As always, dear readers, this blog's opinion is that solely of a classically trained worker-monkey.
Preamble:
I feel like the chiptunes scene has been lacking much in quality since I entered. In our lives we are constantly bombarded by "DATA CHIP EXTREMECORE1337", "Avante-Garde Chip pop" (note to self, now is not the time to rip on Jay Tholen), and stuff that isn't (according to myself) even chiptune (Sorry, Je Mapelle, you're guilty.) This album is none of this.
Negative:
As he told me to, I will be ruthless in pointing out little mistakes
1- The beginning of "Waking up in the Perseids" makes me dizzy. He plays too much with panning, thus gives the listener the feeling of being dizzy as hell. (I know it made me dizzy as hell). It's like spinning around in a chair listening to a song, except minus the spinny chair.
The Song Focal point has the same problem. Other then that heavy-panning opening, these songs are pretty good.
2- No cadence on "Stars and Skies forever"
This was a bit of a let down, honestly. A pretty song needs to have some sort of cadence at the end, a pop fade-out just won't cut it.
example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Xm7s9eGxU
It wraps up the song, Satie takes us into this sonic universe of unrelenting beauty and sadness (this is one of the few songs I've cried to, TBH)
This very pretty song VCMG has crafted, would be much better with a cadence, not matter what it was (as long as it wasn't a "fuck you" cadence)
SIDENOTEExample of a "fuck you cadence", 8:51 through the end of this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toa8s0FtBLY
/ENDSIDENOTE
The Positive!!!!
1 -
The song "introduction"
It really gives the listener a taste of some material similar to what the rest of the album is going to be.
2 -
Fantastic writing
3 -
EVEN MORE FANTASTIC WRITING
4 -
Excellent choice in synths
5 -
"Stars and Skies Forever"
I know I got on this song for not having a cadence earlier in this review. But, god , it might be one of the prettiest things I have ever heard in my entire life (and I spend a lot of time listening to and looking for pretty music).
6 -
The fast paced songs
TALK ABOUT HITTING THE BALL OUT OF THE FUCKING PARK.
7 -
The Bonus song...SHHH, DON'T TELL HIM I TOLD YOU ABOUT IT
It reminds me of a postlude to finishing pokemon, an excellent way to end an album that really takes you on a journey. I cannot compliment this man enough.
So, in review
The album "Focal Point" by VCMG, might be one of the best things I've ever listened to in my life. I'm not one to sugar coat (as you can tell by my other posts on this blog, I really hate sugar-coated reviews). VCMG might be the next most important artist in chiptunes. He shows true mastery of the genre, his instruments (showing skill in 2xLSDJ and 1xLSDJ). He nailed what he was going for. If I could, I would drop 100 dollars for this album. Unfortunately, since I don't have the money to do so, all I can say is "this album is worth atleast 5 dollars, probably more like 10...alright 100 dollars."
Unfortunately, do to slight mistakes, this album is not "perfect", but, as Picasso once said "One can only abandon a piece of art", implying that art is never perfect.
9.9/10
This is one of the most powerful albums in the chiptunes genre. This man doesn't need help perfecting his style, what he needs is publicity. Please, tell your friends.
note: any level headed reviewer, probably more of a 9.5 or a 9
