Damokles - bits & pieces 4
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Damokles’ bits & pieces 4 might be a collection of tracks that don’t quite fit in with his other albums, but they still represent a creative, unique take on synth-based music full of Damokles’ skillful synth solos, compelling percussion and first-rate melodies. There’s a playful quality to his music that I also greatly appreciate and its on full display here.
Melodic writing is most certainly Damokles’ strong suit and bits & pieces 4 showcases it to great effect. Damocles has an ear for creating catchy, engaging melodies that are full of expressive feeling. I enjoy the way he mingles emotional states in his melodic writing, adding more depth to the proceedings.
Another strong suit for Damokles is his synth soloing. Many of the tracks on bits & pieces 4 contain his free-wheeling, madly inventive solos that erupt with exuberant energy and blaze wildly. His playful nature is given free rein on the album and that further builds the musical quality of the tracks.
The way in which percussion is deployed in Damokles’ music draws me into it deeply. He has an innate feel for percussion sounds and patterns that are ear-pleasing. I enjoy the integration of propulsive and interesting rhythms and fascinating drum sounds with all of the other musical elements, crafting a rich album that has a dynamic quality to it.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Time To Move On” begins as sharp-edged synth blasts into the music in bouncing, angular lines before a throbbing kick drum and big retro tom hits kick in. The drumbeat accelerates the music as nasal sounds writhe in twisting lines and unctuous, warm synth dances into the music carrying a funky melody.
Bursting drums and pounding bass add a shaping motion to the track. The lead synth whirls and leaps, intricately unfolding in Damokles’ inimitable style. The tom hits rebound as the kick drum relentlessly pulsates below the medium-high, wildly cascading synth as it spins out an energetic melody. The track breaks into slowly throbbing drums as the raised, glowing synth howls out in a madly intertwined solo.
Damokles unleashing his keyboard skills in inventive riffs as the main melody explodes into the music again, imbued with speed and manic energy. The lead riff is deeply catchy as the nasal-sounding synth shifts to carry a secondary melodic line as the bass and drums relentlessly drive on. Hollow drums pound before the music fades.
Smooth, misty and warming synth flows as drums pulsate, full of retro energy as "Take One Moment” commences. The drums provide a laidback guide for actively moving bass and medium-high synth flashes. The raised lead synth is shimmering and full of jazzy vibes as it unfurls in an ultra-cool melody that I quite enjoy.
The melody has jazz fusion influences and broad-sounding synth carries the uplifting and propulsive melody over the throbbing drum and bass. The high synth part wriggles and slides along with slippery motion over the drum and bass pulse.
Fat, dense synth bops through the music carrying a melody with an irresistible groove as it locks in with the percussion. The rebounding drums match nicely with the bass, as an ethnic drum adds a unique flavour and the body shaking lead synth melody fades.
“People of Earth” starts as dynamic drums leap into the music along with a sharp-edged, medium low synth and descending bass pulses that volley in between the higher synth. The whole drum kit adds more progressive energy as rounded synth blocks carry a dramatically moving, minor key melodic pattern.
Elevated, glittering synth sings out a hopeful melody over the massive, charging drums that support it. The melody whirls out in a sunburst as the track jumps into an angular, addictively pulsating drum and bass segment. Minor key, ringing synth blocks tumble again as the main melody dances in a flickering line.
Now colossal, driving drums lift up the strong melody and laser-like accents blast through. Wide-band, medium-low synth charges on, tinged with a feeling distant danger. Damokles features an intriguing, ear-grabbing percussion part that illustrates his compositional skills and feel for finding first-rate drum sounds.
Richly varied percussion forms a solid groove to move "Trapped In A Day Dream" onward as the bell-like lead synth melody moves with glowing life. The drums have a solidity and power to them that only grows as luscious bass lifts the music. Pipe-like synth with a breathy voice carries over the interlocking drum and bass groove. The main melody has a dreamy mood as it floats through, creating a pleasing contrast with the powerful percussion that drives the track on.
The melody’s frolics over the bass weight and relentless drums. Medium-high, glowing synth takes up the lead melody and adds strength to its light-hearted feeling. The track moves into a segment in which shadows swirl to add a clouded quality and extending, sharp-edged synths cut in. The main melody skips in again, scudding along while slightly rough-edged, warm synths bloom before silence falls.
“Ride Into The Sunset” opens with gleaming, flaring synth clouds joined by a slow, powerful drumbeat and rumbling bass. A keyboard plays flickering, uplifting notes with higher synth flares above it. Now a distorted, elevated synth sings a melody full of a sensation of majestic life that soars out over the colossal drums. The lead synth’s bending flight climbs to great heights as the throbbing drums and bass guide the track onward.
After a drum fill, the brightly shimmering melody arcs upward, carrying a message of perseverance. Another superb solo from Damokles leaps with wild energy, carried on shining synth over the massively rumbling bass and hard hitting drums. Huge bass blocks shift and quick synth bursts in as the main melody calls out, reaching for the stars in an elegiac line. The percussion drives the track toward an end point, full of inspiration and dreaming energy.
Broad, muscled bass oscillates as drums add a shaping beat to kick off “If I Could Just See Him Again.” Volleying, medium-high sound bounces before a circular synth adds glittering accents and the bass oscillation pulsates onwards.The lead synth is expansive as it carries a melody full of wistful longing over the guiding drums and bass.
The main melody skillfully combines feelings of nostalgia and a sense of affection as the track’s dynamic low end propels it. Flashing synths add glitter as the lead synth’s yearning voice cries out, imbued with happy memory and melancholy. Falling synth stars trickle through the music and the big drums rebound while the bass keeps oscillating. The track fades on flowering synth light.
“Let Me See The Light” comes to life as a devious sounding bass pattern moves and a jumping drumbeat bounces in. Trumpeting, bright notes flare and an elevated, metallic synth sings a delicate and echoing melody, tinged with pleasant emotion over the steadily pulsing drums and solid bass support.
I enjoy the fact that the melody is joyful and full of levity as trumpeting synths glow around it. Now full synth carries the enfolding melody before the raised, glimmering lead calls out the content-feeling melody.
Round-sounding, lush synth takes up the melody, adding a hint of wistful feeling as the drums and bass throb on, shaping the music. The rich tones of the lower, slightly more melancholy synth call out and the track goes out on the brassier synth and drum throb.
Wide, deep synth flows in shifting lines as raised chimes shimmer to start “Out On My Own.” A leaping drumbeat’s angular motion drives the music forward. The lead synth is medium-low and a little nasal as it carries a nostalgic, dreaming melody that sails out over the steadily guiding drumbeat. The melody has a sense of adventure to it, leavened by more complicated emotions.
I enjoy the emotional complexity in the melody here. A dense, full-sounding synth expresses a craving for a new life tinged with uncertainty. Bass fades as the throbbing snare and kick pulse shapes the music and the angular, metallic synth pops through the track while the active bass and throbbing drums propel the track on to a conclusion.
"The Escape” begins as massive bass and a snare drum form a snaky pulse throbbing into wide-open space. The bass shifts in slowly moving, roaming lines as a tight synth pulses in a tumbling flow while hollow sounds float. The lead synth has resonance as it carries a mysterious and timeless melody while choral voices flow ethereally in the distance. There’s a measure of sadness in the main melody, along with a majestic sweep to which I am drawn.
The lead synth climbs in a secondary melody that yearns upwards as slowly touching drums lend a tentative quality. The main melody drifts by, tragic and noble, while the drums and bass shape the music below it. Deep emotion pours from the music here, expressing something a little lost but still moving forward. The beat keeps up a steady pulsation as the drums take the track to a conclusion into echoing space along with a hollow, popping sound.
Conclusion
bits & pieces 4 is not a throwaway album, despite being comprised of tracks that have been set aside from other albums. The music is energizing, fascinating and complex while still retaining a youthful passion for the inherent creative possibilities of synth-based music.
