Customer Reviews

Effector

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Effector is a very solid release for Download, and will prove to be the most accessible material Key and Philth have released yet. However, I can't help but be somewhat disappointed with 'Effector' for the same reasons that I disliked 'III': as it lacked the industrial ambition and raw noise experimentation that "Stanley Pain" had. Reading all of the hype leading up this album, and reading quotes from Key himself, I admit that I was expecting a return to the angry noise aggression style Download had on stanley pain. Just to clarify things for everyone else - Effector follows in the same direction as III and does NOT pick up where stanley pain left off.

This does not make Effector bad though. What Ive come to realize is that Download will never return to the style on Stanley Pain for the simple reason that all those crazy noise samples that made you wonder "how the f@&k did they do that???" were courtesy of the now deceased Dwayne Goettel. Even Key himself claims that Dwayne was capable of things no one else was capable of - so rather than dwell on the fact that Download is going in a different direction, let's admire what Key and Philth have to give us in the present, and give the respect that is due to Effector.

In my opinion, this is just a tad better than III. For one thing, Effector has some really catchy hooks that make the album an entertaining listen rather than just something you have in the background, as was the case with III. (especially the last track "affirmed" which kind of resembles a noise unit track). The dark ambience and evil serene feel is almost exactly the same as that felt on III, only this time it has the melodies to complement it. There's also a great deal of vocal sampling, which makes Effector more interesting as well. But most importantly, Effector presents s sonic structure that is much more complex than the one III, and it consequently paints a stronger vision: the dark samples and ambience contrast very well with catchy melodies that fade in and out, and some really unique hip hop and acid house beats. Be sure to check out "Carrier Tone" for the epitome of this mixture - that's one killer track! The mixture of these elements just combine so much better than they did on III. It also makes Effector a more fluid listen - as I dont feel compelled to skip tracks like I did on III. In other words, Effector is more of a perfection of the style on III, as opposed to a direct growth out of the stanley pain era.

But honestly, I liked it better when Download was about making noises purposely intended not to be melodic whatsoever, and when their beats where hard and pounding. (which is why I cant help but rate this as 4 stars) But now they've evolved into a more mature, laid back and accessible territory sort of along the lines of DJ Spooky or Juno Reactor , and they are now a cut above the rest, whereas I wouldn't ahve said so with III. So rather than yearning for those old hardcore industrial days, appreciate the fine piece of mastery Effector is, and enjoy it for what its worth.

Rather than rephrase everything that has been said so far, I'll give you my personal thoughts about each song of what has to be one of Download's most impressive albums to date:

1. Carrier Tone: soothing, yet malicious patterns of electronics and beats... great ambience yet enough energy to create a terrific intro to the album.

2. Muscaria: Haunting vocals, reminiscent of the Skinny Puppy era morph their way into the introduction, fading out into a random array of electronic noise, then bound together as the beat finally sets in, and you can't stop feeling like you want to start moving your body in time to the music... The song changes enough that what you hear at the beginning of Muscaria is definitely not the same song it finishes with.

3. Vagator: A hilarious prank phone call starts off the song - in come the happy-go-lucky pop-music synth bleeps, and the sounds of an authentic drum kit (as opposed to the electronic variety)... you can imagine cEvin Key and Phil Western grinning like goofs as they wrote this one! If this song doesn't get everyone up and dancing, nothing will...

4. Ego Dissolve: Distant sounding noises form the intro... very atmospheric, but it soon wears away as a heavy bass beat enters... very tribal sounding B'BOOM-BOOM with fitting noise scattered here and there.

5. The Guide: Another song with great energy, one of my personal favourites. Random words that come to mind when I hear this song: clockwork, springs, Asia, positivity. The song's extremely energetic almost with a hint of reggae, and I remember it had everyone dancing like lunatics on the dance floor when they played it in Vancouver during their recent winter 2000 tour.

6. Chrysanthemum: Dirk Diggler Saturday night jam party music. ;) Seriously though, this repetitive (though catchy) song has a strong flavour of the 1970's. It's essentially a great song for chilling out.

7. Ayahuasca: Yet another song to chill out to. Soothing sounds fade in and out over the beats, and chiming piano-esque notes ring through... if I were to describe a setting to this song, it would be that of a misty beach on an overcast day along the Oregon coast... until of course, when energetic drumming finishes the song off... one of the highlights off the album.

8. Two Worlds Collide: Probably the most "industrial" sounding song off of the entire album with its use of bizarre modified samples. Two Worlds Collide could perhaps mean "Fritter: Stella's Home meets the year 2000" ;) A very unique soundscape, unthreatening at first, until the warped "I'll kill you" sample repeats over and over. Near the end, a fresh burst of intensity climaxes and continues for a good minute, where you can't help but blast this song LOUD.

9. Reggae meets Download (sort of). *grin* There's really no song like this one... simple, yet catchy beats and rhythms... with atmospheric synths and samples playing in the background. Another song which left the crowd on the dance floor moving in a flowing form of energy...

In conclusion? Effector is fresh, energetic and a "must have" for fans of cEvin Key, or fans of the electro-ambient music genre. After 6 months it's still in my CD player. Enough said!

Anything that Cevin Key does is generally good. This guy never ceases to amaze me- he is a musical genius. Each track on Effector is unique and good in its own way. My only complaint about this CD is that its too short (just under fifty minutes). By the time I listen to this CD from start to finish, I am left feeling like I want more. My favorite track is The Guide. I also recommend "Music For Cats" by Cevin Key.

Download takes it to the next level. Effector was a pleasant shift from the expected. Download seemed to start as an extension of Doubting Thomas and both were relatively accessible in their own strange dimented way. Download progressed more towards the experimental to a point where initial listenings were interesting, yet repeated listenings became almost aggitating. This is not unlike much of Puppy (the true masters of industrial), yet Puppy pulled it off in a somehow acceptable manner. Fortunately, 'Effector' shines in this aspect. At times almost tribal, with new and interesting tones and timbres, 'Effector' is a pleasant journey into a psychotic and melodic mayhem. I always thought that the vocals on previous Download albums were what made it so harsh and at times overly disturbing. 'Effector' seems to remedy this. Very few (if any) vocals make the listener focus on Cevin Key and Philth's truly masterful use of ryhthm and tones. I didn't think there would be a Download album as interesting as 'The Eyes of Stanley Pain', yet here it is.

Even if you didn't like some of the other Download albums, get this one.....really.

After having grown up with Skinny Puppy, Doubting Thomas, and other Cevin Key's projects, it took me a few to get used to Download's more abstract sense of beat driven film score music. However, it is, in my opinion, a more original style of music than other industrial acts of today which embrace the "oh-so-common" metal or techno genres. Download stays true and doesn't succumb to either, yet remains pioneering, accessible, and beautiful head-music. "Effector" continues where "III" left off and takes a vacation to the Asian underground and beyond. A very danceable yet haunting album sure to remain in my cd player for quite some time. Fans of Download won't be disappointed, except for the short length. A 46 min cd that should've been 80. I need more!

Basically each song has aspects that make it hard, dark and dirty... however, each then countered with pads and leads that make them soft, eerie and also strangely beautiful. cEvin always does a lot with a little...

This is one of my favorite discs next to cEvins "The Ghost of Each Room"... Carrier Tone is possibly the most genius song I have ever encountered! The CD is worth the purchase and a 5 star review simply due to this song alone. The other tracks require a little more attention to understand but once to that point the whole album is a gem.

- - = PEOPLE NEW TO CEVIN'S WORK = - -
Upon first listening to any of cEvin's work you'll begin to question cEvin's integrity as a vital member of Skinny Puppy and as an artist... is he a raging mad-man with no direction spewing ridiculous nonsense or is there the possibility that cEvin Key is an absolute utter genius that I do not fully understand yet. That said, given enough time you will discover the latter is very true. cEvin is a genius on the level of greats, a modern day Mozart.

i think its the best download yet. light years ahead of the crappy electronic music that has come out recently.several standout tracks, and awesome production.

This is by far the best release yet by "Download". cEvin Key's Drum work is outstanding. Both Cevin Key and Phil Western (along with the additional work by WIlliam Van Rooy) on the electronics are great. The Album flows so good. From "Carrier Tone" all the way to "Affirmed" it is such a good album. Though it differs from Download's previous releases (Which are also great.) It still stands out as a strong Download release. It's great for background music or just to listen to. BUY THIS NOW....

My favorite album of all time. I just like how it sounds. The best fusion of cEvin and Phil's individual sound. A welcoming, warm album that attracts almost anyone listening in while you play it.

This album is truly amazing. It is deeply structured and still very accessible(opposed to other download albums).

Carrier Tone - A spacy trip that blends into perfection, one of the best Download(anyone for that matter) tracks.

Muscaria - A chill laid back rhythmic dancey song with some great sampling and clicks and bass and it's just awesome.

Vagator - The heaviest track of the album. Shuddering industrial beats lay waste on this great track.

Ego Dissolve - Starts out with spacey soundscapes, then quickly regains a beat somewhat similar to that of Vagator. Later in the song the beat takes on a penetrating sound and rivets with a voice saying "Let me dream of clairvoyance." Then a sort of funky twisting sound kicks in and then releases into a relaxing stasis of alien sounds and then the beat comes back for one more round as it leads into the next great track.

The Guide - Such a deep track, it makes me think of a high-speed journey through the jungle. A sort of xylophone sound is the prime of the refrain, rolling over thumping beats and layers of madness :). The track ends with a sort of hooting/howling and quickly leads into....

Chrystantheum - Some chilled out voices... and then boom you got a very accessible track with some great funk and rhythm to it.

Ayahuasca - Named after the cult drug. The song starts out with the trademark spacyness that is in Ego Dissolve and Carrier Tone. The track has some great tribal drums and when they reach their full potential later in the song it sends shivers down my spine. The drums rivet back and forth with great sampling doing the same. Perhaps too cliche' of a word but this is one of the "chillest" tracks I have ever heard.

Two Worlds Collide - The centerpiece of the album, however it is unfortunately the 2nd to last track. From the artwork on the album of mid eastern cultural items, it leads me to believe that the message of the album is about how there are many worlds within Earth, and the Mid-East is one of them and the western invasion on them is truly leading to what is repeated throughout the first section of the song... "I'll Kill You". A violent demonologist voice repeats these words for a while in the song, then the song UNLOADS into a blasting fast beat that rips and tears for a while, then it explodes and rips into layers and sounds millions of cells wide(although it doesn't sound anything like it, it is reminiscent to me of Human Disease (S.K.U.M.M) from Skinny Puppy, with its explosive and stretching of layers to all levels). Then a sort of voice gurgling out something that sounds to me like "Flow Alone" but who knows?

Affirmed - Picks up where Two Worlds left off but with a more slower moving beat that invigorates and charges.

All in all... this is one of the greatest albums I have ever heard and naive perhaps but one of the greatest albums I will ever hear. Get it and love it.