Celldweller -- Afraid This Time (Lyrics Review)

One of my favorite songs from Celldweller’s self-titled album always stump a lot of friends when I would ask “Do you know what he’s talking about?”, which is really just asking the interpretation of it. Now, so people can take a closer look blog-wise at this pretty explosive Electronic Rock song, I’ll delve into it an informative way…

Even if you want, you can’t touch me now

Leave me if you want, you can’t hurt me now

Having a relationship is the primary subject here, with the statements of “you can’t touch me” and “you can’t hurt me”, most would probably think that the “touch” as physical, in a desirable manner or even a physically abusive manner. I think it actually goes along with the “hurt” line; just like in the “leaving” hurt can happen, as she, the person who the singer (Klayton) is talking about leaving him, could indirectly (or even directly, intentionally)  hurt him emotionally, so the “touch” is in an intangible sense – emotionally touch.

Build them up…

(High and strong, so you’ll never to hurt to long)

Put them up

(‘Til they surround’ and there’s no more real you left to be found)

Hold it up

(High above, no fear of hope or trust or love)

Close it up

(And hold your ground, and wait until it’s time to finally close it down)

Initially, the only thing sure-fire is knowing he’s building something to block out emotions and himself (“no more real you”) from others. Going outside of directness, and coming at it metaphorically gives clarity: first  the background sub-vocals is the “conscience” or “voice in his head” he’s made to give himself secondary guidance that he can’t manage on his own. Then, coming from the first lyrics, and the idea of being afraid, this no doubt is the mental representation of building a “shelter” or even just walls in his  mind to protect from the fear of the ending relationship (a very essential one at that, given this is the requirement in the aftermath).

It all matches the “you’ll never hurt too long” and “no fear of hope or trust or love” as none of these emotional elements can affect you if you’ve mentally built walls, or isolated yourself in psychological barriers so nothing and no one can get in. “Close it up” makes sense to finish this off, but the background sub-verse including “wait until it’s time to finally close it down” is what’s off-putting on the first listen, mainly with “close it up” and “Close it down” conflicting – especially after all that time to “build it up” in the first place.

The only other expansion from that is the sub-verse/voice in his head is telling him to wait on the time to end his mind or end himself completely eventually, and to “hold his ground” until then. It’s grim stuff, but it matches the type of hurt and/or numbness spoken in these lyrics that are trying to deflect by building up those walls.

This isn’t easy to admit… I don’t think I’m believing it... I’m afraid this time...

Here at the end, even though “he’s not believing it” he knows he’s afraid of being alone, this time. That “this time” is key to him being hurt before, and doesn’t know how to deal with another woman leaving him again.

It’s really something else to be able have this effect on such a catchy danceable E-Rock song; well-made music can do that though…

Songs of The Day: Phenotype – Meeting Point

From DeeProg Recording, an artist with a variety of sounds on long tracks, and also gives off scientific awareness in the usage/definition of his name, showing more of the informative nature of Electronic Music just by titles or monikers…

Fonky Beat Vibration

Banzai 

Movie Star Trip 

Twilight 

Songs Of The Day: XX -- Hivern Remixes

These turned out some good EDM mixes to what’s primarily an indie rock band.

Missing (Round Remix)

Fiction (Marc Pinol Remix) 

Swept Away (New Jackson Remix) 

Also check out:

XX Album Thoughts

Songs Of The Days: Butch Clancy Dubstep

Butch Clancy - Dubstep - Electro Flex
 Butch Clancy - Hard Eight 

Butch Clancy - Technique 

Butch Clancy -- Circuit Freak

Lyrics Review: DJ Rap - Good to be Alive

Luckily found this one from an essential movie – at least due to its rave-relation, if not guilty pleasure status – of the late ‘90s simply titled, Go. Of course it didn’t take long to realize I was going to have to check out the soundtrack while watching the nonlinear plotted flick, and during the credits, “Good to be Alive” plays and definitely has remained the favorite. The music is clean with powerful vocals; since it’s lyrically intriguing, hey, why not delve into them…  

Don’t crucify, if I feel alive

It’s a natural high and I’m satisfied…

Absolved from sin

I called the devil from within

He told me “Live my life…

Don’t let them criticize…”

I like the writings’ intermingling between resistance from condemners and persistence in a self-chosen direction, particularly through the use of contemporary religious language. “Live my life” is likely in reference to the party and dance scene and being enveloped in the rapture of it. The social group dynamic can easily apply as far as why someone would be criticizing in the first place, when thinking about norms versus the creatives, or so-called freaks. 

Another cool aspect of “Calling the devil from within” notes that we as people, speaking more naturally and psychologically,  have a devilish nature within us, which in turn would suggest there is a godly nature as well (the sides of people’s conscience in a sense) to instruct. When being external to contemporary theological thinkers though, no doubt this is a line of rebellion, as if that which is opposite to good is now the prime directive.

It’s good to be alive…

Sometimes I wonder how I survived

And in my mind’s eye

When you’re low no one seems to know…

Very relatable lines for those ‘on the grind’ so to speak, or just going through troublesome times, to wonder how they are still alive at all. Though I won’t get into the musical aspects, it does play an integral role in understanding the breathe-of-fresh-air element to saying it’s good to be alive as in connection to the party scene, even as an escapist, a chance to have the pressure valve released, whatever the struggles may be.

 A fallen angel tonight

I feel no shame when I’m high

It feels so good must be right

It feels so good inside…

Inside

Like the way the, “No one seems to know” roles into the “fallen angel” line, which is falling from grace or whatever the non-approver or people not approving that behavior consider angelic. The next lines are of a drug and sexual context, particularly from the female perspective given that’s the gender of the singer/speaker. Though, thinking in terms of recreational drugs would conflict with the second line “it’s a natural high” in the intro, so one could separate the perspectives of each verse or roll with the natural high concept.

I’d love to love you but I’m impure an angel

More elements here suggesting the singer as an apparitional or otherworldly entity, and when thinking about the angelic, usually impure is not the thought that comes to mind first. It flips the initial thoughts on their head and makes us consider the conflict, once again brought back to the representation of good and bad being within.

Don’t compromise

You don’t live my life

‘Cause I don’t judge you

When I look in your eyes

Here, as final new lyrics of the song before repeats I felt they could’ve been constructed better to match the earlier verses’ depth; though it still speaks to the general concept started. The first line seems like it speaks directly to a person in the same position. The second switches to second-person and speaks to the aforementioned criticizers, and that it’s never the other way around to negatively judge that person who is doing the judging.  Not an ending lyric with certitude having, “When I look in your eyes” but it’s okay; the song is top-notch EDM I recommend for regular rotations.

Check out more from the lovely Charissa Saverio (DJ Rap)

Kliendea - Close Your Eyes EP (Recent Releases Recommend)

A good find of melodic progressive trance, with the right lyrical connection, even with its simple premise. The original track represents it best to me, but the remixes in the EP collection are cleanly made as well. Definitely worth it.

http://www.beatport.com/track/close-your-eyes-original-mix/5470088

http://www.junodownload.com/products/klinedea-close-your-eyes-remixes/2526543-02/

Movie Theme Remixes: Terminator 2 Theme (RonadFed Trance 2011)

Is it not always exciting when the way you imagine a favorite theme song could be re-mastered or remixed rightly and an artist brings or has bought it into existence? With that same imagined authenticity wanted represented? RonadFed is definitely one accomplisher of that with this Terminator 2 Trance. 

There is an original version from 1998 and, while I was surprised (in a good way) about the view amount being in the millions, it’s more-so the fact the 2011 version didn’t have close to it that elicited a ‘wait, what?’ reaction from me, given the enrichment and diversity in the sequel composition. I know it’s reasonable because one’s older and has had more time to build, and numbers aren’t always the decider of ‘best’… are they? Depends… still, the recent version is the more suggested of the two. Will be jamming on it for a while.

SONGS OF THE DAY: Technikal EP (Recent Release)

Acid, Electro and Hard Trance styles mostly make up these tracks that hit heavy for a dance scene. “B.M.T” is high intensity and even felt before beat drops. I can hear the 8-bit video game influence Technikal uses and simulates in “Bit Rave”; it’s really ingeniously crafted into party song, definitely stands out the most. “Starry Safari” is the most upbeat in pace with additional effects from flute to African drumbeats made for some awesome transitions and breakdowns I didn’t expect. 

Technikal - B.M.T

Technikal - Bit Rave

Technikal - Starry Safari

Anime Soundtrack Review: Air Gear "What A Groovy Trick"

Label: Avex Trax

Artist: Skankfunk

Release date: August 2006

A lot of favorites came from this anime soundtrack hearing it growing up to the degree I would repeat the intro, outro and specific scenes more-so for the music than animation itself. Although the album is chock-full of songs, and the attempt at variety is fine, definitely have to say off-the-jump they weren’t all necessary, and quite a few should’ve been cut back from the album. But I’ll comment more on that later.

         Tracklist:

1.                 Chain

2.                 Skygrinder

3.                 Love Sensation

4.                 Tricky Sister Girl

5.                 Do-Trippin-Do

6.                 Let me see your love

7.                 Snapped

8.                 Dawn of da Bassment

9.                 Edgeways

10.            Dam-da-dam

11.            Rock from da bottom

12.            Not Humming But Vibin’ (homage to Humming the Bassline)

13.            Mad babies

14.            Put 2 much

15.            His groovy trick

16.            Her groovy trick

17.            Blind-2-see

18.            Naturarhythm

19.            Needin up

20.            Some body funk

21.            Bizzy or Dizzy

22.            Have a raga break

23.            Stop da pop

24.            Strutter’s cruise

25.            Overcooled

26.            Vertigo high

27.            Betrayal 303

28.            Uneasiness of funkiness

29.            Anthem 4 pipe dreams

30.            Mr Shine

31.            Fly da mission

32.            Here comes the sun road

33.            Sky 2 High

Nothing like any series that grips us with a theme and “Chain” is the first song courtesy of Japanese alternative rock band Back-On, who is recognized for doing themes for Anime and Video Game  It has a short and long version, but reasonably so, as it’s the introduction must be cut in size for TV. Of course the longer version is primarily recommended and differences are mostly in the length. It leads in with lighter guitar chords before the explosive riffs come in, then Japanese-English rapping comes in smooth for the following bridge and chorus that has legitimized the catchiness, with long, (possibly auto-tuned) powerful lyrics.

The voice-manipulation of “ba-ba-ba-ba-baby” leads us into Skankfunk first official song of the album, “Skygrinder” and kicks off the speedy, intense “Sky” theme electronic riffs perfectly. Vocal tricks utilized here are some of the best of the album.

“!Do Trippin’ Do!” is another one brought out by catchiness of vocal-trick techniques, but with fast-paced jazzy sounds. “Snapped” turns to punk-ish experimental rock, with some great electro-sound manipulation interspersed between. “Dawn of the Basement” starts out with spacey, underground hip-hop aesthetic, but flips into a fast rock-Drum-N-Bass style, and switches between the two styles throughout. 

“Edgeways” tones it’s down with groovy bass, and continues with high-pitch synths, lead guitar chords, and even some record scratching throughout the rest. “Not Hummin’ But Vibin’ ” is a cover/remix and homage to “Humming the Bassline” from the Jet Grind Radio video game soundtrack. This was cool for two reasons:

·        1: that was one of the initial and main songs I liked off that soundtrack.

·        2: Given the nature of this anime (dynamic rollerblading to even fantastical extents), remixing a song from the well-known skate game made sense if not an obligation.

Sadly, maybe ironically, in comparison it doesn’t hold up nearly as well as the original; doesn’t quite ‘hit’ with Skankfunk’s lo-fi sound redesigns for the most part.

  

 “Bizzy? Or Dizzy” is quite literally the party song of the animation (usually some type of get-together was happening when this was played ) “Overkooled” is a smooth-jazzy, hip hop track. The high-pitch piano and the flute effects throughout this definitely make it worthwhile. Coupled with “Vertigo High” these two make great laid-back tracks, with the latter being very hypnotic. There’s a clever “record-skipping” effect towards the end, and if you not paying attention, you’ll think the device you’ll playing the song on is glitching out.

“Sky 2 High”, as mentioned in the beginning (the outro) was on repeat for quite a while given how engaging the whole composition is. It’s more-so something to intro a show with than end, getting an person energized for what’s coming, being fast-paced and intense, with a multitude of instrumentations. The lyrics keep the ‘High flying through the sky’ imagery evoked.

On the least-interesting side of things, “Her and His Groovy Trick” are just the show’s commercial break intermissions, so nothing much to say there. On “Love Sensation”, “Needin’ U” and “Some Body Funk" Skankfunk draws from ‘70s funk/synthesizer style of musicality, but aren’t to appealing in extension, and while I’ll say the two formers could’ve been ones cut from album completely, the latter could stay, having a clever beat-box segment that caught me by surprise.

Others like “Dam Damn Dam” and “Here’s Comes Da Sun” are either not engaging enough or a bit overly-pop on the verge of annoyance. Mostly it’s just more songs that weren’t needed, because there were betters songs on the album that had them “covered” if you will.

The obscurity of info’ on Skankfunk is kind of disheartening; new music with his electronic variety and flare, animation-related or not, would be highly well-received. Finally, when listening keep in mind the shortness of some tracks goes back to being for selective situations in the show, so no need in thinking you’re being “gipped” out of more music, it’s just situational. There’s always the repeat button.

Favorites/Recommends:

Chain

Skygrinder

!Do Trippin’ Do!

Edgeways

Mad Babies

Busy? Or Dizzy?

OverKooled

Mr. Shine

Sky 2 High

Overall Rating

Vocals: 8/10

Lyrics: 7.5/10

Musical Variety/Creativity: 9/10

Catchiest Song: Sky 2 High

Replay Value Overall: Occasional 

Full-On Goa: Psilocybian – Brain Dissolver (Recent Release Recommend)

Released: March 2014
Label: Neogoa

Producers/creators: Sasa dukic, Igor Ceranic (track 6)

Tracklist

Sponge

The Creator

Reality Bomb

Integrated Circuits

Brain Dissolver

Spooky Doobi Doo

Interconnectedness

Human Show

Peyotl

Strange Place to Play

Favorites/Recommends:

The Creator

Brain Dissolver
Human Show

Album Cover Art by Liquid Media

‘80s Remixes Recommends: “Star To Fall” By Cabin Crew & “Falling Stars” By Sunset Strippers

Based on a guilty pleasure ‘80s song of my youth by the Pop Duo making up Boy Meets Girl (George Merrill & Shannon Rubicam), always thought Cabin Crew did a decent remix as far as the original lyrics (re-recorded or not) being catchy for repeatable chorus and throwing that dance bass drum over it. This doesn’t work on everything as much as many DJs will try it on all kinds of songs. Maybe it’s more-so the music video’s eccentric visuals that lock it in for me though, I don’t know, definitely recommendable either way.

The Sunset Strippers “Falling Stars” version seems almost like an attempt to show up Cabin Crew’s, coming out a few months afterward to put their flavor and dance choreography into it. (Electronic music remix beef? I joke) Not many noticeable difference music-wise, but Cabin Crew does have more dynamic nature to it, and in my opinion the better of the two.

Ocean Star Empire - The Purest Form (Review/Recommend)

Label: Pure Chords

Release Date: January 2014

Ocean Star Empire -- made up of Namad Moon, Killik and Faxi Nadu, representing the ‘Three Dots on the Map’ Portugal, Germany, and Israel respectively – is a new combination of talent for the early part of the year that’s produced a extremely spacey Goa/Psy-Trance album, most definitely made for listeners’ own audio-visual input (Or of a hallucinogenic kind) for Sci-fi writers this is the kind of music I think is good to utilize for influence, and with so many movies with these themes currently you’d think that someone would use it within their scores and soundtracks… *shrugs*. Especially as they – Ocean Star – themselves describe it: “…vision morphed into action.”

Tracklist:

Arrival

Three Dots On A Map

How Small We Are

Killik – Spaetzie (OSE Remix)

Woven Drops

Rain From Within

Nuno’s Abduction

Phrygian Drifter

All Good Things

Eyes in the dark 

The intro “Arrival” not a primary song yet still a visionary set up of what’s about to follow up, presenting Ocean Star in character with alien vocal effects to pull us into these musical stories. “Three Dots on the Map” “How Small We Are” and Woven Drops” are all full-fledge Progressive Goa/Psy-trance are some of the best to define the album’s tone, even with more to go. 

“Rain From Within” has the most unique/stand out sounds on the album, and “Phrygian Drifter” is definitely a Shuffler-ready song for the dancers. “All Good Things” slows it down, into downtempo Goa, good addition that needed break for the mostly speedy BPMs making up most of the album.  “Eyes in the Dark” follow ups by dropping the heavy beats and psychedelic rhythms all together, which was unexpected. Very deep, sensorial Space-Age ambient throughout it all, something that goes right along the lines of Gravity's soundtrack. I think this song was great send-off for the album, just to allow someone to imagine seeing, and being comfortable within, the “dark” of space itself. 

Check out their blog: http://oceanstarempire.blogspot.com/

And since I’m always in promotion of good album art and those that create it, check out Artist Fernando Hood's site.

Favorites/Recommends:

Three Dots On A Map

How Small We Are

Rain From Within 

Nuno’s Abduction 

If you like, also check out:

Through The Afterlife - VA (Continuous Mix)