Disappointed with this "Selection"
Roger Riddell | Lexington, KY. United States | 10/04/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I was anxiously anticipating the long-awaited release from one of progressive houses inimitable production duos, Evolution, as I have been a fan of their work for some time now.
Evolution won me over in 99' with their smoldering pot boiler of a rework in the X-Cabs "Infectious." From then on I was constantly amazed at their stellar soundscapes and finely tuned prodution skills on tracks like Cass/Slide's "Opera" and more recently "The Energy" from Salt Tank.
But with the just released long player "Unnatural Selection", I am shockingly surprised the album only includes 6 original/contemporary tracks (of which one is a remix)and ultimately disappointed in the fact that of the remaining 5 cuts, 4 of those are dated 1996 & on. (I hadn't realized Evolution had been so lazy in composing tracks for a much anticipated artist album) I would expect QUITE a bit more originalty and creativity from Evolution and a COMPLETE album of brand new tracks recorded at LEAST within the last two years! Evolution indeed...
This "debut" album should have been marketed as a "greatest hits package with bonus cuts!" instead of what the listener is left with. The annoyingly monotonous bleeping of "Better House Music" and 1996's outdated "Blaster" (replete with antiquated vocoder effects, no less) are two tracks the album could have done without entirely. They act as nothing more than sonic train wrecks in what otherwise might be regarded as a journey of sorts.
Make no mistake, it's no "Airdrawndagger" and not without merit but I find that after 3 forced listens to this album, I've come to like it best when I program the above mentioned tracks out of the albums mix completely. It's a much smoother, more bearable ride.
"Unnatural Selection" is not entirely without its strong points, either. The much lauded "Walking on Fire" is one of the best progressive singles of the year. And With those ever present, deep, swirling bass synths that fuel nearly all of Evolution's compositions is the driving trance menace of "Crocodile man." "Solina" (also from the Evolution back catalogue) provides for a moment of ambient chill which switches the LP suddenly to a gentle, grooving beat. The other new stunning Jayn Hanna track, "Making Sense",(which should have closed the album) sounds strangely out of place with it's balearic infused production which contrasts sharply with the albums other more electro-trance elements but is ultimately a more brilliant effort - just ill advised for this type of album. Also, the fact that the ambient mix of "Walking on Fire" follows the track as the albums closer is yet another stroke of confusion.
When and if Evolution choose to release a follow up to this disjointed trance morass, one can hope they generate an entirely new body of material and polish it with a better sense of direction and overall cohesion."
Say, it's not too shabby...
10/22/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"when i first heard evolution, it was on the radio and i didn't KNOW it. barry jamieson (1/2 of the duo) was playing at the Spundane in chicago, and his mix included most of 'solina' and some other really good song that i still don't know. then i looked him and his group up and found this cd. TRUE STORY! anyway, this cd is really good, you willn't be disappointed. from the ambience of the first couple minutes of 'numb' to the pounding rhythm of 'walkingonfire,' and the cool stuff of 'solina,' this is such a great tech album, so get it! everyone! even you who are skeptical on if it isn't good, it really is. bye"
