Sidewinder - 2badsheep FLAC download

Fans of the PC games DX-Ball 2 (1998) and Rival Ball (2001) may know him for the catchy euro-techno music featured in both. On 2badsheep, however, we are introduced to a different Sidewinder, who has moved on from making ProTracker modules on the Amiga. While some of them still show up for this record, the new Sidewinder introduces us to the sound of his synthesizer creations, crafted on his faithful Ensoniq SQ-2. 2badsheep presents a batch of playful songs with memorable melodies, danceable beats and noises from the rave. We're talking a variety of styles within electronica here, ranging from rave to synth-rock to trance and everything in between. The album is a little bit of everything, also when it comes to the technical aspect of the productions. That is to say, there are still 6 of the 19 tracks that are recorded from older 8-bit tracker modules. Unfortunately, this results in a noticeable contrast to the crispiness of the sound quality between some tracks, which in turn tears a bit at the album's sense of coherency. The true highlights of the album definitely fall under the synthesizer category of the songs, but some of the more boisty tracker tunes are definitely worth jamming to as well. Mothership may start out subtle, but will quickly abduct you to a spaced-out neon glow party with dancing sheep hovering above crop circles. It's an epic danceable trip with heavy 70s synth juice influence. Net Sex is one of the anthems on the album, and the cherry on top as such. It's a synth-rock delight and, fortunately, one of the cleanest tracks quality-wise. A euphoric trip with juicy lead synths and an epic arpeggio sequence that brings the chorus to a climax. Insatia is another top notch track, sustaining the peak of the album with its captivating composition and enchanting melody. The staccato pan flute is a beautiful detail, adding an airy vibe reminiscent of colourful feathers and a Native American spirit. It's the beauty of life expressed in a song. Technobees was originally written on the synthesizer, to then be sampled as 8-bit sequences and remixed as a tracker module. While the module version was originally released in 1996, the original synth version had seemingly been lost. A new version of the song was actually recorded in 1997, so I was a little disappointed to find that it was ditched in favour of this one. While the bouncy 8-bit version does have its charm, the revised version is a hard-on party track on a sugar—a recommended listen in comparison, if you can find it on the web. Dekadog is another tracker module recording—but this one is a raving noisemaker. Techno party tune with a catchy four-on-the-floor beat and cheeky synthlines. It's all about licorice with salsa: an eccentric flavour of two things than can be yummy apart, and invoke the most strange yet intriguing taste together. Spanish Armada resides in the same neighbourhood as Dekadog, also stemming from a tracker module. The rave vibe is strong, but in a more epic and voyaging expression. The intense melody and thumping bass will keep you pumped, while the drops add a more mellow vibe with very pleasant pads. Zygorain feels like soaring across the rainforest. Lush greenery showered in the purest rain. The arpeggiating pan flute will captivate you with its mesmerising dance to the rolling beat of a timbale. It's a slightly nostalgic and also refreshing track. Part 1 (Intro) is a playful piece, but it's actually only a draft. The final version of the song is titled Dark City and made its debut on the old mp3.com website in 1999, presumably finished sometime after the album was pressed. The song was later also featured in the 2001 PC game Rival Ball, this time sampled to the tracker module format. Crystal Mind takes the listener into a darker territory with trippy beats and a haunting vibe. This track is modest and bouncy at the same time, combining excellent percussion with a sneaky mood that will sharpen your senses. Vertigo lingers in the same territory as Crystal Mind mood-wise, taking its own twist on that dark vibe with denser beats and deep moog sweeps. Barnicles closes off the album on a lullabying tone, giving the record a good credits-style finish. If you're familiar with Sidewinder's library of tracker modules, you may come to notice the song is actually a retake on the track Sheep Dance. And for those who have dug into the music directory of DX-Ball 2, the title Barnicles is likely also something that will sound familiar. When I first ordered my copy of this album, I was hoping this song would be the original version of the tracker module by the same name from DX-Ball 2. After inquiring the subject with the artist, I learned that there had been a mixup of titles at some point, and that the module from DX-Ball 2 had started out as a sampled version of the album track, thus keeping the name.If you came looking for this album after pursuing the music in DX-Ball 2, just note that this is a very different cup of tea than the soundtrack from the game. At some points it may seem like a rushed project, and the mixing of 8-bit tracker modules with 16-bit synthesizer recordings does not ring too well in my ears. I would definitely have preferred an album of only synthesizer songs, and I do wish a bit more care was put into the mixing of certain songs. But the album does have its gems, and if you're a Sidewinder fan, those gems really do shine bright. Mothership, Magic Song, Net Sex, Insatia, Crystal Mind and Barnicles are definitely highlights that make 2badsheep worthy to be part of an album collection.