Braincell (3) ‎– Frequency Evolution

(In case you were wondering, this is NOT the Braincell of old Harthouse fame, it is a different artist with the same name)
I must admit I've never heard any of (this) Braincell's work until now, I gave this album a try after some recomendations and was amazed. He conveniently mixes in oldscool elements with full-on and even some progressive to give us an unique morning style.

The album starts off with Squeezer that sounds kindof like progressive psy with a full-on bassline... not really my cup of tea... press forward on your remote please...

Warp Zone starts just as boring as Squeezer but it gradually builds up and then around 2:30 a nice melody takes over. Ahhh that's more like it, but still something's missing here.

Anti Gravity now Braincell hits us in full effect. An absolute dancefloor stormer, there are many oldschool influences but it is all made in a unique style, I just can't get enough of this one. Definately one of the best tracks of the year!!

It all goes down a notch with Human V2 which is an ok track, but a bit dissapointing after hearing Anti Gravity.

Enhanced Disclosure brings some more oldschoolish melodies. Very nice but not perfect...

Then comes yet another dancefloor stormer Time Tunnel. You have to wait until 4:30 for this track to fully unleash its power but the wait is well worth it. One of the best melodies I've heard in a long time!

Don't Disturb the Snake is still firing on all pistons but the melody isn't as magical as Anti Gravity or Time Tunnel.

Vibrations brings us to the darker side of things, I'd call this one dark full-on. Some interesting twisted atmospheres and also some oldschoolish dark melodies, at parts it reminded me Darshan.

Bodyspeaker 2008 continues in dark full-on territory but sounds pretty generic to my ears. I haven't heard the original Bodyspeaker but I kindof wonder why Braincell felt the need to make a remix...

Daybreak ah who said that the tradition of putting a downtempo track at the end of an album was lost? Interesting track, it reminds me a LOT of some oldschool downtempo tracks.

THE GOOD: tracks 3 and 6 are AMAZING, it's been a while since I haven't felt the urge of jumping from my chair and dance when listening to a killer track. I have put that down to getting older but it seems that a great track will still do it for me at any age.

THE BAD: pretty inconsistent album. While some tracks are instant classics, others are quite forgetable.

CONCLUSION A killer album that I can only wholehartedly recommend to anyone into morning psy with oldschool influences. Not all tracks are great, but you will find more interesting tracks here than on most 2008 releases and IMO the dancefloor stormers more than compensate for the duds.

Latest installment in the Glowing Flame Records/Braincell catalogue. And so there is no doubt. They still rule the Full On scene. Frequency Evolution will offer dance floor madness as much as a ticket to Psychedelia in the comfort of your living room. Pick your preferred venue and Ralph Knobloch picks up the stick from his earlier releases and guides you well into Never Never land.

Admittedly, one may argue that Frequency Evolution does not add much new to the sound we’ve come to expect from Braincell and GF Records. Full on bassline, FX to provide a psychedelic vibe, and a firm determination to run you over with dance music. Well, that might be but these guys have perfected the formula and I know of no other Full On act as interesting as the Swiss/Macedonian/UK triangle. Why fuck with a tried and tested formula?

Consequently, a track by track review is hardly worth the effort. Not counting the chill out closer Daybreak all remaining tracks more or less follow the same line of idea and followers of intelligent Full On are urged to join this party wagon sooner rather than later. This is benchmark material.

As usual Joe is responsible for the art work and once again the result immaculate. If Ultimae is the stand out label within organic chill out music GF Records have conquered the No. 1 Full On stand out spot in every ways.

Another thoroughly enjoyable piece of electronic music from Braincell and GFR!