From lwtcdi Sent Tue, Oct 14th 1997, 21:58
From lwtcdi Sent Tue, Oct 14th 1997, 21:58
>Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 12:38:02 -0400 >From: Jim Bernard <xxx_xxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx> >Subject: (idm) Roni Size Reprazent...New Forms... a piece of shite! >Just picked up this CD (after having it recommended by many people) and I am thoroughly un-impressed! Like a lot of people then... > 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. > 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. > 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. >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. >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. >"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... Gb.