Till The End Of Time

I've been thinking a lot about the past over the past few weeks. First because a lot of the people I knew 2-3 years ago have all of a sudden started appearing again (names like ConKuss, Skizza and others may ring some bells) and - yesterday - i heard that one of the people from that era (an artist known as Pagoda) had passed away. In keeping with that train of coincidence, this month's review list starts off with another artist I have known from that period - Strife (joined in this case by TGL, another member of that long ago site) and now working as a duo.

Nice to see those old faces, that's for sure.

So, although I've given you Strife's SC page as the link, the track up for review can be found at download.com, it does not appear to be on Soundclick as yet. As it happens, I've always had a penchant for Strife's brand of bright n breezy electropop, although he hasn't always delivered things that stand the test of time. Still, that small change when, if all you are looking for is a straight forward peice of electronica that doesn't stretch the brain cells too much but definitely infects the nod and toe-tap muscles. Mind you, having said all that, I like to have a fekking heart attack when I noticed that this obese sucker weighed in at just over 10 minutes. Dance (uh oh) electronica (double uh oh) that should be enough to give Gilmore the galloping gripes right enough.

Good job then that I have both a taste for Strife's work, if still a marked dislike for the genre he works in, and Till The End Of Time shows him to be in fine, fine form and is a classic example of what Strife does best. For my money, ten minutes is stretching a listeners attention span, although I can imagine this would go dance a storm in yer average electronica haunt, it has tremendous dancebility. But here's the thing. Remember I started off this review by yapping about 'back in the day'? Well, I've known Strife for most of the time he has been online, and his experience and maturity as an online musician is exceptional. He is still pursuing the same musical road he was on when I first met him but by God he has learned some tricks since then. I NEVER thought I'd ever say this about a electronica dance track, even less so a ten minute Gorilla in Our Midst version, but I feel I have no choice, this is that good.

Highly Recommended (yep, even electronic and longer than a long thing).

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, SoundClick Forum

Fata Morgana

Another relic from a previous website, Strife and I have often come across each other and I've often had good things to say about his music - even when he works with a genre I am famed not to like. Just shows that when the work quality is there, genres mean very little in the scheme of things. The Great Lemon (no, really. That's what TGL stands for) is a guy I've known for a while and also reviewed in both his TGL outfit and prior incarnations. Point is, here are two quite experienced web musicians (been doing it more than a couple of years and all that), a talented and well liked singer; Cami so the track has to be good doesn't it?

Why are you looking at me like that? Yes, I know; illogical Jim... (sigh)

The four-to-the-floor that introduces this track gives an indication of what is about to pass through your ears and at almost a minute in the main theme starts. One of my complaints about the whole trance/techno thing is its tendency to hammer on the beat and leave the melody pretty much at home with its feet up. And, fairs fair, Strife has always had a tendency to dollop on the beats; it's never to the detriment of the melody. It's pretty much fair to say that if you like Square Bear then Strife will fit in there too. As you may have gathered I am hearing a lot more of Strife in here than TGL so maybe they can explain it.

What this track is is pure, undiluted trance, and that means it will definitely appeal to a trance audience but not, I fear, to the larger listening public. Still, I guess that's what Strife and TGL are after, and I can't see them failing - at least not on this showing. It's well produced, quite inventive (within the constraints of the genre) and in its fashion it's quite exciting. However, I felt that in both versions I listened to (ie Radio Edit and Original Mix) there was an overreliance on synth sounds to the detriment of its rhythmic base, leaving quite a noticeable hole in the mix. Still, those things aside if electronic dance is what you are after, then this is as good as any out there and a lot better than some. Can't say I heard too much of Cami though guys, or is it just the beginning section? Bit naughty calling her a featured artist when it's wot, two or three lines?

Damn, I love the sound of busting chops!!

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

Desire (Vocal Mix)

Strife is a member of the 'back in the day' school who I haven't heard very much from just lately. There was a period a while ago when he seemed to be everywhere, his tracks on everybody's players and lips...then nuffink, for ages and ages. I think the last thing I reviewed of his was Early Morning Haze and I liked it so much I still have it. What may be even more surprising is that Strife is a card carrying, stamped to the max member of the electronica crowd and that - as you know - is always a problem for me. Oh yeah, I like a lot of electronic artists but it has to be a certain kind of electronica...

Strife has always stuck, almost religiously, to the 80's electronic sound; a bright, punchy pop soundtrack with plenty of go juice in its tanks. For a classic example of this take a listen to Free@Last or Life Through Natural Imagination or n dozen others... If it didn't sink in with those tracks, it definitely will within 10 seconds of hearing this track. Exploring similar territory to the famed Square Bear, Strife's compositions can be relied on to be energetic, logical workouts that work well within the genre and musically - on this showing at least - Strife's lost none of his sure touch.

The vocals in this mix are also provided by an old friend, Slippy T who manages to keep himself above a quite raucous track admirably. I can't say I am completely overwhelmed by this track, despite it's high expectation - and that I think is part of the problem. At least for me, both Strife and Slippy perform exactly the way we have come to expect, and the track certainly has all it's bits lined up nicely but loving it still somehow evades me. As a new track in that electro pop genre this should do extremely well because it's everything you would expect from the genre.

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

A New Age 2003

Unt now, lets have some of the spice of Strife....

For those people who don't know anything about this artist, he is an electronica based composer specialising in the kind of electronic 'pop' sound made famous in the 1980's. He has been consistently delivering lively, interesting tracks of great appeal for the better part of a couple of years now. In fact his Free@Last track is one of my all time favourites in this genre, eclipsed only by the awesome Square Bear's Run Away track.

He's been more than a bit quiet just lately so I chose a track from last year although Strife is yet another artist who I could just point people to, almost any Strife track will give you a good indication of what you are about to receive. Surprisingly enough despite my raving about his influences in the above sentences, this track starts with a very believable (and decidedly crunchy) rock guitar which sets us up for the main track very nicely.

Strife though, bless his cotton socks, never strays too far from the genre he loves and after that slightly disorienting start, we start to see all the regular hallmarks of this genre: tightly sequenced basslines, bright, bouncy synth sequences, clean piano trills, all it would take is Alison Moyet getting her gob round this and this could well be the next Yaz single - 25 years after the last one. In all seriousness, if Strife has passed you by up to now go play catch up. For this reviewer, I feel great contentment to know this genre is being cared for and nurtured by musicians such as Strife, Square Bear et al. Having said all that, I must admit that a new Strife track is well overdue, but this will definitely do while we are waiting.

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

Re-animation (Original Mix)

I think this is the first time I have reviewed this particular artist since I started posting on Soundclick, so let me give you a little background... Strife and I met over on the eJay boards a couple of years ago and I've been into his music ever since. Which when you understand what genre Strife specialises in may cause your jaw to drop. See, his particular specialty is pure - and I mean pure - electronica. The kind of pop electronica that is often associated with the '80's rise of band such as Soft Cell, Depeche Mode, Haven 17, Human League et al.

But, but Gilmore I thought you HATED electronica?

So, it's you whose been spreading those rumours eh? Come here and I'll slap you one. Now, where was I?

I think I've probably given more positive reviews to Strife than I have to ANY other electronica artist with the exception of the entity known as Mr Mystery/Al Azar/OrgaNik/whatever, and that - believe me - is a high compliment. The thing is though; Strife is very much worthy of such praise because he is an artist who always delivers tracks of such positive music and creative and intelligent arrangements.

Obviously I am not alone in this admiration because the guys won more compos than anyone.

Re-animation is fairly standard Strife fodder and will be a great introduction to this very talented composer. Do be aware though that Strife does work with a certain genre so it would be helpful if you actually liked that kind of synth-pop but even if you didn't you'd still find this track uplifting and entertaining throughout its 4 minute length. And you can't say that about too many instrumentals can you?

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

Reverie (Almighty Mix)

Its a well known fact there are large chunks of electronica that completely turn me off, usually the more formulaic the track, the more I am going to want to pull its little wings off. Over the time I have been reviewing tracks in this community, I have heard plenty - oh yes - PLENTY that have made me into a spiteful little boy, and that ain't a pretty sight.

There are some electronica artists who have never let me down though, and here is one of them - the irrepressible Strife. I've lost count of the number of times I have heard a Strife track and loved the damn thing from the get go. Not all the time, mind, Strife has had me worried a couple of times but overall - if you like GOOD electronica - then Strife would be a good, consistent bet. Matter of fact, he'd been a bit quiet so it was nice to see that he's been busy again.

Weighing in with a very long intro, Reverie takes some time to get its act together, but once past 1:15 I realised that this was a slightly different, more relaxed Strife than the one I am used to. There are lots of breaks and lulls in this, definitely a major feature of the first couple of minutes and it took me a few plays before I could see the reasoning behind this. See to me, it isn't until around the 2:00 mark where the track really takes off, along with the vocal sample that gives this track its title. A 2 minute intro and a 2 minute track isn't - in my view - a good way of getting people interested in the track, most people being the inveterate dabblers they are.

All of the above then, is a damn shame because when you GET the point of Reverie, what you get is a rock hard, pumping groove of 'lectronica that'll have you turning your sound system up to '11' before you can say 'noisy neighbours'. However, I'm taking comfort from the fact that this is a radio edit and that maybe the guts of the original track will turn up somewhere. An excellent track, but a bit buried in its own arrangement. If you like Strife though, you will no doubt like this track and most definitely the later part of it.

Note: This track was formerly known as 'Reverie (Radio Mix)' when it was reviewed.

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

Aura (Original Mix)

Whilst electronica is not my overall favourite genre, it's true that I do favour SOME exponents of the black art. Chief amongst these are, of course Ol' Nick himself in whatever guise, Gnazz, Fitzie and Strife to name a few. Speaking of Strife - now THAT's a link!) he's just released a new CD and this is a track from it. If you don't know strife his brand of electronica wizardry definitely sits on the pop end of the spectrum.

I also like Johnnyboy - who btw has nothing whatsoever to do with electronica. At least AFAIK... So what could these two musical gremlins be cooking up between them? Ambrosian nectar of the gods or a foul smelling brew?

Well the first 10 seconds will tell you what to expect from Strife, expounded upon for some time before settling into an oddly hip hop-ish routine that is a delight to the ears. Soundwise, as usual, Strife uses his innate musical good sense to choose sounds that add and complement each other perfectly and although rhythmically the track is very different from previous efforts, it is an excellent step into a Strife we've never heard before.

More chill out than freak out, Aura will either take straightaway or it will take some time but either way there is no denying the quality and warmth in every pore of this excellent track. I'm at a bit of a loss to explain what Johnnyboy's contribution to this track is because I always thought he was a vocalist/musician so I DID expect to hear some. That's small change though because whatever his input or Strife's together they have made a very special track.

Definitely bodes well for Strife's CD - probably on sale now ya know!

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

Early Morning Haze

Now here's a guy I haven't heard for a while. Been too busy remixing Sammy eh? ;)

Early Morning Haze is from a forthcoming CD Strife has been working on for a while and is - on the face of it - a great hint of what's in store on that CD. For those unlucky few who don't know who Strife is, he is a trance/techno composer par excellence - even though he dabbles in just about everything going. Including, as I mentioned above, entering the 'remix the DJ Sammy track' compo - this being about as 'pop' as it can get...

What always gets me about Strife's work - yep pretty much all of it - is that he REALLY delivers more melodic bang for yer buck than just about any other artist I know working in this genre. The production is always showcase perfect, the arrangement and dynamics built to last and an overwhelming, pumping beat that encases the whole thing like a glittery bow on a Christmas present.

Early Morning Haze is exuberantly, gloriously infectious from pretty much the first note and I'd advise anyone - whether they like the genre or not - to check out this exceptionally talented geezer. However, on listening to this more than a few times, I've come to certain conclusions. 1) It cries out for vocals; 2) it's almost stepping into Square Bear territory - neither of which is a bad thing.

Oh, and wait until you hear that 'crunchy' sound effect. A right ear bender :eek:

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

Forgotten Bliss

This collaboration between DJ MuzikAL and Strife sounds good on paper but does it work in real life? For those who don't know, MuzikAL is the guiding light behind the MuzikAL Vs eJay Collective CD's and Strife - well Strife is Strife, technohead, musician, awesome beatmaker...

I was a little put off by that incredibly sparse intro, and I guess I won't be the first, but ultimately the track comes through loud and clear. Anyone who knows Strife's work will recognise large sections of this track, and I think I see where AL's hands have been too. As you would guess this is a combination of hand made and eJay samples and damn me if it don't work...

It's only fair to say that musically it's not an adventurous li'l bunny, preferring to stay within familiar musical territory, and that could prove problematic in the long run. For those out on the town for a bit of light entertainment, with the odd Strifeism, Forgotten Bliss will be a good one night stand. I think both AL and Strife did a pretty decent job here, but I'd still like to see what they got up to with a bit more time and thought. Maybe the next track guys eh?

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

Maelstrom (Radio Mix)

Not sure who plays what part in the proceedings here but seeing as I am familiar with both these gentlemen's work, I'm sure I am in for some nice sonic moments. I liked Diablo's last track African Drums and Strife has long been one of my electronica favourites. So cahm on you guys, give me something to steam about :)

At first glance is something I'd say had Strife stamped all over it, so if you know and like his work, this will be something useful for you. I'm going to assume that this is actually DJ Diablo's remix of Maelstrom and take it on that basis. So now that we know where we are going musically (throbbing drums, metronomic hi-hats, lotsa synths and bleeps and great melodies - typical Strife fare), lets look at the mix.

It starts well, no question about that ever expanding intro, so far so good. I start to notice slight differences between what I expect from Strife productionwise and what my ears are hearing. To me Strife's hi hats are slightly more defined than I hear here - no pun intended - and his sound has a slightly edgier mix. To my ears Diablo has a slightly mellower sound going on here and it definitely suits the track, especially in the background synth effects. Matter of fact this track has some real charm attached to it by the extremely effective use of those effects and is definitely something I'm going to hang onto for a while.

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

Life Through Natural Imagination

Strife is a regular eJay electronica artist I have had a fairly good listening experience with, so another track from him should hold no surprises for me. And indeed it doesn't in one way, but a BIG surprise in another.

From the beginning sphere it's obvious this is a bit of electronic class; an anthemic synth, beautifully placed piano runs, and crystal clear backing track show that Strife knows his biz and a bit more besides. Moreover, with Life Through Natural Imagination, the more I hear it the more convinced I become that this is probably one of his best tracks yet.

There's a kind of majesty about this track, despite its almost repetitive nature, that is gonna lift your spirits and put a more positive slant on your life. In truth, it's not startling, innovative or different. Anyone who knows the work of some of eJays premier artists in this field (Square Bear instantly springs to mind), all of the elements and structure of this track will be very familiar territory. What may not be is the emotional content this track contains that only really kicks in with repeated playing. Top marks to Strife for yet another track that works on levels most tracks cannot reach.

If electronic pop ballads with a grandiose twist are your bag, this here is one of the best I've heard in a long while, and definitely puts me right in the mood for the upcoming Square Bear review. Don't get me wrong here, I am not saying that SB and Strife are the same kind of musician, they are not. On this one track there are more similarities between them than not so - I think - it's a reasonable comparison.

So nrrrrr :)

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

Battle For Far-Stretch Point (Radio Mix)

Strife has built up a pretty solid reputation over the past few months, winning every techno comp in sight, getting onto released CDs and whatnot and - for this reviewer - he deserves every one of those accolades.

His Free@Last for example is one of the best examples of the genre I have heard yet from an unpublished musician, and if you haven't heard it, it's about time you did. Definitely one of the big eJay hits of 2002 as many on the eJay boards will testify.

Battle For Far Stretch Point will only, in my opinion add more lustre to that rep. From the opening seconds you know that you are in for a techno treat, the mix already establishing what aural delights lie within. Instrumentally, stylistically and technically, Strife continues to improve with each release and the track has more charm to it than a six week old puppy.

Not that all is warm and cosy though, because - like a couple of other Strife tracks - this also has a tendency to sound a little sterile, a little over-produced if you know what I mean.

Of course, it won't matter a damn to those who are already into this guy and it is - after all - yet another one of my small quibbles. What actually matters is that the track is competent, polished and interesting in all the right ways. I'm going to have to live with it for a while longer before I finally decide whether to give it house room but from the amount of plays I have already given it, it is probably well up there with his better tracks. One for technoheads everywhere.

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

I've Been Waiting Years For You - Strife

A name that first came to my attention when he won the last trance compo held on the eJay boards and my review of his Free @ Last track that I did a month or so ago.

Strife is yet another member of our ever expanding electronica crowd who specialises in trance-y type material that explodes right out of the box and never stops running... I was so knocked out by the sheer talent irradiating Free @ Last that I almost went overboard in my praise for it.

And you, of all people, know that I can go well overboard.

So what is this new Strife track up to then? More of the same, or something better even?

Well, it ain't better, but there again - in its defence - it would be very difficult to better Free @ Last. What I've Been Waiting is, in a word, different. It's slower, lusher and has some exquisite touches of acoustic spanish guitar that life it above the crowd. In many ways, this shows a quite different side to Strife; a slower, more gentle version that - on balance - I may actually prefer.

A couple of things bothered me. There was a stringy thing that I felt had already been overused by the time I heard it on this track, and I felt that the emphasis of the track kinda wandered off the point somewhere in the middle but, small change with a track like this. So, on the face of this, I would say that Strife has delivered yet another good track that should gain him yet more fans. And if you are in the market for some intelligent, well rendered trance electronica, Strife definitely should be one of your first ports of call.

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum

Free @ Last

Eh? Eh? Speak up man!! Don't you just hate buried vocals :)

This track starts with a wonderfully English sounding voiceover (presumably Strife himself) that I must have spent 5 minutes trying to figure out what was being said. Something about school and not knowing, then (clearly) 'but now I'm free at last' so I can only imagine that this song is about leaving school and joining the rest of us wage slaves out here in the real world...

So, should we tell him the truth now, or just let him discover it himself..hee hee

Free @ Last is - on balance - a cross between ambient sound and electronica that is done with great style and presence, and should be a welcome addition to anyone's good electronica file. Of special note are the amazingly good ambient pads that fill out the sound, and the (obviously home made) vocals. Strife, on this showing, is someone to be watched very closely indeed because this track is bloody dynamite. The production is solid, the instrumentation never puts a foot wrong, and the atmosphere is sheer delight.

Technically, Strife is up there with the best of our electronica friends, and someone this reviewer will be checking out often. If this is the normal Strife standard then I may have found yet another artist whose work I can plunder to my hearts content. Imagine, peeps, a professional sound, and a track that makes perfect sense in all its elements. I'm sure there are many of us who would like to be able to claim that distinction for our tracks. My only gripe - and it's such a minor one, I feel a dick even saying it, is that at 4:05 I could have done with more of an extended mix - just to see what Strife can do when he REALLY stretches himself out. If well made electronica makes you do the do, grab this with both hands. Excellent.

Reviewed by Steve Gilmore, Rebel Riffs, eJay Forum