Celldweller - Celldweller (15 tracks) +Album Reviews

Hard II Label - Easy II Love

C. M. Gillum | Michigan | 08/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Celldweller has gained alot of respect and fans since the release of this. With many of these songs heard in Movies, Video Games & Internet Radio and a MySpace page filled to the brim with loyal Klayton fans. The ironic part is this guy is from Michigan (where I happen to live) where Industrial & Techno are far from the main trend. Yet this One Man Army is easily one of the most idolized independent artists in the state, If not the country.

The albums approach is a mix of several different genres. Alternative, CyberTek, Gothic, Industrial, Metal & Techno. They all combine into a well oiled machine creating some of the most original music i've ever heard. From gritty synthed out guitar riffs, to dark overtones with soft melodic vocals and everything in between.

Songs such as 'Tragedy' have lyrics easy to sing along with and fast paced music easy to dance to or even head bang to. Other songs such as 'Switchback' have a heavier Industrial Metal influence and even have Klayton singing in audible Growl/Yell form. Tracks with a darker grittier approach like 'Symbiont' have Cyber Goth written all over them and are a nice addition to the album.

Metal fans be cautious, This album really isn't all that heavy. I suggest checking out songs on MySpace before purchasing. Everyone else don't hesitate, This is a great and original album to add to your collection. Personal favorites include: Frozen - Tragedy - Symbiont - Afraid This Time.

-If you took the time to read my review, Please take the time to rate it and let me know whether it Helped you or Not.

-Thank you, A loyal Celldweller fan & Michigan Music supporter.

-Also check out these similar albums also made by Klayton..

The Beta Cessions by Celldweller

Take It & Break It Vol. 1 "Own Little World" Remixes by Celldweller

Take It & Break It Vol 2 "Frozen" Remixes by Celldweller

Circle of Dust (1992) by Circle Of Dust (Klayton's Old Band)

"

4.5 Stars. Excellent album.

Anthony M. Rock | 08/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was fortunate enough to get this disc a little while back, and I had no idea the version I acquired was a low bit rate, internet leak. So, about 2 months ago, I buy the album and never really do much with it, but yesterday I brought it into work and I was floored at the difference. Lesson learned: Buy your CD's, even if you get the "early" version. Or just wait for the final to drop.

Yes, Celldweller is not Circle of Dust. They aren't industrial. What we've got here is a tapestry of rock, house, drum n' bass, and industrial, and it's quite a project he has here. A lot of people criticize it because he uses clean vocals, catchy harmonies, and club beats. I praise the man for it, and I'll tell you why this album is amazing, and why it's pushing the envelope. (Hopefully the soon-to-appear sophomore disc will be the sonic powerhouse a lot of people have been saying it is). Also, I'm going to not compare it to Circle of Dust or Argyle Park, as this is a completely different beast.

First off, Celldweller is defintely catchy and poppy. There is no doubting this. Some of their songs, like the rap infused synthetic rocker Switchback, are high energy affairs that allow you to bob your head and sing along. However, the variety of song structures, the use of synths, heavily processed guitars, and throbbing programmed drum beats all come together to produce something that doesn't skimp on either the rock or techno side. This isn't electronica sprikled over numetal, ala Spineshank, and it defintely isn't techno with a bit of guitar filled in. This a perfectly balanced combination of the two creating something quite unique, good to the ears, and something you can dance to. Once the album progresses and you start hearing the acoustic bits, the catchy rock riffs, the vocoded female vocal leads, you'll start to understand: This isn't a faliure at industrial, it's an almagamtion of all the styles of music the man in charge (Klayton) enjoys.

The high points for me are without a doubt the 7 minute techno epic "The Last Firstborn", with its hypnotic house rhythms, amazingly well mixed guitar parts that don't overwhelm the general feeling but add immesurably to it, and the whispered/raspy spoken word/rap hybrid vocals. Add some cool guitar breakdowns and infintely creepy lyrics, and it's a 10/10. The other high point comes later in the album, the much shorter and more rock-styled Fadeaway. From the trip-hop intro, which quickly gets a dose of chugging riffage, to the soaring and amazingly catchy chorus, this song rocks your ears until it drops down into an unexpected acoustic break complete with erie synths switching between your ears and a solemn vocal performance.

I can't recommend this album enough to people who have an affinity for rock and an even passing interest in electronica and industrial rock (Front Line Assembly fans need not apply ;) ). Don't expect a mind-twisting, calculated insanity. This is not Aphex Twin with guitars. This is straight up 4/4 beats, a high range mix of vocals, simple rock guitars, enough hooks to hold down a hungry Oprah, and some of the best club sample work I've heard outside of rave dj's. If your idea of great music simply consists of how heavy it is, then you're better off somewhere else. If your benchmark of good industrial is Squarepusher or Aphex Twin (both of which I love, btw) and if your rock collection consists of Gorguts, Starkweather, or even to a lesser degree Trivium, this probably isn't the album for you.

However, if you can take some pop, some club beats, and a motherload of catchy rhythms, get this album. You will not regret it."

Amazing

Q-Tip | Deptford, NJ | 08/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I do not understand the negative reviews on this album. 99% of the bad reviews for this album are Circle of Dust fans complaining. I want you to take a look at the name of the album. It is not the latest circle of dust release. It is not Celldweller, by circle of dust. It is Celldweller. A whole new experience. A whole new "band," so to say. You cannot possibly be serious about giving this a negative review because you liked his old "band," and are upset becuase he has started a new project in a different direction. That is extremely judgemental, don't you think? Like i said, don't give this a bad review because it's not circle of dust, give it a bad review for musical flaws (well in this case, not with this album). klayton gave this project the name Celldweller because it is a whole new experience. Get over it, this is NOT circle of dust. THIS IS CELLDWELLER.

The previous reviewer had this to say: "...programming is predictable, the music is mediocre..." I just have to ask what cd are you reviewing here?

This album is truly amazing. The vocal work alone is jaw dropping, and if you've seen them live, unlike lots of bands, he can sing just as well live as recorded.

The programming on this cd is phenomenal. The intricate patterns and layers, that you can discover new things you didn't notice the first time around. It is a true treat for the ears. Each song is full of lush sounds, both leads and backround pads, creating an aura that is outstanding.

The mix of live drumming and electronic drumbeats is truly outstanding. The expertly sliced beats mesh right in with the hammered out live drumming, and go together seamlessly.

The music on this album is anything but mediocre. The progressiveness to the tracks is done so well, complete directional shifts take place in the songs but they still sound like one unit, and stay together as one masterpiece. The song layout is set in a way that really makes this album quite the epic.

And might i add that the only thing better than this album is seeing this band live.

Fans of different genres can appreciate different parts of this cd. It is worth every cent. This is how music should be. This is Celldweller."

Undoubtedly one of the best... ever.

BOB | 08/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To start off, I must say that I am 19. Not 13.

This album is absolutely fantastic. One of the best I have ever owned. Klayton Scott (as you probably know) has been involved in several other projects, and has now branched out on his own. This debut effort of his new one man band, Celldweller, is one for the industrial scene record books. Klay is a very experienced song writer, and puts forth his best efforts here. The music is amazingly crafted, every last song is a result of pure emotion and determination. Determination to get each song just the way he wants it. When someone is this determined and devoted, it really shows in the final version. That may be why this music seems so perfect to me and many others.

Here is a track breakdown:

Cell #1: 7.5/10 An intoduction to Switchback, containing the sounds of what I interpret to be system checks for a giant machine that is about to rampage. Great way to kick off.

Switchback: 8/10 A great opening track. Metal riffs combined with electronic beats.

Stay With Me (Unlikely): 7/10 A pleasant track, tight lyrics and a fast pace.

The Last Firstborn: 10/10 Likely one of the best songs that these ears have ever heard. Definately one of the best on the album. Klay mixes a concoction of metal and trance-techno, so seemlessly that you barely realize that its happening. With a killer bassline loop and that edgy synth providing a foreground for the bass, this is one song you simply cannot beat musically.

Under My Feet: 7/10 A nice song, a break from the electronic storm that is happening all around.

I Believe You: 6.5/10 Probably one of my lesser favourites on the album. Feels rather like a filler to me, however, strictly opinionated.

Frozen: 10/10 Oh Hozannah. He has done it again. In combining what is probably the catchiest loop I have ever known, lacing it with many electronic toys and my favourite vocal performance on the entire album, Klay has managed to create what I can only describe as a modern electronic masterpiece. Simply amazing. Fits snugly in the top space with The Last Firstborn.

Symbiont: 7.5/10 Fast-paced electric guitars and turntables. Great combo.

Afraid This Time: 9/10 Never underestimate the power of a good chorus hook. Definately the words for this one. A powerful, up-beat chorus surrounded by low-key acoustic guitar and vocals. This song does a good job of saying, "Do whatever you want, you cant hurt me now."

Fadeaway: 8/10 This is a good song all around. It somewhat reminds me of Linkin Park. Much better and complex, I might add.

Cell #2: Repeating lyrics of the next song So Sorry To Say, only in a creepy distorted spoken voice. This is the dividing block between Cell #1 and #2.

So Sorry To Say: 8/10 Very...different. In a pleasant way. Where you would expect electonic guitars, you get heavy cello synth and assorted strings. Later on, this changes to what you would usually expect. Which you could call the climax, but after it merges the two sounds for a nice mix.

Own Little World: 8/10 The chorus is what counts here. In this song, Klay talks about having an imaginary world in which there is nothing to overwhelm him or cloud his mind, and where he can be anyone and do anything he would ever want to be or do. Essentially what he calls his Own Little World.

Unlikely (Stay With Me): 7/10 What you might call a reverse-colour shot of Stay With Me (Unlikely). This whole song essentially sounds like the chorus from SWM (U). Only with an acoustic guitar that sounds like its being played through a telephone. Female voice and electronics make for a nice mix. I can see influences music-wise from none other than the Macarina.:)

One Good Reason: 6/10 The only song that didnt click with me as well as everything else. Still worthy of being on the album though.

The Stars of Orion: 7.5/10 A very acid-rave sounding track, featuring strong electronic beats and a deep bass synth throughout. Many electonic sounds and voices integrated as well.

Cell #3: The final dividing line, with only one final track after it. Features spoken distorted lyrics from Fadeaway.

Welcome to the End: 9/10 A very calming and soothing approach to the finale. It has a rather underwater feel to it because of the slow almost liquid sounding music mixed with some whale calls and some lyrics from Symbiont come into play here. Overall a great winding-down feel.

Well, thats my breakdown of the songs. The album as a whole feels rather like a rocket journey. You have the prep, (Cell #1), the take off, (Switchback), the flight, (Stay With Me), entering space (The Last Firstborn), the drifting time, (Under My Feet), coming close to the climax (I Believe You), the height of the flight, (Frozen), and then everything from there gets slightly more hectic (getting faster towards earth), and then finally landing on ground (Welcome to the End).

And thats exactly what this album is. A journey.

Highly recommended. 9.5/10."

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