Четверг 11 Фев 2010, 16:24
I posted this elsewhere, too, so I'll just c+p here.
http://217.160.138.169/pic_b/sre1cd005_b.jpg
Release date: 2010.02.12
Label: Space Baby Records
id#: SBCD 005
Tracks: 10
All tracks composed & produced by: Dmitry Likhachev & Grigory Sobinov
Artwork: Pollen
Mastering: Kodzu
Tracklist:
01. Alienapia - Distinctive Perception (1:23)
02. Alienapia - Dharmakaya (7:31)
03. Alienapia - Estimate Of Standing Crop (7:42)
04. Alienapia - High Visual Philosophy (7:20)
05. Alienapia - Inner Poison (8:06)
06. Alienapia - Magic Magnification (7:17)
07. Alienapia vs. Psy-H - Fear And Anger (8:17)
08. RA - Reign Of Madness (Alienapia rmx)(7:42)
09. Alienapia vs. Agneton - Misterika Island (8:31)
10. Alienapia - Remnant (1:04)
Review:
I knew it. I knew it would be good. When I first listened to "Inner Poison", I thought to myself "damn that's good". Though I have to admit, that I never heard of Alienapia before, right after googling them up and after listening to the samples of their debut album, "Goapocalipsis", it was a sure buy for me. Alienapia is the project of Ukrainians Dmitry Likhachev and Grigory Sobinov, whose main project is Zymosis…I've heard that before. But other than their usual psy-chill/downtempo stuff, this is their goatrance project, and that's basically what you get here!
So I got the CD today, nice Digipack and I like the artwork. Inside there's the tracklist and a short text:
"We are living on the "Earth" where the universe shows us its full and diverse variety. Every man's sight and breath of eternal space let's us feel the global harmony and flow of timeless consciousness. The vibration of universal unity and beauty originated from this unlimited space - The Sound was born. Everyone entered the whole ensemble, transformed themselves and united into the one living thing. Goa trance is a life philosophy which brings a state to the soul that gives f-r-e-e-d-o-m. There are sounds that dive through the universe making its every atom vibrate. It's like a mountain river - dangerous with its cold streaming flow and waterfalls but at the same time saving a traveller dying of thirst with its vital nutrients. This is the light, nobody and nothing can hide from. This is the darkness which can save the important presence of someone. The endless carousel ride. This is the world, where everything is possible!"
But let's go on with the review:
1. Distinctive Perception (1:23)
First seconds, first sounds, an oriental sounding flute playing a nice melody, tension builds up and I immediately knew, that this album would be something special. As an intro, it creates the right mood for the following voyage.
Rating: B+
2. Dharmakaya (7:31)
Proper stomping track with a rather "dark" touch to it in the beginning, after that it's as psychedelic as it can get, imho. Like the text in the inlay said, there are sounds which dive through the universe making it's every atom vibrate, and basically that's what this track is about. The slower part at the middle of the track transports the feeling of zero gravity perfectly well, and afterwards the journey continues again.
Rating: A
3. Estimate Of Standing Crop (7:42)
The track starts with some tribal chanting, already mesmerizing. While the chants fade away, melodies slowly build up, beat kicks in and there you have it again: psychedelic bliss. At around 3 minutes into the track, there's just a melody playing with some effects - zero gravity again. I'll be attending an oldschool party next week near my hometown, and this is exactly the kind of music/spirit I want to hear at that party and that is not too common anymore.
Rating: A-
4. High Visual Philosophy (7:20)
It has a rather unusual beginning with some more twisted sounds, starts off proper stomping, then has an unexpected break, that somehow didn't feel harmonic to me and continues with a more twisted melody and stranger sounds, slows down, but the last two minutes are sure to make you dance, while keeping the twisted character. I think this may be the only track, which has kind of different feeling than the other tracks.
Rating: B
5. Inner Poison (7:20)
I heard this one already on the "Goatronika" compilation and it's an instant favorite. Basically, it's the track that got me interested in Alienapia in the first place. I can almost see the people go crazy on the dancefloor after the beat kicks in. Again, this one has a darker, harder touch to it in the beginning, but the latter half is pure space travel. Space, baby!
Rating: A
6. Magic Magnification (7:17)
Woohoo! I immediately thought of Filteria's "Eyeless Observatory", because it triggered the same synapses with its acid thunderstorm. A perfectly placed, perfect melody only part with a heavy sci-fi feel to it, adds to the fantastic feeling of this track.
Rating: A
7. Fear And Anger (vs. Psy-H) (8:17)
When I thought that there would be no more goodness like the previous two tracks on this album, I was wrong. I just loved the melodies in this one, and parts like that from 3:45 on just remind me, why I love this music so much. When everything falls in place, and every added or different layer of effects just enhances the listening experience like that. The voice at the end tops it off and makes it a masterpiece imo. Best track so far, therefore it has to be
Rating: A+
8. Reign Of Madness (Alienapia rmx) (7:49)
What can I say…the original is already like a solid block of awesomeness, especially the intro and outro send chills down my spine, and this remix falls nothing short of the original in terms of quality. Great, just great.
Rating: A
9. Misterika Island (vs. Agneton) (8:31)
Accelerated tempo and the first half of the track is clearly Agneton's style dominating. Having said that, you know what to expect ;)
Rating: B+
10. Remnant (1:04)
The journey ends with this outro, sounding much more spheric than the intro and, unlike the intro, which gave the impression of a stream of energy/light arriving, the outro does the opposite. The flute fades away, with it the light it brought, and the last seconds are unexpectedly dark. I'd love to know what the dark voice says at the end, so if somebody knows, post it here.
Rating: B+ (could be longer, but loved the end)
Final verdict:
Like I said, I knew it would be good, but I didn't guess it'd be THAT good. I don't know how you'll feel about it, maybe I'm exaggerating, because I still feel the euphoria of the music in me, but imho Alienapia's debut is on par with "Born Underwater" or "Daze Of Our Lives".
Overall rating: A-
Favorite: Track 7.
Samples/Buy: