Dream Shore -Resilience Pt. II
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Dream Shore’s Resilience Pt. II unfolds like a 1980s martial arts movie as a character trains to become a tougher, more self-reliant fighter and discovers many aspects of their personality in the process. It mingles atmospheric soundscapes with percussive energy and engaging melodies to weave a cinematic tale. I enjoy the way in which the different synth elements interact along with unique instrumental sounds such as taiko drums and a shakuhachi to draw me into the story and carry me along.
Atmosphere is crucial to the success of Resilience Pt. II. Dream Shore evokes all of the thrills and gritty determination of the best martial arts movies. As the album progresses, I can imagine a young warrior progressing from inexperience and fear to confidence and skill. The way in which each sonic vignette unfolds is like different shots coming together to create an exciting and enjoyable scene.
I am particularly enamored of the way in which percussion is used on Resilience Pt. II. The different drum sounds create motion and atmosphere at the same time. The heavy rumble of the taiko drums and some of the varied other percussion sounds add auditory interest and help to imbue the album with speed and dynamism as it unfolds.
Melody is a crucial component of Resilience Pt. II. Dream Shore crafts both tranquility and drama in his melodic writing. No matter what mood he is seeking to convey, the end result is powerful and ear-pleasing. I also enjoy the way in which Dream Shore contrasts tracks with beautiful and elegant melodic moments interspersed by tracks which charge and thunder with unstoppable energy.
All of Dream Shore's instrument choices and synth sounds come together to help paint a picture of the progress achieved by the main character. Each different auditory profile has a color or shading to it which only deepens the effectiveness of the imagery created within Resilience Pt. II.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
"Exploration" comes into being as smoothly throbbing drums and gliding synth swirl together into a caressing pulse. The drums are heavy and the bass is dense as a sitar-like synth carries a gently entangling melody while chimes dance in the distance. The open-voiced drums rebound as echoing notes levitate and thick bass shapes the track.
Tenderly glimmering synth is cut by limpid notes tumbling in a softly glistening line and the low end continues to shape the music. The sitar-like synth intertwines and sings an encouraging and adventurous melody. Panpipe notes twirl out in airy and complex lines, adding an immemorial feeling before the track comes to an end on the twisting sitar and its uplifting melody.
Taiko drums rumble and reverberate to kick off "Unexpected Defeat." Their thunderous power forms a steady pulse as they deeply boom and drive. Shadowy strings shift with ominous strength as the metallic sounds and the steadily pounding taiko are joined by a fluting synth carrying a mysterious melody.
The delicate notes hover and the slamming drum beat pushes forward with the dark and powerful strings intertwining. The action and drama of this track compel me to listen more deeply as threatening, descending notes fill the music. The drums fade away as the heavy weight of the bass ends the track.
“Investigation” begins with a distantly hovering synth and hollow notes that echo above a solid bass heartbeat. A sense of creeping danger and mystery rises as soft strings wrap around one another in warmth, while the ticking, open-voiced synth delicately touches the music.
A softly exhaling flute carries a peaceful, mournful melody that drifts past, like blossoms caught on the breeze. Affectionate sensations fill me as I hear the flute unwind, diaphanous and soothing, above the rapidly tumbling notes and deep bass. A delicately shining synth flickers as the drifting notes in the distance wander past with tranquil lightness before the track comes to an end.
Chimes flicker with fragile delicacy as percussion ticks to start "Severe Training." Piano chords add smoothness and weight as a delicately hovering melody glides on a fluting synth. Now the drums pound as the timeless-sounding flute thrills with an elegantly slipping melody, light and effervescent.
The drums, in contrast, add weight and depth, contributing to the shaping of the music. Chimes flicker with sunlit lightness as the kick drum continues to pulse and the guitar cuts in with weight and uplifting strength.
Metallic percussion rings out in the distance while the growling guitar adds a muscled feeling. I enjoy the flute’s fragility and meditative quality as it cries out above the guiding low end. There is a wonderfully caressing quality in the flute while the guitar adds sharp-edged weight and contrast before the track ends.
"Stealth" opens with an ethereally flickering synth trickling peacefully above a slowly drifting series of chords. There's a wandering, unmoored quality in the chords as rounded, caressing synth descends and a ticking hi-hat adds shape. Refulgent chimes sparkle with a light touch as the drum beat swings and patterns. Intermingling, gossamer synth dances as a metallic instrument vibrates, filling the music with soft luminance.
Woodblock percussion moves with the slowly washing drums and resonant synth carries a melody that slides and glides. A guitar howls through the music with a bluesy feeling, adding an emotional secrecy to the music as it twists and dances. Steady xylophone-like notes flicker in the distance as the woodblock taps. String-like synth floats with easy grace as the chimes flit.
The guitar entangles with a touching feeling as the ticking drum and pulsing bass flow into a percussive section while the xylophone trembles and reverberates before silence falls.
Conclusion
Resilience Pt. II. is a fun and nostalgic journey through the quest of a young martial artist to become a master. I enjoy the way in which it functions as a head movie that unfolds in sonic scenes that are full of energy and life. The way the album sticks to its concept makes it enjoyable and engaging.
