13 Nov 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

State Of Mind - Nil By Ear Album Review

07 Apr 2011 // A review by sidvicious

I’m not nearly any sort of ‘bass-head’ by any stretch of the imagination, but State of Mind have proven to me once again why I rate them as one of my favourite New Zealand groups. Their new album Nil By Ear is up there with one of the best drum and bass albums to come out of New Zealand, and when you’re among such talent as Shapeshifter and Six60, that’s a pretty impressive accomplishment.

I saw State of Mind quite a few times over the summer, and there was one song in particular that I was hoping like heck would be on this album, and lo and behold, it was the opening track. The track is called Vega and features the unparalleled vocals of Shapeshifter’s P.Digsss. Without gushing too much, the song is amazing. And surprisingly, sounds just as good coming through my car stereo as it did live at the Coroglen Tavern with the aid of alcohol and hundreds of other kids. So we’re off to a good start.

Putting your best foot forward on an album can sometimes prove to be its downfall, but Nil By Ear is strong enough to carry the epic first track. Other highlights on the album include Three Dimensions feat. Sacha Vee and Fucking Sellouts.Three Dimensions proves that State of Mind know how to mix lyrics with their instrumental style beautifully; Sacha Vee’s voice is ethereal against the rousing backing track. Fucking Sellouts brings some humour to the album, using a spoken-word sample that mocks the concept of musically selling out (at least I hope that’s what it’s doing).

In addition to P.Digsss, there are a few other pretty impressive artists featuring on the album. The fifth track, Return of the Prophet is a rap-based, hectic tune featuring PNC. I still can’t decide if I like this collaboration or not. It has a very Chemical Brothers feel to it, but the rap seems forced and out of place. In contrast to the P.Digsss cameo, this is probably my least favourite track. But perhaps it just pushes the envelope a little bit too far for my taste.  

All in all, it’s a solid third album. I don’t think I prefer it over their second album Faster Than Light, but perhaps that’s just because there’s more experimentation on Nil By Ear, and taking risks like that is hugely important for any artist.  It is a slightly different sound, but it is generally good-different. I’m of the opinion that electronic acts are always so much stronger when you see them live, so whenever artists can manage to capture that magic in an album, I’m always impressed – and State of Mind have done it with Nil By Ear.

Words by Kate McCarten

Nil By Ear
View Track Listing
 

About State Of Mind

Founded in 2004, State of Mind is the Drum and Bass duo from New Zealand of Patrick Hawkins and Stu Maxwell

Initially signed to Total Science's CIA label in 2004, the State of Mind discography has rapidly expanded to include labels such as, Teebee's Subtitles Records, Futurebounds Viper label, Doc Scotts 31 Records, Simon Bassline Smiths Technique Recordings, Bad Company, Obsessions, and more.

In 2007 the lads launched their own record label, SOM Music.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for State Of Mind

Releases

Until The World Ends
Year: 2015
Type: EP
Eat The Rich
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Live
Year: 2012
Type: Album
Nil By Ear
Year: 2011
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
Faster Than Light
Year: 2009
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
Take Control
Year: 2007
Type: Album

Other Reviews By sidvicious

Shapeshifter - Live at the Forum, Melbourne - 29/10/2011
01 Nov 2011 // by sidvicious
Shapeshifter represents New Zealand to me – festivals, trips to the Coromandel with friends, New Years, Big Day Out, beaches and beer. Hearing Bring Change can, in an instant, remind me of everything I love and miss about New Zealand; they’ve been the soundtrack to years and years worth of summers.
Read More...
Concord Dawn - The Race to Zero EP Review
28 Jul 2011 // by sidvicious
The Race to Zero EP is only the second release since Concord Dawn’s two became one in 2008. But within the first few seconds of the opening track 1925, it’s pretty apparent that The Enemy Within was no fluke.
Read More...
F In Math - Couch EP Review
30 Jun 2011 // by sidvicious
Funk isn’t a term one would typically associated with music born of drum machines and synthesizers. But that’s the first word that came to mind after the opening minute of the opening track of F in Math’s first recorded album, Couch EP.
Read More...
Mali Mali - Brotherly EP Review
31 May 2011 // by sidvicious
Mali Mali is a relatively new Auckland-based three-piece headed by self-described singer/songwriter Ben Tolich. After parting with his band early last year, Tolich decided to focus on music with a rawer, more authentic sound.
Read More...
Michelle Nadia - 'Firefly' Album Review
17 May 2011 // by sidvicious
Michelle Nadia is a singer/songwriter who has been writing and performing music both in New Zealand and overseas for many years. Accompanying her extensive nationwide tour is her long-awaited debut album Firefly.
Read More...
Computers Want Me Dead EP Review
08 Apr 2011 // by sidvicious
Electro-synth pop is one of my favourite genres of music and it’s refreshing to see kiwi kids experimenting with it. Computers Want Me Dead, like Kids of 88 and The Naked and Famous, are part of that group of young New Zealanders who are proving that we can make synthpop just as catchy and fun as our British and Germanic counterparts.
Read More...
Shapeshifter - System Remix Album Review
08 Apr 2011 // by sidvicious
There’s no debating that Shapeshifter are one of New Zealand’s most successful musical exports, and it’s not hard to see why. Shapeshifter are quite simply phenomenal and because they’ve proven it to me so many times before, I’m always expecting amazing things with the release of any new singles, albums or live tours.
Read More...
Crash-Test For Favourite Things - The Powers That Be EP Release Party - March 19 @ Juice Bar, Parnell
24 Mar 2011 // by sidvicious
So after having the pleasure of reviewing Crash Test for Favourite Things’ brand spanking EP The Powers That Be, they invited me along to their EP release party on Saturday night at Juice Bar in Parnell. Like I said, before I reviewed the EP, I’d never even heard of Auckland four-piece Crash Test for Favourite Things.
Read More...
View All Articles By sidvicious

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem