CDR Listening List 2: CDR - EVANGELION WORKS 0.0000000

 

Artist: CDR
Genres: Lolicore, Breakcore
Label: RDC Records
CAT#: none
Year: 2014 (actually on my wife Azusa's birthday)

Years ago CDR randomly mailed me a random Neon Genesis Evangelion OST CD that reeked of cigarette smoke, and this album always makes me think of that. EVANGELION WORKS 0.0000000 is a phenomenal album that just never gets old, I remember I listened to it on repeat when it first released, and have listened to it every few months since then. This album is full of amen loop heavy lolicore full of BGM sampling, I absolutely love BGM samples in lolicore (and used to do it a ton back in the day), so this album really hits a sweet spot for me. What I find really interesting about this album too is how some of the tunes remind me of old Western lolicore artists, like the beginning of Why Are You Stupid ? reminding me of Lolishit's Asuka Langley Soryu with looped Asuka samples and amens (and even sampling the same line, but in different languages), and The Beast's clustered mixing reminded me of some old blasted out LOLI RIPE stuff.

Another stand out to me too is the breakbeat part in King Of Boys Love, the breaks over the Evangelion piano just goes so hard, and I've always loved how CDR will mix a lot of slower breaks into his tunes (which has influenced my own works). Nigechadameda Acid is a really nice change of pace too, an unexpected acid tune that somehow fits perfectly, like how Squarepusher sometimes tosses in tunes like this into albums, really feels traditional to classic electronica. I Feel Sick totally kicks ass too, with all the medical beeps and *the scene* mixed with old-school-style Asuka voice sampling and constant amen breaks. That part in the middle too is such a nice build too despite just being one sound looped, it transitions so well into the more chaotic second half of the song, which is one of my favorite parts of this entire album. Album clears out with Omedetou, which basically feels like a much welcomed reprise of King Of The Hill, I mean, King Of Boys Love.

Overall, if you love CDR's amen heavy stuff, and the Evangelion OST, then this is a must listen. Also, I love the heavy Asuka sampling in this, I know CDR is a Rei guy, but I'm team Asuka all the way; its nice to be represented.

Listen here: https://cdr1234.bandcamp.com/album/evangelion-works-00000000

CDR Listening List 1: floppie / cdr - Psychedelic Trance Express Vol.110

 

Artists: floppie / CDR
Genre: Garage, Trance
Label: RDC Records
CAT#: none
Year: 2015

Ok, I wanted to commit to actually having Lolita Catacombs back, so already doing a post, and already starting the CDR listening list. I've been interested in doing these for quite sometime, and Okosan's one of my music really inspired me more to actually do this. This is probably a pretty random release to kick off the CDR listening list, but its short, only two tracks, so that's why I chose it. I listened to this back when it came out, and again a few years ago, but its been awhile.

The songs aren't actually marked, but I'm assuming this is like Psychedelic Trance Express Vol.108 (released on Tsundere Violence), where its floppie tracks, then CDR remixes. The release is only two tracks, and floppie kicks it off with a really nice techy garage trance tune. This track sounds a lot like it would be in a menu screen for a futuristic JRPG, and being a huge fan of OSTs, it totally slaps. CDR's remix of the song really plays up on the original's older sounding aspects, and their remix sounds like a love song to old trance records of the late 90s; especially with the tempo, minimal drums, structure, and heavy bassline focus. This isn't your typical CDR track, but really shows what the man is capable of and his wide range of influences.

I refuse to put ratings on music, so no ratings for listening lists, but this is a very nice single.

Listen here: https://cdr1234.bandcamp.com/album/psychedelic-trance-express-vol-110