Artha - Influencing Dreams

[Guest D N H]

My View:
As some reviews already stated, the music here is something different than most neogoa creations. In some extend, yes, indeed, similarities can be found with X-Dream and Hallucinogen, together with some full-on influences.
But the result mostly isn't as it would be expected, that is outstanding, because the music here is loaded with a general theme, found in most tracks, which doesn't distant too much from neogoa's improper orientalism or sweetness, even if it manages to avoid the well known floating plasticity.

From the one hand, the negative point is the use of melodies or sounds that would fit better to an easy type of oriental music but not goa trance. With the use of such, the music lacks in seriousness, the whole effort is overshadowed.

Although, it may be opposed that the result is blasting and with powerful flaw, from the other hand, i think, it might be this certain too strong or flat production or a flat mastering that makes it sound full-on'ish and restrained in space and depth. Make a comparison for example with the older version of the "Controlled" track or the Lone Deranger sound.

None the less, the bassline drives and the groove of the tracks is generally very good and well-tied, sometimes even storming. Good ideas can be found as well as nostalgic melodies. The compositions have potential. If i can state a track here, this is Mystic Change. If another perspective had been followed, the final result might be undoubtedly classic. And judging by some old works of the compositor, there is great potential and creativity for sure. I amazed by his old promo tracks (who cares about polished productions) and liked his Fluori Dolby EP, focusing in tracks Signs and DNA.

The cover art looks very nice and well made, with great colours, but i don't like the portrayed face.

[Penzoline]

Really I think the only problem this album ended up having was the tracks selected for the EP were better than several here. I rather have those Classics like DNA and Astral Body here than there. Especially DNA, what was the thought-process of not involving the BIGGEST Artha track ever in the main album? A little iffy, I must say.

[ptn]

Just my two cents .

 

Saying this album is too 'Hallucinogen-ish' (+ similar comments) and portraying it as sth bad sounds strange, especially when most of albums picked as 'best of' during last years are stricly from Pleiadians, Astral Projection or MFG's stable. I guess going down megamultilayered melodic goa nostalgia lane is still pretty strong in some of psytrancers (nothing bad about it, I'm one of them from time to time ).

 

As for the album - gread addition to less 'obvious' face of psytrance.

[Mergi]

Artist: Artha

Release: Influencing Dreams

Year: 2010

Label: Cronomi Records

Cat-#: cronomi003cd

Rating: 3.5/5.0

 

Tracklisting:

1) Dubber Nubber

2) Controlled

3) Chaos

4) Saikol

5) Mystic Change

6) Vocal Distortion

7) Bali

8) Transfusion

9) Insidelamp

 

This is really very nicely done, the flirts with Posfordianesque vibes isn't necessarily a bad thing. Though relying on it too heavily in your own productions highlights a certain problem. Which is that it is certainly good to be inspired to create but it's not optimal to have the inspiration create things for you.

 

The track Controlled is genuinely very very good and the highlight of the CD. Ticking in at 10+ minutes it's a very epic outdoor festival kind of track with a curious breakdown somewhere in the latter half (or rather it felt more like he got a surprise visit from Grand Wizard Simon himself and lent him the controls for a minute and a half. Hey! hey! not bad at all). Dubber Nubber is very nicely done, and it punches through even though it has such a slow tempo. Also Bali punches through as a nicely flowing track. Of course, it's very nice to hear him utilize the acid layers in such an emphatic manner and it is this that particularly reigns me in.

 

Unfortunately most tracks falls short, mainly due to me getting the impression that the tracks doesn't deliver all that they've got, the potential is very much there but isn't taken care of. Playing it on the safe side so to speak, lacking funk, flow, structure and, most importantly, a general sense of... well... FUN!

[Dolmot]

Remember to get the free Fluori Dolby EP too. Arguably some of the punchiest tracks were kindly donated as a promotional release earlier that year so they didn't end up on the album. If you feel the album didn't deliver completely, try considering it as a bundle deal with the free extras and maybe you'll feel a bit better.

[Shpongled247]

Remember to get the free Fluori Dolby EP too. Arguably some of the punchiest tracks were kindly donated as a promotional release earlier that year so they didn't end up on the album. If you feel the album didn't deliver completely, try considering it as a bundle deal with the free extras and maybe you'll feel a bit better.

^^ This.

 

Fluoro Dolby is actually the superior release of his to my ears. Shorter track list not withstanding of course.

[Penzoline]

Yeah, maybe the tracklists got mixed up for EP and Album?

 

For those curious, there is a buttload of Artha tracks on this mix all unreleased. IMO they are on a new level to this release.

http://www.psynews.org/forums/index.php/topic/68819-cronomi-tribute-by-psara-osg4-1st-of-june-2014/

[Templar]

Just going to leave a link here with a remix to "Imsidelamp" made by Psysutra:

 

https://soundcloud.com/psysutra/artha-insidelamp-psysutra-dubbed-rmx

 

Enjoy!

[Penzoline]

That was very good!

[Starkraver]

Still such a fun , happy album to listen to! These melodies never seem to get old

 

I just can't get enough of Vocal Distortion! That tune 6"

 

And Insidelamp and chaos! Damn. I'll have to mention the whole album. Nothing better than Controlled Live!

 

This album has been a great companion for the past couple of years. Hoping it'll be the same for many many more years to come.

[Kitrinos]

Mystic Change & Transfusion my favourites. Most of the tracks are pretty good. Great album for sure

[vlnik]

One of the BEST album that was released during last several years!

[HappyHorse]

One of the BEST album that was released during last several years!

 

 

Busy on track list for 2nd Artha album

 

+ also nice to see that even 5 years after its release, even new reviews come in, stating this music isn't getting them bored: that's what our aim is: durable music. THX for welcome feedback guys!

[Starkraver]

 

 

Busy on track list for 2nd Artha album

 

+ also nice to see that even 5 years after its release, even new reviews come in, stating this music isn't getting them bored: that's what our aim is: durable music. THX for welcome feedback guys!

Yes!! Now this good news..

<3 Cronomi Records. What an amazing news thanks!

[Starkraver]

Gave it a good break (not like it needs any) but daaaamn, this sounds so beautiful now. Goosebumps all over !

 

And I'm just in the first track!

Going to be a good evening

[thanosp81]

Gave it a good break (not like it needs any) but daaaamn, this sounds so beautiful now. Goosebumps all over !

 

And I'm just in the first track!

Going to be a good evening

?

[Starkraver]

?

The whole album.

[thanosp81]

The whole album.

Where?

[Starkraver]

Where?

15.7522° N, 75.1253° E

[thanosp81]

15.7522° N, 75.1253° E

Aaaargh

[Manuser]

Aged very well! Essential album of this decade.

[HappyHorse]

On 2/4/2018 at 4:00 PM, Manuser said:

Aged very well! Essential album of this decade.

 

And we love to do some more (hopefully)

Thanks, it makes us and the artist happy that even after so many years it is still standing: means a lot (quality wise). ...and that is what we still keep aiming for @ cronomi : albums that can last the time!