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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A new direction, May 7, 2008
Andy Hunter wasn't joking when he said this anticipated new release would be more of an artist album than a DJ album. With a stronger focus on vocals and a diverse track list rather than the usual dance sound, he is back with as much slick polish and creativity that listeners have come to expect.
As soon as "Sound Pollution" fades in with its morose code beeps, eerie chants, soothing string arrangements and the driving beat approaching, you know you're in for another rich electronic experience. "Stars" follows with dreamy piano and comforting vocals by Mark Underdown while "Shine" continues the sonic dream with a catchy rhythm accompanied with Shaz Sparks delivering beautifully simplistic lyrics. The tempo slows down for a relaxed but infectious sound on "Miracle" but the sudden jolt of "System Error" kicks the synthetic party back up to speed.
"Smile" uses some slick violin work to great effect with potent vocals by Midge Ure but things start getting funky thanks to the fun and bright singing range of D'Morgan on "Technicolour". Andy Hunter and Shaz Sparks create an ambient duet on "Together" and Cathy Burton makes a welcome return from appearing on the Exodus track "Translucent", this time with the crisp and encouraging "Fade". The album closes with "Out Of Control", a track that continues the frantic energy of "Come On" from the previous album Life, while "You" uses a bright progressive beat with effortless simplicity and meaningful lyrical content ('You are the one. The one in three. Three in one. Infinity.').
With an impressive and somewhat surprising amount of musical and vocal variety, it's apparent that Andy Hunter is trying new things. While it may take some getting used to in comparison to his previous releases, it's a spiritually uplifting, dynamic and "Colour"-ful listening experience that satisfies on many levels.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The next step, June 5, 2008
On Andy Hunter's last album, Life, the Christian trance producer provided us with waves of aural delight, each track clocking in no shorter than 6:00 long. He took us through the driving rhythm of "Come On" and the pop sensibilities of "To Life, To Love," his Billboard charting album finisher. The album was a dancefloor pleaser, but as a casual listener I was forced to listen to long songs. It can be fun, but I love shorter songs too!
Colour brings us a little closer to an industrial sound. Hunter° drops a lot of the trance and focuses more on electro-house, preferring to supply his own vocals instead of those of a featured vocalist. His production style accompanied by the way he processes his vocals lead to more of a gravelly, VNV Nation-style song. Don't get me wrong, this is definitely dance and not industrial, but fans of the latter genre might find something of appeal on Colour. Songs like "Sound Pollution" and "System Error" fit this description nicely. "Miracle" sounds like Nine Inch Nails gone reggae. "Out of Control," an industro-pop-electro song, is very driving and thoroughly entertaining. He also uses house elements in his tracks, the extremely danceable "Technicolour" exhibiting more of a dancefloor vibe and a guest vocalist who uses his instrument effectively on a fast-paced and engaging chorus. Hunter° is also embraces his downtempo, trip-hop side with simple, gorgeous songs like "Smile," "Together," "Fade," and "Sapphire." All sound truly beautiful in their original form, but could possibly become club stompers with the correct remixes. "You," the album's finisher, is the longest song at 7:04, with the average time of album songs being around 5 minutes. This makes the album a lot more accessible, in my opinion.
Speaking of remixes, this album is screaming for some big time attention. It is a great testament to Andy Hunter°'s talent, but all good dance songs need the different-styled remixes to get those artists out on the floor and being heard! So here is my humble plea to anyone out there with any sway in matters such as this: Get Andy Hunter° remixed!
Summary: This album caters to many styles, but less so if you're looking for an out and out house album. Definitely check out if you like stuff that is left of the mainstream. "Smile" is my favorite!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Another sucessful Hunter album, December 26, 2008
Andy Hunter, the only Christian Electronica DJ that I know of, has done it again. More popular in Europe than here in the US, Hunter has been a long standing club DJ with a better than average ear for what makes a successful and original track. COLOUR, released almost 3 years after his successful (but short) album LIFE, maintains Hunter's typical quality and originality, although it is a bit of a new direction for a DJ whose bread-and-butter has always been dance tracks.
COLOUR has a 'house' sound that at times even breaks into 'industrial' territory. More ambient sound has been interwoven into many of the tracks, giving them a layered quality that is deeper and darker than the dance grooves found on LIFE.
A much larger collection that LIFE (my sole complaint with that offering) COLOUR contains little to no filler. Each track is good to excellent. Notable tracks include "Stars," with an easy piano and great vocals, Technicolor with its slightly funky feel, and the welcome return of Cathy Burton in "Fade." Perhaps the only song that feels like filler is "Out of Control," which feels just that.
Andy has always spent the time to create quality over quantity. In this collection he continues that theme, although the variety of sounds and the introduction of heavier 'house' beats might surprise long time fans. This is less an album to bust out and dance to than it is one to contemplate individually with a good set of earphones. The tracks are as always uplifting, and filled with a message that is unique in electronic music typically identified with bleak messages at best, and rave culture at worst.
4/5 stars, and a must have for any Hunter fan, or electronica music lover.
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