centrozoon - the scent of crash and burn (cd ep)
Centrozoon's first release with No-Man singer Tim Bowness presents an unexpected fusion of electronic pop and experimental elements that is both accessible and challenging.
From the electro-rush of '10 Versions of America' to the croon-laden hush of 'The Me I Knew' via the other-worldly title track, this five track debut sampler from the new trio formation of the band provides an ideal cross
section of the results of the collaboration to date.
Tracks
1) ten versions of america (trg radio version)
2) make me forget you
3) the me i knew
4) the scent of crash and burn
5) ten versions of america
Credits
music by bowness/reuter/wöstheinrich
lyrics by bowness
tim bowness . vocals
markus reuter . guitar
bernhard wöstheinrich . synths and programming
recording engineer . philipp quaet-faslem
mixed by lee fletcher except 5 by fletcher/reuter
alternative arrangements on 1 by philipp muench
mastered by eroc at the mastering ranch
artwork and design by bernhard wöstheinrich
produced by centrozoon
www.centrozoon.de
Comments
Centrozoon represents the accumulated talents of singer Tim Bowness together with German duo Markus Reuter and Bernhard Wösteinrich. The trio does a fine job navigating around sophisticated dance tracks such as the EP’s remixed opening cut, “Ten Versions of America” where a persistent bass drives a techno-like tempo. “Make Me Forget” comes down on the ominous side of the house with a dream state washing behind Bowness’ passionate lyric. Reuter’s raucous lead melody soars over the sampled drums that skip across the song making the piece the best in the set recalling Sylvian and Fripp’s brief encounters ten years ago. “The Me I Knew” is a bit more introspective with is serene use of synthesizers with electric piano accompaniment and swelling background feedback. The title track of the EP is even more nebulous in its deliver where Bowness reminds me of mid-period Bowie with his pressing lead vocal. Considering that these five pieces were the precursor to an entire album of pieces, this set stands solidly on its own merits as a hybrid pop refinement that will appeal to fans of Japan as well as King Crimson.
Jeff Melton (Expose Magazine)
Tim Bowness is a voice magician! Sublime!
Samuel Schmid
Worth it for The me I knew on its own. Whatever Tim Bowness is involved with seems to work. Buy this along with the new Centrozoon album . I`m not a huge fan of electronic dance music, but,then not everyone does it as well as these guys [sadly]
Jonty
This EP is great, but you should get a copy of "Never Trust The Way You Are" first. This EP features the full length version of "The Scent Of Crash And Burn" and the wonderful "The Me I Knew". Worth having for fans of this unique group!
Roland
Die Musik von Centrozoon zu beschreiben, fällt alles andere als leicht. Stimmungsmäßig passen die Songs auf "The Scent Of Crash And Burn" aber auf jeden Fall sehr gut zu dem trüben, verregneten Tag, der sich gerade draußen vor meinem Fenster breitmacht, als ich diese Rezension schreibe. Eine undefinierbare, aber sehr interessante Mischung aus modernem Breakbeat, melancholischem DarkWave, ausschweifend vor sich hin zirpender und blubbernder Elektronik, vereinzelt eingestreuten stark verfremdeten Gitarren und wie vom Wind aus der Ferne herbeigetragenen Vocals. Was beim ersten Track "Ten Versions Of America" noch in etwa in ein typisches Songformat gelenkt wird, entwickelt sich in den vier weiteren Stücken zu einer Art multimedialer Jam-Session, bei der die dunkle, melancholische Grundstimmung von diversen Rhythmusänderungen und freestyligen Elektronik- und Gitarrensamples pointiert wird. Progressiver, ästhetischer Wave-Rock für das neue Jahrtausend!
AW
A beautiful mix of texture, loops and Tim Bowness. Highly recommend this release to those looking for a unique soundscape.
jimmy
Centrozoon seem to have parted, at least momentarily, from the free-form stringing ambient of their predecessor "The Cult of: Bibbiboo" to embrace a newly shaped figure of electronica with a full diaphragm focus on emotional displays of lyric poetry and a flirt with electro-pop retrospectives that fortunately fades away after the initial handful of minutes (although the most impressive lyrics are on the very first track of this CD) and then turns into a more intimate and less obvious, thus far more appreciable, blend of hypnotic glamour. While smelling the harmonious clash of vocal melody that maybe wishes to pick up the pace with the burning sensation of lush electro-ambient coagulated by guitar improv, occasionally the former even pushes it far enough to turn Centrozoon's new found emo-escapism into a well constructed downtempo mixture of synth-pop tunes and experimental electro-trance. The eclectic rhythmical structures the group makes use of show the taste for the fine arts of adapting to foreign territories and the throughout similarly effected soft breathed vocals remind you at any given moment of the strong soulful beauty of the song that is passing through you. Intense and deep.
Marc "the MEMORY Man" Urselli-Schärer
A work of infinite beauty.Highly recomended
Luis Torregrosa
thank u 4
hammi badr eddine
Weird textural experiments with lush altered vocals on top. Nice!
Adrian