Something Completely Different Megacatz Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Microwaves 1999')

So is this really 'Something Completely Different'? Well in one way I would have to say no as it doesn't exactly break any new ground but what is slightly unusual about the album is how many different styles are covered and yet all done extremely well. There is however a stylistic signature that runs throughout which makes the album work in the whole and not just looked at track by track.

Quite a few of the tracks could be thought of as retro such as the opener 'Microwaves 1999'. Very spacey drones give way to an exciting rapid sequence. It just gets better with the sequence changing at just the right times and with the drums giving added umph. It is also highly melodic so it has everything going for it really.'Megacatz I' is in similar territory providing a sequencer blast right from the first minute. Hardly surprisingly 'Sequenced' also fits into this category and tells you all you need to know in the title. Initially 'The Cross' is slowly rhythmic with a Gothic menace to it, full of brooding malevolence. But at around three minutes its all change and the mood switches from dark to light sounding a bit like mid 80s Tangerine Dream sound-track music.

Then there are very melodic almost romantic tracks like the piano led 'Dawn' and 'Languages' which are basically one track, the former being an introduction to the latter which begins with some rather odd samples. Never the less its a fantastic number which is beautiful but at the same time avoids being mushy. The last half is just stunning. Its one of the best melodic tracks I've heard in some time. 'Disturbed' is of a similar ilk though without quite the same impact. 'Megacatz IV' is another piano led one which has an almost classical feel to it- hardly EM but still extremely impressive. The same could be said for 'Love' though unfortunately even though I liked it, it did trip the "twee filter" a little.

Other tracks have a much more commercial feel to them such as the bouncy 'Heavenly Thoughts' and the fantastic 'El Nino' which makes use of a great splashing sequence, superb melodies and from time to time an excellent electric guitar. Its got a real punch and could even be said to be 'catchy'. It would make a great theme tune to a holiday programme. I can just see those jet skis roaring over the waves! Then there's SCD's answer to 'Miami Vice' with the scintillating body moving head nodding 'S.O.S.' It contains some really good hooks and great rhythms.

This is a very easy album to get on with and should be liked by most people. It's an extremely enjoyable and at times energetic listen. (DL)

Second opinion

Some of you may be doing a double-take here. Yes, Dave Law did review this album last month then sent it to me to put a sound sample on the web site. On auditioning the CD I was so impressed that I suggested I also reviewed it to ensure people didn't miss out on it.

Take the opener for example. 'Microwaves 1999' has all the energy and sequencing guile to make comparison to Spyra not unreasonable. It's a storming entry to this album, the sort of dance oriented EM which underlines how great the combination of commercial grooves and synth sequencing can be. 'Megacatz I' carries on the sequencing theme but leans slightly more towards the traditional retro style, with some well crafted atmospherics fading in and out of the piece. 'Heavenly Thoughts' serves up a late 80's sounding sequential beat which shifts around a simple but effective melody. You start to get the "something completely different" angle after track 4 'Dawn', a 40 second piano/mellotron interlude - we've already had so much variety in the space of 4 tracks, and track 5 'Languages' continues this voyage through unpredictable avenues. It's a sumptuous piano / mellotron (sounding, anyway) piece which features radio broadcast samples - again Spyra 'Etherlands' perhaps(?) - though this sounds earlier. The piano could even be Schmoelling. I'd agree with Dave that it's nothing new but it's done very, very well.

'El Nino' springs into life, this time adopting a "rockier" stance but again it's pure melodic synth with an infectious air helped by the fact that the first five notes of the synth riff are identical to 'Woman Pur' from Software's 'Fragrance' which is a personal favourite. Track 7 'SOS' and we're back to uptempo sequentials, possible the most dance oriented piece so far akin to 'Driftin' Thoughts' territory and again it has an infectious melodic hook. Synth effects are perhaps a bit dated by modern standards, but hey they were good enough for Star Wars.

The aptly titled 'Sequenced' keeps up the high standard, with multilayered pulsations in classic fashion. 'Disturbed' is a strange piece - don't get me wrong, it's very good but it walks the tight rope between innocence and menace - perfect music for a thriller. 'Megacatz IV' is another piano piece and again Schmoelling comes to mind, slightly classical and egdey yet melodic and accessible. Again the title of 'The End of the World' is deceptive as it serves up a bright melodic slab of uptempo synthesis, but then shapeshifts into symphonic mode to close. '1948' is short but sweet, with heavy orchestral pads introducing the merest snippet of bright sequence, then another symphonic end. 'The Cross' opens a bit drearily with a heavy beat, but then another choice sequence appears, mellotron flute, classic synth, it could be from TD's 'Underwater Sunlight'. Finally there's one more piano based piece 'Love' - Dave said this tripped the "twee" filter but I don't think it goes that far, it's expertly played and had meaning without the schmaltz.