“Fittest – Original Soundtrack” Review
Dreams of Cobalt : One of the greatest challenges an electronica composer faces is to make their pieces lifelike and not-robotic (unless that’s what they are going for). Zircon continues to exercise his strong beat sensibility with Cobalt. In your face high hats give a solid tempo to this varied synth infused piece. From odd flanged/detuned pianos (really cool by the way) to more classic synths reminiscent of Oberhiem xpanders and Arps, he has created a wash of ear candy in this D Minor work. The breakdown at the end of the piece sets up the next piece nicely.
Photosynthesis:
With Photosynthesis, Zircon demonstrates the right way to incorporate electronica elements with hybrid orchestral and ambient textures. Marcato strings and syncopated Marimba dance together with lo-fi, “freeze” elements. One thing I have noticed about his work, Zircon enjoys the wide sweeping bass sawtooth and pulse waves, which really work for has unique style of music. He is definitely not afraid to use his mod wheel. Vaguely reminiscent of some of Wayne Lytle’s work, Zircon demonstrates his mastery of all synthesis types.
Cellular:
Very aptly named, Cellular starts as a gentle peek inside your Motorola phone, and then in true Zircon fashion, steps into a pulse-wave-arpeggios, strong back beats, with various synthesis techniques taking their turn at soloing. This piece will definitely have you taking your battery out of your cell phone in the hopes of finding something that can vaguely be this cool.
Baroque Virus:
Shirking a massive pipe organ at any of your favorite churches/concert halls, Zircon demonstrates that orchestral elements benefit when a cutting synth patch takes the lead. Pipe organ is given a short cameo in this piece, before a energized harpsichord riff tackles it and rips it screaming from the score.
Ming the Merciless makes a very short cameo in the very beginning of this piece, before it is covered in arpeggios and crystallized synth stabs. Noise shots imply the snare sounds which show up later in the piece, and a haunting 8 beat theme, shorted to four beats as this piece progresses builds a tension that is nearly subliminal. The piece evolves from here, and each element is given the opportunity to show not only where it belongs in the whole mix, but also as a soloed entity.
Fused Hip hop and electronica is difficult to do. Fortunately Zircon is no stranger to fusion, and his groovy clav hits and off beat ride bells make this piece a real treat to play a game to. It is a welcome relief to hear that gamers can look forward to some fun music, as heavy and thematic can get old after you’ve developed calluses on your thumbs from playing 12 hours straight.
Psychesphere:
Incorporation of world instrumentation into current musical themes seems relatively common place these days. Zircon has not bashed the sitar and tablas over our heads in this piece, but that does not mean that they are not present and integral. However he executed the Sitar solo at 3:20, it is clear that he can express himself in both North American and Asian musicality. Where else can he take us?
Well, he’s takin us to Jazz Fusion. Neat. His piano playing chops cannot be brought into question as he demonstrates strong pedal technique with his solid left hand, and his octaves on the right scream Jazz/Fusion done right. As before, he calls upon a varied library of synthesis techniques to “replace” what you may expect to hear, with something that works just as well.
An aural assault upon your senses, do not listen to this piece without serious ramp up. I’m serious. I hope for your sake you are well into your third or forth hour of play before you’re hit with this one. It is…well, it is. That’s all I have to say.
iTunes Store - zircon - Fittest - Original Soundtrack---
See you Soon
No comments:
Post a Comment