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Synth Music Direct
(UK)
I reviewed the original of this album back
in 1999 (I think). I have reproduced it here with the addition of a review
of the new track not on the original. So here we go -
Oh my goodness! Sequencer albums
have certainly made a dramatic resurgence over the last few years but with
quality like this the style hardly seems to be running out of steam, rather
it is going from strength to strength. I recently gave Pyramid Peak's CDR
'Atmosphere' a good review but this is something else entirely. 'Ocean
Drive', their first release on conventional CD follows a much more 'Berlin
school' path but also takes them from being a good band to being one of the
very best putting them up with Ramp and Rainbow Serpent. Germany now has
three bands to combat the AirSculpture, RMI, Under the Dome, Redshift
onslaught from the UK.
A heartbeat gently pulses over weird, mysterious drones but you only have to
wait a minute before a shuffling sequence drifts in and out of the bubbling
mist. A melody, low in the mix, is both melancholy and hinting at imminent
danger at the same time. This then continues through to almost the end
before fading back to the heartbeat that introduced the piece. The twenty
three minute title track comes next and this time it is less than a minute
before the sequence emerges above the exquisite synth pads. Less than two
minutes in and another laser sharp sequence steps into formation and settles
into Schulze territory for the next ten minutes. We then get a break, taking
us gently to those hidden depths within ourselves. Garbled voices can just
be heard heralding the next pulsating staccato onslaught, heavier than
before with a superb lead line accompanying it.
Metallic, cosmic rumbles are as effective a way as any to commence 'Dive'
but as in previous tracks the atmospheric introduction is not left on its
own long before a sonic cascade joins it. The melody is the best so far
fitting in with the sombre synth pads perfectly. More faint talked vocals
can just be made out but this time they are female. 'Sunrise' breaks over
the ocean and birds fly through the morning haze. The images created are so
vivid you could almost be there. The peace is shattered after three minutes
(a long introduction that one!) by an urgent sequence and a melody almost
echoing the bird cries. This is a track full of the joy of being alive, the
ideal accompaniment to a warm but energetic summers day. 'Twilight' finishes
the album but this isn't all gentle sleepy stuff, oh no! The strident
sequence reminds of Jarre but the lead is much more Tangerine Dream. Have
they saved the best till last? Yup I think so. Five minutes in but things
are still building and becoming more intense.
The additional track 'Psycho' starts with fittingly dark, moody distorted
drones. A brooding sequence starts up creating an unsettling atmosphere but
then a higher register sequence is brought into play creating quite a
contrast with the first. When the lead line comes in it is excellent
emphasising the uneasy undercurrents. In the seventh minute the pace
quickens dramatically as if the chase is on. The melodies get better and
better right until the end. This is an excellent addition to already superb
album. (DL)
Dave Law, 1999/2006
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SynGate (D)
'Ocean
Drive' was originally released in 1999 by Invisible Shadows
and re-released in 2006 by SynGate Records with the
bonus track 'Psycho', previously released on the sampler 'Gift'.
Lothar Lubitz, Syngate, December 2008
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