Cat Temper - Nineteen Eighty​-​Fur

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Cat Temper’s Nineteen Eighty​-​Fur combines a wide variety of intriguing synth textures and colours in layers that interact in fascinating ways. His creative musical style along with his knack for composing in a compelling, unique way makes this an album worthy of multiple replays.

One of the aspects of Nineteen Eighty​-​Fur that makes it so enjoyable for me is the exuberant, inventive ways in which Cat Temper mixes different synth sounds. There's a freshness and energy in the music he creates that just keeps pulling me in. Like a painter, he creates luscious layers through all of the different sounds he combines into one cohesive whole.

Nineteen Eighty​-​Fur Also showcases Cat Temper’s melodic talent. He has a strong ability to write melodies which get inside your head. I enjoy the way his melodies move between different moods and emotional states within one track. Each track is like a small, self-contained world that encompasses a wide melodic territory. I enjoy the richness and complexity of the music on this album.

I'd also like to acknowledge the playful quality in Cat Temper’s music. I'm always taken by the fun he has with the music he creates. His joy and inventiveness pour out of every note he writes. All of the pleasure that he takes in his music infuses me as I listen.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Fur Warning” comes to life as a flanging sound rushes upwards while intensely shimmering synth vibrates out into space, washing in waves. Now hard-edged, tightly shining synth drips into the music as twisting sounds sweep in the distance.

Massive bass growls, creating a steady pulsation as clean edged, intensely illuminating synth rebounds in a wandering pulse. The gigantic drums and swinging bass create smooth forward progress, making me want to dance in a

loose-limbed way.

Flashing chords dance out in dynamic motion while the low end presses on. Breathy sounds float past and glittering synth creates blinding light. Underneath the other sonic elements, drums and bass keep driving onwards along with a cascading, open-voiced synth carrying an energizing melody.

I enjoy the way in which the music creates sensations of liveliness in me. glowing cords are joined by bell-like synth that twirls through the music with an adventurous quality. The track ends on the intensely unfolding chords and the swinging low end.

Massively bouncing, gruff synth with a cutting feeling moves above pounding kick drum to start “Take Your Whiskers Home.” Scintillating synth chords leap in to add ringing illumination as the drums and bass create a slightly uneven pulse.

Brightness pours from the music as a lower, intermingling notes ripple in rapid motion. Bending, open synth carries a melody with a celebratory, lively quality to it as chimes add metallic sparkle while the drums keep rebounding. The chimes take up a minor key tinged melody with a hint of melancholy in it.

Brilliant synth chords flare outwards above the bouncing low end. A medium-high, glowing synth carries a mellow melodic pattern. Soaring, piping notes sing out again with a positive quality. Chimes shimmer as bells call out with sunny warmth.

Glimmering notes ring and carry the dreaming, aching melody as soft-edged, medium-high synth yearns through the music. Now a wobbling synth doubles the main melody before the track ends on digital sounding notes calling out.

“Pawnama” commences as varied percussion flourishes with electric energy. Bursting snare drum forms a steady beat along with undulating bass that contributes another layer of propulsion. Deep synth rushes along with a hissing, percussive effect above the hard-hitting low end to create forward motion.

After another drum flourish, ominous synth clouds hover in the distance, contributing a dangerous quality to the music. The base has a chugging, metallic quality as it moves along with the pulsing drums. Brooding notes continue to sweep underneath the huge bass force.

Twanging guitar deeply rumbles in a melodic pattern that contains more menace. The melody has a surf guitar feel to it along with its shadows. The bass thunders underneath with crushing weight as the track unfolds. Echoing, broadly gleaming synth feels more positive and uplifting now, with a playful quality in contrast to the earlier darkness.

After another drum flourish, the shadowy threatening quality returns to the music. Darkly echoing notes reverberate as hi hat begins to add a metallic ticking to the music and a tiny “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” reference moves past. Now the ringing, chiming synth leaps out with intent darkness, feeling triumphant and threatening. Heaving bass ripples with muscled power while Latin percussion adds some flair before the track comes to an end.

Wide open, ringing synth grows and fades quickly before rising again to open “Jamie's Meowin'.” Uneven drums bounce above the rapidly oscillating bassline. Echoing, digital-sounding synth calls out with an unsettled melody.

Panpipes drift in luscious waves that caress the listener’s ears with their smoothly gliding motion. Underneath the other musical elements, drums throb with a slightly offbeat motion. I enjoy the texture of the panpipes as they move through the music.

An exultant, tranquil synth floats out with a gentle touch. metallic notes carry a drifting melody with a meditative quality. The drums flourish briefly while reverent sounds climb out on glimmering synth. Broadly flowing, ringing synth carries a melody tinged with yearning.

Rapidly rushing, shining notes with a minor key edge tumble out in spinning arpeggios while the massive drums rebound and a solid bass creates a deep well. Bell-like notes cry out and sharply rippling, fiercely luminous synth arpeggiates while worshipful notes climb.

The drums burst more slowly now along with heavy bass as metallic chimes flare and calming, enfolding synth slips past. The dense bass contrasts with the tenderness above it and the track comes to an end.

“One Paw Out the Door” commences as a kick drum pounds heavily and shadowy, widely sweeping synth carries rising notes out into the openness around them. There's a mysterious quality to the notes as they float. Now the razor-edged bass moves in a clean pulse along with the snare drums.

Arpeggios slowly twirl and trumpeting, brilliant synth carries a triumphant melody, tinged with uncertainty. Panpipes take up the widely flowing melodic pattern that mingle wistful, enigmatic feelings. Below the other sonic elements, the drums and bass pound on.

Shimmering, dramatic notes flash out and the drums are unstoppable. The bass has an addictive pulse to it that I find compelling. The main melody sings out on scintillating, medium-high synth expresses an energetic quality that still holds pain.

A bending, chiming synth moves through the music with a haunting quality above the powerful low end. The track draws to an end on nasal-sounding, twisting notes that growl out and a higher synth that creates a more unsettling feeling.

Solid drums throb and solar, cutting chords flash in to start “Women and Kittens First.” There's an uplifting feeling in the chords as they dance through with the skipping drums and impressive bass throbbing. Light pours out as the open-sounding percussion creates a steady pulse. Now glittering synth flickers past and the fat bass bursts in slow motion.

Echoing notes with a smoothly swirling quality drift past and the percussion ticks. The bass is gruff and strong as a growling note pattern flows past. The main melody has a feeling of positive energy while the chimes shimmer. I enjoy the encouragement within the melody. The gigantic low end surges and smoother notes flicker past with a bouncing pattern and a sense of yearning.

Ethereal notes descend with ease as the heavy low end pulses. now glowing, widely echoing synth floats outward. The drums flourish and nasal-sounding, distorted synth bends through the music in a wriggling pattern. All of the other musical elements are driven by the pulsing low end. A warmly luminous synth carries a melody that is caressing and gentle before the track ends.

“Purruption” comes to life as an intensely flaring, broadly sweeping synth pulsation jumps into the music. There's a minor key threat in the music as the melody cries out and reverberant drums pound. The heavy bass oscillates with a sense of danger as the drums explode in the background.

Digital sounding, pipe like notes ring out with a wistful melody, tinged with enigmatic feelings. flashing synth jumps out again, energy flowing from its towering notes. The drums and bass create an insistent pulse that presses the track forward.

The bass has sharp edges as it undulates and the drums erupt. The lurking threat in this music draws me into it. Airy notes burst in contrast and the ringing melody adds dramatic life. The surging drum pulse drives the music forward again along with the quickly scudding bass. Trembling notes flow in the distance while the melody rises.

Vibrating, chiming synth calls out with gently caressing notes in contrast to the dense low end. The earlier minor key darkness has receded and now there's a dreamy quality in the main melody. Radiant chimes intertwine with piercing illumination as the low end pushes onwards. Bass snarls and the drums pulse powerfully before the song ends on the melody’s shining illumination.

Conclusion

Nineteen Eighty​-​Fur Is layered, luscious and a lot of fun. I'm always enamoured of the way in which Cat Temper manages to remain playful in what he does. His musical talent is first rate but he doesn't take himself too seriously. I respect the way in which he makes music and his excitement for the creative process that comes through in what he composes.