Free-Music Review — 26th June, 1999

"Y2K"

The Millenium Bug

A slow, calm rap from a husky-voiced dude seriously worried about the Y2K computer failure that could happen in a few months. Nice, solemn beat with a bit of double-bass to set the mood and clever if not amusing lyrics. If you're looking for musical support for your computer paranoia, this track is perfect.

"Drinking & Boating"

esn

I didn't like this track at first, but it's grown on me. We've got a guy with a melancholy voice and a severe case of SAD, wishing for summer to banish the hideous winter. The track builds from a lifeless, hopeless depression to an enthused and almost over-excited acoustic guitar climax. Like the guy waiting for summer, you'll find yourself waiting for the last minute of the track, just for that little bit of forward-looking energy.

"Do I Know You"

Streaming Geeks

I tried to get over my fear of 80s pop to review this track. But all I hear when I play this track is a Duran Duran track. It's just all too clichéd. You might love this if you like 80s pop. But I don't, and I'm not sure this track has anything to offer.

"Secret Shit"

Human Barbecue [0's & 1's (Zeros And Ones) Soundtrack]

This is not classical music, depite its placement in MP3.com. But it is film music. This track is intriguing; it almost gets good at one point, but then stops. I'm not sure whether this is because the track is just that short, or whether the film makers have refused to release the whole track for free. Either way the result is not impressive.

"Y2K (When You Can Get Away)"

Seraina McCarty

Aiiieeee! I hate country music! But that doesn't stop me evaluating objectively. Some nice lyrics, a seriously upbeat tune and a swinging beat mean I'm sure country-lovers would really like this track. And, on the subject of the Y2K problem, this track is actually looking forward to all the chaos. What better excuse for a holiday than the downfall of the entire electronic world?

[title lost]

Brian Crain

This is another beautifully moving track, all played out on piano without need for lyrics. You'll either find it beautiful or tragic (or just moan that it "ain't my type o' music, and where's the bassline?").

"Electron Gun"

Electrostatic

A fairly dancy track, but nothing too original. It actually sounds like the sort of music you'd get playing over a beer advert targetted at young guys. Recommended if you like beer adverts.

"Y2K"

Wintermute

Another track that sees dark things on the millennial horizon. This is a haunting track full of bells, angel voices without bodies, robotic mutterings, and a darkening electronic pulse, all warning of trouble ahead thanks to our foolish reliance on computers. This is as electronic as electronica gets, and it's good stuff despite not being a dance track.

"Y2K"

Reprobate

This is one of those metal tracks where you hear nothing but a guy screaming so intensely you won't ever know what the Hell he's on about, while grizzly guitars drone away all around. A section at the end has almost-intelligible lyrics and a calmer beat for a time, as the formula goes. This track is fairly standard stuff and, to make things worse, the sound quality is very muted.

"Y2K BUG DUB / DO THE BUG"

SEX EFFECT / GENRE LECTRIC

There's something confusing here: the MP3.com page calls this group SEX EFFECT and calls the track Y2K BUG DUB. But if you download the track and check its ID3 tag it claims to be DO THE BUG by GENRE LECTRIC. Either way, it's a very interesting track. Slow, with a rattling accompaniment and spaced-out lyrics, I've no idea what this track is actually about. But it's kinda groovy whatever the Hell it is.

"Y2K (Year 2000)"

Dynamic

This kinda sounds like Robert Miles without the hideously childish quality to the tune. A very dancehall sound, you'll probably like this track if you like all the sort of music that Ibiza has wallowed in for the last decade. A well-produced track.

"code 1"

Jimmy Fountain

Nice bit of guitar against a drumbeat. But that's about it. The track doesn't really venture very far and at some points you can't tell the difference between what you're hearing now, and what you were hearing a minute ago.