INDIE MUSIC DIGEST - Independent Music Reviews

CD REVIEW: The Icarus Kid - The Icarus Kid

By: Cyrus Rhodes

"This kid is a force to be reckoned with"

"amazing debut CD"

- INDIE MUSIC DIGEST:-

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Artist: The Icarus Kid
CD: The Icarus Kid

Label: Independent Artist

Website: www.theicaruskid.com

Genre: Electronica, Chill-out, Dub, Ambient, House, Techno

Sounds Like: Art of Noise, Deep Forest, Prodigy

Technical Grade: 8/10

Production/Musicianship Grade: 8/10
Commercial Value: 10/10
Overall Talent Level: 10/10
Songwriting Skills: 10/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs Game Over, Albatros, Dodongo

Weakness: None

CD REVIEW:

Seattle’s own Dan Crowdus, or The Icarus Kid is a multi instrumentalist who’s dream to combine both House, Electronic & NES gaming sound became a reality on this debut CD released in 2010. Although his pallet of talents is wide ranged, his primary expertise lies in electronic music production. This should be interesting. Here we go.

The CD blasts off with ‘Impulsive” an ambient intro piece that serves up industrial-type rhythms, with pulsating moog bass painted against a colorful canvass of music & sound that comes at you from every which direction. Track 2 “Dr. J” presents a kaleidoscope of soothing sound featuring dynamic rhythms, & vivid melody that that flow & ebb its way through fruition. By track 2 you realize The Icarus Kid may be on to something here. Track 3 “Murassa” shifts gears a bit with pulsating moog vibe, against sinister yet mesmerizing keyboard & synthesizer accents with hypnotic walls of sound that are infectious & hypnotic. As the CD slowly unfolds I can hear so many elements of Trance, Ambient, Techno, Chill, Dub & House rhythms painted against a clever canvass of NES gaming sound effects. You will also notice lush layers musical instrumentation layered everywhere from low end beats & rhythms, to pulsating moog & bass segments, to ambient synthesizer & keyboard accents layered along the way. You will also notice piano, percussive accents & & subtle voice sampling layered in the music. The songs themselves are extremely unique, highly original, & in itself a brilliantly clever. The sounddscapes are interesting, infectious, & hypnotic. The grooves & rhythms are thick & the ambient accents are well placed & flow & ebb extremely well song for song. The CD has some truly impressive moments on it showcasing an impressive songwriting craft. From pieces that lay down the thick groove like “Albatross” & “Benny & Clyde” to hard hitting “Octo Rock” to peaceful “Fast Asleep” & “Panic” to hypnotic “Tank” & ‘Hammer” to my personal favorite “Game Over” this CD has something for just about everyone. It’s definitely a dynamic & progressive musical statement that offers a lot of musical variety & vivid sound imagery.

Overall this release from The Icarus Kid is quite amazing. This CD has no real weaknesses that I can hear. Make no bones about it – this CD took some time to craft & piece together & is in itself a very marketable CD. It’s highly marketable in the sense that kids will love the NES aftertaste, but equally as impressive are the hypnotic dance grooves, low end rhythms & beats that come with the territory. This will also appeal to those who enjoy Techno, & House-type music. Finally there are even elements of ambient, chill-out & dub music making The Icarus Kid sort of a triple threat musically. The CD works best for those who want musical ambience to fill their sonic space. I found the listening experience quite refreshing, highly original & unique. It fills the space peacefully & unobtrusively. It flows extremely well song for song & note for note. This Kid is a force to be reckoned with. It’s fair to say if you underestimate The Icarus Kid just a little bit you will lose. Game Over!

Cyrus Rhodes