Astral Projection - Goa Classics Remixed Release: December 2014 Genre: Pure Goatrance Label: TIP records ( 1: subpar 2: decent/average 3: good 4: excellent 5: masterpeice ) 1. Rain The original is not the best by X-dream by far, it is a surprise they chose to remix this track. The main melody of Rain is quite boring and way too repetative to be enjoyed. Repetativeness in general is not a bad thing, but it has to work. An example of a X-Dream track that is repetative but DOES work splendidly, is Zebra - one of my favorite goatrance tracks. Also, at around 4 minutes, the kick sounds like there is another kick on top of it - with a slight slight delay. It's probably intentional, but it doesnt work for me. Sounds like they are about to mix in another track. The bassline doesnt sound too good either. Best part of track: - 1.5/5 2. Stimuli Classic AP here. Kick and bassline, the wobbly background 303, the FX - all is immediately recognizable as Astral Projection. The track itself leaves alot to be wanted, though. Again, Stimuli is not the best track by TIP, and this is not the best track by AP. The climax works, but it doesnt justify the overall "averageness" of the track. Best part of track: 05:22 - 06:29 and @ 06:42 2.5/5 3. Overbloody Flood The original is amazing, and this is not that much worse. They did a nice job with the main melody, and the overall track sounds good. The mixing and overall production is flawless. But I wouldnt expect less from AP at this point. They've been in the game over 20 years now. They are already legends. They should NOT produce anything less than great. However I feel like the feeling of the original track is lost. It has a dark and desperate feel to it, this track has no real feeling. Even though it sounds great, Im ashamed to say it feels like an album filler. Best part of track: - 2.5/5 4. Feeling Very Weird This track is better than the original. I love the psychedelic nature of this track, and I have a feeling it is going to grow on me. The general AP sound is amazing and will please most AP fans. The psychedelic nature of the main melody is awesome. I just wish they did more with it. The notes of the melody seem to go against the key in which the track is in - but that is what is so great about this track. Listening to this in headphones is really a trip. I strongly recommend it. Second best track of the album. Best part of track: 02:40 - 05:49 3.5/5 5. Mugen I dont like the original that much, Prana was never really in my taste. This remix is by far better than the original. They really polished the track up alot and made it theirs. I have a feeling this track is going to grow on me aswell. The "screaming/crying" melody is simply amazing. The buildup is intense and doesnt get boring. The climax gives me goosebumps. The mixing in this track is masterfully done. The "screeching"/high frequency melody at around 5 minute mark feels like it should hurt your ears - but doesnt. Perfect. Best part of track: 03:22 - 05:25 and the climax start @ 06:32. (Utterly amazing.) 4.5/5 ! 6. LSD Not better than the original, but definately not bad. Quite good actually. The track is very very close to the original, and I quite like that. It is almost like a re-mix (as in the artist simply re-mixes the instruments, fx, levels, etc - not actually remaking it) more so than a "remix". If that makes sense. The track is however quite slow, but I think this track would work wonders on the dancefloor. The same feeling of the original is captured and preserved in this remix. It is very impressive to not destroy a legendary track like LSD - but instead polish it up giving it a new birth. [AP succeded where DAT records failed. (Sorry Draeke, I love you). Its probably not fair though, to compare a track made in the early 90s simply remastered - to a track produced in the 2010s. However - this is still LSD and so is the track on Analog Dreams... where this one works, and that one doesnt.] LSD was never my favorite Simon track, but I like it very much because of the feeling it portrays. I would however, have enjoyed seeing Astral choosing another track - with even more climax potential - like for example Space Pussy, Snakey Shaker or Trancespotter. One can dream. Best part of track: 06:16 - 08:06 and @ 04:41. Wonderful "crying" lead. Same preset used in Mugen. 3.5/5 7. Rain Again they choose a track which is by far not the best from the artist. I would have love to hear a remix of for example Galaxia, Online Information or Stardiver. Tracks that have amazing remix potential. The melody of this track is just like the first Rain - kind of boring and repetative in a bad way. This track is however better than the original. The keychanges in the track makes it unsuitable for the dancefloor. Best part: 02:19 - 02:59 (sounds alot like their album Another World. Some of the presets used on that album is used here aswell. A nice little detail.) 2.5/5 8. Midian Why Midian? Why not Crystal, Alidade, or Micromega.. But who am I to question an artists choice and creative process. Track is great. It is alot better than the original. This is a track that is going to grow. It does capture some of the feel that is unique to my beloved Blue Planet Corporation. It does him justice. This is a great track. I just wish they didnt chose Midian. So much potential loss. Best part: 05:21 - 06:41 and @ 08:15 3.5/5 Overall: 3/5 (3.5 on a good day) Mixing/Production Quality: 4/5
Mastering: 2.5/5 (not even close to Amen, which is superb)
It aaalmost tend to clip at times. For example the part in LSD at around '07:00 -> end' sounds extremely pressed together and almost no dynamics. Again it also sounds a little like they are about to mix in a new track... I dont get it Astral Cover-art: 1/5 (Im shocked, AP!)