Mike Oldfield - Crises [1983]
Posted by admin on August 21st, 2008
Crises is my favourite of Mike Oldfield’s eighties CDs. As with its direct predecessor, it contains one long piece which took up the whole of the first side of the original vinyl and a set of shorter tracks, five in this case, on the second side. The shorter songs on the earlier albums were often a lot weaker than the longer pieces. Partly that was because Oldfield’s musical style was not transferring well to shorter pieces but also, the lyrics were often quite dire.
Experience clearly helped a lot but also collaboration with other musicians. On Crises, the most notable name is Jon Anderson of Yes who is creditied with lyrics and vocals on one song “In High Places” which really sounds as though it could have come from a contemporary Yes album. Read the rest of this entry »
Infected Mushroom’s trademark Israeli sound hits hard and furiously in the duo’s latest album, I.M. the Supervisor. While purists may deride the use of vocals, they soften Psychedelic Trance’s more cerebral sound in a way that’s danceable and immediately enjoyable to novices of the genre. But that’s not to say this isn’t an edgy album. “Bombat” and “Frog Machine” feature psychedelic synthtars will have you yearning for more, while symphonic segues and interludes in “Ratio Schmatio” will have you questioning reality. The catchy “Cities of the Future” re-appears here and the dub-style “Muse Breaks” will recall a past life in Jamaica. This is no doubt a crowning achievement for this fringe genre, and for Infected Mushroom as well. A must-own for all fans of Goa-style and Psychedelic Trance. 
It starts off with the first single, "My Rights Versus Yours." I have to be honest, when I first listened to the song a few months ago I was not a fan. The song lacked the powerful hooks and grandiose climaxes that "Twin Cinema" flaunted on pretty much every song. Of course, since then I’ve been able to appreciate the song for it’s absolutely beautiful lyrics, and relentless drive. Carl Newman’s delivery is flawless as he sings "We hang suspended from the heights until it’s safer to walk here." The hook is a bit weak in my opinion("The truth in one free afternoon"), but it really doesn’t distract from this great song. "All the Old Showstoppers" continues the fantastic songwriting from the first track. It really feels like a group effort, especially by the time the bridge rolls around. 
One is tempted to say that this album is so superb simply because everyone in it is so talented and the songs are all great, and while that is certainly true the history of rock has shown that great talent hasn’t always resulted in great music. For whatever reason, these guys have managed to assemble talent that meshes marvelously, with each member willing to step aside a bit for the good of the group. The level of musicianship on this album is exceptional and it is truly a delight listening to people who are all so very good at what they do playing such a great set of songs. If I had a complaint with the album it is that Neko Case doesn’t just take over fulltime as lead vocalist. Mind you, Carl Newman, the band’s main songwriter, is a very decent vocalist, but Neko Case is a great vocalist. Though he does every song he sings a service, he rarely stands out; Ms. Case does. 
Guetta doesn’t hold back with the hard electro house beats on this latest album. It’s definitely a dance stomper, but I actually miss some of the more `new wave’ synthpop sounding tracks that were on Blaster, like songs in the Depeche Mode styles of "The World is Mine" and "In Love with Myself." There are a couple of nods to retro 80s stuff: an updated electro feeling cover of Public Image Limited’s "This is not a Love Song" with an imitation Lydon vocalist, and the pumpin’ male vocal track "Always", which samples the catchy background of the Tears for Fears classic new wave track "Change".
While the 1998 album provided a general overview of the story, Jon Schaffer has been conceptualizing for well over a decade. The saga is being fully brought to life with the release of the back-to-back conceptual albums "Framing Armageddon" and "The Crucible Of Man." While both albums provide answers to mysteries the previous releases would create, the timeliness of the story in today s world is guaranteed to keep people thinking and guessing. Schaffer s ability to convey the central themes and events of the story without always revealing exactly why characters decisions are made and how events come to pass, will keep fans of the saga coming back as future mediums for the "Something Wicked" storyline are revealed.
After seeing Nine Inch Nails in New Orleans last Thursday, I’ve decided to toss my hat in and write a review of Trent Reznor’s latest masterpiece.
Miley Cyrus: Breakout