Shen - Outlines
5 ratings since posting on Thursday, December 21, 2006
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Overall Rating  based on 5 ratings |
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The worst part about this album is that there isn't another one!! Such an amazing blend of sounds, utilizing the full spectrum in just the right amounts to have bass-y warbles rumbling through your buttocks and crawling melodies right up your spine to coerce your body into unequivocal joyous gyrations. I really really hope he releases something else with this project. - Josh Skywise , posted 04/10/08 |
 STYLE Lucid electro chill-out and downtempo IDM. Outlines is a fairly minimal album melodically speaking built around punchy programmed beats, repeating evolving structures and simple morphing motifs. There are some ambient sections (moslty introductions apart from the final track 'Onflow') where ethereal sound clouds and bright turbulence underlay some interesting synthetic tonal touches or subdued sequenced phrases. The sound is clearly created using the cutting edge of musical technology so that each sonic item hangs in its own frequency space clean and clear. Although the album is primarily instrumental there are a couple of songs, a strongly effected female voice echoing over the dub stabs and blunt bass lines of 'Causation' and the lazy 'Embrace' where a low looming bass buoys up a more wistful vocal performance. The music is warm, vibrant and full of dynamic optimism - downtempo yet upbeat and with a gentle urgency. MOOD The mood on Outlines is one of clean, technical artistry - the sonic palette is sharp and well-defined. Although a downtempo album, the music is quite lively and busy, percolating patterns and electro beats in constant flux - that said there is a minimalist structure and sparse melodic approach that smooths out the surface into restful terrain, well reflected in the stark landscapes of the cover imagery. ARTWORK Some beautiful photography adorns this jewel case package. A stunted tree leans out from a rocky crag in monochrome on the front cover, smooth sky featureless and flat. Similar images of stone wood and sky appear on most panels - abundant white borders and backdrops keeping everything light and clean. The rear cover tracklist neatly lines up in white text against a pointed ridge, website details below. Inside is a three section fold out where pride of place is given over to more stunning scenery. There are thanks, credits and two more tracklistings found on different sections here. OVERALL Outlines is the latest release from Native State records. Here Noah Pred appears in his chilled incarnation Shen, a name taken from the arcane Taoist term for 'refined energy' or 'depth'. The album comprises fourteen tracks that might well be energetic enough for the dancefloor with plenty of rhythm and energy - that said there is sufficient detail for the home listener, elegant subdued melodic elements and abundant peripheral aural architecture holding the attention. Guest appearances come from Kinnie Starr who sings on two tracks and JefeWillital whose delicate flute strains can be heard bringing a slightly wistful touch to 'Broken Jade'. Although this is Shen's first full length album, he is familiar to many listeners through his appearances on 'Leftcoast Liquid Vol. 1', 'Floating Point 3' and various Green Samurai Clan compilations. WHO WILL LIKE THIS ALBUM Shen comes from the Native State label and is stylistically well placed there. Fans of Bluetech and other artists on the label roster will likely find Outlines to their liking. Shen is a strong contender for chill fans, leaning perhaps a little more toward a technical, mechanical sound than some of his fellow artists. - Morpheus Music , posted 02/18/07 |
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but I give a "thumbs up" to Shen for making really unique, interesting music. His sunrise set left a strong impression on me at the InVision festival last summer. - BrettFromTibet , posted 12/22/06 |
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This is a lush and varied recording. Outlines is currently the soundtrack of my life - super good for many moods. Deep bassy goodness , super love this one. - Aaron , posted 12/21/06 |
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Native State proudly presents ‘Outlines’, the highly anticipated full-length album from Shen. Taken from the arcane Taoist term for 'refined energy' or 'depth', Shen is Noah Pred's outlet for low-tempo explorations of forward-thinking computer music. Drawing inspiration from geomancy and botanical architecture, Shen dives deep into forward-thinking electronic dub and downtempo. His music takes advantage of cutting-edge digital technologies while retaining an analog warmth and character through exquisite chords, textures, and atmospheres. Aimed equally at the public thrill of the dancefloor and the internal transcendence of headphones, ‘Outlines’ evolves over 14 tracks while carrying a passionate sense of depth and restraint, seeking tension through minimalist structure and delicate sound design. The album is kinetic and fully functional for dancefloor DJs, while presenting strong melodic sensibilities and textural ambience for a rich home listening experience. With tracks appearing on the acclaimed 'Leftcoast Liquid Vol. 1', 'Floating Point 3' and various Green Samurai Clan compilations, Shen has already made a name internationally among downtempo aficionados. With this unique project, Noah Pred creates music which is fresh and breathes new life into the chill-out genre, exploring dub, IDM, downtempo, electro, and ambient music with a clear and pristine sensibility. Not content to repeat the past, Shen creates a new album of futuristic electronic music for discerning listeners. Fresh, evocative, and energetic. Audio Samples and information at www.nativestaterecords.com/ - Evan , posted 12/21/06 |
Shen - Outlines was recommended for:
- Tribe: bluetech
- Tribe: Phutureprimitive
- Tribe: Shakatura
- Tribe: IDM
- Tribe: tribal harmonix
- Tribe: (((Ambient Groove Temple)))
- Tribe: Native State Records
- Tribe: Portland Electronica
- Tribe: AMBIENT CHILL
- Tribe: Shen
- Tribe: ::Psy-Dub::
- Tribe: Interchill
- Tribe: !..ambient music..!
- Tribe: shulman
- Tribe: deliria
- Tribe: entheogenetic label group
- Tribe: Oracle Gatherings
- Tribe: FUTURE DUB
- Tribe: Gaian Mind
- Tribe: Tribe13
