Shine On (Live)

Music composed and recorded in 2006.

Containing 4 brand new studio tracks and a live bonus track "Shine On" from the Cue Records Open Air 2006:

5 tracks. Running time 32:02
Guido Meyer's latest album Cyscoop is a sensational but short tour de force. It comprises his usual elements of synths, electric guitars, and programming. Like his previous work it's what I'd call electronic rock. It has the grandiose thematic nature and energy of, say, Helmut Teubner coupled with the strong guitar work of Shaped Signs - and like the work of both those artists this is just as melodic. The fifth track on the album is a bonus live piece from Cue Records Open Air 2006.

The first track “Supervision” is a rollercoaster musical ride. Drum programming and percussion, including brief bursts of tambourine, form a bedrock over which blistering melodic stammering guitar lines blare out. There's so much going on, including synths playing harmony and assorted effects, that you could imagine this is actually a band rather than a solo artist.

All the remaining tracks continue on the same kind of course. The second track “Ys” is slightly slower in tempo but has even bigger and badder guitars storming across the soundfield as a sonic phalanx. At the start of the next piece “Ultralight” there's a short respite with a pleasing harp melody which then leads into the usual mix of drums and guitar.

Guido is one of the few artists I'm familiar that cross over electronic music with rock style guitar work. It's the kind of thing that's great for EM fans who sometimes want an album more power and attitude than just synths can deliver.

There's no doubt that Cyscoop is an exciting and well crafted musical journey. Played at a moderately high volume on a good hi-fi this will reinvigorate one's interest in raw sounding yet tuneful music.

Melliflua.com


Guido Meyer "Cyscoop" (self-released EP, 2006)

This 30+ minute EP from Guido Meyer starts with "Supervision" - a melodic, modern TD-like piece with great melodies, soaring guitar and pleasant soloing. If TD want to make interesting melodic music, they sure can learn a few things from Guido. This music is captivating and dynamic. It's melodic, without becoming twee. It's accessible and yet keeps your attention drawn to the sounds. This must sound great in the car, while speeding along a night city highway. "Ys" kicks in with strange / processed samples and low pads. After a few seconds a heavy drum rhythm enters. A very relaxed feeling permeates this track, especially compared to the previous (upbeat) number. The melodies are excellent, as is always the case with Guido Meyer. The guitar solos are also very nice. "Ultralight" starts with tinkling notes that give the track a Japanese flair. The track then develops to include other (more synthetic) sounds. This mid-paced number has similar rhythm and pace to the previous track and is a bit similar in mood, too, although with a title like that you'd expect a lighter affair, and, indeed, this composition has close to none of the dramatics found in the previous cut. Other than that, all necessary elements are there - the pads, the melodies, the guitar solos etc. "Rosaround" starts with sounds that remind me on his "Towards the Blue Horizon" album. It's another mid-to-slow paced composition, although this one has some melancholic / romantic (a bit nostalgic I would say) overtones to it. This is also where Guido's music approaches the territory of Classical music. Not that it's a full-blown Classical piece - no, it's still good old Guido, but the influences are there. Very good guitar on this one! As a bonus, this EP includes a live version of "Shine On" from "Towards the Blue Horizon", performed at the CUE-Records Open Air festival. The sound quality leaves much to be desired but the music is great. Although almost identical to the album version in the keyboard department, it has some unique (and great) guitar soloing. Overall, "Cyscoop" starts where "Lightyears" and especially "Towards the Blue Horizon" left off. If you're longing for great melodic EM with a dash of guitar - this is it!


Artemi Pugachov - Encyclopedia of Electronic Music -