Miranda - Rerecorded

[Lemmiwinks]

 

1. Le passage 2004

2. Phenomena 2004

3. Eyedentify 2004

4. Gnocchi 2004

5. Somewhere out there 2004

6. Subtropical forest 2004

7. Keep calm 2004

8. Spacebaby 2004

 

So the queen of trance is at it again I was REALLY curious about this one cause Miranda has been one of the pioneers of oldschool goa as well as one of the starters of the progressive/ minimal trend... so would she return to the trend of making more melodic tracks with some oldschool influences? Would she continue doing progressive? Would she make something more commercial-trance oriented?

 

Well, neither actually... with this album she creates a very unique progressive/ tribal atmosphere, I don't think there is anything else out there that could compare to this style. Also I must say that I find the choice of album concept questionable because in spite of bringing already-known names, all the tracks sound COMPLETELY different to the originals (the best you can get is hearing a small little hint of the original track...).

 

Actually I chose to wait much more than I'd usually do before reviewing this one. Why? Simply because it was so different to other releases that I simply couldn't make up my mind if I liked it or not... I guess that at first my expectation of seeing a "return to oldschool" album kindof ruined it for me... since there wasn't a hint of oldschool in it, I was actually pretty dissapointed with it. But then it just grew on me. Now I can say that this truly is one of my fave 04 albums!

 

All the tracks have a very similar drive: inspired by progressive but somehow more dynamic, albeit rather linear... sound confusing? well it is, like I said I can't really compare it to other releases out there...

 

Le Passage starts with the familiar "zulu chant" (which BTW was also used in the early 90s by another artist recording in Sweden: Dr. Alban...). The track brings us into the typical flow of the album: slowly progressing drift, not much melody yet pretty dynamic background... also the kick that you'll here here will be almost IDENTICAL all throughout the whole album! Still, it's a nice deep kick so I don't mind that much It's more of an intro track than an actual stand-alone track (and i must say that it does the job nicely for that)

 

Phenomena brings some interesting arabic chants and a very mystical intro and DJEMBES!!! The track sounds really tribal, very much like Etnoscope - Sunrise which is one of my all-time favorite morning tracks so needless to say that I REALLY liked this one!! But there's a track that's even better than this later on... stay tuned

 

Eyedentify is more into "typical" progressive territory, I must say that I found this one together with the intro track as the less inspired ones here...

 

Gnocchi brings back the nature sounds (although no djembés in this one ) and.... 303s!!! the acid line kicks into around 3:30 and stays with you all through the track. A definate treat for the fans of the greatest electronic instrument ever made Still, don't think that because a 303 is used that it will sound anything remotley like oldschool... actually it reminded me more of old acid techno tracks. Still, the progression is in the typical style of the album, and the 303 itself has a pretty unique pitch. I like this track too (but I could've gone with some djembés though...)

 

Somewhere out there brings a sound that's VERY imilar to the one in Eyedentify so it almost sounds like "Eyedentify 2004 Pt. II"... although this time around the background is much more dynamic (but still the rather linear overall progression). Generally this track creates a feeling of building up to something with even more layers... and it does cause after that comes...

 

Subtropical Forest THEEEEE best track here!!! This is the track I said was even better than Phenomena . It starts out with the "karate flute" (because that flute was used over and over again in old karate movies, I'm sure you'll recognize it when you'll hear it), and a LOT of parots in the background, I'm sure that if you listen to this one while on acid, you'll look over your shoulder too see if some parots aren't there... freaky Then the parot noises are sampled and become part of the percussion. Then there's a general mystical and even a bit of a "scary" atmosphere... you can just feel that the track will build up to something good. Then a very dynamic line kicks in around 3:00 which just takes you up and up to the next line that's even more dynamic around 3:30... by then if you haven't jumped from your chair to dance (or at least start noding your head to the rythm) then there's something wrong with you . And then it kicks in at 4:15: a VERY nice melody (actually the ONLY one on the album that reminds a bit of the oldschool vibe and which is the used starting from 4:00 in the original Subtropical Forest). But it doesn't stop there, if it did then this would only get the rating of "good but not great"... around min 5:00 when you think Miranda's out of tricks there a break and some djembés come in. The tribal feeling contributes to the general feeling of being in a... subtropical forest And then it just starts building up again: the dynamic synth lines, the djembés and tha dreamy melody. Oh maaaaaan I really really like this one!! One of my absolute fave 2004 tracks!!! Tribal morning trance at it's best

 

Keep Calm is great if you like psy with spanish influences... personally I'm not a big fan of flamenceo and psy crossovers... although I must say that the track is nice.

 

Then comes Spacebaby which is kind of a let down (but then again it's the closing track so...). It's the most repetitive track here, sounds more like some speeded-up and dynamic techno (kindof like the 3D Vision stuff), still there are some djembés in this one too

 

Conclusion proof that old artists can still do good stuff that aren't a mediocre repetition of their older stuff that made their glory and aren't a mediocre attempt to make "trendy" psytrance either!!! Actually now that I think of it, Miranda has been the ONLY oldschool artist that hasn't dissapointed me latley... keep it coming The general tribal feeling of the album is REALLY great. Also, cheers to an artist that still makes coherent albums: the meoldies in here are chosen to "build up" a story, it's not just a collection of 8 tracks that have no connection between them. And of course, I bow in front of someone who still believes in the use of 303s in the 21st century The only bad side is the choice of track names: why lead the audience to believe that this will bring back the "old Miranda sound" when the vibe is completely new? It may cause people to not like it at first simply because their expecations were not met (as it was the case for me, but continue listening to it, it WILL grow on you ) 9/10

[Jon Cocco]

The only bad side is the choice of track names: why lead the audience to believe that this will bring back the "old Miranda sound" when the vibe is completely new? It may cause people to not like it at first simply because their expecations were not met

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly.

 

I like all of Miranda's main albums. Phenomena is great, and Asynja. Northern Lights had several really good songs as does Real Rush. I read some where in these forums a year ago, that due to weaker, disappointing sales, Miranda hasn't been interested in making albums anymore. To the contrary, 2001's Asynja was great. It was one of her best albums and of the year. Maybe she needs to play outdoor festivals, bigger events more and sell her albums there?

 

Rerecorded isn't bad. Subtropical Forest is interesting as Lemmiwinks said. Also, it should be mentioned that the remix of the song Phenomena is pretty good, but like most of the other remixes here, sometimes sounds so different from the originals that the titles may as be called something different, as if they're new songs even though they're remixes. I actually like track 7, Keep Calm, with the spanish style because I find the guitars catchy. I don't think most people would notice that they're remixes. They sound new! Yet I found it more fun when she released a main album with all new tracks.

 

Maybe sales aren't the best, and maybe they were disappointing at times before. Whatever the reason for Miranda's first full length remix album after a decade of main albums aside ... I really hope she sooner or later puts out another full-length main album with all new tracks. I think it would be awesome if she returns to her earlier, old-skool, goatrance roots from Phenomena and puts out something so stunning to all her fans from over the past 5-10 years, or if not, if she puts out something innovative and captivating for out time, not more remixes, but I prefer the first thought rather than the latter. This Rerecorded is loud, cool but mindless (just what I feel) pumping psytrance; not close to the imgination of her earlier tracks, probably in part because they're remixes. If freekin X-Dream can sell thousands and thousands of copies world-wide, there should be no reason for Miranda to not be able to do really well if she signs on to a strong, powerful record label who really promotes it! I mean, c'mon its the 21st century! Lots of people love her music but it needs far better songs, and Miranda needs and deserves far more exposure, and marketing than she has gotten.

[Time_Trap]

i have "Real Rush" and "Phenomena" . Both are very good.

I would never buy any RMX albums... always wanna listen to fresh stuff.

[seraph]

I would be really interested in hearing new Miranda progressed side, even though I wish for her to release another goa influenced album. After reading few reviews including Lemmi's whom I sort of trust, I decided to definately try this album, it sounds promising.

I don't like her albums Real Rush and Northern Lights. They sound too pumpy for trance woman produced music. She should stick to her melodic, old school style she had on Phenomena ( which is PHENOMENAL ) and Asynja which was also stunning album. I also preffered her previous worx as Athena and Encens...very good goa style...

[Manuser]

Rerecorded is a unique album, i never heard this kind of psytrance which sounds fast, technoïsh, hard, and sometimes tribal. It's a great surprise. Track 3 is a dancefloor killer! Track 4 : those acidlines remind me acid techno music as Lemmi said, and it rocks! On the whole, i really think this album is quite innovative and i like that, and contrary to a lot of people here, i don't mind hearing non melodic psytrance from Miranda, her style evolved and i like it.

[Jon Cocco]

Hmmm... is this album available to buy anywhere. I checked the iTune store with no luck. It would be really cool if she made this album available to download off her site.

 

I finally posted actual reviews on all four of her main albums.

 

 

Samples

 

http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=4288