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BT - Emotional Technology [Album Review] (pg. 2)
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| clubcashu |
I anxiously awaited the release of this album. I am a huge fan of BT's older work, and I have a higher "cheese" tolerance than most...I'll listen to some well-produced pop tracks from time to time and enjoy them on top of the more underground trance that I prefer. I have been listening to it nonstop in my car....and I must say:
It's terrible.
I had such high hopes and they have been completely destroyed by this album. It's too poppy, the lyrics are poorly written and as shallow as they possibly can get, and the same effects and sounds are used way too often. Yes, it's slickly produced. If BT would concentrate less on feeling the need to incorporate vocals on every track, I think this album could have been solid. He could have created something similar to Sasha's "Airdrawndagger". If you'd like to hear harmless pop electronica, maybe this album will do it for you, as the people who have posted before me. I personally think it's a complete step in the wrong direction for BT, and to say I am disappointed is an understatement. For people to criticize Ian Van Dahl and praise this album up and down has to check themselves for incredible hypocricy. |
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| Provitex |
| quote: | Originally posted by clubcashu
I personally think it's a complete step in the wrong direction for BT |
Oh yeah?? Okay...
I'll make sure I give Brian a call and tell him that 'clubcashu' ( a -nub- from TA thinks he's taking the wrong direction in his music...)
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Buddy, whatever...I don't even know if you even bought the album, but if you did, and you did listen to it (actually having it) while seriously giving it a chance from start to finish and STILL not liking it... I respect that... but don't go saying things like the lyrics are poor and what have you, (between me & you, you kinda look stupid now)
Anyways, like I said, if you bought the album... Good for you & thanks! |
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| TCC-2k7 |
Hey Provitex, back off, man. Clubcashu has just as much right to voice his opinion on the album as you do.
Personally? Not terrible, but honestly, not great. I mean, BT's control over his sound is unmatched; his layering and sheer production quality are amazing. But seriously, did any of you actually listen to Superfabulous? I wanted to hurl when I heard that song; just awful. That's not to say that the album is crap; the music is pretty good, but not spectacular; no Flaming Junes or Dreamings in here. I also feel that while BT has always been a pioneer, and while he's always mixed and matched genres, this is just a bit too much pop and not enough of the dreamy progressive he made his name with. And the fact that some of his lyrics are just lame didn't help ("our love is cyclical; it moves in circles"... brilliant, truly).
This CD struck me in the same way Rob Dougan's Furious Angels came across: sublime music ruined by some less-than-stellar lyrics. |
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| Strike |
i found this album to be very poppy
but i really enjoyed it
something i could listen to from beginning to end |
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| Nano |
| I loved it, poppy or not. There are a few songs that I don't particularly like ( force of gravity, etc ), but on the whole it's a great album, superfab. is hella catchy, and rose mcgowan has a nice voice, the always hot jan johnston sounds good on her tracks, guru rocks as always...The lyrics may not be special to us, but they obviously are to brian, Some of them i like, some i don't. I give the album a higher good:bad ratio than almost any other album i've heard in recent times. |
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| Provitex |
| quote: | Originally posted by TCC-2k7
Hey Provitex, back off, man. Clubcashu has just as much right to voice his opinion on the album as you do.
Personally? Not terrible, but honestly, not great. I mean, BT's control over his sound is unmatched; his layering and sheer production quality are amazing. But seriously, did any of you actually listen to Superfabulous? I wanted to hurl when I heard that song; just awful. That's not to say that the album is crap; the music is pretty good, but not spectacular; no Flaming Junes or Dreamings in here. I also feel that while BT has always been a pioneer, and while he's always mixed and matched genres, this is just a bit too much pop and not enough of the dreamy progressive he made his name with. And the fact that some of his lyrics are just lame didn't help ("our love is cyclical; it moves in circles"... brilliant, truly).
This CD struck me in the same way Rob Dougan's Furious Angels came across: sublime music ruined by some less-than-stellar lyrics. |
Did you actually read what I said??
I don't think you did bro...I'm not after anyone here, I said if you actually listened to the album from start to finish and you could truly say you did not like it; I RESPECT THAT. But to include ridiculous comments about the lyrics in these songs, ie Dark Heart Dawning... Oh man, if you actually follow the lyrics you'd know it's something 'more' behind the track than just another rock tune... This album is 'Emotional' and it was very emotional to Brian himself, and so, I'd expect to see some positive comments or non at all (as far as the lyrics are concerned). Now for some songs like Superfabulous, the lyrics are not meant to be as direct as others, yet, they're there to help with the 'retro' feel the track was suppose to emit in the first place. And so, the purpose of the track was heading for a 'fun', funky direction.
AND YES, Brian was not aiming for the same old stuff he used to make. He is an artist which deserves to evolve and explore different types of fields through the music he really loves to make. This is what makes him special...I can't believe anyone who would judge this album by comparing to something like Ima or ESCM. This simply cannot be. I mean look at MISL, he explored with alot of tracks and had many rock tracks within as well...Yet people did not choose to say anything until now (about ET).
Well anyways, to me, BT has always been the inspiring musician he was 5, 6, 7 years ago... I see his music evolve into something greater...Yes some of his original elements are still to be found in his music today, isn't that a good thing? He's keeping his sense of identity with his music...It tells you that he did not completely dedicate himself to a specific field of music... He's very open, and to truly experience Emotional Technology, you would also have to be open minded. |
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| Eric^^ |
First off let me start by saying that I had yet to hear any BT albums before, don't ask why I just never bothered giving him a chance (I'm also isolated from trance here in Halifax, Canada). So I'm currently 23 minutes into the album, and it's roxing my boxers. It's been pure kick ass since hte beginning and I can't wait to hear the rest. But I can understand why it may seem bad to others, but as long as your open minded to dance music, you'll love this. Buy it or download, whatever floats your boat, you wont regret it either way.
I'll definately be looking for his previous stuff. BT Rules. <-- period!! |
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| TCC-2k7 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Provitex
But to include ridiculous comments about the lyrics in these songs, ie Dark Heart Dawning... Oh man, if you actually follow the lyrics you'd know it's something 'more' behind the track than just another rock tune... This album is 'Emotional' and it was very emotional to Brian himself, and so, I'd expect to see some positive comments or non at all (as far as the lyrics are concerned). |
I'll agree that the album is very much a spectrum of BT's emotion, and it shows in the amount of time and effort put into it. But seriously, take a look at what you're saying. How is criticism of BT's strength as a lyrical writer "ridiculous?" In this album, BT's lyrics are a prominent aspect, and I very strongly believe that they are one that is lacking severely in almost everything that good lyrics need (elegance, originality, power). BT has had many songs in the past filled with emotion, without lyrics. I never judged them any differently because they didn't have lyrics, thus I am not going to judge this album by any special criteria. So it's called Emotional Technology. Honestly, big ing deal; I could create an album and called it "Strife For Blood" or something. Does that mean the lyrics in my album are forgiven if they're sub-par? He played the soft rock/emotional card before, with Shame and Satellite. Shame was somewhat bland, but Satellite remains one of my favorite of his tunes. Why? Because while it is still a bit abstract and odd in places, there are moments of true lyrical brilliance. "And the light that brings healing / is burning my eyes / and the dark / seems so nice / and I'm choking on my sins / that I can't seem to hide." Most likely my favorite passage from any song. Deep, honest, but it flows, its original, and because of this, it hold power. The lyrics in ET just don't match these, and that saddens me.
BT is an artist, a musician. I've been a fan of his since the moment I heard Flaming June, and I still remain a fan. Emotional Technology has moments that I do like (I very much like the hip-hop flavor in Knowledge of Self, just as I liked it in Smartbomb and Mad Skillz-Mic Chekka). I just feel that with songs like Superfabulous and Dark Heart Dawning, BT has strayed from his roots, which honestly in itself doesn't bother me all that much. What bothers me is that he has strayed from these roots without giving his old fans any of the music they love (for every pop/hip hop element in Movement In Still Life, there was a classic trance moment, such as Godspeed, or Mercury & Solace). Emotional Technology has no such moments. It doesn't feel like true BT anymore; it feels watered down.
If it were to talk to BT himself, I would congradulate him on his success, tell him all that I said above, and merely ask that in his next album, he make it two discs, one with which he can experiment, and one with which he can regain the title of master of dreamy trance. |
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| Cobalt |
| quote: | Originally posted by TCC-2k7
And the fact that some of his lyrics are just lame didn't help ("our love is cyclical; it moves in circles"... brilliant, truly).
This CD struck me in the same way Rob Dougan's Furious Angels came across: sublime music ruined by some less-than-stellar lyrics. |
I agree. Communicate, for example, is musically good. But the lyrics are just..so...unimaginative and hollow. |
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| Provitex |
| quote: | Originally posted by TCC-2k7
I'll agree that the album is very much a spectrum of BT's emotion, and it shows in the amount of time and effort put into it. But seriously, take a look at what you're saying. How is criticism of BT's strength as a lyrical writer "ridiculous?" In this album, BT's lyrics are a prominent aspect, and I very strongly believe that they are one that is lacking severely in almost everything that good lyrics need (elegance, originality, power). BT has had many songs in the past filled with emotion, without lyrics. I never judged them any differently because they didn't have lyrics, thus I am not going to judge this album by any special criteria. So it's called Emotional Technology. Honestly, big ing deal; I could create an album and called it "Strife For Blood" or something. Does that mean the lyrics in my album are forgiven if they're sub-par? He played the soft rock/emotional card before, with Shame and Satellite. Shame was somewhat bland, but Satellite remains one of my favorite of his tunes. Why? Because while it is still a bit abstract and odd in places, there are moments of true lyrical brilliance. "And the light that brings healing / is burning my eyes / and the dark / seems so nice / and I'm choking on my sins / that I can't seem to hide." Most likely my favorite passage from any song. Deep, honest, but it flows, its original, and because of this, it hold power. The lyrics in ET just don't match these, and that saddens me.
BT is an artist, a musician. I've been a fan of his since the moment I heard Flaming June, and I still remain a fan. Emotional Technology has moments that I do like (I very much like the hip-hop flavor in Knowledge of Self, just as I liked it in Smartbomb and Mad Skillz-Mic Chekka). I just feel that with songs like Superfabulous and Dark Heart Dawning, BT has strayed from his roots, which honestly in itself doesn't bother me all that much. What bothers me is that he has strayed from these roots without giving his old fans any of the music they love (for every pop/hip hop element in Movement In Still Life, there was a classic trance moment, such as Godspeed, or Mercury & Solace). Emotional Technology has no such moments. It doesn't feel like true BT anymore; it feels watered down.
If it were to talk to BT himself, I would congradulate him on his success, tell him all that I said above, and merely ask that in his next album, he make it two discs, one with which he can experiment, and one with which he can regain the title of master of dreamy trance. |
I like a lot of things you discussed here, I'll respond to them tomorrow if I may! Good stuff though... |
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| TCC-2k7 |
It's cool man. I'm glad you liked the album. I wish it was more my style. And I wish BT had put a different picture on the cover. I'm sorry, he hair is just weird, and he looks like because of it.
I guess I'm a just a bit bitter because I bought a BT album which had the sticker "Featuring (insert pop stars)." BT never in the past had to advertise who he did his music with, and I think the record company is pushing him to. I don't mind him working with other artists (Namistai and Flaming June are both PvD/BT joint efforts), but I'd rather see BT working with Fluke, Hybrid, Nick Warren & Way Out West, etc, than Rose McGowan and JC Chasez (that's not a slight against either of these two artists; they're just not what I was hoping to hear from a BT album). And the fact that he's been working with Kirsty Hawkshaw and Jan Johnston for ages, and they fail to receive cover recognition... I just feel Emotional Technology is something of a mis-step. I hope it is a commercial success, but I hope BT will use the success and capitalize on his name to introduce people to his electronic side, not the other way around. |
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| Provitex |
| quote: | Originally posted by TCC-2k7
It's cool man. I'm glad you liked the album. I wish it was more my style. And I wish BT had put a different picture on the cover. I'm sorry, he hair is just weird, and he looks like because of it.
I guess I'm a just a bit bitter because I bought a BT album which had the sticker "Featuring (insert pop stars)." BT never in the past had to advertise who he did his music with, and I think the record company is pushing him to. I don't mind him working with other artists (Namistai and Flaming June are both PvD/BT joint efforts), but I'd rather see BT working with Fluke, Hybrid, Nick Warren & Way Out West, etc, than Rose McGowan and JC Chasez (that's not a slight against either of these two artists; they're just not what I was hoping to hear from a BT album). And the fact that he's been working with Kirsty Hawkshaw and Jan Johnston for ages, and they fail to receive cover recognition... I just feel Emotional Technology is something of a mis-step. I hope it is a commercial success, but I hope BT will use the success and capitalize on his name to introduce people to his electronic side, not the other way around. |
Well you know,
One thing I agree with you is the fact that the album is lacking some of the background electronica that BT has evolved from.
Yes, you will see a lot of the artists you wanted BT to collaborate with on a 'mix CD. I'm not going to disagree with you, this album was targeted for a general type of audience and not to say that it's an emotional album JUST BECAUSE it's called Emotional Technology. You got me wrong... To me, I found the songs very relatable to what I go through and/or what has occured in my life and due to this reason, it strikes me to be an emotional album with touching lyrics. Even if you havn't experienced the album yourself, you should get a picture and/or hint of what Brian is trying to say. And it's nothing much different than what he intended in Satellite since that's where ET (the album) takes-off from...
All I can suggest is you wait for the next mix CD, I'm pretty sure you'll be enjoying them a little more at least. Because obviously, just as you said, it didn't come across as something that would fit 'your style'. Hopefully some of these songs you'll actually get used to but... they do need a few listens.
Good stuff |
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