Customer Reviews

Digital Shades, Vol. 1

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Two years after M83 released "Before The Dawn Heals Us", the brainchild of Anthony Gonzalez comes back with an album that takes their sound to a place that is even more heart wrenching than it was before. Picking up the quieter, more ambient moments of the previous album, "Digital Shades Vol. 1" is positioned to become an ambient classic from the get-go.

If you like what you listen, you should go and dig into Raising Your Voice Trying to Stop an Echo by Hammock, The Dead Texan and And Their Refinement of the Decline by Stars of the Lid. If you don't like what you hear... get yourself checked. :)

The release of this album was somewhat of a surprise with the unusual rush. This may explain why the length of the album is but only 35 minutes. Although, as the name has it, Digital Shades Vol 2 is only expected to be released in 2011.

That not really being the problem, for many M83 fans who have noticed a progressive change from the Electro outfit that M83 was to an infusion of sound and noise establishment, this album has come at a bit of a surprise.

Given, Anthony Gonzalez has decided to go on a route that was first noticed in his debut album selftitled "M83". But this is still vastly different in that gone are the drums and bass that would fill all voids in previous albums. Instead, a progressive nature is felt through all tracks where as one moves into the song, new chords and organ-type feel music comes into play. It is almost as if as the more you listen to the song, the more of a trance you are getting into. The melodics go very well and is designed to be listened to at low volumes in an ambietic nature apart from "Colouring The Void".

All in all, this should actually have been the debut album for M83 to allow the progression to still continue.

I approached this new M83 disc with a little trepidation. The title and barely promoted release smacks of a mix album along the lines of "Late Night Tales." Don't let that dissuade you as "Digital Shades Vol. 1" is in fact a proper album. Additionally, the word that did get out on this album stressed the ambient nature of it. Considering M83 previous sound with dramatic crescendos and pulsing percussion, I worried that this would not play to the group's strengths. Fortunately, this was also an inaccurate assumption.

Truthfully, this isn't really an ambient disc, at least not along the lines of Aphex Twin's or Brian Eno's ambient work. I'd compare this more with early 80's Tangerine Dream albums such as Tangram. Still, M83 carves out its own distinctive niche, and it's a glorious one.

The sweeping grandeur of M83's synths and compositions make this an instant electronic classic. Everything here is strong, which I can even say for the groups previous impressive, but sometimes spotty albums.

In fact, my only complaint is the running time. We end up with about 35 minutes of music, which is pretty odd for an electronic album. Mastermind Gonzales is definitely leaving me salivating for more. Let's hope there's a volume two soon.

This time around, Anthony Gonzalez (now the sole member of M83) tries his hand at New Age essentially. Casual fans of the band be warned that this album is largely two-track compositions performed on synthesizer. No drums, no guitar. Unless one is a fan of ambient New Age music, then they should pass on the "Digital Shades" series. That said, the music here is an effective exercise in minimalism, both in melody and arrangement. The fact that Gonzales is able to hold our attention with very little effort for 35 minutes is a testimony to his gifts as a composer. While this album does remind one of the early works of New Age giants like Jean-Michel Jarre & Vangelis, it lacks the depth needed to rise above mediocrity. Still, the hushed sweetness of this work is welcome from an artist known more for his abrasive intensity.

Highlights include the voice-synth magic on "Coloring The Void," the pulsating "My Own Strange Path" which sounds like a reprise of Ennio Morricone's "Gabriel's Oboe," the piano/synth-string lead "Dancing Mountains" & the heavenly finale called "The Highest Journey." For newcomers to M83, start with the band's third album "Before The Dawn Heals Us" as it best represents what Gonzalez's music is all about. He has proven himself to be a master of contrasting the light and dark elements of melody into a symphony of grey.

This is an album for the devoted M83 fan, but Post-Rock music hunters should pass on this effort in favor of the band's first three albums. The final verdict for me is "Digital Shades, Vol. 1" is an interesting work of ambient mood music, which further extends the range of this remarkable Dream-Pop band.

I picked up M83s new CD expecting something alot like Dont save us, and to my suprise it wasnt like it at all. More like their older work, it is very quite and peaceful. At first I didnt give it the time of day, until one day I was on a plane and decided to listen to it. I went straight to "The Highest Journey" and i played it over and over again for an hour and a half while watching the tops of white clouds go by. If your looking for an up beat electronic dance record, get Dont save us from the flames. If you want ambient, beautiful, emotional(made me cry), relaxing music look no further. This is it and this album has entered M83 into my all time best bands.

It's a logical step for M83 to explore soundscapes and environments, as one of the more alluring but haunting tunes on the previous album, "I Guess I'm Floating" is one of the more memorable, almost a nod to Blade Runner sort of thing, if not impacting alongside "Don't Save Us From the Flames". Digital Shades, surprisingly, doesn't capture that same power as that song did in 2 minutes, with only "Sister Part 2" capturing that allure and passion. But what really hurts the album is that M83 only touches upon that epic power, giving fans tidbits of an incomplete symphony. Just as soon as the listener falls into the soundscape, they're kicked out. It's that abruptness that prevents this experiment from being a memorable one.

I was expecting something along the lines of their previous album, which I continue to enjoy, but Digital Shades is a much different creature. Gone are the drums and guitars, and in its place are ambient instrumental soundscapes. Before the Dawn Heals Us was energetic and soaring, but this one seems perfectly content to pursue a quieter muse that probably won't appeal to previous listeners.

Digital Shades is like the calm after the storm, and it sometimes meanders frustratingly, and songs often end before they get a chance to take off. It's like interludes from a Vangelis album. As much as I admire their artistic prowess and happy ignorance of trends, I can only recommend it to people who are really into M83.

The thing is, if you're reading this, then you are probably in that camp. In which case, I hope you enjoy it more than I did.

After a few years of waiting, M83 has hit its listeners and fans with another great, fresh, inspiring album. If you look at all the album art of M83's past albums, and compare them to "Digital Shades Vol.1" you can tell this a different side of M83. M83's new softer and lighter touch of sound waves to the ear gives you a dreamy, yet still ghostly effect like their previous album "Before The Dawn Heals Us". Digital Shades has lost the "industrial" feel you'd come to love but surprisingly it's new calming sounds haven't left out M83's originality, so for any M83 fan out there, this album won't disappoint. 5 stars, for making me dream into the never ending cycle of life.

If Ambient isn't your style you may not like this, though I don't know who wouldn't. If you do like Ambient, this is a classic. A gorgeous, sublime album.

... before the dawn heals me of my cocktails and *ills... before colors fade from black to white... before i realize i have let myself go......... when i thought about writing a review to this CD i couldn't imagine where to start. "Waves, waves, waves" seems to serve the sole purpose of casting one into the perpetual motion of m83's arms. as if one hits play on the docks and hits track 2 somewhere else. 1st time listeners may be startled by the choir boy intro to "Coloring the Void." i personally welcome the chant knowing that i will be granted a euphoric uplifting voyage towards sweet release. i struggle to make out the words, but become so weak to the chant that i fail to care as it concludes. "Sister (Part 1)" takes over with its riddling chords. possible confusion alluding with disappointment. it is as if m83 wants us to feel his despair with prior confrontations with his sister. it then subtlety fades into "Strong and Wasted." a powerful crescendo distorted with bird chirps and dramatic chords... i somehow feel the energy focusing on omnipotence. as if he realizes he is alone in the choices he makes, but at the same time is empowered by them... which perfectly leads into "My Own Strange Path." a song representing an idea one must all face. not one single person will ever experience the same events; we are all unique and should treasure our timelines. reflection; acceptation; confidence... where will your future lead you? ... and then "Dancing Mountains" ... the 2nd longest track on the CD with a long held note to let you think for yourself. i always seem to feel regret for not accomplishing all that i possibly can. i think everyone will find themselves feeling disappointment, as the chords make me feel so... but even though the chord remains the same, the ends instills determination. "Sister (Part 2)" returns with the vocals "stay away from me" with the feeling that it was very hard for him to reject his sister. for him to decide that she is not a positive influence and he needs to move on. "By the Kiss" creeps in with its slow crescendo towards bliss and depression. he is so happy, but so sad at the same time. wondering if the sacrifices outweigh the circumstances towards goodness. worries begin to distort and by indulging in the kiss he finds himself transcending to above & beyond. "Space Fertilizer" feels like an interlude to allow one to grasp reality for a moment before fully dissolving in the last track to follow. "The Highest Journey" begins with a powerful repetitive piano melody... soon to follow is the light chorus which only m83 can use to always transform repetition into art. i am trapped by the piano in the physical world, while i am transcended spiritually by the chorus. i know i am going to make it, but i very much so don't want it end. i know its over and so should you. try to get every last emotional measure before it slowly fades away... an amazing CD finally comes to an end..... i loved this CD so much and can say it ties my list for #1 with "Nathan Fake's - Drowning in A Sea of Love." if you have any comments < mario.m.marotta@gmail.com >