Release Info:
Artist : Tyler Milchmann
Album : Strange Days
Genre : Industrial
Label : Bugs Crawling Out Of People
Catnum : bcp017
Source : CDDA
URL : http://www.discogs.com/Tyler-Milchmann-Strange-Days/release/3978254
Mode Info:
Tracks : 12
Time : 00:57:19
Size : 107.40 MB
Encode : LAME 32bits version 3.98.4 (http://www.mp3dev.org/) -V0
Quality : 248kbps 44100Hz Joint Stereo
Tracklist:
1. Die Seltsamen Regentage 1:07
2. Veitstanz 3:43
3. In Der Ukraine 3:47
4. Where The Iron Crosses Never Grow 5:07
5. Devil Is An Old Man From Radio 4:54
6. Engel Steigen 5:24
7. Die Reise Eines MΣdchens - Aus Omas Schlafzimmer In Den 7:42
Freien Weltraum
8. Solange Es Noch Warm 4:39
9. Es Wartet Der Tod Auf Dem Waldpfad Geduldig 5:28
10. Alle Kinder 5:22
11. Rauch Uber Der Elbe 5:56
12. Die Promenade 4:10
57:19 (min)
Backed by a chamber ensemble and implementing genres from neo-classical to
darkwave to industrial and even ambient in such a beautifully twisted and
dramatic fashion attests to the notion that, yes, sometimes audacious and
eclectic debut albums can be executed this well. Strange Days is nothing short
of a diamond in the rough; an album that, unfortunately, is overshadowed by the
slew of mainstay powerhouse releases that this wonderful year for anything
remotely electronic has offered. However, itÆs just a matter of time until
MilchmannÆs haunting operatic vocals and sorrowful strings accompanied by
dreamlike synths are blaring through goth club speakers and making listeners
feel like theyÆre in an exclusive vampire-ridden insane asylum.
The ambiguous direction that the nocturne vaudeville-esque intro steers
listeners with in ôDie Seltsamen Regentageö holds promises of dark, romantic,
and psychological themes that are prevalent throughout the release. While most
of the tracks are laced with German murmurs and frantic shouts, itÆs hard to
misinterpret the commands to dance in the menacing and militaristic ghost opera
created in ôVeiststanz.ö Milchmann starts displaying his strong pillar of
classically trained composition with ôIn Der Ukraineö as it reaches high and
low emotion levels with a misleading break that can surprise even ardent
listeners of the more experimental genres. ôDevil is an Old Man from Radioö is
perhaps the most memorable û and rightfully so û score out of the 12 tracks,
criticizing the media for its proclivity to twist the truth and control the
masses, all while emphasizing that its pervasiveness creates an inherent devil
in anything consumed in large quantities; itÆs everywhere and present inside
each individual.
While the latter section of the album is filled with some decent,
industrial-fused dance-heavy tracks with the Das Ich-like ôAlle Kinder,ö the
pleasantly dissonant break to rhythmic noise in ôRauch ▄ber Der Elbe,ö and the
seething darkwave chords in ôDie Promenade,ö itÆs somewhat disappointing to
hear Milchmann stray from the well executed theatrical formula explored in
earlier tracks that seem to be more refined and greatly display his vocal
prowess and disturbed demeanor. However, the inconsistent consistencies of a
debut album are to be expected, as an act needs to test the waters before
finding its niche. With that said, what this Ukrainian artist does well is
leaps and bounds above his fledgling stage and he could very well be in
contention with some of his predecessors once given that much needed spotlight.