Manzo - Album Review: Ultramarine
Manzo is the musical brainchild of Wellington based visual
artist Alan Hodgetts and Ultramarine is
the project’s first album, a conceptual exploration of a futuristic dystopia.
The overall sound reads like a mash up of War of The Worlds
and Daft Punks soundtrack for Tron; Legacy. It’s odd and contrasting, with some
really enthralling aspects, but ultimately does not quite set its assumedly
intended time-frame well, as the production and sound effects are quite dated –
sounding more like an 80’s interpretation
of future sound.
There are some definite timing issues with the vocals
(especially apparent in the third piece Alive) and the use of robotic vocoder
based overdubs becomes tedious and much less effective as the collection
progresses.
It’s hard to get a real feel for the world Manzo is trying
to create, there are definitely links
throughout, but many of the lyrics or statements involved in a piece are
conflicting with the assumed theme s– a good reflection of todays media.
Ultramarine feels
like the bare bones version of a project that could have been a lot bigger or
more fully realised, not to say that this could not still be the case. Some of
the songs feel overly long and could definitely be condensed and whilst
Positive Energy is
my favourite piece of the collection, it feels misplaced in the track
organisation.
About Manzo
Originally signed to the Southern Collective label. Manzo is now a self releasing artist under his own label Manzo Music a member of the Music managers Forum NZ & Independent Music NZ.
To date, Manzo has released 3 studio albums, 9 singles and a 4 track EP.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Manzo
Releases
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