it's more meditative, contemplative, though thankfully driving. This is a rare and unique approach into the deeper, more traveling, and less mainstream directions that most artist's would be reluctant to pursue now days for fear they'd create something too different, not friendly enough. But that attitude, that fear of trying new things keeps people closed to some degree. If grow from experience after all. RA has grown with this song. I love it. And the background melody and altered voice echoes. The number is huge in a smart, well constructed, developing, and generally anti-climatic (with exception the complimentary and elegant buildup in the end) type way. This approach keeps me absorbed, hypnotized in its world, much like Ethereal's work. Transendent surreal and unlike anything I've ever heard. 9. Expand Consciousness is a beautiful, moving ethnic flavored Goa number. It's very strong and gripping. How it begins and the first several minutes, especially around 2:13 is excellent. Around 2:45 is strong too, as the song continues to build tasty formations within tasty, driving formations. Where the song beings to lose a little stream from my perspective is after the second transition that ends at 4:42. It's still great. I think the artist's didn't want to change a strong direction too much and in that they've succeeded. I suppose the third act just sounds a bit familiar to the first two. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. The ending is more about bringing together what's been established into congruent, full harmony as opposed to adding more elements that would likely need more time to bring justice to and develop. But I think they could have done just a little bit more in the final last three minutes here to really elevate the second act, that had elevated the first. Nonetheless, this is a strong, mid-tempo Goa/Ethnic number, rare, catchy, mature, and great. 10. Light Receiver is beautiful, probably the best downtempo/Goa song I've heard all year. And the bonus after that is probably the most Goa/Chill special since Cosmosis added a short bonus piece at the end of his Intergalactic album. In follow up conclusion to my full review on page 2, this album is excellent. It's like the new Batman film, The Dark Knight in the sense it not only meets but exceeds expectations. The songs are too evolving and "present" for 4-minute samples to give them justice. Simply put, this is just about everything I've ever wished a new school Goa album to be. And I like it more than Khetzal, which I found magical too, and in some ways more than this one; this is more magical than Khetzal in some ways too. I love the track variety especially. If I had to choose one Goa/PSY album for anyone to buy in 2008, it would be this one. I'm still impressed to see these golden Old School artists creating album(s) in not only Goa, but creating superb albums in New School Goa. How many Goa artists dried up or switched over to typical Full On styles, I've lost count. RA is the only rebel Goa artist I know exists on the planet who said fuck it. We're going to get together with Suntrip Records and make an amazing Goa album in 2008!!!! People I know love this album who've never even heard GOA before. It's wonderful to see more people waking the planet with beautiful music like this, and RA has edge and intensity at times. They're not just "pretty, elegant, beautiful," although they're that too. And it's awesome.
  21. Oh oops. I read it wrong. Damn. Now everyone knows what my night job consists of, j/k.
  22. Are you kiddin??! This song is so fucking awesome, let me listen to it once and I'll give you a blow job for free. I'll even spit on it. And I'll swallow!
  23. What are you stupid? No I'm just kiddin!!! =) I was wondering what "Muinomednap" was. You figured it out before me. But that would make it !Muinomednap, with an exclamation point before, not after. Not that it matters. Okay there's an example. I just went back and read some reviews throughout the thread. That first sentence is exactly how I feel. I really hope that the next Pandemonium album improves upon its weaknesses here because the style has potential to have a much stronger, more positive effect. There are several tracks here I really like. Especially the melodies in Falling Stars! Tracks Pandemonium! and Stuck in the Walls sounds a bit too similar to me, hearing them back-to-back with the chronic guitar and all. I realize they share the same style (or one of two sub-styles of one style, the other given to the shorter tracks) but Moon Fishing is very different from the previous two songs that come before it. And that's in the same general style too. The guitar appears to be less loud and/or present as well, the melody lead(s) are very prominant and distinct in Moon Fishing. Same with Falling Stars, minus the guitars. Same goes for Flying Cookie, Seq-uoia, and Key to the Trunk back-to-back. They may be a little too continuous or lacking in variety/sound. Although this is in the artist's style. I understand. It's more about stronger, less repetitive differences in sound varity/style, melodies, structure, and story telling within that style. An Harlequin's Tale is the last lengthier song that sounds so distinct in this new style from anything before it. Tracks 1, 6, and 11 really break up the album nicely. I would have loved if more of the uptempo tracks followed this solid variation in style, where each uptempo track stands out as more characteristic and individual sounding (RA's 9th actually is a very good example) than the number both before and after it (with few exceptions). When the album's good, it's good. The style is novel. But when it's repetitive with ideas and/or certain sounds, i.e: the guitar, well, it's not as enjoyable. So these are some ideas to consider for a potentially wonderful sequel. As Bruce Lee even said: "Absorb what is useful. Discard what is useless. And make it into your own." Update: The best uptempo Pandemonium tracks I've heard to date are A Mad Scientist's Night and Alibaba and the 40 Acid puzzle. These are more the crazy/fun Goa-influenced style I find great. They're very catchy, energetic, danceable, and I never feel like either one is repetitive or overuses any particuar sound once.
  24. PANDEMONIUM! - MUINOMEDNAP! 2008 PHOTOTROPIC RECORDS Track list: 1. Once upon a Time... 2. Pandemonium! 3. Stuck in the Walls 4. Moon Fishing 5. Falling Stars 6. I Saw it interlude 7. Flying Cookie 8. Seq-uoia 9. Key to the Trunk 10. An Harlequin's Tale 11. The End... I've only gotten several albums this year (Opus Iridium, RA, Distant Systems, Goa Gate, and Juno Reactor, the latter on amazon MP3) because we've been getting raped lately with high gas prices and I've been getting more selective with what I buy. I've been looking forward to this album for a long time. 1. Once Upon A Time... is a surprisingly beautiful opening. It's magical. And it really sets the tone and the album up for a wonderful journey. If this was actually a full, uptempo dance song as developing and creative as the several minute 'Prologue' duration, it would probably be a pretty incredible dance number. At it stands, this is a musically wonderful, innovative introduction. B+ 2. Pandemonium! comes next and the first thing I notice is the loud, repeating guitar, as it appears to be placed pretty up close with the music. For the first minute or so I tolerated it. It's just a guitar on a part of the track I thought. But you know when you hear a sound and you can basically sense when it is time for that sound to leave? It doesn't happen. The guitar loops and loops, the strong continuously. I'm trying to get into all of the cool sounds and melodies but even when most layers disappear, the guitar is left with a beat and decent melody. The interlude here would have been a good area to let go of the guitar. But it doesn't leave. Then around 3:55, it's gone. Oh thank God. Suddenly it appears again around 4:33. And just when a really cool rising melody structure is taking place too. Virtually all other sounds work together nicely. Nonetheless, the first track was more infectious, novel, and gripping. C 3. Stuck In The Walls starts off with a similar heavy, repeating guitar from the very start. It appears to be the same sound from the previous track. I like the melodies and sounds. But the on-going guitar is distracting from the more elaborate work. And I just heard a guitar nearly non-stop in the previous number, so there needs to be a break here. Finally from 2:30 to 2:40 the track breathsand is free from this sound that has been holding down the essence of Goa (being free). The music sounds more mature and fluid without the guitar that returns after just 10 seconds. The guitar is -- it reminds me of a kid that keeps shaking the same toy in the middle of an orchestra I'm trying to enjoy. And I keep telling him to stop. And he won't. It's too much. A sound cannot compliment a song if it is so redundant in a way that's not positive. C+ 4. Moon Fishing is the first track that seems to have the guitar in the background, though it's present. I hardly notice it in the beginning 10 seconds and really enjoy the opening melodies. The samples are cool too, as they've been on previous songs. Thankfully, the melodies appear to be more accentuated than the guitar for the first time on the album, save for the wonderful opening. There are several good sounds producing melodies here. One is at 1:43. It's good. Another is a flute that gives the track a nice old school and/or organic feel. As the track progresses the guitar does not seem to leave. Fortunately it's more in the background. Though to some degree I'd probably enjoy the juicy sound textures and Goa influences more without the guitar. There are many cool and stylish moments, sound details and alterations, samples, and special effects here. This artist can get very playful at times, it it really shows here. This is a fun song. B 5. Falling Stars is one of the better AP-influenced Goa tracks I've heard since Astral Projection released their last album I considered excellent in 1999, that being Another World. The Goa work is so strong and present on this song that it all but drowns out the guitars. But why are the guitars here? This is one of the most beautiful tracks and the artist is killing it with a heavy, repeating guitar sound that I have heard in virtually all tracks by now. It's like taking the same noticeable sound and repeating it loud enough for everyone to hear throughout every track back to back. The guitar does not enhance this song. I want to hear it without the guitar. I want to hear the whole album without the guitar. And Goa music breaks people out of the square, the generic thinking pattern because of its generally non-linear structure and artist direction. And while this music is Goa influenced, not Goa only per say, the guitar keeps me in the square more than this artist's recent formulaic but creative and fun Goa Gate album surprisingly did. B+ 6. I Saw It Interlude is the first track since the opening without any guitar and just listen to how free and flowing it is. This is great. It's very well orchestrated, catchy, and musical. It's just too bad it's only 2:23 long and an interlude. This is the most refreshing track on the album since the opening. B+ 7. Flying Cookie is a change up to Eastern Indian and/or Persian/Egyptian influence, sounds. But there's that repeating guitar again that has not stopped outstaying its welcome (that ended several tracks ago) on every track on the whole entire album, save for the intro and interlude. *sigh* The part from around 5:10 to 5:31 would have been so much fun without that which distracts from the fast and psychedelic Psy/Goa mind twisting rhythm. C+ 8. Seq-Uoia has not much of an intro but begins relatively catchy and gripping from the previous track. I also find the melody/tone more gripping, exciting than the previous number. But that damn guitar. It wouldn't sound so much if I hadn't heard it on almost every previous track so far. I cannot see the correlation as to why the guitar is so promoted or why it is so present in virtually every track. Just listen from 1:52 to 2:15. That's a beautiful sound formulation and I can only imagine how emphasized it would have sounded without the guitar. As it thumbs over almost every new sound that appears, reducing the free and blossoming life with each interval of development, growth. The melodies are very well composed, a combination between beauty and aggression. Whereas guitar often accentuates aggression it is beyond complimentary by now. Melody wise, this is one of the best tracks on the album. Unfortunately the intended strength of the guitar has become the antagonist by its own inability to be gone and let life grow without the conceptual need or use of it. B 9. Key To The Trunk starts out great. The first melody around :015 is good, catchy. But I'm exhausted by this point as the (rahg, rahg, rahg ) guitar returns again. It's a monotonous sound that distracts from all of these accentuating, moving, and developing, fun melodies. Such as the part from 3:50 to 4:18. The number isn't as gripping as the previous one. It's decent, if a bit similar in formula relative to the past two tracks. C+ 10. An Harlequin's Tale appears to lesson the g volume and let the music breath more. I barely notice the guitars. The melodies are pretty good too, especially the main tune. Although not as mixed up and detailed as previous tracks, this is a refreshingly unpredictable change up from previous uptempo numbers. It's more for listening pleasure than intended to dance to. The tempo, speed, and unique approach positively adds variation in style and feel to a relatively weak variety. This is a pretty good song. B- 11. The End... is very mythical, warm, mysterious and traveling. The melody sounds influenced from a very cool action/thriller like Con Air. Filled with emotive ambient tunes and startling, little details, the number is very well orchestrated, scored. Furthermore it is a wonderful example of how much potential this artist has when he lets loose those irritating (g word) and lets the beauty of the sounds breath and flow. Being a short epilogue or closing, the track is unfortunately only 3:25, though it's compelling. This is one of the best tracks here. I just wish it was a little longer. Overall a great track. Very creative and thoughtful. I could listen to an entire album like this. B+ In conclusion, after spending around $22 on this album (including shipping) from saikosounds, I would have preferred it without the heavy, repeating guitar on every uptempo track. Muinomednap! may not have been a masterpiece without the guitars. Or with a style that generally recycles itself more than many albums including RA's 9th for same year comparison. RA's 9th broadened its style by having greater variation, sounds, and ideas developed in tracks. This would have been more enjoyable with less to no guitars, and a stronger track variety around the intro, interlude, and outro. Goa Gate by the same artist also lacked having a strong track variety (tracks sounding different from one another regardless that it's in the artist's style, vision. Fortunately, Goa Gate did not overuse guitars. If this artist (and I know he can because he's very talented) can strengthen the weaknesses on his debut, the sequal has potential to be great. Muinomednap! is like a really attractive piece of artwork and then at the very end, the artist decides to throw a not too thick but present coat of paint over it, reducing the clarity of the gorgeous landscapes and atmosphere, clouding its beauty with the most distracting and unnecessary "overuse of sound" I currently remember hearing on an otherwise good album. I've been so excited to hear this album because I loved the EP kindly given to us from this artist in 2007. Both EP tracks were very distinct in sound and direction. I suddenly found myself very enthusiastic to hear the album. And to a degree I like it. But why are the guitars such a consistent thing in almost every track? WHY? How does this enhance or compliment the album? Even if someone loves guitars, they're too repetitive and distracting from the good music here. At least give us a couple tracks without them or use them in moments as opposed to few and far between moments without them, to mix it up, so the melodies and tracks overall stand out more. The EP sold me. Both tracks on the EP were more or less great. And I don't remember guitars being on either of them as they are here. I really like Muinomednap!'s refreshing, innovative work as done in tracks 1, 6, 11,. They could have been more lengthy but I'll take quality over quantity -- that they are. It would be impressive if this artist made an album with tracks like tracks 1, 6, 11, but lengthier, so they resemble more danceable innovations like Talpa's musically unexpected and arresting Till We Meet Again track. Tracks 1, 6, 11 are filled with creativity, passion, grip, and they don't overuse any particular sound. They're excellent, fun, and free. Add uptempo/dance tracks 5, 8 and maybe one or two others (and trim those guitars) and that's a powerful track list. I'm frustrated with Muinomednap! because I want to like it more than I do. There is just so much energy, warmth, fun sounds, and creativity on it. I feel like the artist had fun making it. I can tell that a lot of time and work went into producing it. Not much work went into the guitar layer though, as it does more bad than good. And unfortunately the emphasis on guitar prevents the album from reaching its full potential. Lastly, the uptempo melody/sound work may be a bit formulaic, but it is so catchy in Falling Stars and Seq-uoia -- they deserve mention. I find the guitar overkill. And I'm surprised the artist didn't do something about it. I like guitars at times in Psy/Dance music (Four Carry Nuts - Mechanical Age, Dark Soho's first two albums, etc) but I find them distracting when used throughout every uptempo track and in combination with so many beautiful sounds and melodies. Because this artist makes music that is filled with light and freedom. The guitars keep the style more confined in a sense, and therefore less fantasy-based and free, which is what I think was intended with this otherwise fun and zippy style. So in all fairness, I recommend listening to the samples and if not bothered with certain things as much as I was, he or she may enjoy the album more than I did. Favorite tracks: 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11. B- Cover artwork/design: The cover artwork is very artistic and catchy. This is my favorite cover of the year. And without certain over-usage of guitars I think the album would have been closer to the beautiful, flowing, and present nature of the wild and imaginative cover. Samples http://www.saikosounds.com/english/show_ar...artist_id=10562 http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/pot/pot1cd001.html
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