Cloud2Ground
e-majn
Reviewed by Brad Caviness
Techno may have lost out to punk and ska as the genre of choice for post-grunge alternative rock fans. However, that hasn't stopped many techno artists from pushing the artistic limits and exploring new territory (in spite of being ignored by the mainstream). E-majn, for instance, by Oklahoma City's Cloud2Ground, covers a wide array of styles, diverging greatly from simple "dance music," while the use of electronics provides the common thread that holds the record together. A great example of the disc's diversity can be found in the two versions of "Raindown"--the first version ("Raw Piano Dub") kicks off the record with a simple, elegant piano track wrapped in ambient sound effects; the second version ("Original Break Mix") redresses the melody in a fast-paced, high energy dance track. Other tracks, like "Away" and "F5," build on the typically spartan, sample-based arrangements of most electronic tracks with lush, cinematic arrangements that focus on melody and composition. "Been Away" and "Face 2 Face" add vocals and a keen Brit-pop influence, making them the most radio-friendly tracks on the disc. C2G wears its influences on its sleeve, particularly from artists like Moby and Future Sound of London. They lack the rock influence that has helped push groups like Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and (again) Moby into the mainstream, but the strength of their songwriting and arrangements on e-majn truly make Cloud2Ground stand apart from the crowd.