Customer Reviews

Elevators & Oscillators

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

 

 

This is sort of a companion piece to Solvent's last full-length, "Apples and Synthesizers", which features some of the warmest, most melodic music you will ever hear made electronically. This CD features a handful of brand new Solvent tracks, including the excellent "Wish" which I would describe as a modern-day synth-pop version of "Stand By Me". You really don't need to know anything about electronic music to enjoy this.

Almost all of the remixes are worthwhile, as well. The highlights are Alter Ego's sinister remix of "Think Like Us" which is the hardest, most banging track on here. Schneider TM's remake of "My Radio" is the polar opposite. He strips it down and adds acoustic guitar, along with new vocals and lyrics.

Definitely pick this up if you have "Apples and Synthesizers". Even if you don't own any Solvent already, this is a good start because of the wide range of styles.

For those of you that just can't get enough of the 1980's, and miss the sweet sound of synth pop, Elevators & Oscillators, by Solvent, is for you. Utilizing his passion for vintage analog synthesizers and Depeche Mode, Solvent has forged a sound that's retro, yet current. Elevators & Oscillators is comprised of vocoded, pop inspired vocals that float weightlessly atop a light, ethereal musical bed. Despite being a solo effort, over half of the songs on this album are remixes. The three versions of "For You" and "My Radio," add variety, but make the album a bit monotonous. Those interested in Solvent would be better served by checking out Apples & Synthesizers, a previous release containing 13 tracks including the original mixes of "For You" and "My Radio."

- Jason Catanzarite
Synthesis.net

First off, I need to say I was not entirely impressed by Apples & Synthesizers; I think Solvent City somehow has much more depth. I felt that Apples & Synthesizers is one of those albums that tries too hard, or perhaps is too contentedly made, or both. There definitely are some good moments on the album, those that are an advancement in sound and structure, but there's a predominant lack of overall cohesiveness there, to my ears.

But on Elevators and Oscillators, some of the tracks from that album have been given some high quality attention by other similarly-minded artists. First off, I totally fell in love with The Mitgang Audio's album of 2003, and he does not fail to deliver a really nice rendition of My Radio here. Solvent's original is okay, but Mitgang Audio's version is great. I also really like the Alter Ego version of Think Like Us. The Solvent (and Tinfoil Teakettle) version is really good, but Alter Ego gives it a huge dose of testosterone, and it serves the song nicely. The other track I really like on this compilation is the JDSY remix of For You, a song that I find annoying in its original state, but is given wings by JDSY. The track sounds like Arovane on steroids, which is cool with me. (Note to self: Get some Alter Ego and JDSY music.)

I don't really mind that there's repetition in tracks here, because all the remixers are great artists and give the tracks their own unique signatures. And if you're liking Solvent's latest sound, there's some new stuff on here for you, too, although I have to say he's been missing the mark for me lately. Do I recommend the album? If you're a familiar fan of this genre and like the dudes from Ghostly and Suction, then yeah. If you're merely looking for some good retro/electro/modular dance music, I'd look elsewhere.

This album made me think of summer, lying in the grass in a park in Copenhagen, drinking cheap beer that we'd picked up in germany on a bus trip filled with bad-smelling pensioners, trying to figure out where the music was coming from but not really caring that much.