Search - System 7 :: Seventh Wave

Flow motion

loteq | Regensburg | 03/15/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"More than half a decade after their last full-length venture, the rather disappointing "Golden section", Steve Hillage and his long-time partner Miquette Giraudy finally offer a new 8-track/70-minute album issued on their own Alpha Wave label. It was clear from the first day of their existence that System 7 had carved a pretty original niche for themselves, but sometimes it was just a little hard to tell that behind their mystical aura, the evocative song titles and their esoteric ambient tunes they've got a terrific guitarist and an equally talented female keyboardist - Miquette handled the electronic equipment on Hillage's stellar "Rainbow dome musick" and contributed the stunning "Garden of paradise". Given that their activities in recent years merely embraced some sporadic remix work, including the hippie-goes-clubber project "You remixed" (a tribute to Hillage's former band Gong), some live performances, and a couple of Japanese releases, it's quite a surprise that after this long absence they've managed to come up with a record this strong and compelling as "7th wave" - especially when you consider that System 7's frequent collaborators The Orb had a quite similar evolution during the late-`90s and fell flat with their latest offering "Cydonia". In noticeable ways, "7th wave" isn't a major step forward for the band, neither in terms of overall sound design nor in terms of breathtaking new ideas, but Hillage and Giraudy come up with some of their strongest songs so far and created a record that balances commercial and creative concerns with ease. There is a truly great sense of dynamics throughout the album since the mix and the production are exemplary, with no instrument or melody being lost in the background. And the more dance-oriented tunes, well..., these tracks drill into your ears like there's no tomorrow! Opener "Manik Shamanik" begins very relaxing with various layers of spacious synth sounds and mid-tempo beats, but as soon as Hillage throws in a threatening ebb-and-flow pattern of teethgrinding guitar riffs while the rhythms choose a much harder path, the pieces takes on an overwhelming, almost claustrophobic sonic energy seldom found in other System 7 releases. "High plains drifter", the first single off "7th wave" which also appears in several remixes on the 12" release, also follows this style and offers another relentless attack, with Hillage's guitar screeching in the background and struggling against the massive wall of up-tempo beats and bass drums. So please don't be fooled by the fairly uninteresting 30-second audio bits here: This is thumping, high-energy dance music and will certainly make you crank up the volume. Personally, I do not believe that there is any other techno act which will match the sheer impact of "Manik Shamanik" and "High plains drifter" in the near future - System 7 are just too good at their own game here. Another engaging track is "Varkala", which places its double-sequencer lines between droning bass punches and a whole battery of sound effects, of course featuring Hillage's anthemic riffs and some quite engaging melodies. My only complaint is that this album rarely reaches the earth-shaking drive of these three aforementioned tracks again as the remaining pieces are mostly fairly slow and sometimes generic "chill-out" numbers which all go on for two or three minutes too long. "Soft rain", the one and only collaboration on this album with a well-known outside artist (the other, "unknown", artist here is Bruno Catala, who once worked with Sabres Of Paradise and contributed some songwriting and production duties to "7th wave") is such an example; although it bears the unmistakable hallmark of Dr. LX Paterson's convoluted Orb-style production, there simply isn't much going on here musically or melodically. "The abyss" and "Chiringuito" offer some slowly developing ambient-house/trance soundscapes with pulsating beats and floating melodies, perhaps recalling the likes of Chicane and BT. Not quite innovative, though. In contrast, the 10 ½-minute "7 O'clock" is quite reminiscent of Hillage's `70s output because it captures a similar mood due to its Eastern-tinged samples, spiralling guitar lines, and Gong-style keyboards. Overall, although the entire album is not as intense as the first two tracks suggest, I still think that "7th wave" is System 7's best release so far - not as sophisticated as the "Fire + Water" set or as visionary as their debut, but definitely a bit more fun to listen to. A satisfying work for long-time fans and a quite good place for the newly interested to start, the stateside release of this album was really deserved."

From the Deep Space of the Universe

Cisco Kid | In Front A Stargate | 11/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A seer once told me. "Your ears might be too small to hear what a loved one has to say, but your soul is big enough. Listen without the pressure of having to judge. Tonight, the song of the universe is coursing through your veins". I saw System 7 earlier this year at the Rex. The vibrations emitting before, during and after proved that they both still had it in them to reach within my inner crystal, remove the dust and make it shine again. I thank them both very much for that early morning bliss.
I finally got off my ass and placed my order. Seventh Wave hath arrived... Three of the tracks I download from their site earlier in the year, High Plains Drifter, 7 O'clock, Soft Rain, which were just a tease for this thirsty body and mind. Seventh Wave- is the past, present and future of a mystical blend that is very delicious and refreshing for this body and mind. It's great to hear the strings singing once again and so well placed. It's great that you both kept and let some of the past glide in throughout these tracks. You both have set a course which I feel is just the beginning of another chapter in life once again.
Test drove this puppy through audio devices- the car, office, home surround sound system ( low, medium, and chase them out of the house levels), mobile unit with headset (while laying underneath some palm trees here) and now currently via the helm with several visual displays. I am one that feels vibrations and hear tunes flowing and growing within me head and body yet not knowing from where it comes but waiting patiently for their arrival to provide the bliss once again and this CD is one of them........... Which track is my favorite? All of them.... But, must say Steve; never cease to amaze me with the sound waves that emit from his strings. Miquette, I love how she gives that spice of past then snap me awake with the present and off we glo. But, Varkala, High Plains Drifter, and 7 O'clock, are the one especially to crank it up, flow and glo for as I type me head is nodding, swaying side to side, up on me toes, body just a shaking as their enlightenment fulfill my thirst.. I have listened to this CD now seven times and it just keeps emitting inwards and outwards and yes both have brought that smile upon me face again. Let's see what tomorrow brings......"Warp Factor 9"......ENGAGE....... Till our journey paths cross once again. Peace and Keep Zee Faith."

Point of entry

loteq | Regensburg | 03/21/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For my full review please take a look at the import version of "7th wave"!The nearly 10-minute opener "Manik Shamanik" begins very relaxing with various layers of spacious synth sounds and mid-tempo beats, but as soon as Hillage throws in a threatening ebb-and-flow pattern of grinding guitar riffs while the rhythms choose a much harder path, the piece takes on an overwhelming, almost claustrophobic sonic energy seldom found in other System 7 releases. "High plains drifter", the first single off "7th wave" which also appears in several remixes on the accompanying 12" release, also follows this style and offers another relentless attack, with Hillage's guitar screeching in the background and struggling against the massive wall of up-tempo beats and bass drums. So please don't be fooled by the fairly uninteresting 30-second audio bits here: This is thumping, high-energy dance music and will certainly make you crank up the volume. Personally, I do not believe that there is any other techno act which will match the sheer impact of "Manik Shamanik" and "High plains drifter" in the near future - System 7 are just too good at their own game here. Another engaging track is "Varkala", which places its double-sequencer lines between droning bass punches and a whole battery of sound effects, of course featuring Hillage's anthemic riffs and some quite engaging melodies. My only complaint is that this album rarely reaches the earth-shaking drive of these three aforementioned tracks again as the remaining pieces are mostly fairly slow and sometimes generic "chill-out" numbers which all go on for two or three minutes too long. "Soft rain", the one and only collaboration on this album with a well-known outside artist (the other, "unknown", artist here is Bruno Catala, who once worked with Sabres Of Paradise and contributed some songwriting and production duties to "7th wave") is such an example; although it bears the unmistakable hallmark of Dr. LX Paterson's convoluted Orb-style production, there simply isn't much going on here musically or melodically. "The abyss" and "Chiringuito" offer some slowly developing ambient-house/trance soundscapes with pulsating beats and floating melodies, perhaps recalling the likes of Chicane and BT. Not quite innovative, though. In contrast, the 10 ½-minute "7 O'clock" is quite reminiscent of Hillage's '70s output because it captures a similar mood due to its Eastern-tinged samples, spiralling guitar lines, and Gong-style keyboards. Overall, although the entire album is not as intense as the first two tracks suggest, I still think that "7th wave" is System 7's best release so far - not as sophisticated as the "Fire + Water" set or as visionary as their debut, but definitely a bit more fun to listen to. A satisfying work for long-time fans and a quite good place for the newly interested to start, "7th wave" is just too good to be ignored. Also check out System 7's homepage... for further audio samples and information."