29 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Full Code - Telescapes Album Review

15 Sep 2014 // A review by Andrew Smit

This album will blow your mind, a rock symphony that conjures up emotions and atmospheres that were once only in the jurisdictions of Pink Floyd. A bold introduction to some astounding Kiwi talent! Telescapes is full of imagination and scope, with chilling rock and synth driven grooves, a persuasive and new synth-phonic rock creation!

Opening like a soundtrack to a science fiction movie Aquautomaton begins with a spooky symphonic prelude but soon were awoken to some prodigious synthesiser and drum grooves and when the guitars kick in with a vigorous rock style you know your hearing something formidable, and so it grows. (b)TtM2 again starts with nice atmosphere music but soon builds nicely and then it’s like a rock band on a flatbed truck driving on a grinding bass synth highway, with expansive guitar licks, drum rolls and magnificent searing vocals from Steve Berry, a tour de force. Then we have a short instrumental palate freshener to prime us for the 10 minute Archaeopteryx [Las Aras de Carmesì] an impressive epic  that begins elegantly and gently builds, about half way in the bass starts to ramp up the rhythm, more chilling guitar riffs layer over the track with great effect, it finishes as it began with gentle guitar and orchestral relaxants. This is the heart of the album and where I considered how good the album sounded, and how cool it is to experience high quality original compositions of distinctive progressive rock.

Next up is Lion, expansive atmospheres and feelings are conjured and cajoled by its tight hypnotic rhythm, there is a definitive bass driven beat that drives the song along, with a liberal spread of synthesiser groans and grinds. A weird jungle filler with indistinct chatter a’ la Pink Floyd leads us to the deceptive Obsidian a wonderful jazz funk number bursting with sweet guitar and expressive vocals, there is an explosive angry spurt in the centre (which is very cool) but mostly we are treated to great jive rhythm and jazz guitar work from multi-instrumentalist Greg Geeves. We end with the masterful Multiverse with stunning sustained lead guitar, and more cool funk rhythm.  Steve’s stylish vocal punctuates the driving sound with clarity and strength, and combines magnificently with the progressive funk groove sound, when he raises the tension in his voice it adds a power that provides a pinnacle for the song to descend and drift into its softer conclusion.

I enjoyed escaping into the world that it conjured up for me, so I recommend you make the effort to listen to it, as it's worth the trip.

Telescapes
View Track Listing
 

About Full Code

"The quartet's experimentally-tilted yet densely-constructed compositions traverse territory that's at turns atmospheric, visceral, and ear-opening"- Tone Deaf

Before making the journey across the Tasman in 2012, Full Code intrigued audiences of divergent musical tastes at a range of venues throughout New Zealand.

2013 saw the release of the band's first music video, and in June 2014, Full Code released their debut album - Telescapes. The album was produced by Dan Murtagh at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne, and was mastered by Forrester Savell.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Full Code

Releases

Telescapes
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Full Code
Year: 2009
Type: EP

Other Reviews By Andrew Smit

Album Review: 1 Drop Nation
20 Dec 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Opening with a very spiritual Maori haka Intro - Waerea, we were introduced to the opening track Homeland, which is an unashamedly patriotic Aotearoa anthem with repeated strains of "We are one nation". This is a track that proudly declares love for home, while also being a rally call for the future.
Read More...
Tahini Bikini - Album Review: Fever Dream
15 Nov 2022 // by Andrew Smit
An album full of very danceable funk tunes, loaded with tight guitar, bass, brass and percussion that provide a perfect foundation for the expressive soulful vocals of Madeline Lucy Taylor. Her unique clarity is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse or our own Kiwi songstress Gin Wigmore.
Read More...
Haze Lane - Single/Video Review: Natural Feeling
22 Aug 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Matching the songs title very aptly South Auckland indie band Haze Lane has produced Natural Feeling, a very organic song that does indeed deliver a very smooth natural feeling. The ultra-cool ambient sound is reminiscent to the early roots sound of Six60 and L.
Read More...
Gig Review: Anthonie Tonnon @ Hollywood Cinema, Auckland - 14/05/2022
16 May 2022 // by Andrew Smit
On a coolish Saturday evening it was great to see a rather large crowd that clearly were so happy and eager to experience a night of live music, and what a perfect venue to stage it at the slightly musty but still majestic Hollywood Cinema in Avondale. Opening the proceedings was the cool 4 piece band Lips with their ambient 80’s groove thanks to the techno synth sounds from keyboardist and singer Steph Brown.
Read More...
Vogel Town - Single Review: Sludge City
24 Apr 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Interestingly Vogel Town's new song Sludge City begins with an automated telephone voice, and then a street argument which is soon accompanied by a very groovy walking bass line, quickly growing from just a couple of notes to a broad melody of its own. At first the only addition is some nice, nonchalant drum fills, but as the background street noise fades away, the introduction of vibrant reverberating guitar strums adds a final element that completes the ensemble perfectly, and altogether this provides a very cool bluesy vibe.
Read More...
SKRAM - Single Review: Living Our Lives
22 Mar 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Beginning with some straightforward but quite funky keys your soon steered to a very upbeat and chunky ensemble of music that energetically drives along with its super groovy reggae vibe. SKRAM are a very high energy 3-piece pop group that have delivered a fine tune that embodies their claim of “energetic” perfectly.
Read More...
Tomorrow People - Album Review: 21
02 Jan 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Tomorrow People have produced a wonderful assemblage of uplifting reggae tunes that are performed and sung with heart and purpose. All 16 tracks are packed with brilliant harmonies that are propelled along by the glorious uplifting off beat rhythmic delight that reggae music delivers so well.
Read More...
Torn Chorus - Single/Video Review: This City Floats
10 Sep 2021 // by Andrew Smit
From a simple opening beat to a wonderful flourish of acoustic guitars layered with luscious chorus and flange effects, the new single from Torn Chorus, This City Floats, is brought to life with wailing electric lead guitar licks and slides that sound melodically precise and emotive. Crisp vocals tell you about the labour and reward that you get for following the beaten path to the top, which as the video shows so well, is Auckland’s remnant volcanic cones, but the metaphor could be used for any journey in life.
Read More...
View All Articles By Andrew Smit

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem