ACID FOLK ~TROEP.FIL~ ------------------------ SOME ACID STUFF REVIEWED ------------------------ Oh God... I'm behind my computer, wearing my winter jacket and an original Russian army mink cap because it's so f*cking cold in here. Some of you might ask themselves why my computer is outside, but the problem is that it isn't outside at all. Our central heating system collapsed just a few hours ago, and almost all of the house is f*cking cold by now. We've got the electrical heater in the living room (doesn't help much, unfortunately) and we've only got one, so I'll have to warm myself until tomorrow. Enough of this sorrow talk, let's go on with the review... ACID FOLK (Perplexer) ============================================================================== Perplexer is a relatively new team on the club scene, but as they release under the Urban label (which also does Westbam and Marusha), this single CD seemed to be worth it's 15 guilders. The three tracks are in the usual two mixes plus one new track form. Usually the new track is crap, but this time it's the best one on the CD. 'Vary Speed', as it's called, starts off slow with a nice TB-303 acid sound, then breaks hard into a very clear drum section (with the acid still going on, and getting faster), with a breakdrum and hard bassline (just the way I like it). It's one of the very few non-breakbeat acid tracks which doesn't get boring soon. The other two tracks (both mixes of 'Acid Folk') are not as similar as one might suspect, and the 'Dudelsack' certainly is a nice twist. Acid Folk (Vocals) is the first and the one most likely to be heard in clubs. It's a lot like the other stuff produced in Germany nowadays (Trance Renaissance, Westbam? ;->), being fairly speedy and having a normal straight beat. But as I said the dudelsack makes it refreshing. Track two (Acid Folk (Low Speed)) is a slow version of the first track, without the (stupid) vocals. The Acid is used very well to get that endless rave feeling on the dancefloor. The one time I heard it in the disco (about a week ago now) it really made go on for another half hour, although being quite drunk at the time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SUMMARY | Tracks included: Acid Folk (Vocals) ---------- Acid Folk (Low Speed) Music ranking: 85% Vary Speed Value for money: 80% (SINGLE CD) Price: 15 guilders (œ5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BAM BAM BAM (Westbam) ============================================================================== Westbam... Well, what's left to say about him? Probably the most commercial ex-underground deejay of our millennium and playing at the most overrated event in Western Europe (MAYDAY, die Deutscher glauben wirklich das sie den elektronischen Musik selbst populaer gemacht haben, aber vergessen das nur Kraftwerk in diesem Respekt ein wichtige Rolle gespielt hat fuer Deutschland in dem letztem zwanzig jahr), but still his 'Trance' is easily accessible and very popular among a lot of people. 'BAM^3' is presented very well, the box is clear about what's inside, but the back side is probably copied straight away from the 12" set (or is this a pathetic try to be 'cool'?). I will now try to give a brief description of each track separately, while listening to it. ACID SAUSAGE FROM SALZBURGO The intro, with cars driving from the left of my head to the right and back. Someone flicking his keys, and then opening his car. A senseless intro, but well done. Rating: 60% WIZARDS OF THE SONIC The first track, probably known to most of the people who attend discos once in a while. Good intro, followed by a strong build-up into the main theme. The main theme is changing a bit from time to time, and there are breaks for the tired feet on the dancefloor. Personally I would have placed this track at the end of the CD, because of the feeling it evokes (een goeie uitsmijter!). Rating: 91% CELEBRATION GENERATION The track that made Westbam famous (at least, in the Netherlands!). At the time, it was quite original, mixing a lot of different samples into the same sound. Somewhat less good intro, but the rest of the track is done very well. I really like the timing of the breaks in this one. Rating: 94% (Ik ga nou effe patat eten!) RAVING SOCIETY A slow start, then a break into fast drums. Then a buildup to the main theme, with repeating of the fast drums. A new buildup. Quite a boring track, although it would merge nicely with a rainy afternoon. Rating: 60% STRICTLY BAM A good start, I really like the drum merge-in. Even some industrial samples if you listen really well. A slow tune. Rating: 70% CLUB CANOSSA Strong start, with sirens, and piano, and the drum gets in at just the right time. Speeds up really well, with some vocal samples I really can't define. Has that very good speed feeling, mainly because of the slow breaks, after which the drum section makes the break effective. Rating: 83% ESCAPIST Vinyl-flutter at the beginning, gives me a Christmas-feeling. Then a break into fast drums, and some synth sounds (a bit industrial alike). On the whole, a relaxing track which makes me feel sad. Rating: 82% TRACK Short samples at the beginning, then a piano-synth. Really restless upto now. Very clear, clean sound. Quite fast in fact. The synth piano is used well, and is being merged into (and with) acid quite well. Rating: 77% BAM BAM BAM One of my favourites. Well matched vocals (guess the text!), with good background. Then a hard beat, followed up by some flowing sound. This is really like opening a fresh can of Grolsch beer to me (just the feeling!). There also is some bitch shouting around (probably just got something stuck into her ***). Rating: 88% AFTER HOURS Boring and stupid kid's voice sample, with the usual samples and synth sounds around, and a piano ofcourse. A diskfiller in its best form. Rating: 55% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SUMMARY | Tracks included: Acid Sausage from Salzburgo ---------- Wizards of the Sonic Music ranking: 86% Celebration Generation Value for money: 75% Raving Society Price: 41 guilders (œ14) Strictly Bam Club Canossa Escapist Track Bam Bam Bam After Hours (FULL CD) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ HAVOC IN 1994 WRITE TO: HAVOC/GIANTS RAVENSTRAAT 4 6909 DV BABBERICH THE NETHERLANDS