About the review

Title: WhoZ Gonna Take It
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Artist: Alizhen
Genre: Electronica: Breakbeat/Breaks
Reviewed by: Spectra on October 29, 2007 (All reviews by Spectra)

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1Overall Description
Wow..."from scratch" old-school style break-beat with modern production techniques and samples.
Some parts, like at 1:00, sound like a broken record do to the repeating phrases and looped-sounding piano-like synths...but the track keeps a perfect silk-smooth break-beat dancing vibe better than 98% of "commercial hip-hop breaks" I've heard...quite impressive in it's own right.
 
2Creativity Description
Some of the drum breakdown, like at 0:30, sound outstandingly smooth and the whole series of drums in-between the snare hit shift almost like jazz-fills giving an amazingly subtle smooth "swishing" sound. The melodic work really doesn't go anywhere do to the fact there is only one main riff/theme, but rather this tune succeeds in having a "turntablism" feel, taking a single melody and beat but using tempo, pitch, and unique breakdowns to keep it fresh. Has a feel a bit like Will Smith's old tracks ("Summertime" anyone?) and a bit like Run DMC's classic tracks :-)
 
3Artistic License Description
Much the same as creativity, this succeeds in capturing the classic "party" sound of early 90's hip-hop break-dance music and doesn't fall into the trap of sounding either too hardcore or too relaxed (it has plenty of punch and snap).
 
4Arrangement Description
While the actual placement of instruments in panning spectrum, tuning, EQ...is all professional grade there is a lot lacking in progressiveness of the melody and mood of the track because there is only one main riff (with a slight variation and horn section for the outro). This makes it a great track for a party but only so-so for personal listening as it sounds a bit too redundant/repetitive for that.
 
5Sound Quality Description
I admit I'd love to get mixing lessons from this guy...so many artists have great sound quality but can't (or don't want to) mix many drums, this guy balances loads of drums and yet maintains that token 2 drum (bass-snare) hip-hop clarity and punch (especially with the snares and cymbal EQ).
Also, the way fills are EQ'd in such a way they appear to morph is particularly impressive, reminds me a bit of C&C Music Factory's old tunes.
 
6Does it work as a piece of music Description
It certainly works as a break-dance/party piece of music, but simply needs that extra progression in mood and melody to be great for personal/non-dance-floor listening as well.
 
Comments
Oct 30 2007 4:09 pm
by thecanary
This is a golden example of a good review (and it's also a golden example of a kick-ass track!)



Oct 30 2007 10:44 am
by Spectra
Thanks and, don't feel too guilty about the past reviews...it took me a couple of months to rise to the style of reviewing I have now (and I realize it's very hard effort, and I can imagine even harder when English isn't your first language). By the way the message you sent me back actually had as much good detail as about any review I've read (or written)... Guys like you are experts the rest of us can be inspired by...and I strongly encourage you to do the type of great reviews I know you are capable of. :-)



Oct 30 2007 4:02 am
by Alizhen
Thank you for a fantasic review, you are too kind. I now know I must make a deeper effort when writing a review myself.