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The Pitcher – Serenity / Our Core Review
Last week’s internet surfing saw a pleasant surprise. An excited post on Global Hardstyle Forum saying Serenity / Our Core was in at Freaky. With Superplastik seemingly trying to take Scantraxx’ leading position in the ‘delaying releases’ field, it is a good thing they did not make the fans wait any longer. And since we are the most avid of fans, it is high time we took a close listen – but first, let’s introduce the man himself.
No one can deny that Michel Pollen has delivered a massive list of massive releases over the years. Producing as Mos Phat, Cenoginerz, The Pitcher, and more recently Dozer, he is a well-known and respected name in the scene. However, a lot of people are unaware that he also handles large parts of the production for the even bigger acts Donkey Rollers and Zany.
A point of criticism that has been uttered before is how Pollen seems to be using the same sounds over and over in his solo work. One has to admit recent Pitcher and Dozer releases do sound alike, but before forming an opinion on the matter, I decided to wait for the actual release of Serenity. However, upon hearing it for the first time on Hardbass 16, it was clear that indeed, not much had changed. No matter if you are listening to the A- or the B-side, you can instantly tell both are Pitcher tracks. The question remains, is this a good or a bad thing?
First of all, let me say that I do not understand people who whine about a synth being recycled or a kick being used again. As long as they’re not exactly the same, it’s fine. After all, we do not see rock guitarists buying a new instrument for every song either. Besides, Pollen’s instruments are some of the best out there – his sound design is unsurpassed in the entire harddance world. However, in this case, the instruments are starting to show a little wear, and the resemblance to Pollen’s other recent work borders on being annoying.
Yet even though the man’s sound design may be getting a little repetitive, the way he employs his sounds will never get boring. Both Serenity and Our Core have the typical Pitcher intros, uplifting and intricate, powerful and delicate. Guardian Angel’s complexity is left unmatched, but it remains fun to play the tracks time and again, discovering new screeches and bleeps with every listen. On the other hand, there is this nagging realization in the back of your head. Certainly, Pitcher’s intros never get boring, but can he not come up with something really refreshing this time? Like he did with Church of the Darkside for instance?
We will leave that question up to his next release (Guardian Angel / Shine?) to answer that question, and move on to the climaxes on this vinyl. Serenity has a break with some generic, yet somehow emotional lyrics about freedom. It seems he wrote these himself, and the emotion probably lies in how any true music lover will recognise what the man was thinking as he wrote. And if he did not conjure them up himself, they certainly fit his mindset. The melody, then, is as uplifting as you would expect. What makes it good is the twisted background sound accompanying the lead – it reminds of a theremin and makes the second part of the climax a balanced whole.
Our Core surprises us with more seemingly original lyrics. Of course, there is no canonic source for what they say, so I will have to transcript them myself. However, I am sure it is either “This sound, it’s what I did before, feel free, to use it some more”, or “wanted” instead of “what I did”. Either way, it seems Pollen is basically telling me to shut up when I say he is getting repetitive. And he certainly does it with a less aggresive attitude than mr. Headhunterz.
These stubborn lyrics are accompanied by a somewhat calmer melody than in Serenity. A good choice, for its being calmer makes the whole song sound a little easier and a little less forced. A short break which contains an awesome little melody cuts the climax in two. The ‘little melody’ is based on the chord progression from the main melody, making it stick in your head for days, an amusing and clever strategy.
Ultimately, we have not yet discussed how well the tracks work. Pollen’s intricate sound design and sequencing always put his tracks on a higher step on the quality scale and a deeper level of your soul than the rest. He has the talent to move you with his music, to take over your brain and make it release that serotonin, that ecstacy, which we all crave so. Even though melodically slightly less inspiring than Karma / Titan, both these songs are as captivating as anyone could wish for. Good job again, Michel.
Tracklist:
- A. Serenity
- B. Our Core
Verdict: 89/100
Feel free to discuss this review on the forums.
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