Dopesketch - Sound Awake

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Dopesketch’s Sound Awake is a multi-layered musical collage that is full of complex sonic interactions, fascinating soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms. The album is an engaging and unique audio exploration with a wide ranging scope to it.

Variety and depth define the sound palette on Sound Awake. Dopesketch roams through a deeply diverse series of sounds that run the gamut from elevated, nasal-sounding distortions to deep, gruff bass notes and warm, rounded sounds that stroke the ears. He combines them in intriguing ways to paint auditory pictures that erupt with colour and light.

All of the beats that Dopesketch crafts on Sound Awake grab the listener and drag them into the tracks. The rhythms are interesting, the drum sounds are fresh and they provide a strong underpinning on which the other sonic components can build into cohesive and entertaining tracks. I enjoy the playful nature of Dopesketch’s beat creation as it unfolds here.

I also take pleasure in hearing the emotional shifts in the music. Dopesketch takes us all on a journey that touches on joy, unsettled feelings, warmth and even anger as the tracks unfurl across the album. I find it hard to stop listening as I keep catching new emotive nuances in the music.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Self Help” starts off as ringing chimes jangle into the music before the solidly thrumming drumbeat and meaty bass move underneath. Chiming synths form a dense, dynamic pattern as twisting, nasal-sounding notes writhe in a bending line over the solidly throbbing drums. Organ-like notes add a resonant shine to the music that I find ear-caching. Drums thunder and gigantic bass pulsates while the chimes keep flashing in energetic lines.

There’s a moment in which bells ring out alone in an angular pattern before the wall of drums and bass charges in again. Raised, twirling synth unfolds in sinuous lines and the forceful bass rumbles. Handclaps and solidly hitting drums add shape to the track. Bells shimmer in a metallic flare as the wriggling, elevated synth fades out.

Rattling, thumping drums and a minor key, atonal synth that sounds like a distorted piano open “No pues si.” The piano-like notes are broken by pulsing, melting notes that form a steady pattern as the drums stutter and skip.

I enjoy the dissolving, minor key feeling in the organ sound as higher, piano-like notes cascade through. Loose-limbed drums skitter while the twisting, gelid synth flows through and piano notes move in a dragging pattern. Shadowed, pulsating organ pulls the music through a slow pulse and into silence.

"King Dopesketch” begins as resonant, slightly choppy synth carries a gentle melody and the drums and fractured, gritty bass create a solid underpinning.  Round, rough-edged notes create a repeating, enticing melodic pattern as digital-sounding, gruff notes swirl around it.

Evenly throbbing drums and colossal, heaving bass guide the track forward effectively.  The full, organ-like melodic pattern drives on, wrapping around my ears and creating a rhythmic tide that flows in my mind. The music is dominated by the huge drums that surge under the lead synth pattern's warmth and almost tender feeling.

Tight, jingling guitar moves over vibrant, trembling organ in quick flashes to open “Hey.” Tapping snare drum forms a shaping beat along with clapping percussion and shimmering synth. Drums and solid bass push the track along as a piano rolls in, adding textural weight that I find engaging.

Strings jump out in full-sounding bursts while the organ carries a smoothly gliding series of chords below the higher guitar flash. The piano has a depth and form to it, rich and dense as the drums continue to add strong propulsion. The organ swells and vibrates to add lushness to the rolling, interwoven piano as the track slowly glides out to an ending.

“Honorable Square” kicks off as quickly leaping, rough-edged notes are cut by a high, wandering synth that smears through the music above them.  Leaping, intensely flaring synth notes and stuttering drums pulsate, skimming along over thunderous bass depths.

Floating, nasal-sounding high synth oozes through over the harder edges of the flowering, leaping synth underneath it to create a pleasing contrast. Drums and bass add form to the tremulous synth chords’ vibration. Winding, high synth makes its snaky route over the continual drum battering and synth that splashes in harsh droplets.

High, digital-sounding chimes are broken into by pulsing computerized notes that gleam and flicker over an insistent, heavy drum and bass throbbing to open “Madness.” Medium-low synth sounds surge in a textural rush as rapidly oscillating, low notes with a metallic sound are broken by the glittering chimes.

I am enamoured of the sonic richness that results from the synth sounds descending in digitized lines as active, unevenly spaced bass pulses are cut by strange, high distortions with a rubbery feeling.

The drums have a trance-inducing quality along with the relentlessly roaming bassline that underpins the track. Rapidly pulsating notes wash in a tide that adds more shape to the music. The track fades on descending bass and bouncing drums.

“Fondle Me” starts out with brassy synth bursts that are joined by taut, open-sounding drums. The synth bursts flare out in bright, shifting notes and the drums flourish in a broken pattern. Glowing sounds surge as the drums keep circling and wandering. Grit-edged higher synth begins to drag slowly, notes sticking and being pulled out in long strings over the constantly throbbing, unevenly hollow drums. I enjoy the tension between tugging synthesized notes and slowly spiralling drums.

Warm, sunny synths bounce in a tangling melodic pattern over dense drums and rounded bass that moves in undulating notes to begin “Typical.” String-like, shimmering synths cascade and dance, giving off encouraging feelings while the bass and drums create a forward leaning motion.

There’s a pleasing sense of positive life permeating the music as the twinkling, intertwining strings tumble over one another. The beat’s constantly washing energy flows out underneath the other elements. Glowing light shines from the dancing strings over the rhythmic pulse below them as the track spins out to a conclusion.

“Gratitude” comes to life as a laser-like sound zaps in along with steadily oscillating, shining synth that rocks back and forth over the strong beat's solidity and the rough-edged bass. Bells flash out as medium-high, organ-like synth plays a wildly varied and wandering line. Massive drums and smooth bass waves wash as agitated, angular organ vibrates and distant voices move.

I am drawn to the complexity of the sonic interactions here. Now full, nasal-sounding synth plays almost classical sounding lines before the repeating, indistinct voice moves again. Climbing organ notes whirl as angular synths move alone briefly. Swinging, flowing drums and bass shift as the organ-like notes shiver and the voice mumbles to close out the track.

Conclusion

Dopesketch is a musical wizard who casts sonic spells as he combines a pinch of this sound and a snippet of that beat to form richly layered and engaging music on Sound Awake. Each of his releases seems to get deeper and wilder which is something I certainly enjoy.

Liquid Modern - Circle & Light

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Liquid Modern’s Circle & Light  is a thoughtful, synth-heavy examination of our current world and all of its emotional complexities and struggles. It features Kojette’s inimitable vocals along with  Lord Kojak’s musically varied synth backing and intelligent lyrics. As a whole, this album is synthpop with heart and soul.

Kojette’s vocals are a good part of my reason for enjoying Circle & Light. Her voice is distinctive and combines emotional power with gentleness and a tremulous expression. The mingled qualities in her voice, qualities that caress and emote help to imbue the well-crafted lyrics with strength and life.

I am also drawn to the lyrical quality on Circle & Light. The songwriting is rich with emotions, full of challenging thoughts and able to delve deeply into the world in which we find ourselves. The way in which the songs unfold carries me on journeys through feeling and thought while keeping me engaged.

The musical richness on this album was also compelling. There are a wide variety of different influences from jazz to New Wave music to synthwave that all combine to create a deeply enjoyable whole. Lord Kojak weaves an ear-pleasing musical tapestry to support the strong vocal performances by Kojette.

My Favourite Songs Analyzed

“Habits” comes to ilife as smoothly touching retro drums and a resonant accordion-like sound moves in the background. A steadily throbbing drumbeat and leaping, gruff electric guitar carries a driven melody as Kojette’s voice is fully of poppy expression. Guitar doubles the aching vocal melody as the throbbing drums and bass propel the music.

Kojette’s voice suits the style of the music with its warmth and expression as guitar surges in a gruff, energetic melodic line. Kojette’s voice carries soft emotion as the music’s pulse shapes it while synth sparks fall through the track.

Now swelling, jazz organ chords add depth while unique, hollow percussion forms a distinctive rhythm. The distorted vocals, high and twisting, move above the percussion. Fully pulsating drums and solid bas support the chorus as it floats out above the wriggling guitar line and the hurting vocal melody.

Our narrator opens by talking about meeting someone when she needed a place to stay. The other person lets her in and reassures her, but soon that person says that “things are great, so you think you might love me now.” She points out that the other person is taking advantage when her defences are lowered.

The storyteller says she’s “chasing old habits and I’m falling down their holes” and as she chases those habits down, she’s “running out of soles.” Even as she chases those habits down, our storyteller says she’s slaying them and running from the habits that pin her down.

Now the narrator says that she trusted the other person but that person “built a cage around my will” and she is stuck now with no avenue of escape “except to spill.” She goes on to say that the other person had the ability to stop but that person “made my life a living hell.” As the song ends, she is defiant as she says, “Just one last thing, I’ll find this freedom from where I fell.”

Easily gliding sounds slip into the music and grow while trumpeting, glowing synth rises in rich bursts to start “Lack of Access.” Throbbing drums and bass launch the song and the vocals are rich and warm, climbing up in a poppy line over the driving bass and drums. The vocal melody flickers and shifts between warmth and shadow, arcing upwards expressively while bursting, shiny synth swirls interlock.

The hollow, massive drums throb as the vocals are full with feeling and the melody climbs up above the pulsating drums and bass. The singer reaches out to express deep emotion as she delivers a message of making active change and escaping past limits.

The narrator starts by pointing out how everything is “so twisted” and adds that the powers that be are “playing us like we missed it.” She points out that people don’t have “the power for changing” so the powerful forces “just keep rearranging.” The end result is the system only working for the people on top and “everyone is so damn through” as the narrator says.

She adds that “we can’t fix it, so why even try” as it has all gone “so far awry.” Our narrator talks about the powerful “take licks on our morality” while leading people to question what’s real.

She goes on to say that she doesn’t believe it any more and “a generation never heard is no more.” In a call to action, she calls to other people out there to tell them that history is being made and adds “be part of this story!”

The storyteller points out that even as the powers that be are questioning the activism, “we keep changing” and all they’re doing is “estranging.”Ultimately our narrator goes on to say that the powerful will be “stuck in history” while those who resist “make our final plea.”

Now the storyteller calls for people to take up action as she says “I can’t do anything for you, this is something you must do.” She adds that people must “save us or save yourself” because it’s something that is hidden inside “as well.”

The narrator says that the people at the top “make life full of banality” and lie to “cover up your vanity” while they “believe in what you don’t any more.” She talks about how they’ve ignored the current generation but concludes that “we’re taking history, be part of the story.”

“With You” commences as an evenly pulsing snare drum with a hollow feeling is broken by trickling chimes that sparkle through the song. Kojette’s voice is rich and soulful as she emotes above the gliding drum pulse, deeply washing bass and shimmering synth motes that flutter past.

The vocal melody is gentle and caressing as full, circular synth notes drift. I am impressed by the way in which Kojette fills her easily sailing voice with full of pained feeling. Steadily tapping snare drum and rebounding kick drum shape the music as the creamy bass lifts the vocals.

The song brims with regret and a sense of loss, tinged by wistfulness. The background swirls as the chimes cascade down in falling, glimmering lines s as bass descends in tumbling motion.Kojette’s delicate vocals twine through over the tapping drums and full-feeling bass as the synth lights flicker and fade.

Our narrator has “an epiphany” as she was “feeling all fidgety” as she wonders if she has lost “the key” and if the song’s subject has closed their heart “as I made my last plea.” She goes on to say that “with you, with me, there’s never any we” and adds that it is all based on lies and she’s been made to cry once too often.

The storyteller tells the other person that it “was an attack on me” when that person took her heart from her and decided to leave. She adds, “Shame on you. Shame on me.” She goes on ask why the song’s subject lied to her and wonders if that person found the key. She concludes, “Did I fight for nothing as you dropped to your knees.”

Kojette’s voice echoes out as a steady snare drum shifts below rapid, smoothly undulating arpeggios to open “Let’s Go (Run).”  Additional drum elements come in with throbbing bass as a guitar unfurls in a shadowy, mysterious melody. Kojette’s voice slips through the song as the scudding drumbeat shapes the track.  Reverent, cosmic sounds swirl as the caressing vocals effectively convey dreaming and hoping in equal measure.

Medium-high, luscious synth is broken by clean strings and after a drum fill, a guitar solo flies out in intricately whirling lines over the steady beat’s guidance. The guitar is a flickering, soaring companion to the energetic drive of the drums and bass. K’s voice unfurls as emotion pours forth, carrying the melody’s mingled uplift and float, the drums and bass ending the song.

The storyteller says that her fear is taken away by bright lights as she hides “where no one else can leer.” She’s awaiting a moment of clarity while she’s dancing “so no one can come near.” She addresses the other person in the song and asks them to play and run away adding that “we can find another place.” Our narrator points out that its 3 a.m. but they can keep going.

In contrast to the first line, the storyteller now speaks of bright lights bringing in the fear as the darkness “is hiding all the tears.” She talks about their leaving “with nowhere else to go” and how they are watching as she knows that “we’re never going home.”

“Boppin’ Along” begins as rapidly bursting, elevated synth interlocks with rebounding drums and glittering synths. Kojette’s distinctive voice carries a drifting melody that’s wistful and a little enigmatic. The drums firmly propel the track as enfolding, climbing synths with a sunny glow swirl around Kojette’s strong voice.

The higher synth’s unique pulsation mingles with drums and bass to form a dynamic pattern.  The chorus leaps up, soothing and positive, as quick synth sparks flutter through. Kojette’s lush voice carries the delicate, uplifting melody with conviction as the song's low end oscillates fades out on floating sounds.

Our song’s narrator wonders if the other person can hear her “from wherever you are” and sees that the other person is “staring sightless” as she continues. She asks “how does this make you feel?” In the chorus, our narrator points out that “sometimes fiction turns out to be fact” and it’s just what occurs. She hopes that maybe the other person will hear her and “something will click” but she adds “who really knows?"

The storyteller says that she “can’t tell you all the secrets to life” as it might end in conflict. She experiences self doubt as she states that she can’t help the other person as “I’m just a fraud” and wishes she didn’t have so many flaws. Now our storyteller says she’s reaching out to the other person “through the universe.” She tells the other person that they need to “hear this first” and take her warning that “things are not as seen in the morning.” After the chorus repeats, the narrator’s final question is “Who really cares?”

Jazz organ chords with a rich resonance are joined by Kojette’s gentle voice and a hazily flowing background to kick off “Color & Light.”  Solid percussion shapes the song and the vocal melody trembles as it drifts through the diffuse background glow.

Percussion kicks in with a smooth heartbeat and some unique drum sounds while Kojette’s softly emotive voice skilfully captures the feeling in the lyrics. Steady, medium-high synth repeatedly pulses before the elevated, tenuous vocal melody floats over the delicate background. Soothingly shifting drums tap along to add light forward motion as sparkling chimes brush through and Kojette’s voice fades out.

Disillusionment fills the lyrics as the narrator talks about how one doesn’t decide when one grows up because “it’s all a construct of chance, happenstance and such.” She advises the audience to “adapt or you will find only loneliness” and points out that strength seems only to move into weakness. There’s pain as she says that it might take one years to “discover what I found out in just minutes.”

In the chorus, our storyteller says that holding on to her beliefs or “bowing to all the opinions” she ultimately found out that “you don’t really matter.” She adds that she wished she had learned many lessons so she “wouldn’t have to decipher.”

Now the narrator talks about returning to the “start of the verse” because “nothing is devoid of meaning” although it can be mixed up. She says that if one changes, one will only get a label and denying it only makes it hurt more. Now she adds that one shouldn’t “take as long” because “you’re expected” and one needs to be calm and collected.”

As the song ends, the storyteller says that "realization makes this uncomfortable” and going through the process is “so personal.” Ultimately she understands that "everyone is taken away and given away. The lies become clear.”

“Voices Carry” is a cover of a Til Tuesday song. Sonic whorls grow up and around one another as lightly guiding percussion taps into the music and Kojette’s voice carries aching emotion as the bursting drums pushes the song onwards. Synths dance as they carry the contrasting uplifting sound of the melody along with nervous vocals.

Raised, round-feeling synths add a fullness and a caressing feeling. I enjoy how Kojette’s gentle vocals and the darkness of the lyrics mix together as wide-sounding, flaring synths support the music and the drums and bass add propulsion.

The chorus leaps up, feeling hopeful in a way that adds a heartbreaking feeling when the words are considered, while the drumbeat keeps pulsing along and the vocal melody is tinged by mournful emotion.

A medium-high, bell-like synth wash is guided by snapping, hollow percussion to open “Take A Bow.”  Xylophone trickles through as Kojette fills her fragile, trembling vocals with deep feeling. I am drawn to the vocal melody’s sadness and hint of minor key shadow.

A xylophone vibrates with smooth resonance as Kojette’s vocals float with the ticking percussion, adding more aching emotion. The bass has a deep flow and the enfolding vocals are more encouraging. Unique, varied percussion keeps up a shaping beat. Tendrils of softly floating sound accompany Kojette’s voice, breathy and emotive, as it drifts over echoing notes and into silence.

Nervousness fills the lyrics as our storyteller says that “in the shadows is where I lied” as she points out that “we” were taught to hide and never be alone because “you can’t defend solo.” There is a warning that someone out there will take “what he wants from you” so stay alert, “wake up and pretend you’re tough.” In this world, the chorus suggests that one must have “eyes on everyone” with a finger on the trigger. It exhorts the audience to “keep it close, don’t let it go, take a bow.”

The narrator talks about being so “delicate, breakable, easily takeable” and contrasts the idea of looking sweet while taking “drinks from creeps.” She cautions her audience with society’s advice to find a strong person “that’s bound to make you feel safe and sound.”

If one wants to keep secrets in this digital world, the narrator advises using paper to communicate. She goes on to give a final piece of advice to “lock up, no delay. Do things the right way in the after hours.”

Conclusion

Circle & Light is a synthpop album that explores nuanced emotions, musical richness and thoughtful songwriting while being a great deal of fun in the bargain. I hope to hear more from Liquid Modern again very soon!

OneWorldRio - Marcia’s Baby Boy

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

OtherWorldRio’s Marcia’s Baby Boy is an album for late night relaxing, but one that’s full of intriguing sounds, caressing melodies and ear-catching percussion. It is chilled out music that avoids being bland, instead creating deep relaxation and permeating me with pleasing emotion.

I enjoy the atmosphere that Marcia’s Baby Boy creates as it unfolds. There’s a delicate, soothing feeling that pours from the music and suffuses me as I listen. It has a hazy, summery light to it that emanates and wraps me in calm and ease. OtherWorldRio has a knack for projecting laid-back vibes and flowing peace in his music.

The melodies on Marcia's Baby Boy are another reason for my enjoyment of the album. There’s a gentleness, a wistfulness and a warmth to them that puts me in mind of warm and comforting days spent without worry. I enjoy the way in which OtherWorldRio conveys emotion through melodic writing and directly to my heart.

Percussion can make or break an album and it definitely makes this one. The drums are strong, guiding and shaping the music as they move underneath it. There’s a diversity of different tones and timbres in the drums that keeps them interesting and they form a heartbeat to the music that enlivens all of the other elements.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“The Way” commences as elevated, trembling notes and a static crackling drift into open space, diffuse and drifting. Throbbing drums and metallic percussion are backed by  minor key whorls of organ like notes. Reverberating bass flows out in dense pulses below the ticking drums to guide the track along.

Vocal sounds with a cosmic swirl drift as open, round-sounding synths create a pleasingly luscious glow. Elevated, airy synth delicately falls down through the music carrying a wistful melodic pattern. Organ-like chords grow and drift out over rumbling, extended bass while vocal breaths also echo. The metallic percussion fades into high, distant notes as an uneven, hollow tapping sound ends the track.

Fat, rich bass and medium-high, glittering notes flicker in slowly wandering lines that radiate gleaming light to start “Take Flight.” Smoothly slipping bass is given energy by pulsing drums while while broad, flaring synth chords create energetic motion.

Springy, medium-high synth carries a jumping pattern that effectively explodes with dynamic strength as hard-hitting bass throbs. Metallic synth soars upwards to sparkle far above the guiding beat. Now active bass shifts below intertwined synth chords that glide above the propulsion underneath them and in a misty drift end the track.

“A Burst of Nostalgia” opens with unevenly shifting, distorted piano tumbling over deep, unctuous synth chords with a jazz organ sound. The drums form an easy-going rhythm in concert with solid bass as trickling, full-sounding synth moves in short bursts. Jazz organ chords rise to lift the music as broken sounds move past over the drum heartbeat.

Quick, fluttering sounds move over the interlocking chords. I enjoy the caressing emotion in this track as it is contrasted with distorted, roaming piano-like notes that add a tinge of discomfort. Low synth bursts in with a warmer feeling to contrast with the wandering, jazzy notes above it. The track ends on soft, distant piano and fades out.

Gossamer synth flows in trembling lines with an organ-like vibe along with choral sounds that drift by to begin “Pastel Twilight.” Softly guiding drums touch the music along with slowly circling, diffuse synths that do indeed feel pastel in their mellow tones. I am drawn to the dreaming, lost melody out over the steadily tapping drums and gruff bass that shifts far below.

Upwelling synth gives an impression of warm evening air blowing past my face as the drumbeat keeps the track’s pulse going. The main melody floats by like dandelion seeds on balmy air as they break briefly to drums before bass density. This track is settling and calm, full of the warmth of a slowly sinking summer sun as airy sounds sweep past and the underpinning drums shape the track as it ends.

“Unnamed Anthem” starts as creamy synth slips over equally luscious bass before wide, digital sounding synth carries a melody that is full of life.  Massive bass throbs far underneath as shimmering, medium-high synth descends in divided lines over a resonant drum sound.

Digital-sounding synth reverberates over the powerful drums and gargantuan bass. Fat, medium-high synth carries a melody with majesty and a tinge of shadow. Popping drums keep up their bouncing pattern and huge bass falls down below while a twisting, slipping sound flows through and the track ends.

Flanging, bending synth twists over a subtly swirling background as drums pulse evenly to kick off “Water Colors.” String-like, metallic synth cascades and flashes in a lively pattern out over bursting, stuttering drums and heavy bass that growls far below.

Misty synths intertwine and trail tendrils as tight, high synth flickers to create a soothing impression I enjoy. The hollow, breathy background moves in a laid back flow over rumbling bass and guiding drums. A distant glow fills the music and  string-like synth tumbles through the music in aching, flashing motion over incredibly low bass sounds.

“Handball Courts & Bicycle Shorts” starts off with sharp-edged sounds moving in a slowly unfurling line. Bright, glimmering synth carries a glowing melodic pattern with a descending motion. A softly touching, guiding drumbeat and bursts of hard-edged bass cut in and tremble.

Medium-high, flaring synth pulses in uneven patterns that echo out above quick bass pulses that coalesce into a more steady motion. Lambent synths sweep through the music, easily undulating to create a summery impression. Full-sounding, warm synth is tinged by twinkling chimes that sparkle out over the shaping drumbeat.

Slightly aching, nasal sounding synth moves in a repeating melodic pattern that has melancholy quality to bring “Snake Charmer” into existence. Stutter-stepping drums create a hypnotic beat as elevated, flaring chimes form a textural glimmer. Extended synth chords vibrate out with a taut feeling as cosmically swirling synth unfolds with a glittering light.

I am enamoured of the raised, sparkling chimes that move over woodwind-like synth with a woodsy sound carrying a darkly pained melodic pattern. Underneath it all, the beat keeps throbbing and stuttering as the chiming synth carries an expressive musical pattern, deep bass adding support far below before silence falls.

“Liminal Pool Party” comes to life as fragile, diffuse synth chords with a minor key quality move into open space. Ticking drums guide the music onward while hazy synths drift along in whorls around it. Reverberating synth with misty feeling trembles along in a lightly touching melodic pattern while hollow drums shape the music.

Wide, delicate arpeggios circle over the pulsing beat and the high synth carries slowly undulating notes over the drum motion. I enjoy the airy quality of the full synths moving in expanding notes that sweep along with ease.The drums become widely spaced, echoing out in a steadily ticking motion before the track ends.

Bell-like jazz organ moves in quick snippets as the broad, slowly uneven drumbeat shifts  in a vaguely jerky motion to begin “Lucky 13.” A steady metallic tapping forms a pulse and the jazz organ chords are rounded and rich.

Gleaming chimes carry a raised pattern that radiates light as xylophone-like sounds with a deep timbre move in. I enjoy the way in which the guitar-like synth carries a roaming and distorted metallic pattern before the music stops.

Conclusion

Marcia’s Baby Boy is a perfect soundtrack to a quiet evening in. OtherWorldRio creates vibe-y, cool and atmosphere-drenched synth music that both entertains and relaxes. I thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of this album!

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.