THE NEW DIGITAL SOUND
The New Digital Sound (self-released)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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DJ Don Smith's vision of the new digital landscape isn't necessarily new, but it sure is a whole lot more interesting than the conclusions most others are reaching. I'm sick to death of hearing those da-da-da-da-da fakebeats cross out of their own genres and into everything else in the electronic frontier. Smith must be, too, because there are only a few moments during the course of this entire album that anything like rapid-fire drum machinery can be heard. Instead, Smith takes us into a world of textures and dreams, not at all for those with thin skin, as he populates his landscapes with voices that say the darndest things. They're all sampled from familiar events and films, though I can only place one sample with absolute certainty, and that's the distant voice of Vincent Bugliosi speaking about the horror of the Tate-LaBianca murders in 1969. Other voices whisper things that keep you focused and curious as the synths and piano spin dark cotton candy all around you. It begins to feel like you're being led somewhere by many voices while the spooky soundtrack underscores your journey, but it's just one voice, really, and that's DJ Don Smith. There are a few comparisons that could be made with mega-stars, but those people are now overplaying with their expensive new toys and A-list recording equipment. The truth is I'm most reminded of coLeSLAw when I listen to The New Digital Sound. I've been waiting for someone else with that kind of musical sensibility and creativity. Ah, at last.

[You can find this CD at CD Baby.]

© 2003 - DJ Johnson