Search - Color Theory :: Life's Fairytale

The perfect Color Theory album!

Jason Baker | Cullman, AL USA | 08/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a first for Color Theory, in that it's for the most part all electronic, with a minimum of acoustic piano in the songs. Which, to be honest, I've grown to really like. Not as much as the hybrid piano/electronic sound, but I've grown to like it a lot in and of itself.  Some of these songs are actually from the 'Bad Song Of The Week' feature on Color Theory's webpage, and I really loved hearing more fleshed-out versions of many of those songs. Some of my favorite BSTOW's such as "Wishing I Had An Umbrella", "So Many Ways", and "End Of The Night" really shine here in a more polished (yet all-electronic) form.  Most of the tracks from "Perfect For Awhile" are similar enough to the versions on that release to not significantly shift my opinion of the songs, other than liking them even more. The one song that was also on that release that I want to make additional comments on is "Cheerleader". After hearing this song for a while, and then seeing snippets of the movie "Bring It On", I must say it's the type song I can easily seeing a cheerleading routine being done to. That would be extremely funny, to see a group of cheerleaders performing to a song that undercuts a lot of the mindset that's implied to most cheerleaders. And I still say that Brian's cover of "I Felt The Pain" is the best cover version I've ever heard of any song... Now on to the remixes... The remix of "Outside Girl" was done by Brian, and it was featured on a remix compilation from Germany, I believe. It's a dance remake of the song, in a nutshell. And while it's enjoyable, it looses some of the emotion of the original song in the translation, I think. Next is a remix of "Now I Know", by Cosmicity. To be honest, Mark didn't have much to work with here, with the original being only piano and vocals. However, he's transformed the song into a synthpo masterpiece, while retaining excellently the feeling of restrained longing the original song conveyed. I could put this one on repeat for hours on end and never get tired of it... "Lost Distance Martyr" is remixed by Steve Sholtes, who has done a lot of work with Cosmicity, and also has his own project, Jealous Of Frank. It's a Drum and Bass treatment of the song, but it really works well. The booming deep bass line really helps the gloominess of the song come through. I like it! The next mix, by Paul R of Anything Box, is actually a rather trance-oriented take on the track. However, the vocal samples and snippets are used to perfect effect, and I really like the pitch-shifting effect used on the vocals. I always said Brian had amazing range vocally, but I never knew he could go that high. :-D Keith Gilliard faces a difficult task as he closes out the remixes and the album. Not only is he closing out the album, but he's remixing one of my all-time favorite Color Theory songs, "For Good". It ranges from Drum and Bass, to Trancey, and back to D&B. And although it's a totally different vibe from the original, emotion-laden ballad, it works! I like it! Simply put, if you're a Color Theory fan, and missed out on the promo album "Perfect For Awhile", you must have this. And if you're a synthpop fan, who's heard some CTheory material before, and been intrigued, this album is for you. I really can't find a reason for someone to not buy this cd. Highly recommended!!!"

Crushing synthetics, intelligent / crystalline vox

DJ N.HOPSPRODUKT(NHPRODUKT@aol.com) | Chicago, IL United States | 08/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This new Color Theory material plays like platinum. The lyrics are crushing, memorable synthetics, harmonies and crystalline vox.... It's so good! I've played it 7 times already -- perfect for driving at night on long trips, where there are no distractions so the subtleties in the tracks are gleaned. This project is definitely at the apex. I keep it in my car to play for friends to see their reaction. Color Theory's cover of the brilliant Anything Box track "I Felt The Pain" is -- this is hard to believe -- better than the original. I love the vocal treatments and the back-up vocals. If someone likes the original, your version is ESSENTIAL. And I'm usually ambivalent about cover versions. The lyrics on Ponytail girl, So Many Ways, Wishing I Had An Umbrella, Here In My Heart ... wow. The CD reminds me a bit of Sinead O'Connors' CD "Am I Not Your Girl" -- both would be great played end-to-end at high-class cocktail parties, or at an ultracool winebar. Such smooth pipes.... We're dropping radio airplay (WCPR) for the album and club rotations (C-Street) for the track "I Felt The Pain." That track is so edgy. It's opening some eyes. It's like the intensity is 10/10, reminds me of Tears For Fears -- you know the feeling I'm talking about. I could totally see this downtempo style transform into a dance side-project, maybe channelling some intense lyrics/vox, with the new synthetics, pulsing basslines and creative drum patterns. Lots of overlapping vox -- lead and background, or even lead and background lead (there's something about vocal density that really accelerates a track into memory). Maybe do a track or two. Maybe keep the name similar so fans can still find it (like Condition One, and Condition Icon)? You could be Color Theory and Color Theory Control or something. I only mention the dance side-project because you've got a great voice and great lyricism, and that's usually missing on the dancefloor, so it's a selfish request. Voltaire once said "Appreciation is a wonderful thing, it makes what is excellent in others belong to you as well". It's great to have creative/intellectual artists like this in this life. Keep Up The Strong Work..."

Life's Fairytale= Perfect Electronic Pop!

DJ N.HOPSPRODUKT(NHPRODUKT@aol.com) | 08/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once again Color Theory mezmerises us with perfect electronic pop. On his latest release, "Life's Fairytale", Brian Hazard (the sole member of Color Theory) haunts us with emotive songs & Martin Gore-esque vocals. He is intricately complimented by a blend of post modern synths and a crystal clear piano.Highlights include,"Ponytail Girl",(I love the complex harmonies on this track), the dance infused "Everything I Thought I Had To Be", and the Anything Box cover "I Felt The Pain". Plus tracks 11-15 are Color Theory remixed! How Cool Is That! If you are a fan of modern synthpop music, this is one cd that can't be missed!"