Customer Reviews

Pictures

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

 

 

Timo Maas took a long time to craft "Pictures," the follow-up to his debut "Look" -- apparently, it took two years. A mix'n'match of catchy big beats and ominous electrofunk, this sounds a lot like an intense party going on in a haunted house.

That sound starts off in the second song, which is also the title track. Brian Molko of Placebo takes over most of the vocals, and intones ominously how he won't touch or hurt the subject "unless you ask me to." Man, it's creepy. "Now take off your clothes/I wanna take pictures of you/I wanna capture you... in digital..."

After making your skin crawl with that one, Timo Maas opts for some straightforward dance tracks, full of expansive flourishes and wild big beats. After such a sinister opener, they sound rather lightweight; they're not, but that's the first impression I got. It takes awhile for the darker vibe to gradually return, in the uplifting bubbling of "Enter My World."

Then this album shifts into the hip-hop vibe, and it's not a change for the better. Things are okay when it's just Kelis murmuring above a dancey guitar melody, but then we reach the raw synth, Latin guitar and distorted rap of "Release." The latter should have been left off; the lack of dimension doesn't suit Timo Maas's sound at all.

Fortunately, Mass then shifts back to the dark synth, explosive beats and rapid pace that he does best of all. Some of them are gritty, some are epic, and some are ethereal. But all of them are vaguely ominous, and Molko's eerily dispassionate singing is even better than it was in the early songs of this album.

Fortunately, that dark sound is what dominates this album, and what keeps it from being just another album you can shake it to. Despite some disappointing remix albums, the German technomaster proves that he still has it; the creepy soundscapes, vocals, and eerie sputters and electronic beeps -- in some songs, it sounds like lightning frying a computer.

This isn't a perfect album by any stretch; the hip-hop sounds contrived, and there are spots of filler material. Yet Timo Maas's "Pictures" is a darkly atmospheric album that takes awhile to sink it, but is worth it.

This is an album you'll keep on rotation for days. It has just got that perfect mix of catchy tracks, pumping beats and general slickness that comes with most of Timo's releases. Yeah, it is probably the most commercial release from Maas thus far. The popularity of the hit track "First Day" shows that. But it's with this commercialism that I think we're presented with some of his best work. He has obviously challenged himself since his last album (which was also very good) and to his credit he has utilised the time separating both albums well (e.g. reaching yet another higher level with his musical knowledge and ability). So, my conclusion is that any minimal techno or electro fan will like this album. It's good to listen to either wasted or straight and at any time of the day. Remember to change the CD in your player after a while though. Too much of one thing is never a good thing. Yeah, even Timo!

Timo Maas took a long time to craft "Pictures," the follow-up to his debut "Look" -- apparently, it took two years. A mix'n'match of catchy big beats and ominous electrofunk, this sounds a lot like an intense party going on in a haunted house.

That sound starts off in the second song, which is also the title track. Brian Molko of Placebo takes over most of the vocals, and intones ominously how he won't touch or hurt the subject "unless you ask me to." Man, it's creepy. "Now take off your clothes/I wanna take pictures of you/I wanna capture you... in digital..."

After making your skin crawl with that one, Timo Maas opts for some straightforward dance tracks, full of expansive flourishes and wild big beats. After such a sinister opener, they sound rather lightweight; they're not, but that's the first impression I got. It takes awhile for the darker vibe to gradually return, in the uplifting bubbling of "Enter My World."

Then this album shifts into the hip-hop vibe, and it's not a change for the better. Things are okay when it's just Kelis murmuring above a dancey guitar melody, but then we reach the raw synth, Latin guitar and distorted rap of "Release." The latter should have been left off; the lack of dimension doesn't suit Timo Maas's sound at all.

Fortunately, Mass then shifts back to the dark synth, explosive beats and rapid pace that he does best of all. Some of them are gritty, some are epic, and some are ethereal. But all of them are vaguely ominous, and Molko's eerily dispassionate singing is even better than it was in the early songs of this album.

Fortunately, that dark sound is what dominates this album, and what keeps it from being just another album you can shake it to. Despite some disappointing remix albums, the German technomaster proves that he still has it; the creepy soundscapes, vocals, and eerie sputters and electronic beeps -- in some songs, it sounds like lightning frying a computer.

This isn't a perfect album by any stretch; the hip-hop sounds contrived, and there are spots of filler material. Yet Timo Maas's "Pictures" is a darkly atmospheric album that takes awhile to sink it, but is worth it.

After Timo Maas first own composition album, Loud (not Look as mentioned in other review) I waited in anticipation for the follow up. I had to wait about 6 years but it turned out to be worth the wait.

While, in my mind, this album is not quite as complete as Loud it still excellent and the addition of the Placebo lead singer on two of the most significant tracks was an excellent move.

Again the lyrics range from the philosophical (First Day of the rest your life) to the bizarre (Pictures) and the beat is 'thick' and mesmerizing.

Been looking high and love for the original videos but cant seem to find them... anyone able to assist me on this?

When I picked this up, I didn't have a lot to go on. I'm not real familiar with Timo's remixes, compilations, or past studio work. However, I listened to it and genuinely enjoyed what I was hearing.

The first good thing I can say is that getting Placebo's singer, Brian Mulko, was an amazing step. The dark, crinkly music accompanies his haunting vocal stylings perfectly. Every song featuring him is a song I can't help but enjoy.

Overall, this album almost completely abandons any mental images of a pulsing dancefloor in favor of the grittier back alley, where anything and everything can happen. The music is enticing, seductive, drawing me down further into the dank alley until there is no possible return. This music is beautiful, enrapturing, and just...wow.

Pictures is the first song I enjoy listening to. Slip In Electro Kid is a little too repetetive for my tastes. The lyrics to Pictures are creepy and Brian's singing of them is again, rather seductive. Give this song a real listen, you'll love it.

First Day is the first single off the album, and it also features Brian Mulko, but in a more chorusy way. A female sings the verses, while Brian intones "It's the first day of the rest of our lives". A good song. Definite plus.

High Drama is a looong song, but probably the danciest on the album. It's powerful, explosive, and Nenneh Cherry's vocals are not-so-much pleasant to listen to, but definitely enjoyable. Singable.

4 Ur Ears is the next listenable song, featuring Kelis (of which he apparently collaborates with a lot). This song could almost be featured on HER solo album, and not his. It's very pop&b oriented, not so much electronica. It's fun enough, and worth a listen or ten.

The rest are a little bit of a blur for me, until the final track, Like Siamese. This, again, features Brian Mulko. This song is perfection. I love this song, and could listen to it for hours upon end.

Again, it's not real dancefloor oriented at all. If that's what you are hoping, going into this, perhaps check out Armand Van Helden's new one, Nympho. This, however, is a great dark electronic album. Give it a chance, if you enjoy that style of music.

Turn this album up loud, and it is like having a playmate who is just too big, too strong, too rough. The mauling gentles at time, but it is when Maas invites you to enter his world (the fabulous Track 5) or get in his car ("I won't hurt you unless you ask me to") that things really get interesting.

The artistic persona that hovers over the album is a cold, dangerous personality in the no-man's-land between emotionless observer and sociopath. Exceptional guest vocals, unusual musical touches (such as the Arabic oud on "4 UR Ears" and the saw on "Big Chevy") and an overall concept that is way beyond the dancefloor make this in my opinion a far superior album to "Loud."

Like Royksopp in a steroid rage. Recommended if you don't mind your music a little disturbing.

Timo Maas is well known in the techno DJ world. But he has always kept his music very fresh. He has always collaborated with people in the hiphop and rock and roll world. Again he creates another interesting album. "Slip In Electro Kid" is a little instrumental. On "Pictures" he works with Brian Molko of Placebo: they create a song that sounds a little like a mix of French techno and New Order. Even better is song "First Day" which is very Kraftwerk. The song "High Drama" was written for P. DiddyÕs mythic techno album. Here we have another great performance by Neneh Cherry. This album is a cutting edge as it gets in dance music today. Timo Maas is a person who has been able to reinvent himself with each album and track. I like it.

I was speechless after listening to "Pictures" (3x in a row I might add) "First Day" has the making to be a huge success. Considering all who remixed it on the EP I am sure many agree. "Pictures" is genius it's sick and scary and oddly I still found myself getting an erection. With the exception of "Release" (i'm not at all a fan of Hip Hop) this CD is near Perfection. Take my picture! Check out "4 UR Ears" very sexy!! also Like Siamese is very cool!

Posle odlicnog uvoda temom Slip In Electro Kid, Timo Maas nam nudi Pictures pesmu po kojoj se album i zove, i u kojoj kao vokal i tekstopisac gostuje Brian Molko. Album obecava prave mracne electro talase, i tako i nastavlja sa pesmom First Day, gde je ponovo glas pevaca benda Placebo odigrao veliku ulogu. Slede jos tri odlicne pesme High Drama, Enter My World i 4 Ur Ears, i onda dolazi totalni presek i gubitak i smisla i koncepcije i svega. Drugu polovinu nevredi slusati, nema svrhe. Jedino sto bi jos moglo da se izvuce je i pesma Devil Feel, ali dve pesme koje slede pre nje i tri posle nje je toliko utope da i zaboravite da ste je ikada culi.
Od veoma dobrog albuma kakav je mogao da bude, Timo Maas je pruzio nazalost samo osrednjost, sto jedino vodi u brz zaborav.

After listening to this cd for the first time I immediately dubbed it to my mp3 player. When I work out the music has to be fast and motivating and "Pictures" is exactly that.