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Music Review: Assemblage 23- Spark [Maxi-Single]
16 years ago
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj5OE13kaPI
So today I picked up two MCDs (Maxi-singles on CDs). Tonight I review the first, with the second review tomorrow night. First up, we have Assemblage 23's single, "Spark" for their upcoming album, "Compass".
Now I've never been able to get into Assemblage 23's albums, until now. I was first introduced to their music a couple years ago, but at the time I was in the phase where I didn't want to hear much other than straight-laced Industrial, EBM and Elektro. Assemblage 23, while very very much an Industrial band, tends to experiment with their sound.
Recently I have found a thirst for more experimental Industrial bands/projects, ones that are not afraid to mix things up a little on their albums. This is where Assemblage 23 comes in. Despite not being a huge fan, I am not unfamiliar with their work. There are several tracks that I have liked, ones that identify themselves as an "A23 track" with particular types of sounds and textures that Tom Shear is fond of using. So, when I found out that A23 had a new album due for a release, I decided to get a taste with the first single, "Spark".
The Maxi contains 5 tracks in total, the A-side, two B-sides, and two remixes of the A-side. Now I'll take a look at each individual track.
Track 1: "Spark (Album Mix)"- This track is classic A23, it starts out with a beautiful string progression, with a swelling arpeggio that converts into a buzzing bass line and beat. Tom Shear's vocals are at their best, as they tend to be, putting the almost melancholy emotion into the song. The lyrics may be hard to draw a meaning from, but it becomes clear after some musing. For me, at least, the song speaks of standing tall in the face of hardships, regardless of how strong the pull is to simply give in and give up trying.
Overall, the track has beautiful instrumentals, with the melodies having a beautiful sparkling clear quality like translucent ice. Like the best of A23's songs, this one is incredibly inspirational and I would gladly consider this one of A23's best songs due to it's quality and substance.
Track 2: "Helicopter Girl"- This is the first B-side on the single, and shows the more experimental side of A23, particularly Shear's fondness for including quirky sounds into songs. This one is an instrumental that follows a much more Techno path than Industrial, but it's no less enjoyable. The only constant thing about this track is the beat. Otherwise, it is an ever-changing song that is fun to listen to in order to explore the sheer variety of sounds implemented.
Track 3: "Spark (Combichrist Remix)"- This begins as a curious remix, beginning with the exact same string progression intro as the original track. However, it changes immediately afterwards into a very stripped down, more Techno version of the song, with Shear's vocals being nearly the sole basis of melody with low frequency bass sounds and a techno beat in the background, accompanied by quirky little noise effects. It's pretty decent, better if you become particularly fond of Shear's voice.
My issues with this remix is that Andy LePlagua, the mastermind behind four different bands, used the Combichrist name for this remix. The sounds of this remix reflects the Techno style he uses for his project, Scandy's, music. My only guess is that it's because Combichrist is his focus at the moment. Also, it feels as if Andy didn't put a whole lot of effort into the remix, but again, that may be due to the extensive touring he was doing at the time.
Track 4: "Poison Moon"- This is the second B-side on the single. Much like 'Helicopter Girl', this track displays another side of A23. Poison Moon features Tom taking a more straightforward EBM approach, with a repetitive yet catchy melody bass during the verses with the only change in instrumentals coming at the chorus, where a sampled guitar and lighter synths take over for a short while. Overall it's a simple track instrumentally, and in terms of vocals, Shear takes a more subdued take than he did in 'Spark'. Lyrically, it's quite ambiguous, and it's hard to make a safe bet as to it's content. However, it can be said that it talks of some situation in which someone tells something, perhaps a secret or admittance, to another and is met with an emotional outrage of some sort, while noting that regardless of its impact on individuals, it means nothing in the big picture.
Track 5: "Spark (Whiteout Remix by Jade from Blaqk Audio)"- This remix is much closer to the feel of the original track. However it feels much softer in texture with the synth strings used in the track. It is also clearly better suited for use in the Industrial clubs, because of the nature of its beat. What's different in this remix is that instead of using all the vocals, Jade Puget (of Blaqk Audio and AFI fame), uses only the vocals from the chorus. Overall, it's a very pleasing, easy-listening track despite it's clear club-compatibility. I would go so far as to say this is the better remix of Spark.
All in all, I'd say this is a very very good single that's worth the money. All of the tracks are enjoyable, and the only low point is Combichrist's remix of "Spark", but even then it's still listenable. This is a great taste of what's to come with "Compass", so if you're curious, but do not want to invest in the album, I suggest getting "Spark" before making a decision.
So! This single gets a 4.5/5! It's not a 5 due to the CC remix not being great, but don't let that discourage you!
"Spark" is available on iTunes, Amazon, and is released by Metropolis Records (US) and Accession Records (UK). Honestly, it's worth more to purchase the actual CD as it's the same price as the single is digitally, so you might as well get the disc and booklet.
North America ($4.98)- http://www.metropolis-mailorder.com.....rodnum=MET+611
Europe/UK (5.49€)- http://www.accession-records.de/oss.....roducts_id=245
So today I picked up two MCDs (Maxi-singles on CDs). Tonight I review the first, with the second review tomorrow night. First up, we have Assemblage 23's single, "Spark" for their upcoming album, "Compass".
Now I've never been able to get into Assemblage 23's albums, until now. I was first introduced to their music a couple years ago, but at the time I was in the phase where I didn't want to hear much other than straight-laced Industrial, EBM and Elektro. Assemblage 23, while very very much an Industrial band, tends to experiment with their sound.
Recently I have found a thirst for more experimental Industrial bands/projects, ones that are not afraid to mix things up a little on their albums. This is where Assemblage 23 comes in. Despite not being a huge fan, I am not unfamiliar with their work. There are several tracks that I have liked, ones that identify themselves as an "A23 track" with particular types of sounds and textures that Tom Shear is fond of using. So, when I found out that A23 had a new album due for a release, I decided to get a taste with the first single, "Spark".
The Maxi contains 5 tracks in total, the A-side, two B-sides, and two remixes of the A-side. Now I'll take a look at each individual track.
Track 1: "Spark (Album Mix)"- This track is classic A23, it starts out with a beautiful string progression, with a swelling arpeggio that converts into a buzzing bass line and beat. Tom Shear's vocals are at their best, as they tend to be, putting the almost melancholy emotion into the song. The lyrics may be hard to draw a meaning from, but it becomes clear after some musing. For me, at least, the song speaks of standing tall in the face of hardships, regardless of how strong the pull is to simply give in and give up trying.
Overall, the track has beautiful instrumentals, with the melodies having a beautiful sparkling clear quality like translucent ice. Like the best of A23's songs, this one is incredibly inspirational and I would gladly consider this one of A23's best songs due to it's quality and substance.
Track 2: "Helicopter Girl"- This is the first B-side on the single, and shows the more experimental side of A23, particularly Shear's fondness for including quirky sounds into songs. This one is an instrumental that follows a much more Techno path than Industrial, but it's no less enjoyable. The only constant thing about this track is the beat. Otherwise, it is an ever-changing song that is fun to listen to in order to explore the sheer variety of sounds implemented.
Track 3: "Spark (Combichrist Remix)"- This begins as a curious remix, beginning with the exact same string progression intro as the original track. However, it changes immediately afterwards into a very stripped down, more Techno version of the song, with Shear's vocals being nearly the sole basis of melody with low frequency bass sounds and a techno beat in the background, accompanied by quirky little noise effects. It's pretty decent, better if you become particularly fond of Shear's voice.
My issues with this remix is that Andy LePlagua, the mastermind behind four different bands, used the Combichrist name for this remix. The sounds of this remix reflects the Techno style he uses for his project, Scandy's, music. My only guess is that it's because Combichrist is his focus at the moment. Also, it feels as if Andy didn't put a whole lot of effort into the remix, but again, that may be due to the extensive touring he was doing at the time.
Track 4: "Poison Moon"- This is the second B-side on the single. Much like 'Helicopter Girl', this track displays another side of A23. Poison Moon features Tom taking a more straightforward EBM approach, with a repetitive yet catchy melody bass during the verses with the only change in instrumentals coming at the chorus, where a sampled guitar and lighter synths take over for a short while. Overall it's a simple track instrumentally, and in terms of vocals, Shear takes a more subdued take than he did in 'Spark'. Lyrically, it's quite ambiguous, and it's hard to make a safe bet as to it's content. However, it can be said that it talks of some situation in which someone tells something, perhaps a secret or admittance, to another and is met with an emotional outrage of some sort, while noting that regardless of its impact on individuals, it means nothing in the big picture.
Track 5: "Spark (Whiteout Remix by Jade from Blaqk Audio)"- This remix is much closer to the feel of the original track. However it feels much softer in texture with the synth strings used in the track. It is also clearly better suited for use in the Industrial clubs, because of the nature of its beat. What's different in this remix is that instead of using all the vocals, Jade Puget (of Blaqk Audio and AFI fame), uses only the vocals from the chorus. Overall, it's a very pleasing, easy-listening track despite it's clear club-compatibility. I would go so far as to say this is the better remix of Spark.
All in all, I'd say this is a very very good single that's worth the money. All of the tracks are enjoyable, and the only low point is Combichrist's remix of "Spark", but even then it's still listenable. This is a great taste of what's to come with "Compass", so if you're curious, but do not want to invest in the album, I suggest getting "Spark" before making a decision.
So! This single gets a 4.5/5! It's not a 5 due to the CC remix not being great, but don't let that discourage you!
"Spark" is available on iTunes, Amazon, and is released by Metropolis Records (US) and Accession Records (UK). Honestly, it's worth more to purchase the actual CD as it's the same price as the single is digitally, so you might as well get the disc and booklet.
North America ($4.98)- http://www.metropolis-mailorder.com.....rodnum=MET+611
Europe/UK (5.49€)- http://www.accession-records.de/oss.....roducts_id=245
