From Jim Bernard Sent Tue, Oct 14th 1997, 22:53
From Jim Bernard Sent Tue, Oct 14th 1997, 22:53
> > This 2CD album sounds like a bunch of throwaway tracks...
>
> Not all of it is throwaway, but I agree, plenty of it is well below
> par,
> especially for someone with as good as track record (groan) as Mr
> Size.
>
[] I'm sorry... I have to disagree with you here, after
listening to it and
WANTING to find anything to like about it I haven't. Even the
recording quality
of it is sub par (IMHO that is). It's all midrange, almost NO
low end and lacking
in the effects dept. (it's really a dry album overall isn't it?)
Maybe I'm just expecting
too much from an album that claims to be as good as "timeless"
(which it ain't!)
and which claims to be THE album to break drum n bass here in
the USA.
Let me tell ya.... no way, no how, I ain't buying that!
> > basically it sucks!
>
> I was dissapointed too, after owning nearly the entire V/Full
> Cycle/Dope
> Dragon back catalogue, but I wouldn't go this far. I think peseverance
> is rewarding with this album. I made an effort because I know Roni and
> the Reprazent lot are extremely talented, and there are a lot of
> excellent tracks on here (mainly Brown Paper Bag, Morse Code, Hi
> Potent,
> Jazz, Change My Life, Share The Fall, Down & Trust Me) but it is far
> too
> long for no good reason.
>
[] Huh? "Brown paper bag" a good track? Ummm... that boring
drum groove
and extremely noisy upright bass pattern...or is it noisy on
purpose for "character"
please ...it sounds like ass... let me guess... Roni Size must
not be wearing his
earplugs when he plays live... does he? Sorry, but there is NO
excuse for the
sound of that upright bass ....HISSSSSSSS TWANG HISSSSS TWANG
TWANG TWANG HISSSS
I won't even start on the other tracks...
> > The drum programming is passable in spots (though not many...Roni
> doesn't like to freak the beats too much, > does he?)
>
> I don't think that's what this album is about. This is aimed more at
> home listening than club rotation (this is no excuse, I know) and so
> is
> fairly chilled out. Check some of his Dope Dragon stuff as Mask if you
> want beat-freaking, particularly Square Off and Better World.
>
[] No, I think I'll pass for now. I would much rather spend my
money on something
that I know will please my way too picky musical taste.
> >but the MUSIC (if you want to call it that) is just plain
> hideous...and those vocals....
>
> I think the vocals are fine on the whole. They're nothing new, but I
> think they work better than any vocals I've heard in drum and bass so
> far. Perhaps Heroes is a little too near cod-soul, but Share The Fall
> is
> just fine.
>
[] Ummm... "Share The Fall" sounds like some 80 year old scat
lady who smells like
Ben Gay and forgot to put in her teeth before they tracked the
vocals. Sorry, her voice just
doesn't do it for me.
> >Jesus, if this is best Drum n Bass CD of the year then I must be
> missing something...
>
> Sadly, it probably is, at least as far as artist albums are concerned
> (haven't heard Photek's yet)... What you're 'missing' is background to
> the mans work. He has done much much much better than this, in many
> varied and different styles of jungle and IMO has single handled kept
> music alive for me for quite a while now.
>
[] Photek's new one is good...get's a little boring at times
though.. he's using that same snare fill thingy
a little too much (those who listen to a lot of Photek know
what I'm talking about) but overall it's a pleasant listen.
Nice and dark in many places. As far as getting background on
Size's other works... I'll pass again.
Way too many artists in the D'n'B scene have been getting props
for "breaking new ground" when most
of the drum and bass I have heard has just been the SAME DAMN
DRUM LOOP (AMEN!!!!) AND THE SAME
BASS SOUNDS... Originality... what a concept....
> >"New Forms" is without a doubt THE WORST PIECE OF SHIT CD I HAVE
> HEARD.... EVER!
>
> That's a bit harsh. I think it's a valliant attempt at crossing
> different stlyes of drum and bass and feeding it to a wider audience.
> It
> is a major label LP after all, and it should be treated as such...
>
>
[] So I guess it's ok to do an album of "Drum and Bass Light"
and make the masses think that
this is the highest quality that Drum and Bass can aspire too?
Well, I ain't believing the lie...
I know it can be better.... there's no excuse for it.
PS. Don't take my comments personally, as they are not directed
at you...I just hate it when my
expectations are not met. If you are a big Roni Size fan... more
power to you. I for one am not
and it would take a monumentally good track from him to make me
respect his work.
NP---> Speedy J "Public Energy No 1"... what took me so long to
get this CD... life is good!
Peace,
James Bernard