Electron Odyssey - Citizen Generator

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Electron Odyssey’s Citizen Generator is an instrumental journey characterized by beautifully layered synth colours, tones and textures and Electron Odyssey’s skillfully played guitar. The album is enhanced by engaging melodies, thought provoking ideas and a sense of sophistication that permeates every element.

Citizen Generator showcases Electron Odyssey’s skill in integrating many unique synth sounds into a cohesive whole. I find my ears constantly intrigued by the ways in which all of the different synth tones, timbres and textures are combined. There's layering and lusciousness in this music that keeps me listening, always drawn back by another fascinating auditory exploration.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention Electron Odyssey’s guitar skills as they are demonstrated so well on Citizen Generator. He has fluidity and facility in his playing along with the ability to choose the correct guitar tone to weave into the other musical elements on the album. I enjoy the way in which the guitar solos accent and enhance the synth palette, adding another rich layer to the auditory tapestry.

The ideas that Electron Odyssey explores on the album also drew me in. The song “Technology” is a summation of his thematic approach to this album in the way in which it mingled addictive musical qualities with a questioning of the current moment in humanity's relationship to technology. I enjoy being made to think while still enjoying the listening experience.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Singularity” comes to life as a sharply entangling, powerful synth moves below flickering chimes. massive drums flourish as the radiant synthechoes out, carrying a repeating melodic pattern with dynamic propulsion and contained within it. The bass towers far below as the flashing notes add intense luminosity in their hypnotic pattern.

A howling, twisting synth carries a mysterious melody with a haunting sound to it. Bass rebounds unevenly as trickling, solar notes tumble through the music. Gigantic drums and colossal bass contribute intense forward motion. A repeating, glistening synth pattern breaks into a darkly slicing motion as the drums and bass shape the music.

Widely sweeping notes float through and the bursting drums and oscillating base keep the motion going. A broadly leaping synth moves in choppy bursts as wildly singing, medium-high notes wriggle through the music. I enjoy the wobbling, crying synth solo’s abandoned madness.

Minor key bells descend and the drums charge again as sweeping noises bend through. Effulgent notes sing out from the main melodic pattern creating a steady flow. Wildly writhing synth cries out and the drums continue to throb. Shining notes flow again as they descend and the song ends on the energizing main melody.

Ominous bass rumbles as rapidly tripping, feverishly bright notes tangle start “Technology.” A robotic voice speaks as flashing, brassy synth rings out and huge drums smack into the music. Flickering, shimmering notes dance through before panpipes move with breathy light and the drums form a smoothly rebounding beat.

A flute-like synth cries out and now the robotic vocals carry a positive feeling melody, in spite of the darkness of the lyrics. The drums burst broadly as the digital voice rings out. In the background, brassy notes with a rough edge call out. I enjoy the way in which the robotic voice emphasizes the lyrics. Glowing chimes ring out brightly to accent the chorus.

Now the drums batter again and the panpipes swirl before a bending, howling guitar twists through. The robotic voice echoes again, as the low end shapes the music. Glistening chimes sparkle out above the hard-hitting low end as the song progresses. Delicate notes flutter and now the wobbling, leaping synth cries out again.

The drums have real weight and strength to them as they propel the music. Chimes dance with metallic precision as the drums hit hard. Now the guitar solo comes in, flying out with explosive life as it cascades and whirls. The guitar solo lends energetic dynamism to the music. The song ends on bursting drums, trumpeting synth and entangling base as the panpipes cry out.

The narrator says that we're standing on the razor edge of a new digital existence. She adds that we're “hoping for a miracle, children of bits and bytes.” She goes on to say that people stare at glowing screens, their heads bowed down. She points out that “endless comforts await for those who can't let go. "

Our storyteller says that technology is both our friend and our enemy. It is “a helping hand feeding our vanity.” She continues by asking if we really need technology and reminds people to hold on to their humanity. Now she points out that the people we aspired to be are “purchased with new machinery." Our dreams remain unseen and we're trapped between ourselves and technology.

The narrator continues by saying that technology doesn't love us. It is something in which “our fears and dreams become reality." She concludes that technology is the God we need as we “pray to our deity” with screens in our hands.

“Elastic Holographic” commences as punchy, elevated synth moves in quick bursts and rounded base moves with a bouncing quality. The flashing notes keep dancing out in a hypnotic pattern as smoother, lambent notes glide in contrast. Sunny chimes drop through in glowing motion as the drums rebound.

Waves wash and slowly echoing notes with a luminous quality flare out add more brightness. The drums batter as laser-like sounds briefly move and the rounded bass wobbles. Broadly sweeping, medium-high notes play out through the music with a tranquil quality. The track slides into muffled motion as extending chords and fragile, tender notes caress the music.

Deep peace surrounds me as the segment unfolds and the track begins to swell to full volume again. Glimmering notes flash out with sparkling light and bursting synth notes flash out above the fat low end. Chimes descend with radiance as quickly dancing chords shine out into the music. Chiming notes arpeggiate before the song track ends on peaceful and caressing notes.

Trembling, widely floating synth falls through the music in a peaceful flow to commence “With You.” In the distance, one elevated note extends outwards with an oboe-like sound as a broadly glowing synth with rough edges towers massively into the music. Metallic drums tick and then burst into shaping motion as soft-edged notes dance while the oboe-like sound glides in the distance.

A mournful, gentle synth carries a melody that captures yearning and dreams as it unfolds. The lead synth melody slips through the music with warmth and a caressing sensation as the drums throb. Bass slips out underneath the gruffly gleaming synth as it flows through the music. The drums and bass form a guiding pulse as the lead synth touches me with its soothing emotion.

Chimes flicker and the powerful bass and strong drums move the track forward. Brassy notes trumpet out with intense light and the chimes ring delicately. Percussion ticks in the distance and sunlit notes slip out. The bass has weight and shaping flow.

The track fades into a segment in which all of the sounds drift together, growing in volume as the drums move in again along with solid bass. The way in which the melody wraps around me and fills my heart with aching emotion is compelling. The track ends on drifting bass and the elevated woodwind sound before silence falls.

“Analog Nights” begins with a bending, flanging sound and hissing static in the distance. Muffled drums tap in uneven motion as a distorted, swirling synth twists. The drums and bass rebound as a steady pulse fills them and a scintillating, string-like synth cries out with wonderfully touching emotion as it drifts above the surging low end.

The drums flourish and Electron Odyssey’s guitar cries out in an active, swirling solo with a bluesy element. Fiercely glinting synth twists through the music with a flashing brightness. Digital-sounding notes descend with twinkling light and the bass pulsates as metallic noises ring out. Computerized notes carry a melody with an energetic, wandering feeling.

The drums and echoing, ringing percussion float out Into open space as bell-like notes chime. The bass comes in to add form again and the guitar has an unsettled, roaming quality as it moves through the music. The track slips into a segment in which easily flowing notes move like azure water and elevated, sparkling synth trickles through the music.

The bass pulsates to add motion and wobbling sounds above it tremble through the music. The string section returns with its radiance and lightness as the guitar howls with impassioned feeling. Drums and bass keep supporting the solo as the luminous synth cries out again and the track ends.

A soft rumble moves along with rushing air and a brilliantly flashing synth to open “Super Living.” The guitar slashes into the music as the drums and bass form a deeply rebounding beat while radiant, piercing synth also cuts in. A bending, twisting synth vibrates out with energetic life as it spins out and the bass rebounds as sparkling notes flicker through the music.

The guitar slices in with sharp notes and a positive feeling as the solo spins out above the hard-hitting drums. There's a flying ease about the solo as it unfolds above the shaping low end. I enjoy the exuberance of Electron Odyssey’s guitar playing as it flies out above the other musical elements. Flaring chimes gleam above the punching drums and dense bass with bouncing life.

The guitar soars out through the music with encouragement and joy. Now the lead synth flips and flies with wild abandon above the solid low end along with the guitar. The track grows muffled and gigantic bass bounces through before the clean drums return.

Vibrancy and joy erupt from the synth and now chimes shimmer with delicate light as the active drums and solid base continue to shape the music. A trumpeting synth calls out to add even more illumination as the guitar jumps in with hard-edged energy before the track ends on shining chimes and the wildly trembling synth leaping out above the drums.

“Artifact” opens as elevated, slowly sweeping chords move along with a medium-low, resonant synth above a gruff background. Synth notes flash out like chips of reflecting crystal above the powerful drums and richly flaring background synth. Sharp, high notes cut through the music with piercing luminosity as tenderly descending synth drifts in the distance.

The drums pulse along with rough-edged bass as fluting notes glide past. The bass flows smoothly as ethereal notes float by, carried on a glowing synth. The brightly scintillating synth in the background sparkles as powerful chords surge along with bursting drums and pulsing bass. The chiming melody has a delicate quality as it slips into a segment in which slowly gliding bass is joined by rippling, tumbling notes with an open-voiced sound.

Galactically vibrating synth moves around the jumping, entangled notes as they dance out. A hi-hat begins to tick and a gigantic, medium high synth moves out with yearning. I am pleased by the richly interacting synth elements that come together in this track. The music ends on shining high notes and towering chords before silence falls

Chimes flash out along with oscillating bass and guiding drums to start “Our Time.” A chiming synth dances through as bass undulates and drums pound while extended, cutting chords move past. Trickling notes tremble as Electron Odyssey’s guitar calls out into the music with warm radiance.

The low end creates propulsive motion as it drives the song onward. The guitar calls out again with a wonderfully luscious sound as the bass drifts smoothly in an oscillating motion while muffled drums keep moving in the distance. Brightly glimmering notes tremble into the music, carried on an echoing synth.

Smooth light drifts out from the sweeping synth as the bass slowly pulsates like a heartbeat. String-like notes trickle rapidly through the music in an increasingly rapid pulse as bass rumbles below. A hi hat adds a metallic element as gleaming chimes leap into the music. Bass throbs as flitting notes slip past and the drums kick in again. The high notes add glassy brightness and the guitar shines as a trembling synth drops through the music and the track ends.

Conclusion

Citizen Generator evokes the complex and fraught world of technology through skillfully composed music. The way in which Electron Odyssey combines and contrasts different sounds along with his compositional abilities makes for deeply enjoyable and interesting listening.