Customer Reviews

Classical Mushroom

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With this CD, Infected Mushroom have managed to articulate very complex musical ideas extremely well and in a way that keeps the CD interesting and enjoyable after far too many listens. Each track demonstrates very refined skill in sound design, musical composition, construction of complex danceable rhythms, and arrangement... There is much energy and power here in the melodies and sounds they've developed, and in the ways they've been assembled. I've heard lots of Goa that I really like-- Hallucinogen, X-Dream, and Cosmosis... but Infected Mushroom have done something I haven't yet heard anywhere else-- which amounts to the closest thing to classical composition anyone has yet achieved with such a refreshingly bizarre approach to sound design. Get ready for a symphony of flange in a storm of filtersweeps with chaotic oscillator-sync, 32nd-note gating, diced samples, mad panning, piano arpeggios, string pads, acoustic and electric guitar, all set to some very infectious rhythms.

Gives me a ....

There is a reason why this is such a sought after album and I have trouble understanding why a few reviewers have panned it. I find it to be a much more evolved album and sound than their previous "The Gathering." That album had it's moments, but doesn't hold a candle to this one musically or in mastering quality. As for it not being in the same leage as other Trance artists releases, I say that is false as well. It is some of the best Trance you can find, on part with any of the best in the genre. It is an intricately woven tapestry of sound that takes you on quite a journey from the opening guitars of Bust A Move to the ending notes of Missed Symphony. It is most certainly not your standard trance fare. And yes, there IS enough "classical" element in the mix to merit the name, though don't expect a remake of "Hooked on Classics."

To summarize, in the psy-trance genre, this is one of the "classic" album and a must own if you are into this music. I've owned it (and most other Infected Mushroom) albums for years now and this is one I never tire of. Great for dancing, great for driving, great for going on a little mind trip. Hop on board, and get infected!

Infected Mushroom is back and this time they are bringing more style than ever before. This 9 track cd, composed by the Israeli group, is amazing. this goa trance is the first to mix classical instruments along with electronic music in a beautiful harmony. this cd is defenatly a must for any electronic music fan.

I don't think there's too much disagreement that this is, if not the best then at least one of the top Trance/Goa CD's ever released. I'm sure many Trance/Goa/Gaia aficionados would put this CD in their top 5. Like one of the other reviewer's I put 'Mushi Mushi' as the best track here, just ahead of the Epic Opener 'Bust a Move'. There's just so much going on with both tracks. So many things to listen to that it's hard sometimes to get your head around it. This is the sort of music you need a kick-ass Stereo equipment for so you can appreciate the sonic vibration's that emanate from the disc. There's obviously a good deal of musicianship with these two fellow's. No overly repetitious and simplistic repeats from these guy's. We get messed up loops; constantly changing sped up, slowed down with mixed up, funkified vocal cuts. 'Mushi Mushi' must be the most complicated sounding Trance/Goa track I've ever heard, but you can follow where things are going without it being just a mess of musical madness. I think it's hard to explain what Infected Mushroom sound like to someone who hasn't heard them before. For people who like Trance/Goa then you already know but for the novice this band & most particularly this album are the best place to start and up till now....to end! Grab a copy

This album is strong in the innovation department, and may appeal to a wider audience than their last album The Gathering. Each track has something special to offer, and no track here is bad at all. Many different instruments are used to further the Infected Mushroom sound. Very nice touch with guitar and piano on track 1: Bust a Move. This is probably the song on this album that will appeal most to the music fans out there that like standard grade A trance but are looking for something new. Well-balanced super sweet stuff. Powerful heavy guitar action on track 2: None of this is Real melded with a light-hearted xylophone. Who woudda thought? Infected Mushroom makes it work though. Major increase in funk factor on track 3: Sailing in the Sea of Mushroom. Track 4: The Shen keeps it going strong. Next up, track 5: Disco Mushroom. I guess I could do without the "aahh aahh aahh aahh" vocals (dare I say cheese?), but they are short lived and do not degrade the album excessively. The moodiness continues with track 6: Dracul. Why do I get the feeling that the artists are trying to scare us sometimes? Their last album had its spooky moments too. Combined with this album it is evident that Amit and Erez are truly master purveyors of the Halloween-like feel. But do not pass this album up because you scare easy. Suck it up and enjoy the jewel of an album that Infected Mushroom has created for us this time around. Tracks 7 and 8 continue the great track trend, and the last track The Missed Symphony is a fine closing to a fine album. I give this album two thumbs up and a major Al Pacino style "Whoo-ah". Nice work, men. Five stars.

This album was the first "psytrance" album I ever bought, and it still gets time in my CD player. I bought this album because many people said this is Infected Mushrooms best, and I can definitely say that it is on of their best. I love it so much because every track is quality, none of it is filler.

Standout tracks, in my opinion, are:
* the first synth melody in Sailing in the Sea of Mushroom
* Dracul (Remix)
* Bust a Move
* Disco Mushroom
* And the best song on the album, Mushi Mushi

I've been listening to, importing, and trading goa trance discs for about 6 months now and this one is pretty easily the best one I've heard yet. The album starts with "Bust a Move", a rock-classical-trance hybrid, which is a really powerful and spiritual tune. After that tune you are just [pulled] in and everything melts together and you'll notice your cerebral matter wandering to different colorful realms. I bought this album a second time due to one of the tracks skipping on the original disc I purchased. It is ~*that*~ good. Buy it soon, because this album will NOT be in distribution forever.

Other highly recommended discs:

Hallucinogen's Lone Deranger
Mystery of the 13 Crystal Skulls
Natraj Temple Winterdance

Recommended Sites:

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Hey, if you have even a slight interest in psy-trance or GOA listen up. This album is a must have. After discovering Infected mushroom surfing the internet my view of what makes good trance has been changed for ever. This israeli duo knows how to make ground pounding,yet complex, music that will heighten your senses and open your mind to uncharted musical landscapes. Sure most of the tracks are Dance oriented, but I have found that it has merit off the dancefloor aswell. The classical style melodies and intertwined synths are very well written and produced. Come on, Let yourself get infected.

I am a huge Infected Mushroom fan, and I must say that this is my favorite release by the amazing Israeli duo. Infected Mushroom is by far the most original, complicated, and musically intelligent music I have ever heard, in any genre. Infected Mushroom seamlessly integrates synth and electronic sounds, with real instruments including various stringed instruments (guitars, violins, etc.), wind instruments (horns, flute, etc) as well as high quality samples of acoustic percussion to anything from manipulated vocals to sounds of nature. As far as musicianship is concerned, Infected Mushroom is far and away in a league of their own. Their ability to mix a multitude of synth and non synth sounds, along with some very technical percussion programming and bass is what really sets them apart. They have a knack to write some of the grooviest and coolest sounding basslines I have ever heard in any trance genre. They have the ability to make the darkest trance breaks, but do it in a way that is so smooth and groove oriented that you can't just help but start a dance floor wherever the hell your at. "Bust a Move" is an incredible opening track with some amazing basslines and an amazing break in the middle that actually changes keys and sounds like a new song has begun, yet works so well you can't help but listen to it over and over to actually make sure what you heard just happened. It is the best opening track I have ever heard on a trance disc. "Dracul (Remix)" starts with a great choppy string section then slowly builds with another incredible bassline into one of the most trippy yet danceble parts on the disc. "Nothing Comes Easy (Remix)" is another one of my favorites. Like every other song on this cd it starts with a very strong groove oriented bassline and a very interested chopped "chorus" vocal melody. There are some very cool leads and string parts throughout this song as well. Really cool jam if you ask me. And possibly my favorite song on this disc is "The Missed Symphony". This song starts with a very dark and beautiful piano section with a dark string section. Infected Mushroom really shows for a moment their ability to implement their years of classical music training in various parts of this song, and many other songs throughout this cd.

The amount of time and detail that Infected Mushroom puts into their music really shines through in everything they do. These guys have really done their homework, and it doesn't take long to tell after you start to listen to them. Words simply cannont express the quality that is Infected Mushroom. As a musician myself, I can with no problem admit that I am extremely jealous of the talents that god has given these two men. When I listen to Infected Mushroom, I am constantly asking myself how this can be done. The production is another aspect of their package that is above and beyond anything else out their, and the best part is that Infected Mushroom records and produces all of their albums in their own personal studio. They are quite amazing. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand word, and as far as I am concerned, the music that Infected Mushroom creates can't be described with something as simple as a word. It's something you have to experience.....it's something you have to feel.....it's something you have to know. I highly suggest that anyone, no matter if you are into trance or not pick up this album first, and then continue to build your Infected Mushroom library as fast as you can. Infected Mushroom is truly in a class of their own not as trance artists, but as musicians period. Just get this cd as fast as you can!

I have to be honest here - I'd never heard of Infected Mushroom when I was replacing all my long ago stolen Hallucinogen CDs. It popped up on Amazon's "other people also bought.." list, and I had a look, read the reviews, and decided to give it a shot...

Along came my Amazon box, and this was the last CD I listened to. It should have been the first! Bust A Move (track 1 - I'm listening to it right now) is a frantic but melodic mixture of classical instruments, synth coards, and a pumping bassline you can't help but start moving to.

I don't have the words to describe how good this sounds, and how well it's mixed - some serious thought has gone into this album, and I'd imagine quite a bit of blood, sweat and tears. Piano, guitar, psytrance .. mixed? It works brilliantly.

I've been a fan of psytrance for a long time (Hallucinogen, Astral Projection, Man Without A Name, etc etc), and I've just never heard anything like this before. I started to think all trance was pretty 'samey', the lines were blurring and I couldn't tell the difference anymore. This is one of the most refreshing collections of original, inventive music that I've heard in a very long time.

I cannot recommend this CD highly enough - if you have any interest in psytrance/goa/electronic dance at all, I promise you'll enjoy this CD.

Click that "Add to cart" button now, you won't regret it.