Indie Music Album Reviews

Dodgetide - dodgetide

7/1/2013

Dodgetide

Dodgetide
self-released; 2013

3.9 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Hailing from Adelaide, Australia, Dodgetide is a producer with a focus on electronic music. The project started very spontaneously and humbly, just for the sake of making music and having fun with it, but eventually it all became serious enough to generate a debut self-titled EP Dodgetide.

It seems a little silly to just say that somebody plays electronic music, given all the sub-genres, currents and inflections of the genres. This particular artist focuses on a particular blend of psychedelic trance with somewhat of a progressive feel. You won't find super-modern and super-pumped sounds here, but there are a lot of interesting classic synth lines as well as great analog beats and unique percussive samples. The tracks evolve, bleeding into one another and frequently changing shape and mood, sometimes interconnected by some spoken word of other lo-fi recording breaking and rearranging the flow. Bass and beats are definitely the protagonists here, although lead and melody lines are quite abundant and serve their purpose really well, adding color and variety to the songs.

The first song on the EP is simply titled "Intro" which is a delightful little number containing girthy synths that are supported by an electronic kick drum. Sine waves get torn apart on "Gobstopper" before you are introduced to one of the most hypnotic and catchy grooves I have heard in awhile. The ecstasy infused track could fill dance floors this side of Europe as it only gets more accessible as it progresses. The end of the track almost feel violent as if it is a ticking time bomb about to explode. " Dangerous Situation" contains overdriven synths, a 4/4 beat and enough variation to keep you interested whether listening on headphones or at the club. We hear on this track that Dodgetide isn't afraid to get experimental. "Feh" which is the last track and also the most kinetic contains comforting arpeggiated synths and the fastest BPM on the album.

This is an interesting and well-crafted take on trance music, with an extravagant and progressive feel to it. On top of that, the whole EP features five tracks that are completely available for free download (you can even donate whatever amount you want if you feel like it) via Bandcamp.