it was okay...

Finally, an Album from Brian Transeau that doesn't make you scratch your head and wonder what happened to all that talent...

I'd describe the amalgamation of his new sound as Thomas Newman meets Ulrich Schnauss with the sweeping majesty of Vengelis at their finest thrown in for good measure. A binary alloy, born in a machine yet conceived by the mind and soul, conforming to neither - yet inheriting properties that makes it shiny, new and powerful.

There are a few tracks that are nothing short of amazing. Anhtkythera mechanism in particular is destined to be a future classic. This standout track manages to traverse the chasm of classical and electronic boundaries to spellbinding effect. Very few tracks truly merit the 'epic' tag - this is one of the rare few that does.

Some of the other tracks though, feel forced and saturated with too many sounds. The many twists and turns in the music point to BT's desire to break free of the 4/4 and map out his own soundscape, but there are times when the many soft padded blips, twinkling bells and warbling walls of sound threaten to drown the listener in an aural avalanche.

Perhaps that was BT's intention. To create a journey of sounds - alternating between machine driven and traditionally generated moods - forcing the listener to accept both the 1 and the 0. And it works a majority of time too...but, I still can't help feeling that by the time the synthesis is complete, we are so far removed from Earth and lost in BT's Binary Universe that everything feels alien, and devoid of real human emotion.

A seminal work by a musical genius that was long overdue an album that showcased his brilliance.

___________________

"Hell is full of musical amateurs; music is the brandy of the damned."
~ George Bernard Shaw

Last edited by Kytracid on Jan-25-2007 at 15:23

quote:

Originally posted by Kytracid Finally, an Album from Brian Transeau that doesn't make you scratch your head and wonder what happened to all that talent... I'd describe the amalgamation of his new sound as Thomas Newman meets Ulrich Schnauss with the sweeping majesty of Vengelis at their finest thrown in for good measure. A binary alloy, born in a machine yet conceived by the mind and soul, conforming to neither - yet inheriting properties that makes it shiny, new and powerful. There are a few tracks that are nothing short of amazing. Anhtkythera mechanism in particular is destined to be a future classic. This standout track manages to traverse the chasm of classical and electronic boundaries to spellbinding effect. Very few tracks truly merit the 'epic' tag - this is one of the rare few that does. Some of the other tracks though, feel forced and saturated with too many sounds. The many twists and turns in the music point to BT's desire to break free of the 4/4 and map out his own soundscape, but there are times when the many soft padded blips, twinkling bells and warbling walls of sound threaten to drown the listener in an aural avalanche. Perhaps that was BT's intention. To create a journey of sounds - alternating between machine driven and traditionally generated moods - forcing the listener to accept both the 1 and the 0. And it works a majority of time too...but, I still can't help feeling that by the time the synthesis is complete, we are so far removed from Earth and lost in BT's Binary Universe that everything feels alien, and devoid of real human emotion. A seminal work by a musical genius that was long overdue an album that showcased his brilliance.

Well written

quote:

Originally posted by Kytracid Finally, an Album from Brian Transeau that doesn't make you scratch your head and wonder what happened to all that talent... I'd describe the amalgamation of his new sound as Thomas Newman meets Ulrich Schnauss with the sweeping majesty of Vengelis at their finest thrown in for good measure. A binary alloy, born in a machine yet conceived by the mind and soul, conforming to neither - yet inheriting properties that makes it shiny, new and powerful. There are a few tracks that are nothing short of amazing. Anhtkythera mechanism in particular is destined to be a future classic. This standout track manages to traverse the chasm of classical and electronic boundaries to spellbinding effect. Very few tracks truly merit the 'epic' tag - this is one of the rare few that does. Some of the other tracks though, feel forced and saturated with too many sounds. The many twists and turns in the music point to BT's desire to break free of the 4/4 and map out his own soundscape, but there are times when the many soft padded blips, twinkling bells and warbling walls of sound threaten to drown the listener in an aural avalanche. Perhaps that was BT's intention. To create a journey of sounds - alternating between machine driven and traditionally generated moods - forcing the listener to accept both the 1 and the 0. And it works a majority of time too...but, I still can't help feeling that by the time the synthesis is complete, we are so far removed from Earth and lost in BT's Binary Universe that everything feels alien, and devoid of real human emotion. A seminal work by a musical genius that was long overdue an album that showcased his brilliance.

I gotta say I agree. Once the initial "OMGZ! 5.1 and video" hype for the album wore off, by the 3rd listen, I noticed that while this album is masterpiece-material, it isn't the "first major electronic work of the millenium."

Also, I really don't see a point to the final song dedicated to his daughter. And it's not that I have a problem with the guy loving his daughter and dedicating a song to her, but that whole video was just pushing it.

Looking back on it, I think the video aspect of the album is the weaker piece of the final product. Some of it just way too repetitive, and at other times, just way too amateur.

quote:

Originally posted by infinity HiGH I gotta say I agree. Once the initial "OMGZ! 5.1 and video" hype for the album wore off, by the 3rd listen, I noticed that while this album is masterpiece-material, it isn't the "first major electronic work of the millenium." Also, I really don't see a point to the final song dedicated to his daughter. And it's not that I have a problem with the guy loving his daughter and dedicating a song to her, but that whole video was just pushing it. Looking back on it, I think the video aspect of the album is the weaker piece of the final product. Some of it just way too repetitive, and at other times, just way too amateur.

The video isnt the "greatest video" ever but its a great bonus for that early morning sketchfest.

quote:

Originally posted by Claude Hughes The video isnt the "greatest video" ever but its a great bonus for that early morning sketchfest.

True true. To be honest I like all the vid's, minus the last one which shouldn't even be on the disc.

I look forward to a 'mushrooms+this binary universe' session

quote:

Originally posted by infinity HiGH Also, I really don't see a point to the final song dedicated to his daughter. And it's not that I have a problem with the guy loving his daughter and dedicating a song to her, but that whole video was just pushing it.

Agreed, that was lame. But the other stuff is quite good IMHO.

Here are some interesting bits about the album (shameless stolen from wikipedia).

* The first track entitled "All That Makes Us Human Continues" was entirely written in Csound, taking roughly 6 months. The video is also completely coded as a way to reflect the creation of the track.
* Dynamic symmetry is a natural design methodology, and mathematical proportioning system, based on natural growth patterns found in plants.
* In a segment of "The Internal Locus," at one point the percussion track of the entire song is compressed down into four bars. This can be heard at the 4:31 mark and lasts until 4:45.
* 1.618 is the value of the Golden ratio rounded to the nearest thousandth. This is the second time BT has titled a song after a mathematical term or sequence. The first time was "Fibonacci Sequence". The video shows off examples of the golden ratio in nature and mechanisms.
* Both the Golden ratio and the Fibonacci Sequence are related to Dynamic symmetry.
* The image shown on the album cover uses the Golden ratio to define its dimensions.
* Throughout the CD's booklet, the images for each track show (in order) the construction of a Golden rectangle.
* The Antikythera Mechanism refers to the remains of an ancient analog mechanical computer, believed to be an orrery which was found in a wreck near the Greek island of Antikythera.
* In early printings the outer sleeve and parts of the booklet incorrectly refer to Track 6 as "The Anhtkythera Mechanism." In the credits within the booklet, and on the DVD program itself, it is correctly spelled as The Antikythera Mechanism. This typo has since been corrected.
* Kaia is the name of Transeau's daughter, and the video of the seventh song is completely dedicated to her. Transeau has also stated that Kaia was sitting in his lap throughout most of the production on the album and that the album also serves as a series of lullabies for his daughter.
* The album is dedicated in loving memory of his dog Tootsie, a long time companion of Transeau.

___________________
"Are you-are you sad?"
-No.
"But your-your songs are sad."
-My songs are of time and distance. The sadness is in you. Watch my arms. There is only the dance. These things you treasure are shells.
"I-I knew that. Once."

I bought this back in December. Best album of 2006. its AMAZING. the Full dvd is so wicked. I plan to show it at the Cottage Party at 11am on the Saturday Chillout session!

Ampz

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WoW
After reading this thread and listening to some samples on the site, I went to HMV and used my xmas certificates to buy it.

I've recently been in a creative rut, this cd ... got the wheels turning and I find it has been an inspiration for me.

The video, at times, isnt the best but I have to say the ideas and concepts are amazing.

I am now creating an after effects animation to "dynamic symmetry"

BT you continuously amaze me...!!!!

*hehe* sOoOooOo very inspired, sooo very happy...

time to create....!!!!

___________________
"It’s not love for music, it’s a passion, and it goes beyond liking, and beyond a hobby, it’s about a way of living. Music is essential for my life."-Armin Van Buuren

"House Music is a universal language spoken and understood by all. You see, House is a feeling that no one can understand, really, unless they're deep into the vibe of House."

"IT'S A SPIRITUAL THING, A BODY THING, A SOUL THING!"

Its a good album, well produced, but by no means revolutionary or ground breaking. I think a lot of people are blown away by it, because they're not usually exposed to this type of music, and BT being a household name in terms of electronica is able to reach a broader audience.