paindrop

A Massive Attack-stylee track with incredibly simple progressive structure and very clean sound - only taking an afternoon to write and record. Provides an atmospheric ambience, but I think its main virtues are also its failing. Too simple and too clean? Does it need more grit?

forgotten

I remember thinking this was the best track I had ever written at the time. In hindsight, I think the best of this period was Through the Haze. As a friend from New Zealand said, the strings are too thick in places. Regardless, I like the bit in the extract, a nicely paced rhythm and laid-back accompaniment. 

untouched by man

With this one, the title and music err towards a theme of deforestation - the first a title spawned a piece of my music, as opposed to a music going unnamed for weeks after its completion. Drum n' bass with good beats and ambience. By this point my fondness for deep cello solos might become apparent.

through the haze

I suppose this would be my most famous track so far. When I sent this album off to some music magazines, this is the track they liked. Computer Music and Sound on Sound liked the music, but felt the final mixing was a bit on the dodgy side. At the time, my computer was barely fast enough to keep time, which shows in places, but I think a little more mixing would make this a fresh sounding chillout tune.

demons and angels

Several people have said this was their favourite track, with a very professional sound. Essential it is a light hip hop piece with the popular ethnic feel (helped by the prayer sounds) and the obligatory sinister string solo. The sampled vocals add a silkiness to the final mix.

bay of bengal

The chord patterns used in this piece have been floating around my head for months. A more dancey piece, the drum is clean and refined, but lacks something. I like the ethnic guitar riff and the crescendo in the middle, aspects that were copied into the third album's Mute track, but will probably be edited out of the latter.

the road (remix)

This is yet another remix of the The Road track from the first album. There is a wonderful industrial, fire and brimstone drum beat at the start (in the extract), which fills into a generic dance beat. A higher quality, cleaner mix which adds to the original versions, but perhaps in places loses something of the original's body. Perhaps the lo-fi quality of the original helped?

city in winter

For this one, imagine yourself floating over the City London watching the early dormant streets, stations and buildings become inundated with briefcase wielding commuters and business persons. The mix is muddled, the drums are poor quality, but the message is there. Some remixing and re-engineering could improve this. 

pacific blue

This begins a pleasant and inoffensive track with good moving drums and piano, then slowly builds to the point of the provided extract, which has a catchy chord pattern, with unfulfilled potential. Are the strings too thick again? Does the beat lack quality?

paradise lost

Not a patch on the poem I'm afraid. The title refers to the structure - as the track before, the piece starts innocent and then turns a bit satanic - distorted guitars and thrash drums. Holds the same gripes as the previous two tracks, but could pass a listener's time.

a new generation

Following a challenge from a friend to write some cheesy club music... I did - complete with dreamy female voice. I think the track is proficient, but the music is not my taste. It's got structure, and a great homemade synth pad. He loves it. Perhaps I'll remix it and replace the beat with something lighter... drum n' bass?

let me be

Following the precedent set by A New Generation, this is the second of my commercial-by-design attempts. I prefer it. The friend didn't. Starts with heavy breaks then morphs into a Chicane-esque club tune. Definitely lacks structure, but some potential.

sankt nimmerleins tag

In the festive mood, this almost Irish folk tune was started on the morning of St.Patrick's Day and finished the same day. Clearly, the synthesized instruments (especially drums) don't fit with the folk tradition, but if you can see past that, it ain't half bad - many have cited this as their favourite track.

tour de force

Originally 'Tour de France', a new slightly changed, slightly more pretentious (hence arty) name was found. Regardless, imagining a load of cyclists pedling down hill, through towns, etc. captures the feel of the piece. This was completed with only my CS1x, but still sounds like professional intelligent drum n' bass.