sobota, 23. februar 2013

ALBUM REVIEW: M.I.K.E. - World Citizen


After 2 or so years of making "Trouse" and the so called "Trance 2.0", it seems like M.I.K.E. has decided to leave that period behind him and return to what he's best at - Trance. He's been announcing his return for quite a while now and has kept his promise in some of his newest music releases like "We Are!" and "Elements Of Nature" with Rank 1.

At first I didn't have much hope for his upcoming album World Citizen. The first previews that surfaced were mainly "Trouse" oriented and definitely not something I wanted to hear. However, in the past few months he started mentioning more and more trancey tunes and some of the newer previews sounded promising aswell. That combined with the previously mentioned singles he's released certainly got my hopes up a little.

So the album has now been released. Is it a mighty comeback of a Trance legend or just another forgetable Trouse attempt? Let's find out:

***NOTE: The review will be split into two sections - new tunes and remixes***

NEW TUNES

01. World Citizen

A lot of positive energy in the first tune. The first half is more on the calm side with a very joyful and soothing melody. About half way through it turns a bit more "club friendly" for a short time and then turns back to the trancey side. Very interesting and fresh sounding production overall.

Score: 8/10

02. Melodramma (feat. Matteo Marini)

The second this tune starts you can hear it's yet another fresh sounding production. Overall it's pretty trancey, but it does have a bit of a housey groove on top. The melody is immensely catchy aswell.

However, I don't understand why they had to put that massive pitch-bend in the middle of the track. In this track it bothered me a lot. Like with similar cases it feels completely out of place and just makes the track worse than it would have been otherwise.

Score: 7/10

03. We Are!

This track has that typical old M.I.K.E vibe, but in a modern coat. The melody definitely isn't the most creative, but it works. I also think the main synth could use some work, but it doesn't really bother me. The track gets better and better as it progresses and is pretty epic in the second part.

Score: 8/10

04. Loverdose

This one sounds a lot like a Deadmau5 production. I can't say I liked it. It lacks a proper direction and it somehow feels unpolished. On top of that it also has a very annoying dubstep break, which sounds completely out of place.

Score: 5/10

05. Under The Bridge

Leaning towards "Trance 2.0" here. The production sounds kinda plain and simple, but it's a bit catchy in a way. Nothing really memorable for me, though.

Score: 6/10

06. Overseas (feat. Revero)

*Clap fart fart clap fart clap clap clap fart *

Ah well, I expected at least one terrible trouse track and here it is.

Score: 2/10

07. Any Direction 

After a promising start, this is now the 4th track in a row that doesn't do too much for me. It's pretty dark and has some trancey elements, but sounds too "2.0" for my taste. It also doesn't really go anywhere. Still not bad by any means, though.

Score: 6/10

08. Galactic Halo

Going back to trancey lands now. I really liked the progression of this tune. Starts on the slow and calm side, but it gets stronger and more euphoric as time passes by. Overall it has a very nice flow.

Score: 7.5/10

09. No Escape (vs Aerofoil)

Oh, now this is a nice collab. You can clearly hear both influences - Aerofoil provides his typical techy approach and a taste of the Coldharbour sound, while M.I.K.E. provides a trancey touch. This is a good example of track, which would certainly destroy a dancefloor, yet it still works for listening at home. The piano is a very nice addition aswell.

Score: 8/10

10. Canvas

Definitely one of my favourite tracks from the album. Same as Galactic Halo, it has a very nice progression, but it feels even more trancey and a tad uplifting in the later stages aswell. The bassline is more "chunky", but it totally fits in. Great production.

Score: 8.5/10

11. Thursdays

After a string of 3 very good tracks, we're back to some less appealing sounds. The main melody has a lot of potential, but at this point it sounds kinda similar to what we're used in those typical trouse climaxes. In addition to that there are now two dubstep breaks, which I don't like at all. I think a proper remix could do wonders for this tune.

Score: 5/10

12. Natural Source

Very nice drive and a catchy melody. Another one of those tunes where you can hear a hint of those well known old M.I.K.E. sounds.

Score: 8/10

13. Touching Your Senses

Another trancey tune with (again) hints of the old M.I.K.E, but in a modern coat. Some of the sounds used are kinda "video gamish" as I like to say, but in this case they're not annoying in any way. Great melancholic atmosphere.

Score: 8/10

14. Elements Of Nature

Ha, save the best for last, right MIKE? I already feel stupid for constantly repeating myself with what I think of this track. Yes, it's nothing new or particularly creative, but it's an awesome oldschool inspired proper trance track. Lots of energy, a very captivating melody, a great climax. The second breakdown is a great addition aswell, especially since the tune changes its vibe at that point to a more anthem-ish side.

Score: 9/10

Overall "New Tunes" Score: 7/10

REMIXES


15. Push - Universal Nation (Inpetto Remix)

No, no, no! You don't take UN and do this to it, you just don't! Terrible trouse rape of one of the biggest trance classics ever. This is a crime against trance music.

Score: -100/10

16. Push - Universal Nation (Orjan Nilsen Remix)

Hm, Orjan... I was sure he'd rape Universal Nation aswell, but he actually didn't. It's an ok update to more modern sounds. Decent attempt.

Score: 6/10

17. Push - The Legacy (Allure Remix)

Yet another horrible trouse rape of a fantastic classic. Screw this!

Score: -100/10

18. Push - Till We Meet Again (Sonny Wharton Remix)

Now this is an interesting remix! More of a housy approach with tribal influences. Me likey! It also doesn't sound anything like the original (apart from a hint of the original melody). It's almost a completely new track.

Score: 8/10

19. Plastic Boy - Twixt (Paul Thomas Remix)

Trouse rape.

Score: 0/10

20. Plastic Boy - Silver Bath (Roger Shah Remix)

Trouse rape:

Score: 0/10

21. M.I.K.E. - Mes Que Un Club (Maor Levi Remix)

Terrible trouse track.

Score: 1/10

22. M.I.K.E. - Any Direction (M.I.K.E. vs Revero Club Edit)

Bah, I'm really pissed at them for what they did with this one. Starts with a hint of trouse, but not too much to be disturbing. Then comes the middle melodic part, which is really great with an epic, trancey melody. Why o why, did they have to ruin this with all those farts, which follow in the end? I felt like they're trolling me - "Hey you're really enjoying this melody right? It would be a shame if suddenly... *fart clap fart clap fart*".

Score: 4/10 - (Would have been an 8 at least if the last part had some normal beats)

23. M.I.K.E. and Michael Myers - Come Together (Revero Remix)

No.

Score: 0/10

Overall "Remixes" Score: 0/10

Overall Verdict:

Well this is certainly a mixed package. The new tunes are definitely worth checking out for the most part. There are some really fresh productions included and overall they're enjoyable. There are clear signs of the M.I.K.E. we used to know and love with some modern influences.

However, the second part of the album is exactly what I expected it to be - a bunch of trouse rapes of great classics. YUCK.

Overall I'd say the album is worth a buy. The first part provides enough quality and you can just easily skip the remixes, which shouldn't be part of the album anyway.

Ni komentarjev:

Objavite komentar