Goatbed - Technicontrastron 01

By jam.bot

Release Date: 08/20/2004

My Rating

Sound Quality - 10/10
Length - 9/10
Transitions - 8/10
Songs - 9/10
Overall Score - 9/10!

Overview

Technicontrastron 01 is the beginning of former Cali=Gari front man Shuuji Isshi�fs musical odyssey as a solo artist. His project, titled goatbed, explores the realm of a unique blend of electropop and 80s new wave. This combination makes Technicontrastron 01, goatbed�fs debut album, something of sheer experimental amazement.

Review

Technicontrastron 01 begins with a bang. The first track, "wo! wo ai ni" really sets the album’s tone with its overly catchy synth and vocal range. The first minute of the track sounds remiscent to a trance intro. Then, the arp-synth cuts in along with Isshi’s vocals soon thereafter. From that moment on it is clear what exactly goatbed’s Technicontrastron 01 will be.

Every track on the album is catchy to an extent, each in its own way. Songs rarely come off as excessively electronic though since they maintain a nice sort of melodic balance. One interesting track is "Sundog Honeymoon". It begins as if a throwback to Cali=Gari with its seemingly similar angura-kei guitar style. Just as in "wo! wo ai ni", the song goes on to throw the listener for a bit of a loop with its bouncy, bubbly synth lines. Much of the album is like this. These changes are never excessive though. They walk the line of maintaining a very nice balance and the differences distinguish themselves as either ‘intros’ or ‘outros’.

Tracks such as "Boy" and "Muen no Metaphor Arusiwa, Uta dake" error on the side of being highly influenced by new wave. One can almost certainly associate each of these tracks with a previous 80s hit. Other songs, including the likes of ൕ Reshio" and "Urei Day By Day" take on a more experimental and electropop vibe.

Goatbed’s musical style is very unique and stands out as far as electronic music goes. Melodic elements are exclusively electronic that often range in a very high octave compared to vocals. Shuuji Isshi’s vocals in this goatbed project can be characterized as his standard style meets 80s new wave meets darkwave. While always maintaining a powerful command of the song, his voice navigates from supplying vocal melody to providing ambient, smooth textures.

Technicontrastron 01 does not have as much ‘fluff’ as other albums in this experimental electropop/new wave genre usually do. Instead, songs are very succinct and their progression remains practical. That is one shortcoming though. With music as outlandish as this, one would expect certain songs to take off on a wild tangent somewhere. goatbed’s songs rarely do that. That is possibly a good thing though since it defies the expectation of defying expectation in the manor of similar artists.

Goatbed melds many positive musical traits together to create a distict style. Among this style is a great array of songs that never stray far away from a positive, electronic vibe. Technicontrastron 01 is something worth checking out for any fan of synth-driven music.

Track Listing

1. Wo! Wo Ai Ni
2. Pop Groove
3. Sundog Honeymoon
4. 13 Reshio
5. Boy
6. temp
7. Muen no Metaphor Arusiwa, Uta dake
8. Toki koso Ima da!
9. Urei Day By Day
10. Angel Talk Tech

Where Can You Buy the CD?

CD Japan

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