But until now I have never written about it. Until now.
The candidates:
- Daniel Pad aka ES23: "Dancing With Clouds"
- Paul Clary: "2006 Clary Ranch Syrah Grower's Reserve Shazzam!"
First of all, open the wine.
In color medium to deep black cherry. On the nose, distinct aromas of dark fruit compote, Christmas spice and wet old leaves. Very animating.
And now, some music.
1. Wait For Me
The opener begins ominously. Graveyard bells, gloomy atmosphere, which is reflected in the rhythm of the song. After 45 seconds, the vocals start, which tend to lie behind the rhythm, thus reinforcing it. What is it about? I think it's the search of a driven man. Awesome beginning.
2. Storm
Then it becomes tribal. "Storm" is brutally fast - and sensationally changes its complete orientation after 110 seconds. "Change The Frequencies" indeed. It's like a pause - but it doesn't last long. The last third is pure tribal again.
3. Feed The Machines
Then the first highlight - if one can speak of something with such a strong album at all. The dystopian "Feed The Machines" is - considered purely from the rhythm viewpoint - the bitter reflection of our current European situation. You can literally feel war, turmoil, loss of control. Especially the hard-hitting staccato after 2 3/4 minutes pulls the listener into these spheres. And surely associations to Terminator II are intentional. Awesome.
Intermezzo: The First Sip
The fruity notes, already apparent to the nose, dominate at the beginning. Surprisingly, a slight acidity is still noticeable. In the meantime, notes of lovage have joined the olfactory aromas, which one would rather expect from a Washington State Syrah. Incredibly delicious.
4. Brother Wind
Esotericism? No, only the chosen stylistic device, so that Daniel may lose himself in the 80s as so often. For me the link to "Only Melodies Remain". Or the swan song to it. That would also explain the "wink" at the very end. Beautiful.
5. Dancing With Clouds
The title song of the CD - for me a reminiscence to IAMX - is the reason for the choice of wine. More about that in a moment. "Dancing With Clouds" is the best "song" - Song in contrast to Track - Daniel has written to date. For me, the incarnation of a US101 anthem - traveling south to north starting in L.A. After exactly 2 minutes you are on the Golden Gate Bridge, to really dance with the clouds in Mendocino at the latest. And that's exactly what the wonderful Syrah from the gifted but completely underrated winemaker Paul Clary does. By the way: You pass the wine region the wine comes from when driving along US101.
Intermezzo: Another Sip needed
After this song I need some wine again. I had chosen this Syrah primarily because of this track. And it fits so wonderfully. When we are in California, we always perceive the sky more intensely, especially when there are clouds. And we usually drink wine just like that. Summer Feeling.
6. One Day
And then it becomes tribal again. The beats of "One Day" quickly push away any melancholic thoughts after "Dancing With Clouds". Ultra-fast driving with an outrageously cheeky middle section. Perfect workout track.
7. Firefly
The third highlight of the CD after "Feed The Machines" and "Dancing With Clouds". Why? Because "Firefly" is - somewhere between Marusha and Westbam - THE trance anthem of this decade. The only issue: Too short. So, Daniel, give me a classic maxi single remix.
8. Now
Performance guest singer Dino Serci. The track is a clear call to live in the here and now - and works so well with comparable trance approaches as in "Firefly". "Now is the only time, tomorrow is not real". Daniel: Your current motto? Is that why you leave the vocal part to Dino?
9. Never
Now it gets brutal. Volume up - neighbors out. More dancing is not possible. Daniel has really let off steam here. Rightly so.
10. Retrothunder
The credits to my disc of the year. Classic 80s SciFi howler à la "The Last Starfighter". A worthy conclusion!
The Finale:
The last sips from the glass. The wine is still very present. It lingers in the mouth for a long time, losing none of its freshness. Slightly spicy. Overall, a good choice to accompany Daniel's wonderful album. Just like the clouds, one also perceives the music more intensely.
