Customer Reviews

Soundsystem 01

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let me preface this review with a few things: First off, Hybrid is one of my favourite bands (if not my favourite). That being said, I was pretty disappointed with their last release, last year's "Re-mixed". While it had a few stand out excellent tracks (like the Stedfan Anion & Starfire remix of "Until Tomorrow"), most of it was disappointing generic house remixes. I understand that it wasn't actually compiled by Hybrid (but a last ditch cash-grab by their ex-record company), it still left a bad taste in my mouth.

Fast-forward to now, and I hear that Soundsystem_01 is going to be a "departure" from previous Hybrid stuff, so safe to say, I was somewhat apprehensive.

It is a departure from the regular breakbeat Hybrid fare, but it's also one of the most artful DJmixes I've heard, and a fantastic album.

Disc one is arguably the stronger of the two discs, and is a compilation of downtempo "glitchy" techno and movie soundtrack pieces. However, stating just that is a disservice to how well this CD plays out. It isn't a danceable disc, as it's meant to be put on and really listened to. It's a very personal, emotional, and artful compilation of music. It starts off subtle and minimal, and moves to sweeping orchestral scores, and back again. Not only is the selection of music excellent, but Hybrid really show off their musical prowess with how well it seamlessly transitions from one song to another. When i initially but the disc in, I got to track 4 before I realized that the songs had changed. This is definitely an album that needs to be listened from front to back. While a little short, this disc is worth the price of admission alone.

Standout Tracks:
Trifonic - "Parks on Fire"
Harry Gregson Williams - "Saladin"
Charlotte James - "Shadows of the City"
Barry Jamieson - "Arp Thing"

Disc two is much more standard techno fare, as Hybrid mix together a list of generally excellent techno/house tracks, while still keeping with the overall soundscape of the album. While not nearly as strong emotionally or musically, it's still a very strong DJ mix and once again showcases Hybrid's excellent skill in mixing and song selection. Of note are the numerous Hybrid productions in this disc, including the excellent "Formula of Fear" remix, and an interesting take on Long Range's "Just One More". It's not a perfect selection, as there are a few tracks that get repetitive or aren't musically as strong as the rest, but it's enjoyable nonetheless.

Standout Tracks:
Long Range - "Just One More (Hybrid Matrix Dub)"
Hybrid feat. Charlotte James - "The Formula of Fear (Hybrid Remix)"
Oliver Moldan vs. Harada - "Fortune Cookie (Jerome Isma-Ae Mix)"
Elite Force - "Shivva"

All in all, this is a fantastic album, and really brings Hybrid back to form. While I personally am more of a fan of Hybrid's breakbeat offerings, I wholeheartedly recommend this disc. It's different, but it shows that Hybrid is trying new things and stretching their creative wings. Give this album a chance, and it will definitely deliver.

I'm eagerly awaiting Hybrid's 4th artist album, and in the meantime, I hope this'll tide me over -- the name leads me to believe there'll be future "Soundsystem" installments.

Previous reviews have done a fantastic job of covering the guts, so here's my perspective on what makes this mix stand out amidst a sea of so many DJ mixes.

One of the most distinguishing feature draws from Hybrid's fine pedigree in mixing the film music (orchestral) and dance music (electronic) worlds; it's very easy to sample some string loops and plop them over a beat, not so facile to really weave together a compelling arrangement as they've done with my fave track they've done to this day, "Finished Symphony", and more recent collaborations with Harry Gregson-Williams (whose work is expected to sound like Hans Zimmer due to his Media Ventures heritage -- big on the anthems and very action-packed!).

No surprise then, that film scores find themselves alongside ambient glitch here. Andy Page's "Yellow Tracksuit" is one of his more subdued selections, and the name seems like a Kill Bill reference -- what's so special about Page is his proclivity for glitchy, obsessively detailed production methods which've influenced Hybrid, BT, and many others.

Speaking of BT, Hybrid share a similar strength of having pop song structure intermingle with experimental electronics, and a likeminded track which highlights this is Trifonic's "Parks on Fire". At first, it sounded like it came from BT's This Binary Universe album -- and indeed, I researched and read that Trifonic collaborated with BT on that amazing opuses of modern symphonic-electronic; signature stutters can be heard, serving as an intriguing bedside companion for dark bass stabs that traditionally belong on drum 'n' bass tracks, and chopped-up acoustic instrumentation. WONDERFUL!

Thus, the 1st disc thematically belongs in my mental category of "mixes that would suit the soundtrack to a city of the future". There's an overt cyberpunk impression to the work, altho it's never unappealingly claustrophobic. And of course, before you know it (listen to Disc 1 at bedtime; if you're new to "this kind" of music, it's unconventional but eclectic), we head into Disc 2... the DANCEY side of things!

Some very catchy floor-fillers which blend into each other here, never losing their identity but riffs like raised hands motivating you to pump your hands into the air. Unlike its more sedate counterpart, Disc 2 is faster and harder-edged. A lot of it makes great driving music.

For example, the Hybrid remix of Longrange's "Just One More" could easily be a track on a Wipeout game soundtrack, blazing in the background as you pilot your anti-G racer to history.

Then, there's the pressure-cooker that is Soliquid's "Lonesfield", almost delicate (but not fragile) chime elements recalling Gill Norris' "Forme". If you loved that classic, you'll also appreciate this catchy indulgence.

Lank's "Confrontation" has some of the toughest piano-like meanderings and amped-up handclaps to emerge out of the progressive house scene, never acting pretentious, but it too, serving as an ideal companion on a desert drive. Wild whooshes cue in new sections, only leading you forward...

Finally, in one of my fave moments on either disc, Elite Force's originally beatless "Shivva" is overlaid on top of Steffano Greppi's "Electro Pop (Ambient Mix)". What's so cool about this is, if you're familiar with Elite Force, you know he's typically associated with tough, rolling breakbeat tracks -- but this unorthodox, gentle cut works a treat atop the closing minutes.

I firmly recommend this flexible delight of a mix, and if you're looking for something that roams into familiar territory but is all too happy to guide you beyond, look no further than Hybrid's Soundsystem 01!

This is by far one of the most amazing emotional , theatrical, mind blowing experiences Ive ever been through. You have to be very open minded to listen to something as detailed as disc 1 and really learn to appreciate music like this. Quite frankly im left speechless from the sequencing of all effects, strings, orchestra, and the "Glitch Effect" I Cannot even begin to think of what this album could have been like if BT would have collaborated. BT opened a new door a new world for electronic music with "Binary Universe" and Hybrid with This album is showing us & leading the way for future masterpieces.. I would recommend this to any listener. You guys ROCK.

I bought this album because I've always been a fan of Hybrid and had been waiting for the new release.

First off, this is a bit of a departure from the older stuff. This is not the "finished symphony" type of Hybrid.

If you fell in love with them due to their remixes, progressive breaks, and trance inspired tracks, know that this is a bit different. (The first cd is very downtempo)

That said this is still a great album.

1 It's a double (always a plus)
2 It is seamlessly mixed
3 It is moody as hell (like Sasha on smack)
4 It is extremely original

If you dig on Sasha (Involver, Invol2ver), or Thom Yorke you will love this album--I think both of them collaborated on this album.

Very moody, Very dark, Very good.

If you love it, check out Markus Schulz, or the Fahrenheit Project.

I have a couple of decent monitors on stands, trained at each of my ears from about three feet. And I was prompted to write this review because it occurs to me that I have no recollection of the past hour during which I have been listening to Soundsytem 01. No, it's not what you're thinking it is...

I *know* what I was doing, but I liken it those nights when you get home on auto-pilot while having no clear memory of the trip (sober). Disc 2 in particular is just one throbbing masterpiece of a soundscape, a pulsing continuity that - while retaining a similar or even exact same time signature - never manages to be fatiguing, boring, or grating. This is in stark contrast to the lion's share of electronica out there. The instruments here, or the emulations thereof, are top notch. Strings are moody, foreboding, and yet soothing. Bass lines are punchy; nice and squelchy. All capped off by that relentless march of the drum modules.

This is masterful electronica, folks. I can't believe that anyone could listen to this in it's entirety and not come away affected. And that's one of the rawest measurements of art. An album this evocative, this trance-inducing (yeah, I used that word) deserves five stars. It far, far outshines the lauded new classic, "Wide Angle." That album, while excellent on its own merits, does not approach the sheer power of Soundsytem 01. Unfortunately, that intangible quality can't accurately be conveyed to you by words. Get this album and settle in, folks. It's a long ride. IMHO, disc 2 is even better than the first.

In case you didn't hear me the first: This is a masterpiece of both music and engineering.

This album is not actually Hybrid. This album is Hybrid's favorite music blended into a seamless masterpiece of entertainment by Hybrid.

Whether or not you like Hybrid is really irrelevant to this album.

This album is not to be categorized into genres. The variety and depth of the music on disc 1 is astounding and it is so well mixed that I cannot compare it to anything that has ever come before it.

Simply put, disc 1 is the best electronic album I have ever heard. Disc 2 will keep the dance fans happy, but disc 1 is clearly meant to take center stage in this compilation.

If you have an appreciation for subtle, complex, and beautiful music that is meant for in depth listening this album is not to be missed.

This CD is a collaboration with several other artists and it came out beautifully. There isn't one bad song on it. Everything does, however, flow perfectly together and it's kind of hard to just jump into a song since it's really one two-hour peice. I love it though.

Wow- Hybrid has done it again. This CD is incredibly well mixed. Like several of the reviews had stated earlier, I did not know that the track number had changed until I noticed my CD player read track 5. However, I am a "selective" fan of Hybrid. I love If I Survive and Beachcoma, but some their more "underground" electronic doesn't sit well. That being said, CD 1 is excellent. This album feels like it follows the successes of a man/ woman (or society) trying to exist in a post-apocalyptic world. This is my view, mostly because a majority of the songs are instrumental. The CD begins slowly with a Harry Williams start and slowly builds with several zeniths. However, the true magic begins with the last four tracks. Charlotte James does an excellent job with Shadows in the City. Then Arp Thing by Jameison does a great job of filling the gap to next track. World Citizen is absolutely spell binding and quite moving. World Citizen moves beautifully into the final act (which I think could be considered an act of God.) The best way to describe the final track without giving it away would be to say there has never been such a mix of electronic clubish sounds being drowned out by a single piano note being drowned out by an (I think) African Choir. The first time I listened to this album, I was studying Collegiate Biology in a soft green light in my room with the occasional flash of lightning. For a moment, I really did think that I had died and had started to transcend reality.

Okay, the truth on CD 2. I have never cared for Euro Club Electronic music, so CD 2 would not be my top pick. However, the CD is mixed in a similar fashion to CD 1, so that by the time track 3 had rolled around, I though I was still on track 1. Perhaps, CD 2 would be better suited for someone with European Electronic tastes.

I love Hybrid and I love their older stuff, and this is not what you would have heard 10 years ago in a club when you went to see them. However, it is great! These discs have quickly become some of my favorite music to throw on. Its pretty laid back overall and very well put together. What I didn't realize until I actually sat down and listened was the incredible depth to this music. I highly recommend this CD, and when you get it do your self a favor and carve out some time to sit and really listen.

And ding dong ding dong, as the track comes vibrating by your ear, you slowly start to feel disc 1, sizzling dare I say by you with such ever greatness as he pulls out "Parks on Fire" just the record steeler and you haven't even Heard lostep's 6am sedan, that's how you know the mix rocks, Hybrid, man this is something they needed to do. I thought BT's set was similar in sound but this is much better. This is definitely taking something better then BT knew or could of guessed. I feel this one could be a movie, as it glides through sounds similar to Philip Glass, with a trancier spaced out feel. Charlotte James' shadows of the city is the exact sound of this disc, perfect stormy weather on like a Tuesday afternoon. Very relaxing soothing violin, cello style of sound, just whistling by you. Very nice disc.

Disc 2 is much more picked up, awesome disc, as the beginning couldn't get much better with those two tracks. I don't think much can beat Quivver's new Surin. But there is a point in this disc when I was about to give up on it write after the intro but before the end, wait for it, because the ending really picks up a head of steam, but the drums sound like someone whipping a trashcan.

And this song get's it's own paragraph, Lank's "Confrontation" is the hottest song known to man right now, phew, man I'm still sweating.

Exciting disc 5 stars for Disc 1 all the way through, plain and simple, and 4.5 stars for disc 2.