Shadow Fx - Direct Influence (Zenon Records)

[Ed Motive]

*** this review is taken from www.psyreviews.com for more info on Shadow Fx go to www.myspace.com/shadowfxmusic****

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most albums that pass through the psyreviews sphincter of taste get played five times if they’re lucky. Direct Influence I’ve been listening to solidly for three days. It sounded so good through the (admittedly, quite modest) stereo at Psyreviews Acres, sounded good on the headphones, and even sounded good in the car. There’s something very special about this indeed, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the fact that I can’t quite put my finger on what that very special thing is.

 

 

 

Shadow FX comes from the Sensient heritage, that postmodern meta-progressive trance. His sound is deeply elastic, baggy-grooved stuff that transports you to a dusty summer dancefloor with a beer in one hand and another beer in the other.

 

 

 

The sheer spaciousness is addictive. Sounds warp around you, leaving you in this dubby vacuum where the slightest change (of which there are many) has a huge effect. It’s like it’s music that you don’t listen to so much as have a relationship with.

 

 

 

The drop at 6:35 on Alkhemist is so effortless, and so micro-subtle, it’s hardly there – yet it is staggeringly effective. The melodies on Full Floyd Rig are weaved together in such a way that you don’t hear them, you feel them.

 

 

 

Comparisons with Sensient are inevitable: Shadow FX is less psychedelic, in the true sense of the word, but the main difference is in the presence. Where Sensient creates this incredible bed of sound that you get drawn into and eventually fall over on, Shadow FX has what appears to be a more tender emotional side – which is not to say that the man is a bit of a softy. The way that he flits between intimate and distant is probably the best way to put it – the music touches you, then shifts back to his addictive, spongy platform. It really is as though you’ve witnessed something a little bit magical.

 

 

 

The best example of this, and my personal standout track on the album, is Woodlander. Organic, flowing, warming stuff with a melodic section that’ll make a grown man cry.

 

 

 

This is something very, very special. I can’t see myself getting bored of it for a while yet, and it’s the best reason in a while to invest in some big fuckoff speakers.

[DaZeD]

.... Woodlander. Organic, flowing, warming stuff with a melodic section that’ll make a grown man cry.

Or you where on drugs when you wrote this or, you are a big crybaby.

 

No, seriously, it's a nice track, but I managed to keep my eye's dry.

[Sawfly]

Or you where on drugs when you wrote this or, you are a big crybaby.

 

No, seriously, it's a nice track, but I managed to keep my eye's dry.

Me too

 

But the album is fucking great, I didn't expect much from it as I was a bit disappointed with the Tetrameth one last year, but this manages to be something really awesome.

[Trance2MoveU]

 

Artist: Shadow FX

Title: Direct Influence

Label: Zenon Records

Date: July, 2007

 

1. Full Floyd Rig

2. Left of Centre

3. Funktion One

4. Alkhemist

5. Intermission

6. Altered Perception

7. Liquid Cropduster

8. Brain Glitch

9. Woodlander

 

"Your brain doesn't know the difference between what's taking place out there and what's taking place here."

 

Did he just call me stupid? Careful son, thems fightin' words over here. We might send democracy your way.

 

Based in Australia this is Peter Hayes who happens to be the brother of fellow artist Tetrameth. Which means absolutely nothing to me as I've never heard his music. So...blank slate. It's progressive trance that churns smoothly relying heavily on percussive sounds. And that sound is rich and a joy to listen to with melodies that don't readily make themselves apparent. Reminds me a little of Logic Bomb. Gentle sounds that surround in an almost minimal approach. But instead of becoming a snoozefest it has it's own vitality working wonders with delay. Works well on headphones and speakers so that's a plus. I believe it to be the combination of all the little touches which make this a deep release. Even though I liked it, I can also see the other side of the coin, where it may become too minimal over 9 tracks.

 

If you're into soft progressive trance that can still be involving and sounds great, then this is something you might want to check out. It's not going to blow you away, but you'll be surprised how much good stuff is in there.