Search - Way Out West :: Don't Look Now

Good Album, But Not Great

C. Boulmay | Los Angeles, CA USA | 12/09/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album is not on the level as Way Out West's self titled album, but it is well composed and overall a quality album (CD1). W.O.W. use a lot of female vocal work in the tracks on this album. A couple of the tracks are enhanced by the vocal work, but most are deflated by the plain, steryotypical, overdone, and superficial lyrics which is a shame becuase most of the musical composition is very well done. I think people that are into the club scene or have a significant other that is into more "feminine" electronica would really enjoy the album.



The songs do tend to take on a "sameness" because of the heavy use of VAs, Romplers, and heavy filter use. Some analog synth work would have helped make the sound of the tracks more lively and diverse. The drum work is excellent as always.



CD2 is a progressive mix. I'm not much into the style so my opinion will be biased. I'm sure there are many people that would think it is great, but I found it to be too soft."

Superb clarity and emotion

BGP | NY | 05/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was skeptical when I first picked up this cd (my first experience with way out west) but was pleased after a few listens. I was drawn to this album after hearing the radio-ready first track, and though I tired of it fairly quickly I found there was much to be discovered on the rest of the album. Way out west is superbly fine-tuned original techno, the kind that's hard to find in a sea of DJ mixes and traditional compilations. The first cd is addictive and grows on you quickly... Lots of heavy emotion and drama, and great vocals though most tracks are instrumental. The beats are heavy but crisp, and the noises are creative and varied, keeping you interested throughout the journey."

A new direction for WoW

S. D. Bates | 05/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having become a "real band" - employing a singer and drummer - during the production of many of the tracks on this album, Way Out West often show a different, more contemplative side to their music. Of course, the storming prog house and breaks for which they are best known remains, though this is only one side of this album of great depth and longevity.



Beginning with the tight kicks of the vocal-led "Anything But You", and moving into the slow and emotional "Don't Forget Me" (which although one of the weaker tracks on the album, has a tremendous set of remixes that are well worth checking out), WoW move into more familiar prog territory, with three consecutive instrumental tracks. "Everyday" features a house kick with a great piano melody, "Apollo" is a space-age breaks laden track with enough energy and melody to please any Way Out West fan, and "Chasing Rainbows" is a slower instrumental track with a great build. The next track, "Fear" kicks off with a fierce drum intro which builds and builds, and makes you wish for Omi's vocals to return. Well, in fact, they do. At the end of the build comes a huge breakdown where Omi sings, "Looked into my soul, and found no limits" - you have to listen to this album to believe how good it feels when that break hits you. "Apollo" and "Fear" are my two favourite tracks, although this album is nothing if not going to appreciated as much unless listened to from start to finish.

The two next tracks "Coming Home" and "Just Like A Man" are slow and vocal-led, but not to be categorised under 'filler', before leading into "Killa", a prog house track with an enormously (but not overly) long intro, before kicking into tribal chanting and bongo madness.

"Northern Lights", the collaboration with Ulrich Schnauss (he of "Far Away Trains..." fame) is a chilly melodic breaks track, at a pace slow enough to let you recover from the madness of the last track, before more tight breaks with a vocal, "Melt" put you into a dream state which will continue onto "Absinthe Dreams", which while melodic and dreamy, also has a nightmarish quality - those who know the source of the main sample (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) will agree, which is the perfect end to a glorious album.



But wait! There are two discs!!!

Yes, and although I'm not about to review disc two, I will say that this is one of the best prog mix CD's I have listened to in a very long time - not as good as disc 1, but still worth the admission price alone.



So WoW show they have aged and matured into an act capable of taking on the road, and released a great album. But I just want to know when their next one is coming out!!!"