LAST! The Harmony of the Ecstasy
some of the catchiest and snazzy synth-driven EM pop instrumental music I've heard in a long time
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The song "The harmoniy of the Ecstasy" was included in the last Drool Through radio show on Aural Innovations Radio 
INTOLERANCE reviewed in Wind and Wire  &   Melliflua
  by Dene Bebbington, April 2005
published on
Melliflua on 3th of April 2005
published on
Wind And Wire April 2005
 
     
Intolerance is an album by a pseudonymous Slovenian musician originally released in 1996, and re-mastered for the web in 2003. This review is based on the CD version that came in a double CD package with his other album The Harmony Of The Ecstasy. The influence of artists (which MarryAnn lists) like Art of Noise, J.M. Jarre, Tangerine Dream, and Depeche Mode are apparent in what is essentially undemanding and enjoyable synth pop.

The second track "Primal Instinct" is good old fashioned EM in that it's got some lively and cheerful melodies. A percussive metallic beat keeps the piece moving at a fair pace while kind of staccato synths and piano rolls on low notes form the melodies. The pace slows for a middle of the track reflectiveness before bursting back into life.

Most tracks are upbeat, and the album and track length (nine tracks between four and six minutes long) add to the feeling that this is synth pop. MarryAnn's style includes a lot of syncopated synth effects and a fair amount of other background snap, crackle, and pop. In some places it's almost like a musical rush hour!

On the penultimate track "From Now to Eternity" the tempo is initially laid back with slow drum beats, then it gets going with what I think is one of the best melodies (in this case sounding like it's played on piano) on the album. In places there are some "thwack thwack" type of electronic effects and also a tapping bell sound that comes and goes throughout the piece. The album finishes with a flourish in "Night Generation", an invigorated piece where powerful synthetic drums rush along as melodies and rhythm, which sometimes verge on the sensuous, add to the intensity.

In a lot of ways Intolerance reminds me of some earlier works by J.M.Jarre, and sometimes Helmut Teubner, in that there are some nice upbeat melodies and rhythms. Even though there's a lot going on musically it's sometimes thin sounding, not unlike Jarre's output. Still, I will say that if you're after accessible synth based music then this album is worth checking out.

Other resources
The Harmony of the Ecstasy
   


 
   The Harmony of the Ecstasy
   We Should Live Together

   The Conquest
  This Song Is Like You
  We Are All Beasts
   Life Escape
  In The Name Of

  Revelations
  Phoenix

 

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Intolerance
  


 
   Intolerance
   Primal Instinct

  
Nature's Hysteria
  
Lost Dreams
  
Earth's Revenge
  Ignorance or Belief
  
Overheights
  
From Now to eternity
  
Night Generation
 

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