SeaStars 2007 (Album Review)

Review 1.1 (I lost the first review cos’ I didn’t save it and my com crashed, boohoo..)

SeaStars 2007 is a fantastic and unique (and FREE!) concept album regarding all things marine. Composed, arranged, recorded, mixed and produced by two good friends (and may I add, good guitarists!) Ivan and Adrian (they call themselves ‘Starfish Stories’), it pays tribute to the wonders of the sea. The music takes the listener on a journey of reminiscence (Seashore Days), as well as bringing forth new adventures such as discovering the wonders of the deep oceans (Into the Deep) or simply ‘Flowing with the Waves’. Personally for me, the standout track in this album is ‘Dolphins Galaxia’, because it just seems to tell a wonderful story by itself about a group of dolphins journeying through the galaxy. But then, I have already watched the music video for this song before, so maybe I’m biased, heh.. I also liked 'Stargazer', with its beautiful guitar harmonies. I have a feeling that each different individual who listens to the album would have his/her own favourite track, as the different tracks would affect each person differently.

Perhaps one tiny grouse that I may have is the heavy use of recorded ‘natural’ sounds such as waves throughout the album. I would prefer to hear the music itself do the ‘talking’ and setting up of the atmosphere. Just a comment, no offence Ivan and Adrian, you guys are great! =) It would also be cool if the album comes with poetry or some great scenic photographs (like those on postcards) to further capture and enhance the mood of the music. Then probably there could be some paragraphs written about what the sea means to different people, ‘inspirational quotes’ style. But I’m just being spoilt here, heh..

If you’re looking for catchy riffs or pop hooks, this is not the album for you. No roller-coaster rides here, just a magical maritime journey. Great job Starfish Stories!

Album Review (In Rainbows by Radiohead)

Radiohead’s latest album In Rainbows is a work of art, period. A kaleidoscope of sounds painted on a canvas that emerges more and more upon repeated listening. There are so many layers, intricate details and instrumentations contained in the songs that it is practically impossible to provide an accurate breakdown of them in the songs without listening to it at least 10 times. For example, in the first song, ‘15 step’ I could detect drums, bass guitar, lead guitar, voice effects, synthesizers, use of reverbs, children voice effects, electronic percussive effects on top of the drumming, etc etc. And the cool thing is that it does not feel overbearing but fits nicely together in a collage tapestry of sounds. Not bounded by any conventional pop song arrangement or instrumentation, Radiohead is not afraid to experiment and try anything that they feel would help the song along. Add to that being proficient in competent in conventional instruments, as well as electronic music and effects, it yields an amazing result.

Each song in the album is different, uniquely configured and arranged to create the best possible effect and push the song towards its maximum potential. Examples include the trip-hop feel of ‘15 step’, the slow piano arrangement of ‘Videotape’ and the pop-ish ‘Jigsaw Falling into Place’. Combined with Thom Yorke’s excellent vocals, this is an album worth listening to over and over again.