Reviews of Hypnotica CD's
Albums
- Electro Beach (Album) Review by Dene Bebbington (from the Melliflua website )April 2005
- Electro Beach (Album) Review by Andy Garibaldi (from CD Services Glasgow)
- Electro Beach (Album) Review by Luke Harris (from Music-Non-Stop.co.uk)
- Infinite (Album) Review by Luke Harris (from Music-Non-Stop.co.uk)
Electro Beach (Album) Review by Dene Bebbington
(from the Melliflua website )April 2005
This second self-released album by Mat Mckenzie (aka Hypnotica) does
indeed feature some fairly hypnotic beats as the website address and
recording name suggest. His musical influences are wide, encompassing
several genres from Berlin school and 1980s synth pop to trance, house,
and downtempo. Many of those influences are noticeable on Electro Beach,
though somehow the album hangs together well with the common factor
being that nearly all the tracks are generally upbeat and rhythmic. Even
though there's a lot of rhythm and beats going on, one thing that's
apparent is how Mat manages to do it melodically even when the track is
not overtly a catchy tune. There are thirteen distinct tracks on the
album, all apart from the last one (the title track) being named from an
hour of the day. Most are in the three to six minute region. The opening
track "06 AM" sets the mood that is to continue to the penultimate track
- namely musical structures that convey a sense of a carefree
atmosphere. The second track "07 AM" is my favourite, it has a couple of
great lead melodies worthy of the best synth pop, and interestingly the
electric piano tone of the simple repeated melody made me think of what
Gary Numan's music in "Down in the Park" might sound like speeded up.
Bringing the day at the electro beach to a close is the title (and
longest) track. Beginning with a squidgy and slow moving sequence we
hear synthetic lapping waves and bird calls in the background as a
tribal kind of drum beat comes in. The piece evolves to include a tweety
refrain before eventually fading out with wave sounds, the occasional
bird call, and a simple twittering farewell tune.
To sum up I'd say that Electro Beach falls into the category of happy
music, just as the cover art suggests this would be good music to play
on a sunny bother free day at the beach. If you're after something
modern, undemanding, and with some nostalgic sensibilities then this
album should easily fit the bill.
Taken from
http://web.onetel.com/~d_bebbington/elec-beach.html
Electro Beach (Album) Review by Andy Garibaldi (from CD
Services Glasgow)
Yes - I can see what he's getting at here - his website contains the
line "hypnotic beats" - and this plus the project name, gives a clear
indication where the core of this music lies, and that is in the rhythm
department. This CD is over 72 minutes long, with thirteen tracks, and
there is no way you can do a track-by-track appraisal - you'd be here
all day. Safe to say, it falls squarely in the land of the techno-beats,
with hard and fast, even hard and slower, electro-percussive beats and
rhythms that are generally way up front in the mix, acting almost as an
alternative lead to the actual melodic passages that fly on top. Every
track is pretty well built on a lone of foundation rhythms,
multi-tracked beats, with al manner of synths-played tunes and effects
darting around, soaring on top of or simply flying alongside the core
rhythmic heart of the compositions. The guy certainly knows how to
arrange the pieces, with track 12 having a really solid, almost
industrial feel to it, while something like track 6 possessing a much
lighter, airy, summery feel to it, as it starts with soaring synths then
eventually adds a bouncy but solid set of electro-percussive beats,
sequencer-like synths and conveys an almost melodic acid-trance style to
the piece. The ghost of acid-trance is felt and seen in many places
along the way, but without ever really taking off in the way that
particular style tends to go. Some of the bass rhythms are just sublime
- witness the floor-pounding intro to track seven as an example of this
- while a few of the more percussive beats do occasionally tend to sound
like a Woolworths drum machine, but thankfully rarely. As an example of
melodic trance/techno-blissful beats, chilled-out ambience and uptempo
tunes, it has a lot going for it, although whether it's going to rise
above others in the genre, only time will tell. But for now, I think the
melodies carry it well across an audience of meaty beaty techno-tribes
and set-in-their-ways synth seekers. The more you play it, the more
addictive it becomes - hence the name, I guess. Worth a shot!!!
Taken from
www.deadearnest.btinternet.co.uk/Electronic.htm
Electro Beach (Album) Review by Luke Harris (from
Music-Non-Stop.co.uk)
CDR. Second self produced CD from UK electronic act Hypnotica. ''Electro
Beach'' shows a great improvement in sound design and attention to
detail with its seamless fusing of instrumental laid back ambient synth
grooves with melodic dance rhythms. With tracks varying between 3 and 8
minutes ''Electro Beach'' delivers a great late night listening
expierience - this time incorporating some uptempo techno soundscapes
into the mix and thereby adding variety to the overall sound. With
obligatory nods towards long time inspirators Tangerine Dream ( track 4,
track 8 ), Kraftwerk ( track 7, track 12 ) and Orbital ( track 10 )
''Electro Beach'' comes recommended to all fans of sometimes sparse,
chilling, sublime electronics with warm melodies and uncluttered
production.
Taken from
www.musicnonstop.co.uk
Infinite (Album) Review by Luke Harris (from Music-Non-Stop.co.uk)
CDR. Professionally produced album of contemporary, modern instrumental
electonica from UK act Hypnotica. Overall 13 tracks of melodic
electronic soundscapes, utilizing sequencer rhythms, lush synth
backdrops, ethereal arrangements and undulating basslines. Essential,
late night listening ambience interspesed with well placed samples and
tight programming. For fans of melodic electronica with a dreamy edge.
Comes with professionally produced full colour artwork and sleeve notes.
Taken from
www.musicnonstop.co.uk
