Cosmosis - Fumbling For The Funky Frequency

[Guest antic]

Artist: Cosmosis

Title: Fumbling For the Funky Frequency

Cat. No: HOLO606

Label: Holophonic Records

Released: 10 July 2009

Info, samples: www.cosmosis.co.uk, saikosounds.com, goastore.ch, psyshop.com

 

 

Tracklist:

 

1. Beguilling Illusions

2. Self Discovery

3. Space Traveller

4. Siren Song

5. Take Flight (with Avalon, Cosmosis Mix)

6. Samba Del Gringo

7. Empty Space (with Quantika, Cosmosis Mix)

8. Beyond The Five Senses

9. The Eternal Now

 

Review:

 

Unlike majority of the artists on the psychedelic trance scene today, Bill Halsey, the main driving force behind Cosmosis’ last 6 albums, has broad musical education and years-worth stage music experience, playing guitar in various bands with styles ranging from jazz/soul to funk and pop. This background has had an enormous influence on his electronic music alter-ego, which can be clearly heard in many tracks throughout the years, be it in a form of well-hidden layers, displaying riffs or sequencing characteristic for other musical styles, or as a complete tunes, which were ‘based’ on one musical style or the other. This experience also allowed him to - successfully IMO, which in itself is very rare! - include guitars in some of his tracks, adding real-life sound and analogous touch to otherwise very digital music. Finally, this jazz/funk foundation makes his tracks stick from the crowd, as more funky and boot-shaking, with characteristic groovy rhythm section, rather than kicking or stomping. This has at least been the case until he found out, that CD sales are no longer enough to make a living from and the only way is through gig and DJ fees, which inevitably lead to the observation that most music played at festivals and clubs is full-on. As a result, to the dismay of loyal fans, last 2 albums: "Trancendance" from 2005 and in particular "Psychedelica Melodica" from 2007 headed more and more into that territory. Whether the result was good or not is subject to individual taste, as the reviews ranged from hype (mine included) to accusations of selling-out.

 

The new album largely follows the same recipe, however with a twist - instead of going more full-on and melodic, Cosmosis decided to go back a bit and concentrate on that funky side of his music, with a good measure of that good old goa melodies and improved complexity to the tracks. So, has this approach been any succesful?

 

In my humble opinion: yes. Although sonically and stylistically it is continuation of the sound we already heard on 2007’s “Psychedelica Melodica” and in that sense it can be considered a slight let down (just remember how all 4 first albums were different from each other!), the changes introduced here are more than welcome. No longer will you hear out-of-place spoken samples or corny full-on breaks, the music got much more complex and detailed, there’s enough variety inside and between the tracks to keep one interested during the whole length of the CD. More importantly though, the promise of back-to-the-roots approach has finally been fulfilled, because - for the first time since 2002’s „Contact” - you can really hear those old-school melodies, layering and sequencing and couple of the tracks here could well be featured on some of the old albums, seminal „Synergy” included. Of course, it still sounds big and dancefloor friendly, just to guarantee CD sales and keep the gigs coming, but at the same time I couldn’t help but notice there’s a multitude of little details and effects in the music, which are largely irrelevant and probably unnoticeable on the dancefloor, but they are a proof that Cosmosis started to pay attention to psychedelic side of his music. In one of the reviews, commenting on the popularity of „Howling at The Moon”, he said that currently he thinks that great, catchy tune can be made without all this complexity - as a result, we had previous album that somehow traded the mind-boggling intricacy of Cosmosis of the old days to over-emphasized, rave-y anthems. It worked like a treat in many of the tunes, but on the other hand due to exactly that they wore out pretty quickly, becoming predictable and known-to-the-bone. This is exact opposite of what psychedelic trance was always standing for: the sort of organic growth of the music, unpredictability and mysteriousness. In some of my old CDs I still, after all those years, discover sounds I never heard before; I still get lost in the aural images they create; I still get carried away by the melodic patchworks. Therefore I’m happy to report that Billy apparently realised that simple = good, but short-lived, and presented us with this album. I’d of course be far from truth claiming it is all perfect, because nothing is - some tracks (#1, 4 and 7) are average (as in: Cosmosis-average, mind you) at best, lacking a stand-out element or sounding unfinished / unfocused. Luckily, to balance this out there is at least couple of very solid tunes (#2, 5 and 6), which could be marked as a ‘transition’ from previous style to the current; and finally there are three awesome, incredible, terrific, blinding, overwhelming (etc. you probably got it by now) tracks #3, 8 and 9, that reaffirm Cosmosis’ deserved place as one of the legendary veterans of the scene and - hopefully - indicate how the future albums could sound like. Highly recommended!

 

Oh, and the cover art is gorgeous, right up there with that of “Synergy” and “Contact”

 

9/10

 

 

 

 

Bonus track-by-track breakdown:

 

#1. Beguiling Illusions is a rather standard affair from Cosmosis, exploiting some conspiracy theory samples, rubbery bassline and bits and pieces of pseudo arabic/hindu melody in the beginning. At 2:30 a galloping bass is introduced, accompanied with array of trademark Cosmosis sounds, which gradually shift into more melodic progression, underlined with bassline key changes. 4:00 mark sees another change, this time the bassline is replaced by an electric slap-bass guitar and some swirly, accidental acid sounds. After the break, the tune changes direction once again and re-introduces liquid acid sounds from the beginning, some elements of electric slap-bass guitar and that arabic/hindu melody, this time played by electric guitar. All in all it's a pretty decent tune, although it lacks a stand-out element or distinctive climax, which makes it boring pretty quickly. As a opener tune, 2007's "No Such Thing (Throb Factor Five Mix)" did the job much better IMO - it was more engaging musically and the funky bits were executed with more flair. 6/10

 

#2. Self Discovery takes no time to build up, as it right from the onset kicks in hard. At the beginning the track seems pretty slow, but every few seconds something new is introduced and at 1:30 it already reaches full speed, showcasing chunky, groovy electric bassline, smashing percussion and abundance of 'random' highly modulated sounds flying all over in- and out- of the mix. The twisty acid line leads into the break that makes way for the wonderful passage around 3:00, where it turns out that the bassline in fact is composed of two overlapping patches - this has a terrific listening experience on good soundsystem! The track then builds up to first real peak, a hands-up-in-the-air moment, where a fuzzy, 'hairy' bass string elevates and staples the rest of the tune together, going up and down in a proper trance-anthem manner. It does sound a bit corny at first (apparently Phantasm Rec.'s John Ford had some inspirational input in this track), but it's saved by the underlying, arpeggiated goa-ish melody in the back and sheer class it's made with. At this point, the track looses its focus a bit, going out for some random babbling and electro-ey breakage, but soon enough (5:55) we're back on track, heading for yet another peak before which you'll have to swallow a cliched full-on transition, but will be rewarded with deeply resonating, screamy a'la-303 acid line. Great tune - clubby, but with a genuine psychedelic trance touch and intricacy. 8/10

 

#3. Space Traveller gives immediate association of spacious, ethereal atmosphere. In this particular track however, the ambience is a bit darker, fitting more to the Star Wars space battle scene. Either way, similarly to previous tune this one builds gradually, adding multitude of swirling, grinding, crunchy sounds, treated with echoes and reverbs which indeed make it sound like we're in space, passed by huge interstellar vehicles. Ethereal synthwork in the background builds the atmosphere, underlined with occasional percussion accent and around 3:10 mark a gorgeous, fat acidbass is introduced: firstly it's pretty rough and clean, but then an electrical, rumbling bass line is added and cut-off filter gets abused, to form a crackling, screaming bridge towards 4:15, where the lead role is given to the dead simple, yet similarly deadly effective old-school riff, accentuated with returning 303 stabs. At 5:00 most of you'll get fooled (I still am, every time), because it sounds like the track's ending; but luckily, more goodies lurk ahead - the old-school melody, the acid line, the ethereal synthwork all play at once in a swirly crescendo, swimming in vacuum-of-space 'sounds' and atmospheres. Awesome tune, even more old-school than the last one with a properly psychedelic atmosphere! 9/10

 

#4. Siren Song starts up with a peaceful guitar melody that gives the musical backbone of the whole tune. Ethereal voices add to the mysterious atmosphere, but before the 1:00 mark it all disappears into frantic, full-on beat accompanied with Cosmosis sounds we all know and love. Further down the timeline, the guitar riffs are re-introduced, making way for the serpentine, spiralling melody starting at 2:30 that wiggles and bends beautifully, additionally tweaked to give that oscillating SH101-sound so much overused by Hallucinogen in his early days. At 3:00 the patch is replaced by a bigger, but more basic synth that - unfortunately - somehow feels like it can't catch up with the rest of the tune (must be the slow attack on the ADSR envelope). Few breaks later, the grand finale comes but it's just a repetition of stuff we heard earlier in the tune, with that eastern, serpentine melody shovelled right in your face. Might be I'm too picky or technical, but this tune, albeit having a great potential, lacks that indefinite something that makes music catchy and interesting. It just wanders around, without much purpose and direction and the main melody desperately needs some more complex layering, morphing, tweaking - musically it's OK; 'psychedelically' it's just not enough and is pale in comparison to 2007's "Dance of the Cosmic Serpent" or "Spanish Gypsy". 7/10

 

#5. Take Flight sees Cosmosis teaming up with Leon Kane, known as Avalon but more importantly forming as half of Realitygrid duo, that released awesome Reality Check on Wildthings Rec. few years back. Being a great fan of both artists, I'm happy to report that their co-op is simply smashing: from the start it sounds harder, more hitting than the predecessors (muchly like "Mataphysical World" sounded on previous album) but at 1:25 you just can't hide your smile when that lazy, whizzing melodic passage is introduced. Few screamy acid lines later, there's this moment at 3:45, where the root-note of the track is broken with awesome "I think that's an amazing dream" sample which echoes in the background for 20 more seconds (I'm a sucker for such technical trickery!), that leads to awesome flanged acid sequence, that develops into full fledged old-school'ish mayhem around 4:30 - 5:00. To my disappointment, it never really is able to pick up the same energy again, let alone build upon it further and instead just goes in circles until the end at 7:42. Too bad, but still it earns 8/10 for the middle section which is simply outstanding.

 

#6. Samba del Gringo is an elsewhere unusual and mostly futile, but here quite expected and welcome other-musical-genre-influenced tune. As the scene in Latin countries, Brazil in particular, is booming at the moment, it couldn’t be avoided to have a samba-flavoured track on here, especially since Bill's apparently having a soft spot for such music - does "The Bing Bang Boogie" off of "Synergy" album ring a bell? Anyway, at the beginning it doesn't really sound like samba, more like regular Cosmosis tune with all his trademark trickery and sounds. Soon enough though, around 1:00 mark, skilful ear will detect that steel-drum (marimba?) percussions and, just to make it more obvious for the least talented of us, the melody at 1:45 will leave no doubts. Trance samba you say? Must be pretty cheesy! No, it's not - the samba elements are introduced gradually, graced with a psychedelic trance sound manipulation and effects treatment, therefore it all seems so effortless, so natural. At 3:17 the digital sound of 21st century gives way for real piano, drums and that infectious up & down bassline - I can only imagine consternation on the dancefloor!!! Should I grab a girl standing next to me? Luckily at 3:55 things get back to normal, that is 4x4 beat, but the bassline is still doing it's up & down thing, which is equally unusual and amusing. The track shifts gears couple of times, in particular playing with bassline key-changes and samba elements that are thrown in- and out- of the mix. I can imagine that opinions on this track will be heavily divided, but personally I couldn't care less - this one is a creative, musical, fun & tongue-in-cheek tune, that'll have your friends giggle and dancing their asses off at the same time. 8/10

 

#7. Empty Space, despite suggesting covering the same grounds as #3 is no match to that tune. At first look there's nothing really wrong with it - it sounds a bit more aggressive and full-on'ish that the rest, just like #5 did, but then it's more blocky, sounds more 'sequenced' or 'programmed', as opposed to 'organically flowing' if you catch my drift? First part is pretty good, building up pretty nicely and slowly in spite of abundance of clichéd full-on squeaky sounds, until around 4:00 where after the break some daft 'melody' comes in that sounds completely out of the context and off-tune. I suspect, that this particular melody is the effect of unfortunate cooperation with Israeli Eric Mokotoff, supposedly known as Quantica (anyone heard of that guy?!). Luckily, soon enough Billy slaps the guy in the face with a wet herring shouting "Enough of that already!" and saves the day with a glorious, acid-drenched final run. Seriously, this track could have been a lot better without that 'israeli influence'. Luckily after 25-30 listens, I seem to have developed immunity for that middle part and do not notice it anymore. Still, only 6/10

 

#8. Beyond The Five Senses. With a track title like that, he was bound to come up with something special. Atmospheric voices form a background of the tune, soon accompanied by morphing hi-pass acid line and galloping rhythm section. Just before 1:00 mark an awesome, funk-ish acidic melody comes in, wiggling and stuttering around. At 1:50 a glassy, highly resonant acid patch is introduced, that leads to full 303 screaming section later on. The hi-pass acid line surfaces in the back again, supported by dreamy landscapes played by small, bell-type sounds a'la early Astral Projection. After the break around 4:30, a familiar string passage (to me it sounds like it's nicked from Cosmosis' "Contact" from 2002) drives the track and the sound picture gets denser every few seconds, with more and more layers of acid, melody, strings etc. unleashed upon the poor listener, tweaking and morphing in every possible way - there's really no climax here, but 'just' a massive wall of sound, where focus is moved from one layer to the other in a truly psychedelic, old-school way. This is a track that wouldn't sound out of place on "Synergy" (with the exception that it's up to today's production standards) and I can't really come up with better praise. 10/10

 

#9. The Eternal Now, as if the last track wasn't good enough, is even better. It is the slowest of the lot, travelling at only 138BPM, but that's the key word here - this track is 'travelling', instead of just going forward. It is a journey through different soundscapes and atmospheres, starting with pretty standard plucky sounds that form a base melodic platform, through more funky and glitchy section around 1:30 - 2:30, then turning into slightly acidic territories around 2:30 - 3:00 and finally introducing something that sounds like a crackling, distorted guitar at 3:30. It's all so lazy, so laid back and relaxed but still you can tell all the pieces are coming together to form something unexpected further down. "The past is a memory, the future's an expectation. Neither past nor future actually exist. There's simply eternal now!" some guy says, when a goa-ish background melody reveals its presence, building up along kick/snare roll. Surprisingly, the build-up doesn't end with a bang, but in an awkward, but beautifully executed funky section with a huge bass stabs. At 5:58 the track finally showcases what it was cooking all that time behind the scenes - a gorgeous melodic passage, supported by one of the best key-changes progressions I heard lately. Until the end the track goes even more wild, with some wacky acid sounds playing together with that melody and then it all gradually fades away, reintroducing some of the funky stuff from the beginning... This is REAL music and in my book the best track on the album!!! 10/10

[Oopie]

Found this dull and uninspired. Yes it takes slightly more old-schoolish route will give you that, the analogue touch is there. Yet it lacks charm and soul, just to put it short. The magical twists and good sense for harmonic/uplifting melodies you got from the man in the 90s is missing - it's obvious one compares this to the best Cosmosis tracks and this album doesn't even come close, unfortunately.

 

*goes wonder if Billy ever writes a good track again...*

[Guest antic]

Found this dull and uninspired. Yes it takes slightly more old-schoolish route will give you that, the analogue touch is there. Yet it lacks charm and soul, just to put it short. The magical twists and good sense for harmonic/uplifting melodies you got from the man in the 90s is missing - it's obvious one compares this to the best Cosmosis tracks and this album doesn't even come close, unfortunately.

 

*goes wonder if Billy ever writes a good track again...*

Well, I might agree that this is a far cry from Cosmology / Synergy era, but I also learned to appreciate the music for what it is, to listen to it in the context of current times and other releases and not to compare it to the past, which is usually very idealised and clouded by personal judgement and experiences. When Synergy came out I was only discovering this music and each new release was like a small discovery for me, opening new (musical) worlds and possibilities I could never dream of possible. Now, ten years after I know all the tricks, I know a lot more about music, production, mastering etc.; I start to get annoyed with details that were not relevant in the past or if the track develops differently than I'd imagine it to...

 

But, does my 'skewed' perception make the music objectively any less good? I don't think so! For people who just discovered the genre or never heard of Cosmosis, this album might be an awesome find, maybe even will become a reference point for other CDs? Their equivalent of Synergy, Dragon Tales or whatever you might have? I honestly think that compared to other current releases it is that good.

 

And how can you seriously compare a brand new album with something, that was released 10 years ago, that you know by heart and which sounds & melodies are engraved deeply in your brain, associated with memories of old-school parties, excitement of discovering new music or having fun with friends? Like this, the new album will never have the chance to reach, let alone surpass the old one - and that's simply not fair IMO. I can see lots more "charm and soul" as well as "magical twists and sense of harmonic/uplifting melodies" here than in majority of full-on and most of new-school releases and this is what I tried to convey in my review, for the benefit of people interesting in music, not how it performs against some benchmark from 10 years ago.

 

[Oopie]

Drawing comparison to Cosmosis' older material is a bit unfair indeed, naturally the times have changed and so has the music. Still, it would be fooling myself not to remember Billy's potential (eg. Synergy) and not comparing it to the outcome of the present. U'know, the best part of this album is probably 6:30-7:00 on the last track 'the eternal now', pitched +5. That's the Cosmosis recipe yours truly enjoys, deeply twisted and challenging melody - it's the only truly enjoyable part on the album, could Billy make more soundscapes in this direction? You bet. So the thing is, Cosmosis' and Oopie's vision of good psytrance split in 2001 (Intergalactic being the last stand-out in 2000) and that's I guess all there's to it.

 

Would also have to disagree this being the 'Dragon Tales' of 2009; it's sounds unfinished in ideas and just 'poppy', too easy on experienced listener. There's far superior music in the melodic full-on dpt. Cosmosis does nowadays. Take Tryambaka's The Colour Of Time for example. I'd also bet my stinky socks the forthcoming Intriga album on Ektoplazm will blow this out of the competition...

 

But that's just me and my stinky socks.

 

=)

[Guest antic]

Take Tryambaka's The Colour Of Time for example.

Wow, if that's your idea of good, un-poppy (?!), demanding (?!?!) psychedelic (?!?!?!) trance, then no wonder we can't agree on Cosmosis. You really find those cliched and overused squeaky full-on sounds and childish, clumsy melodies psychedelic?

 

Let's just agree to disagree, because apparently 10 years ago our tastes could have been similar, but nowadays we went in completely different directions.

 

 

 

 

EDIT: But damn, that Intriga sounds really intriguing, just the way I like it - 15, Stupify, A permanent mark, Abortion of the innerchild; they all sound like a bastard child of old Cosmosis, GNOTR and Troll Scientists, with a hint of Braincell and vintage Infected Mushroom!!! You have links to more stuff like that?

 

EDIT2: This one also sounds promising: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=7866

[Oopie]

Wow, if that's your idea of good, un-poppy (?!), demanding (?!?!) psychedelic (?!?!?!) trance, then no wonder we can't agree on Cosmosis. You really find those cliched and overused squeaky full-on sounds and childish, clumsy melodies psychedelic?

 

Let's just agree to disagree, because apparently 10 years ago our tastes could have been similar, but nowadays we went in completely different directions.

 

 

EDIT: But damn, that Intriga sounds really intriguing, just the way I like it - 15, Stupify, A permanent mark, Abortion of the innerchild; they all sound like a bastard child of old Cosmosis, GNOTR and Troll Scientists, with a hint of Braincell and vintage Infected Mushroom!!! You have links to more stuff like that?

 

EDIT2: This one also sounds promising: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=7866

Heh, Colour of Time as whole is actually not much better than Cosmosis' here. It's perhaps not the best of examples... yet 'I Saw Your Saw' is gripping, great goanish full-on. That's the track that made me mention him. It's my idea of energetic and good use of melodies yyys sir.

Tbh, not even sure if there's a 'Dragon Tales' in full-on, where every single track is close to perfection. My picks for good full-on are something such as:

hux flux - time slices rmx, post 100, abracababra

squaremeat - mankeli, golden accordion

scatterbrain - infernal angels

troll scientists - zemel dance, vill du ha luft

...

 

Glad to see you like Intriga... and your description is wonderful! I've always thought him as the follow-up to the Classical Mushroom era I.M. Stupify and Abortion of the Innerchild seem to be favourites of both of us. As he's a friend, got a few promo tracks that are absolute belters! They'll probably get released on Ektoplazm later this year. Keep your I(ar)s open.

[JonCrow]

Thanks for the effort put into the review. It's not an easy task to strike a balance for both new and the more experienced listeners. Also can be difficult to give an opinion of a big-name artist that's been around for many years in an inevitably ever-changing scene. Admire that you've stuck with your true feelings towards the album despite the fact that some old school purists/adherents will negate your opinion. It can be hard when you put alot of time into something and another can potentially deflate all that effort with just one word or sentence. I'm not attacking Oopie there as it's all part of the fun of posting on the internet.

 

As for the album in question I've little interest in it personally for now. When I delve into this artist I'll probably focus on earlier material to begin with.

 

Jon

[Guest antic]

Thanks for the effort put into the review. It's not an easy task to strike a balance for both new and the more experienced listeners. Also can be difficult to give an opinion of a big-name artist that's been around for many years in an inevitably ever-changing scene. Admire that you've stuck with your true feelings towards the album despite the fact that some old school purists/adherents will negate your opinion. It can be hard when you put alot of time into something and another can potentially deflate all that effort with just one word or sentence. I'm not attacking Oopie there as it's all part of the fun of posting on the internet.

Thanks for your kind words. I'm just not sure about the 'balanced review' part, since around this parts I'm known as 'Cosmosis whore'

 

As for the album in question I've little interest in it personally for now. When I delve into this artist I'll probably focus on earlier material to begin with.

You do that - all first 4 albums are unforgettable journeys, each one in a completely different world.

But don't wait to long with purchasing his more recent output either, because in this genre things get out-of-print pretty quickly

[JonCrow]

Thanks for your kind words. I'm just not sure about the 'balanced review' part, since around this parts I'm known as 'Cosmosis whore'

 

 

You do that - all first 4 albums are unforgettable journeys, each one in a completely different world.

But don't wait to long with purchasing his more recent output either, because in this genre things get out-of-print pretty quickly

Yeah I wondered if you might be a blind Cosmosis fanboy. You seemed to try your best to be objective and juggle the old with the new though. I usually always take all replies/reviews into account(both positive and negative) when I read a review thread and compare them to my own experience when I get the chance to listen to an album. It can be a good way of benchmarking reviewers and opinions and always helps with future purchases etc. Anway, rambling and taking thread off-topic.....

[Psyvox]

I regard this album to be one of the best releases in the psytrance scene (and, frankly, the whole electronic music scene) from the past few years.

 

The complexity of the tracks.. the unique overall style... the multitude of carefully, patiently designed percussions, instruments and melodies in each track, leading one's imagination to crunchy, *colorful*, complex, psychedelic, harmonious, dynamic, ever-changing musical forms.. the surreal, rapturous states that constantly flood one's being when the album is attentively listened to.. the synaesthesic character of all the tracks (as previously mentioned, the *colorful* sounds were something I found particularly surprising; yet the same sounds can also become a great foundation for imagined tactile textures and spacial movements, adding to the synaesthesic effect).. the distinct, original, perhaps experimental, yet greatly coherent and catchy arrangements and epics of the tracks, distinguishing this album so much from all the other full-on releases of the scene.. the subtle way in which Cosmosis constantly, effortlessly juggles with the sounds and complex melodies throughout the album.. the state of the art production.. (unfortunately, words can only describe that much of this album..)

 

I suspect this album is the result of tremendous amounts of effort and creativity, and it deserves a mark as high as 9.7/10 from me. I also regard it as the peak of the Melodic Full On Psychedelic Trance.

 

 

 

 

...................................

 

 

 

Found this dull and uninspired. Yes it takes slightly more old-schoolish route will give you that, the analogue touch is there. Yet it lacks charm and soul, just to put it short. The magical twists and good sense for harmonic/uplifting melodies you got from the man in the 90s is missing - it's obvious one compares this to the best Cosmosis tracks and this album doesn't even come close, unfortunately.

 

*goes wonder if Billy ever writes a good track again...*

look at you... seriously.. just look at you -- look at the pic you got on your avatar. You are one superficial ignorant, shamelessly criticizing the work of a brilliant musician..

disgusting..

 

(if admins shall consider this ad hominem part of my post inappropriate, please edit it out and accept my apologizes -- I just couldn't help it..)

[Oopie]

look at you... seriously.. just look at you -- look at the pic you got on your avatar. You are one superficial ignorant, shamelessly criticizing the work of a brilliant musician..

disgusting..

 

(if admins shall consider this ad hominem part of my post inappropriate, please edit it out and accept my apologizes -- I just couldn't help it..)

The avatar pic is just my humour nothing else - it's the artist 'Eskimo'. There is of course a slight psychological factor one's avatar creates on a forum - yet it's illogal to belittle my opinion just because you find my avatar "superficial" or "ignorant". Avatars and opinions about music are two different things, period.

 

It's not too uncommon when one finds a completely differing opinion to his own, he might take it on a personal level and get offended. This seems to be the case here. Let that be the last time you call me names, it's was close I didn't report you.

[SUL/)CO]

I dont normally say a lot of shit, but i will say this album is possibly the best album I have ever heard.

[Helios909 (rx7style)]

This album is spectacular. I think Oopie is stuck in time perhaps, as musical tastes change over the course of years of listening experiences. The semantics of 'psychedelic' versus 'goa' can be debated until the end of time. I think this album is a fantastic hybridization of the 'two' styles, and this was a masterfully produced, enjoyable listen from start to finish. I think Billy has a lot of diversity while staying connected with the same theme of the album, and his own sense of style. I enjoyed Psychedelica Melodica, but I found this to be much better with less 'cheesy' interferences. Sure, I liked Synergy and Cosmology a lot, but in 2009 I enjoyed this album more than I can enjoy the older albums now. That's a combination of how many times I've listened to the old albums, and how 'old' the sound is now in comparison with the fresh sounding current albums.

 

Anyway, this album really tickled my senses and I have become quite addicted to it. That means it's a very powerful album. While this might not be the sounds that everyone on the planet Earth wants to hear, my brain tells me this is what I prefer to bask within. Cheers to a 9.5/10 album (only because I didn't care for Samba Del Gringo that much). =)

[Guest antic]

I also regard it as the peak of the Melodic Full On Psychedelic Trance.

I dont normally say a lot of shit, but i will say this album is possibly the best album I have ever heard.

This album is spectacular. (...) Anyway, this album really tickled my senses and I have become quite addicted to it. That means it's a very powerful album.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one liking it

[qa2pir]

Ooh it's on Spotify. I'm off to listen

[murphythecat]

Well, I might agree that this is a far cry from Cosmology / Synergy era, but I also learned to appreciate the music for what it is, to listen to it in the context of current times and other releases and not to compare it to the past, which is usually very idealised and clouded by personal judgement and experiences. When Synergy came out I was only discovering this music and each new release was like a small discovery for me, opening new (musical) worlds and possibilities I could never dream of possible. Now, ten years after I know all the tricks, I know a lot more about music, production, mastering etc.; I start to get annoyed with details that were not relevant in the past or if the track develops differently than I'd imagine it to...

 

 

 

haha, exactly!

[Penzoline]

The last 2 tracks are really, really good. The rest? Some of it is good, some of it is just ok, but the last 2 tracks are where it's at. They actually sound like goatrance with a hint of full-on, not the other way around. A rare sight.

[danielsan (virusproject)]

Great album for me.

[Spiritual Carnage]

I've just listened to the album for the first time and so far I really like it. It's very good.

 

...Which is more than I can say about any other goa release I've heard from after 1998...

[johnb820]

This is another nice release from Cosmosis. It's very funky and twisted. The production is perfect. A few tracks are not so good such as Samba del Gringo and Empty Space. The last two tracks, as mentioned, are deeper but I feel like there isn't enough going on in them. They almost sound boring. Fumbling for the Funky Frequency makes me appreciate the emotions on Psychodelica Melodica.

[Anakoluth]

I've never listened to any Cosmosis tunes since THE era. However, Beyond the Five Senses is a blast. Could get a little more berserk in the end, but still awesome, trippy and hypnotic. Good.

[voice of all]

me too from those who's not very impressed with this release. i was realy trying to judje more objectively and gave it 5 listens but have to conclude that it was not good at all. cant put a finger on the exact reason but it has no power to catch me.

[Jeller]

this is some nice stuff, i'm getting into it

 

Beyond the five senses is the best new school track i've heard i think

[grimoire]

This is a really amazing album for me, psytrance at it's best!!

love the production skills, acid leads and awesome compositions

[Manuser]

I've never listened to any Cosmosis tunes since THE era. However, Beyond the Five Senses is a blast. Could get a little more berserk in the end, but still awesome, trippy and hypnotic. Good.

 

agree, track 8 is the best track here, acidic and melodic, that's all we need !