Taking into account the absolutely ludicrous positioning of Soundclick's Critics Corner forum (ie it's right down at the bottom of the forum list) it is no wonder that the fall-off of posting in there is so noticeable. This has been - in the past anyway - one of the most fruitful, useful and informative (to a normal listener) place to come to see what on SC is good, judged by their own peers. God only knows why this change was made, but personally I can see only disaster if it isn't fixed and fixed soon. Take, for example, my reviews and my signups. There was a time when I would get over 30 tracks for review in less than 24 hours; since the forum change I'm lucky to scrape past 20, and that isn't because no-one wants the reviews. They just don't find it any more.

No more Leif, I promise Wink Alderman has been a firm favourite of mine ever since I first met him on another site about four years ago. I have a ton of his tracks on my hard drive; and he has been in my year end reviews every year since I started them. So, it's a given then that I would like pretty much anything that comes from his direction from the collabs he does (Jim-n-Lisa, Christopher Martin Hansen et al) to his own material. Matter of fact his last track (Visions, March 2007) was both his own work AND a collaboration - with CMH and was deemed a Must Have track by me and I've heard no reason to change that since. More to the point it is by far the best track I have ever heard from this artist and that, I suspect, has to do with the calibre of people Leif (for it really is he) chooses to work with. Suffice to say that this is one track I looked forward to reviewing, I have heard it before (on Mike K's Saturday Night Rocks radio show) and was blown away at how neatly the man had managed to sneak some of my thunder.

Well, I say 'my' but of course that isn't the case.

There be fekkin millions of people making World Music but I do look at it as being my 'home' genre. Alderman has flirted with the genre before in various ways, but never to this point making an out and out world music track. In lesser hands, I would have been shovelling shit in all directions by now, but Alderman has learned enough to know how to do it and how not to overdo it. Inspired by his recent trip Alderman has put the experience to use in making an aural diary of the event. Got to hand it to the guy, he's gone a long, long way on the authenticity front - there are some gorgeous world sounds in this track. As Alderman himself states, it's a tad more Indian than anything else, but there's enough regional differences within the main instruments that it'll do as a quick thumbnail ramble through the area's musical delights. Therefore, you should probably have a taste for ethnic instruments (of the Asian subcontinent particularly) but if you like the genre, you will take to this like a member of the Anatinae family to molecular liquid. (Ed: he means a duck to water, but the drugs are obviously kicking right in).

Highly Recommended World music. An authentic gem.

Steve Gilmore

Artist: Alderman
Title: Visions

The Vikings are coming! The Vikings are coming! Well, one of them anyway... Alderman isn't really a Viking, for a start he's from Stockholm, Sweden - not a country that has been known to pillage and rape with abandon. They do, however, spit out some extremely competent and entertaining musicians, many of which are my own personal favourites. So I would be remiss if I didn't make you aware that Alderman has been a required listen in my house for at least the last two years. In fact, in my first review of any of his works back in 2004, I said he was an artist to watch and he's proved me as omnipotent as I am egotisical. Mind you, when you work - on an ever changing basis - with some of the finest musicians around on Soundclick, you sure better know your stuff and Alderman has learned that lesson well.

Grasshopper.

Visions is (apparently) the next instalment of the Reflection series - the first one being the Reflection track itself which you will also find on his Soundclick page. Joined on this track by one Christopher Martin Hansen, it added considerably to the constant allure of this track as I watched it take shape on another forum (hey rey). It also helps that I admire CMH greatly as a guitarist of note as I've mentioned every time I've reviewed his work. Given the build up then, Visions better deliver and it truly does - on every level known to man. A deeply satisfying, semi classical ear binge with both artists playing and performing with a confidence and authority that will gain this track endless plays, something it well deserves. It's a given that CMH can do no wrong for me, but I have had the odd disagreement or two with Leif (aka Alderman) but not in this case because it's his work in the song structure and scoring of main instruments that is the jewel of this track.

It's string based arrangement sounds pretty tedious on paper: cellos, violins etc but works such a treat in real life. My first shock was the (probably unknown) Eleanor Rigby reference the strings carried for me. It didn't wear off as I explored the tune further either but has become one of the listening highlights for me. It only really occurs in the intro but was such a strong hook for me, it took a while for the whole track to sink in properly. When it did what I found was a work of patience, love and lots and lots of effort culminating in something that borrows from classical sources, by way of George Martin, metamorphosing into the work of beauty that is Visions. It also reinforces the fact that we dont hear anywhere near enough of CMH in his own right, it's been a while since I've heard something new from him but hey - this is more than enough to be going on with. This is a collaboration blessed with everything that makes good music - a great idea created to perfection. It is, of course, a.....

MUST HAVE (betcha)

Steve Gilmore

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Although I have been on Soundclick for over four years I came across a review where I ranted (ooo, that's unusual) about other websites (and one in particular), newbies and things in general. The artist who happened to bear the brunt of this verbal diatribe was - as if you hadn't already guessed - one Lief Erikson. No. Wait, that's another guy! THIS Lief is Liljeqvist and (as I mentioned in that long ago review) 'someone to keep an eye on'. Since then he has shown that his initial promise really had weight, and the list of Alderman keepers gets longer as time goes on. That track record is exemplified in the really creative collaboration with Jim-n-Lisa in the Pond Surfers personna, any of whose tracks can be checked out here.

Dreamtime Drums is inspired in part by the Australian Aboriginal dreamtime mythic tradition. It is, as you might imagine, a bit Australian in sound too, and African, and Indian and native American Indian and and and... Aahh, you may be thinking, this is stepping right into your arena isn't it Gilmore? Yep, sure is - in fact judging by this we've both got the same samples at least a couple of times. Tell ya what, the boy did good. Sonically this is ace, especially the opening drum section. The vocals add tremendously to the tracks build and all in all I really enjoyed listening to this track - as I would.

However, continued plays brought a couple of things to light but only, of course, in my opinion. I felt that as good as each little section was, there didn't seem to be a lot holding all those disparate parts together - and that is definitely something I know about. For my money, for a track of this type to work, it has to contain more than an element of cohesion. This does, as I say, in the individual sections, but not when taken as a whole. However, there is a definite art in making seamless tracks, especially of this type and that art come with experimentation and - on that score - Alderman has come up holding all aces. Most people will either like this eclectic mix of instruments and sounds or not, and my judgement won't matter much either way. Personally, I'd say if you like what I do musically, you will find much to like in this track too.

Excellent world collection.

Steve Gilmore

While most of us struggle with the daily niggles of life, there are many people who face the bigger questions in painful and life changing ways. Having had one of those kinds of years Alderman - bless him - has kept right along in there, making the music he loves and being his usual cheerful self. One of things about this internet life of ours is that we tend to forget that there are real living, breathing human beings at the end of the silly nicknames we give ourselves. Unless we interact on a much deeper level - as many of us now do in 'chat' situations - we don't really get a picture of someone we know online. Having suffered a tragedy or two this year, Alderman now comes up with a track called Into The Light which - I have to admit - is fairly typical of the man. He turns whatever happens to him into music and THAT is the way the rest of us get to hear about it.

I've known this guy now for at least a couple of years but when I reviewed his Catch a Glimpse of Wonderland at the beginning of 2004 that I started to notice just how good he was. Just Passing Through, Spacetrain to Andromeda and the sublime Pure Joy all added up to a hefty portfolio of great tracks; many of which find their ways onto the playlists of the DJ's over at Songplanet and, no doubt, on many Soundlcick stations Rightly so too, as Into The Light so aptly proves. Again, Alderman has branched out tremendously over the last year as this track proves - he has developed an awesome musical reach.

Heavier and denser than previous tracks from this artist, Into The Light verges on rock music, electronica and all points west with a top rate production that really aids in conveying that very full mix. Alderman was aided and abetted by a couple of guest artists on this track; Jim of Jim-n-Lisa played some killer sax lines and Sara - all of five years old - on vocals! OK OK, I know how strange that looks but believe me the track is anything BUT strange. Personally I think this is absolutely the best thing I have ever heard from this artist, in every kind of way; stylistically as well as musically. Mind you, the fire breathing, stomp on your head rock feeling definitely had a lot to do with the convincing stage - this is my kind of music, red raw and hot.

A Must Have - definitely.

Steve Gilmore

Artist: Alderman
Title: Deriw Orelob

Alderman is obviously another one bitten by the 'cryptology' bug and is probably an avid reader of Dan Brown (Da Vinci Code, Digital Fortress). He tells us that by cunningly disguising his title so that no one could read it - unless they had the key..........

.............

.......so......

Alderman has been someone I have always enjoyed, even when I haven't always liked what he does. He does it with his own style and grace and that's usually all ya need. Over the past year he's been gaining strength on Soundclick, a lot of it down to Space Train To Andromeda and his collaborative effort with Jim-n-Lisa, Pure Joy. I've known this artist for a while now and know that he loves to dabble in big themes and styles so I know that I have an aural treat in store. No matter what I think of the genre of the track he's working with, I'm constantly amazed at his production nous.

Deriw Orelob (not difficult really) has a drop down dead gorgeous opening, all tinkly stuff and angelic voices, before a staccato string joins it as the pulse. Slowly, out of the background strides the dance monster the track actually is, slapping them beats upside your head and nodding it as if you were a dog in a cars back window. After lots of listens I wasn't sure what I liked best; the heavenly choral side of this, or the careening brute of a beat and it's companions. Whichever it is, in my books this is one of the best Alderman tracks I've yet and very, very, catchy.

I'm hooked.

Steve Gilmore

Artist: Alderman
Title: Pure Joy
Link: Website OR Download
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One of 2004's big musical surprises for this reviewer has been to stumble (in the time honoured Gilmore fashion) onto the musical monster created by the homely sounding Jim-n-Lisa. Nothing homely about Jim. The boy is a seriously hot guitarist and a musician of great interest but - as yet - Lisa has made very few contributions to the bulk of the work I have heard so far from them. It's nice to see that on this outing, she makes a very welcome (and telling) appearance.

It's no good rubbing your eyes you know.
I do KNOW that this a review of Alderman and wtf am I dragging Jim-n-Lisa into this for? Well, it so happens that this is a collaboration between them and me old mate Alderman. Leif Liljeqvist (for it is he) has been a source of some pretty decent music since I first met him over a year ago on 'the other site'. Let's face it, anyone who reveres the work of the great Bjorn Lynne can't be all that bad eh? It helps for sure, but if the music ain't up to the task it shouldn't make any difference. In Alderman's case, that's never been a problem. In fact his Spacetrain to Andromeda track got some heavy airplay from me, despite it's overall 'dance' style.

The elements that make Pure Joy happen for me are encompassed in Lisa's vocals and the guitar licks that dot this track like so many musical daisies. The style and content are well up to Alderman's usual high standard - especially the jazzy horns and the almost dub-like sections around the 2:30 and 4:00 mark(s). However it's the tone of the vocal and the licks that really elevate this track and I know I won't hear too much complaint from Alderman himself for saying that. I had been intended to review this last month in it's instrumental version but Leif changed his mind to get the J-n-L version done properly, and for that he must get top marks. A great example of why collaborating with other Soundclick artists makes great sense in terms of expanding YOUR style and maybe your audience to boot.

Top stuff and a keeper for me.

Steve Gilmore

activeminded posted on Sat October 16, 2004

Hi Leif,
i am listeneing to Space Train To Andromida.
wow this is excellent mate it has a kia tracid sound to it.
All the Sounds are real sharp and this adds a driven fastpaced dance effect to it.
All the sounds are crisp I realy like the 303 acid tweeks you have flowing through out this MONSTER!!
This is cutting edge stuff and i like this VERRY much looks like i found another kindred Here!!
nice drop out/fill to next section of song @ 2.14 sounds very classy.
I realy love the pads you have in this and the reverb gives then a warnth that is realy hard to achie sometimes.

oh man this is Quality mate,
love the mellody stab lead this works well with the pads and the rythm section that is now in full swing, the hats sound real nice and crisp.
the stuttering wow 303 sweep sound nice and is a nice touch to a great track.
This Track has been made well the structure is solid and composition is sound. whith mastering skills like yr i feel that you will go far!!
oh man oh man oh man!! this break down
4,20 is massive mate real nice this is awsome!!!
Great work leif!!

I hope i was positive for you.

RESPECTFULLY

Tonyx
_____________________________________
Activeminded
http://www.soundclick.com/activeminded

Artist: Alderman
Title: Spacetrain to Andromeda
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Fighting off the effects of a HUGE cold isn't the best way to review anything, it plays havoc with me ears so it helps when I get to hear a track that loves 'em up a bit at the same time. I first met Alderman on that 'other' site about what, a year ago? Since then this artist has bloomed as if being fed Miracle-Gro. His Catch A Glimpse of Wonderland still resides on my hard drive along with some of his many collaborations.

Spacetrain to Adromeda reminds me of music that was popular during the heyday of tracking and MOD audio files (1992 - 1999 to be precise). The so called space opera genre pretty much dominated that scene to the exclusion of some great artists working in other genres so I can't say I have a lot of love for the genre. However, there is a lot to love in this up to date version of that genre and much of the credit for that has to be down to Alderman's musical dexterity. Essentially the track is a tear assed, headlong rush through some elaborate electro scenery which exhudes positivity and drive. Even though I recognise the source of some of the samples, it in no way detracted me from grooving to this execellent peice of dance electronica - and this from a person who wouldn't normally touch trance with yours, let alone mine.

At a galaxy spanning 7:50, Spacetrain seems like its a lot to take, in one chunk, but that doesn't prove to be the case - even more so after extended listening. Time will tell whether or not this remains on my hard drive because it definitely isn't a genre I'd normally be comfy with, but in terms of track construction and textures this is definitely in with a chance of keeper status. Speaking of textures, there are some beautiful ones on here. Some of the pads and sweeps are by one Incidental Fusion who is becoming a dab hand at this kind of thing and they are one of the highspots of this track. For more about Nicci (aka Incidental Fusion), and a chance to download some of these excellent FREE samples click this. And' she's no slouch when it comes to a good tune either.

Trance-portation Central.

Steve Gilmore

"Just Passing Through"
Listenability - 8.5/10 - I have no idea what MMM2005 is, but this song turned out pretty well, I think ^^ I wouldn't call it trance, though. It's definitally mroe dance or Euro. It's got a good flow, and the samples work pretty well.
Replayabiltiy - 10/10 - Definitally saved a copy of this one ^_^
Danceability - 10/10 - Groovalicious ^_^
Genre Matching - 6/10 - Like I mentioned, this seems more Dance or Euro style rather than trance ^^ If you wanted to make it trance, then make it about 2x as long, add more spheres and backgrounds, and start it slow and build up ^_^
Reliability - 9/10 - It has a great flow to it, which is nice considering the mismatched genre ^_^
Overall: - 8.2/10 - A good song, nice flow, a bit on the short side, but it works ^_^ So yay.
_________________
RCTFORME

RCTFORME.Com - My site ^^
My Soundclick

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Artist: Alderman
Title: Glimpse Of Wonderland

I first came across Lief (Alderman) a while ago on Ejay and he impressed me with his forum manner and obvious love for music. Since then he's become a much a part of the scene, on both Ejay and Soundclick where I am happy to say he is now reviewing. I reviewed my last track and liked it so I am duty bound to say this track is fekkin awesome and you have to download it straightaway because it's gonna be Numbah One for a thousand years....!!

Aaah, but you know that isn't the way it works, don't you?

If a track doesn't work, it doesn't work right. Well, get this: this track is fekkin awesome and you have to download it straightaway because it's gonna be Numbah One for a thousand years....!! and I mean that most sincerely folks. Seriously, this is one good, good track with - for once - a complete vocal by a young lady called Katzii (or Katziis, I'm not sure which) which is hauntingly familiar. Maybe it's because she sounds a bit like Soundclick's Lisa, but I could be wrong on that.

Musically, Glimpse of Wonderland is a chilled-out piece of proto-funk; it's beat working its magic upon you with alarming ease. It's landscape is dotted with splashes of guitar colouring that is particularly effective in a Mike Oldfield stylee; especially against the understated funk of the backing track. An excellent song, encased in a sharp, punchy mix whose only purpose is to make you groove to the rhythm. Well good stuff and most entertaining, highly reccomended especially if you just like a good song performed well.

Steve Gilmore

Artist: Alderman
Song: Glimpse of Wonderland

I don't say this lightly: This sounds like someone stole the souls of Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel and injected them into a fine piece of work by Alderman. It takes the addition of a lot of human creativity for me to like drum loops and I definitely like these. For me, this is right up there in the best of SC. Great vocal performance. Outstanding. You are very good at working the effects and they aren't overdone.

the critique:

OK, you heard what I said above. Don't take this hard. The song is better than the mastering. There are several trouble spots. There's the hiss in the quiet parts, the vocal volume varies too much, and there's a nasty pop and hiss at the very beginning.
The hiss can be removed with a noise reduction plug-in, I'm told there are even some free ones. I recommend using it only on the quiet parts where the hiss is bad. They can be a bit tricky to use, reading the instructions is usually a good idea.
I think you should either compress the vocals or "ride the fader" and mix it carefully. Compression might have a bad effect on this style of vox. It sounds like the vox were recorded at different volume levels, or she was not always the same distance from the mic. The nasty pop and the hiss before the song starts should be edited out with Sound Forge, Cool Edit, or similar. Zoom in on the beginning. Mute/silence the sound until just before the song starts. Then do a very short fade-in in the split second before the song starts. Fading-out the hiss to silence at the end is recommended, also.

The overall EQ sounds very nice as do the general stereo image and the mix of instruments.

musical suggestions:

I'd prefer the omission of the spoken words at the beginning and the big whoosh at the end. The words sound corny and the whoosh is just "over the top" and destroys the heart tug of her last words. In the quiet break in the middle, how about some live percussion like a cabasa or shaker to help define the cool rhythm of the piano.
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-Jim
(of Jim-n-Lisa)

Genre: Electronica -> Ambient

Here we have an artist that I reviewed at least once. I was impressed with this “newcomer” to SoundClick. Brilliant compositional skills and excellent production skills seem to be this artist’s forte.

This piece, which he simply puts into the Ambient sub genre, is a lot more than just that to me. If you listen to the composition alone, not to mention the instrumentation chosen for this piece, you will agree that his belongs more into the Film Music Genre. Uh, oh – I am getting a bit ahead of myself!!! Slow down, boy!!!

This is a 3:30 minute piece, which is opening with a harp (digital recording, have to have the right patches, ya know!). The opening is very classical in nature and is followed by some brass like synths, which sound pretty convincing. Nice percussion follows, which seems to get you somewhat into a marching step, actually. The piccato strings sound nice. Love the little piano interlude with the cello and strings complimenting them.

Soon, that beautiful harp is heard again and the loop is almost complete… is it a loop? Yes – it’s something I do myself. Get a good intro going, create a middle, then copy and paste the beginning to near the end. Alderman then quickly ends the song with the beautiful sound of the harp.

This one is very much like a film score to me. The composition in intricate from the beginning to the end and presents a lot of different nuances, which compliment the overall tune. To me, this is a beauty and it will stay on my HD.

Nice composition, nice dramatic scoring and very nice choice of instrumentation between the classical and electronica world of music.

Beautiful piece!

Mike
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Mike Kohlgraf

Mike-K Music & The SoundClique