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When people find out that I'm a music critic, I am often asked "What
kind of music do you like?" Invariably, I say "the kind
that doesn't suck." Sure, it's a smart-ass, cop-out answer -
but really, what else do you expect? I could say "Well, I don't
like country, but I do like Johnny Cash. I don't like rap,
but I howled with laughter at E-Z Duz It." I could say
I like metal, but not Candlebox. I could say I hate pop -and
mean it. I could take it round and round like this 'til the unfortunate
inquisitor's boredom had turned to marvel.
One genre I don't often discuss is electronica. Most of it I've
found to be rather ephemeral and disposable. It always seems like
a "here and now" or "zeitgeist" kind of music
that is quickly forgotten. The rare electronica artist will generate
something with mainstream appeal that will last for awhile, and
then be recompiled to be sold with the others in some late-night-infomercial
compendium.
But Crash Berlin doesn't fit that mold. There is a surprising
complexity here in these wildly varying tracks. Some, like "Reach
Out to the Sun" have channeled the spirit of Kitaro to
effectively mix Electronica with New Age in a rolling, and enlightening
musical journey. "Movin the Hype Track" mixes elements of
Hip-Hop into a driving trance that acts as a considerable contrast
to the aforementioned "Reach Out to the Sun."
Unfortunately, a few of the tracks exhibit the tedious and repetitive
nature that most DJ music inherits... but where genre music is concerned,
I suppose one must assume the good with the bad.
Regardless, and in answer to the question, I like Crash Berlin.
Even though it makes old ladies look at me scornfully when they
realize that the balding, 30-ish man in the lane next to them is
the one making their windows shudder.
-JD
Track Listing:
1. Lady Luck
2. Touch Me Where I Bleed [Crash Berlin vs. Tangent Mix]
3. Take Me With You
4. Earth People Are Basic
5. Assassination Raga
6. Reach Out to the Sun
7. Movin the Hype Track [D&S Mix]
8. Sisters of Seven [Bassnectar Mix]
9. Boy in the T.V.
10. Movin the Hype Track [Aquasky vs. Crash Berlin]
11. Sisters of Seven [Original Mix]
12. Look to the Future
13. Our Last Seance
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