Search - Deepsky :: In Silico

The best electronic debut in quite some time.

Trevor C. Cook | Ramstein, Germany | 06/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Deepsky (J. Scott G. and Jason Blum) present us now with their debut album, In Silico (named as something of a tribute to their almost exclusive use of software "silicon" synthesizers). And it's a fine act.This CD is crisp, clean, sharper than a straight razor. Given how poorly mixed (in the sound level sense) most CDs are these days, In Silico is an aural treat. Everything, from the clarity of the stereo seperation to the audible range of the audio is fantastic. In Silico features some gut-moving lows, some soft, dreamy mids, and some incredible highs. Everything seems to be exactly in its place, leaving everything from the deepest bass to the slightest digital effects sounding clearer than you've probably ever heard them. It's quite something.The music is quite something too. View From A Stairway is the perfect opening for the album, and a classy introduction into Deepsky's production style. The Mansion World is wonderfully trippy number, while Ride is an an uplifting and catchy track of a quality not heard since the heydays of Underworld. Atia's soft melody contrasts its killer breakbeats perfectly, while Cosmic Dancer will get anybody moving with its subwoofer-breaking bass and almost tribal flavor. Until The End Of The World is a dramatic soundscape of epic proportions. There are only a handful of issues with this album. The first is the song Smile, the only vocal track, featuring Saffron. The instrumental side is great, but the vocals feel decidedly forced, leaving it with an off-balance feel. The second issue is that the majority of the songs take quite some time to reach their individual peaks and climaxes, leaving you waiting through as many as 3 minutes of beats and build-ups before you get to the melody and real movement of the song. In a 5-6 song, you spend half your time waiting, and this isn't the best approach. That said, the end result is ALWAYS worth the wait on this album.In Silico is the best debut I've heard since The Crystal Method's Vegas, and shares many similarities with the Method's masterpiece. Energetic, kinetic, and very, very electronic (Don't expect any Dirty Vegas or recent BT "crossover" styled works here), In Silico is a clean, precise album that just happens to get almost everything right. Mixed with a level of attention and filled with layers of detailing that rival BT, Deepsky's baby is a stellar addition to the electronic world, and an instant classic."

"Come on and take a ride on the rays of the sun."

pizzadeliveryguy | Coral Springs, FL | 01/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Deepsky rocks. Man, does Deepsky rock. After listening to the utter garbage that BT's Emotional Technology was, and the depressingly "4-star" Reflections from Paul van Dyk (I use the term depressing in the sense that PVD's previous work has always been 5-star perfection), I was beginning to think electronic music was losing its edge. I was beginning to think it was selling out to the mainstream. Thankfully, In Silico proves me wrong.Everything in this album is sharp as a razor. The mixing is superb, with no bloated bass or overly harsh treble; the sound levels are exactly where they should be. Also, the original CD has the bonus of being recorded in 24-bit 48kHz glory while most CDs are recorded in 16-bit 44.1kHz. To most listeners, the difference won't be audible, but for those on high end hi-fi systems, you're in for a treat, while your system is in for a shocking test: This CD jumps all over the sound spectrum, with insanely tight and deep bass, subtle mids and unbelievably clear highs and effects. The overall production value of this CD is outstanding, giving it a high-quality and professional sound.But BT's Emotional Technology had nice production values too so let's get on to the important stuff: the music. From the moment View From A Stairway begins to come out of your speakers and into your room, you know you've got something special here. Deepsky seems to have done the impossible with this CD: They've created a sound that's both timeless and classical sounding while adding their own creative styling to the package. Listening to tracks like Ride will remind you of the golden days of Underworld, but never once will you forget that this is Deepsky you're listening to. It's both familiar and fresh at the same time, a rarity in music these days.There are only two flaws in Deepsky's album debut. The first is the song Smile, where vocalist Saffron's singing feels decidedly forced and out of place. The second is the fact that Deepsky takes their sweet time to get their songs going, and while the end is worth it, it is an annoyance to have to sit through two minutes of build-up in every single track.In Silico is an "in your face" wake-up call to the top-dogs of the electronic world, a message that lazy remixes and uninspired commercial follow-ups will not be tolerated. It's a dance album that while endlessly danceable never forgets that it's supposed to be easy on the ears. Sharp acoustics, pleasing harmonies and a creative twist on classic dance makes this CD an insant classic in itself, establishes Deepsky as a true force to be reckoned with. Like Way Out West (Nick Warren and Jody Wisternoff), Deepsky (J. Scott G. and Jason Blum) is a sonic powerhouse that never ceases to amaze and has a bright future ahead."

It's good

N. Fisher | East Coast United States | 12/31/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If there is one definate thing about this CD,
it is that it thumps. The beats are big, and
the melodies driving. This is a dancefloor
friendly album, so expect to hear lack of
creativity in the vein of danceability, but
don't turn away there. The CD has much to
offer, including great production quality,
and listenability. You can put headphones
on and enjoy this CD too. It's energetic and
nu skool, with hard electronic skittering
breaks and electro grumble. Some kind of industrial tone sneaks in there too, where
vocal tracks don't necessarily follow the
normal "dance" routine, lending to the
overall feel of a production album rather
than a track compilation or mix. This is
good, and if you put this CD on, prepare
to be awake. Maybe a little uncreative at
times, and possibly a little trite at
others, but definately a quality production."