'hilo' -- a track i'd heard on a bootleg, literally _years_ ago) was, at
'majik' -- the major single release of the album (assuming, as ever,
'jako' is more plodding in tempo, a definite change of style. i liken it
'chemtale' -- shit, this track should become a cyber club mainstay.
'watergate', another track leaked via bootleg, was not nearly as much of
'dog' is the final track you might have heard in full. as 'hilo' it's
'iovnow' is a love-it-or-hate-it track. i find it drags on, reminiscent
'shite' was a welcome surprise. An instrumental, reminding me of a cross
'sunburn' is quality production typical of walk. heavily layered, with
'endai' fits in perfectly with the calmer, more introspective feel of
In conclusion, the title track #1 aptly sums this album up. Hi and Lo --
Rodent's review
No, it doesn't sound like SP. It doesn't sound like Rx. It doesn't sound like WELT part 2, either. And I am glad. I love WELT, and it's gotten so much play here that I almost can't listen to it anymore.
This is a change from it, but equally as good. It is yet another side of Ogre, and further testament to the genius of Mark Walk.
It is one of the most personal records Ogre has done, possibly surpassed only by Last Rights in terms of that kind of personal testamony. There seems to be a shift in Ogre's lyrics on this one-not nearly so esoteric as usual, but more first person narrative. Of course, there is still plenty of the fractured lyrics that he is known for. Christ, the man even writes emails like that!
Musically, parts of it remind me of the 80s styles on WELT, part of it reminds me of old school industrial sounds (Chemtale in particular), and there are still other songs that remind me of the late 80s, early 90s acid house movement (such as Jako).
Sure, some people might not like it, but it depends on what you expect from Ogre. Of course, some of us know that is something of a trick question-when it comes from the Puppy camp, you should expect nothing and everything with every song.
Overall, I'd say that this is worth every penny you will spend. If you buy it expecting to hear a variation on an old sound, you may be disappointed, as some were when WELT came out, and they expected SP. If you listen to it for what it is, a new sonic adventure with Ogre and Mark Walk, and leave all other expectations at the door, you will most likely love it.
OhGr-SunnyPsyOp: 10/10
Alien Simian's review
"HiLO" will take you back to the first ohGr record. It's still fairly poppy, but don't let it fool you. the change comes with."maJiK" , the first single
off the record and it's quite dark in comparison to "cracker". This song gives you a feeling of what to expect here on out. Skipping "JaKO" cos it didn't
stick in my head after the first listen, "ChemTale" is more proof that this album is darker and more "electro-insutrial"...emphasis on industrial than it's
predacessor. "WaTergaTe" brings the sunny back to SunnyPsypop and "DoG" has a bit of catchiness in its chorus. "iOvNoW" is THE epic track of the record - a
hauntingly beautiful ohGr track in every way. "ShiTe" is electronic bleep noise, and I'm assuming some will agree with that the title of the song isn't just a
clever name. "SunBurn" bleeds into "EnDai", the former reminding me (just a little bit) of God Lives Underwater - it might be that melody. The latter
ending the album with Ogre saying, "This will never end." I wish that were true. SunnyPsyOp is another step in the right direction. It's a darker record for
those that might've been caught off guard by Welt. Track 13 is a bonus track - crazy triangles, african toms, chamber organ, 80s style drum machines, synths
and heavily vocoded vocals - "There's no ??? (elevator? alligation? i can't tell.)"
Don't forget to watch the maJiK video.
dj scum'sreview
the second song (i can't believe i get to hear ten more new ohGr songs!), maJiK, can be heard by downloading the video. i wish i knew what he was saying when it goes, 'op be op' like a demonic donkey coughing. i have been playing this soundbite on my inner jukebox since i downloaded the video; it is absolutley infectious. the cd track is slightly different from the video... notably it has a majikal synth guitar solo near the end and the
the third song, JaKO, opens up nice and slow, an ambient sound that grinds into a brilliant mockery of EBM music... and starts to sound like Madonna's 'Impressive Instant.'
the EBM thing dissolves into live sounding drums and features a beautiful synth ala K48.
this is definately one of ohGr's more publicly accessible songs. Although dark, it is sufficiently simple enough to make the radio. it could just be the hideous mac speakers though. the lyrics are what justify this song's meagre existence and make up for the pre-mature fade-out.
the fourth track, ChemTale, is unlike anything i have ever heard before in my life! it starts out momentarily sounding like Peaches song and then the drums crash in. it's amazing and indescribable. the repetitious simple drumming (think a sample from circustance) drive the sounds of disorder and whacked-over evil vocals that flirt with intense Ministry-esque samples. pretty hardcore, it barely gives you time to breathe.
fifth song, WaTergaTe, sounds nothing like it did when i saw it performed live. way more electro sounding and much more textured. maybe not as fun as the live sound, it is certainly serious with the vocal treatments. reminds me of a video game until the fast vocals start that sound sorta like 'porE' from ohGr's first album, 'weLt.' i have to admit that the drum and bass that accompanies these sped-up vocals works well... but it would have been more interesting if it was less drum and more noise. again, another swift fade-out.
sixth song, DoG, is the closest thing to an anthem i've heard from ohGr, but less contrived. very sophisticated synths layered over the nice varying lyric 'i'm feeling like a dog' and a head-knocking choppy beat dominate... then a fast rappy vocal dissolves into a more ambient moment that starts pounding with the aforementioned fat drums which again dissipate into an ambience that brilliantly seeps into the next track.
iOvNoW starts soft and sounds electrical, there is a sick theremin that sets a down tone. the vocals start, again very serious and personal, there is no room for a beat until after getting through the first chorus... and even then it is very light. the electricity flows beautifully with ogre's conditioned voice and the percussion disappears again... only to resurface as an unpredictable dominant theme. sounds like a juicy 808 and has the same sorta sparkles from the weLt track 'chaos.' the ticks and clippyness remind me a bit of Matmos until the hot bass stands up over some fuzzy vocals. this tune would scare the crap outta me if i was on 'shrooms.
the arpeggiated beginning of track eight, ShiTe, is pure sweetness. blissful and bright, it is truly digital. the fast pounding bass drums spill into a boiling mix of generated high-end, and speed down into a more predictable synthpop beat, which slowly transform over confusingly hacked-up synth noises kinda like Aphex Twin. there is a sample of some voice the scrapes around. very pulsing, it slams Front 242's entire new album into dust. no vocals here cos they would distract us from these intricate innards.
track nine, SunBurn, blends from the previous track and unfolds with a blippy mp3 noise that kicks off with an electro-Nirvana 'Sappy' drumbeat which later fatten up and mutate, permeate and carry the hot hot electric drill noises. the lyrics are amazing (you will have to look them up though as they are fast and melted together) and the vocals are seriously fucked-up! the cute and creepy repetetive bassline make this song more tangible. this is the 'chicks are for power' tune that succesfully opened the two ohGr shows i saw two short summers ago.
the last track listed on the cd case as number 10, EnDai, has a choppy electric guitar opening that misleads you into slick hiphoppish beat and damning vocals. because of the funky bass, there's a flirty Prince feel, but more perverse. there comes a brief pause from all the fun that soon builds again into a dark pacific sounding rap, it swings back into the playful and fades out all too quickly... quickly because one of the lyrics is 'will this ever end?'
track eleven and twelve are three seconds of nothing each.
track thirteen comes up unexpectedly, after twenty-three seconds of silence. it is much more complex and electro than the rest of the album. the vocals are obscured by an electro effect, yet feel just as important as the swinging drums. there's an interesting noise that recalls the fairy sound from the first zelda game for nintendo. freakish bass accompanies what sounds like ohGr saying 'never grow older.' this song would make delicious vinyl.
alas, the album has ended! sadly, this is only my first listen. i'm glad i've documented my intitial reaction. the cd itself is not very long, yet i'm not concerned because it definately delivers. the fact that i still have 'weLt' in rotation two years after its release promises the longevity of this current creation. it glides easily from simplistic electro-beat to complex analog acoustic. it is refreshing to hear so many sounds that are shockingly unique. although there are some conventional sounds, they have been manipulated masterfully so as not to distract the ear from the unconscious barrage of mind altering beauty, setting a new standard for electro. uniting soul with the often complained about medium of programmed sound, this menagerie of abtracted pop is guaranteed to transfer a live experience into something close to holy ecstasy.
disclaimer: i have abstained from comparison to more obscure artists, so please forgive my references to pop artists, as we can all be sure the sounds stem from somewhere else anyways... it just gives you an idea of where I'm coming from. i would mix some drum elements of HiLO with the maJik 'op be op' and voila - Everyday is Halloween!
Will E Scheipers'sreview
However, two years later this album meets every expectation I would have
HiLo: Great Track, shifts between organic bass and guitar to mechanical
Majik: Another strong track, I kinda wish it took out the looped vocal
Jako: This track really grabs me. To me it represents the balance that
ChemTale: I'm not as crazy about this song, but Ogre's vocals sounds good
Watergate: Like Jako I really like this track, great balance of music and
Dog: I'm just not sure about this track. I've heard some lucky people who
IovNow: Very nice track that starts out very slow, but has a more
Shite: It's a good track, but it reminds me a lot of Cevin's stuff from
Sunburn: Like Hilo Ogre really seems to sound his best when he is singing
EnDai: Not a strong a closer as minus was on the first album, but a good
Bonus Track: Nice instrumental, it is good to see that with this track
All in all this was the album I wanted to hear two years ago.
michael long'sreview
1. HiLo: The song keeps a steady, faster paced beat throughout all of the
2. MaJik: This is a very grim sounding song, with the military beat working
3. JaKo: Beginning with a breif soundscape started at the end of Majik, JaKo
4. ChemTaLe: Many odd noises tossed about in this song. there is never a
5. WaTerGatE: Very upbeat verses in this song, with a semi-fast beat and
6. DoG: The song starts off with a darker sound, never getting into a real
7. iOvNow: Very dark intro to the song, which eventually joins with Ogre's
8. ShiTe: No vocals on this song. All in all, it's a total mind blow. There
9. SunBuRn: If anyone has ever had bad sunburn, this song completely conveys
10. EnDai: Ogre sings in a very flanger treated tone, while the steady beat
13. Hidden Track (PawSeE?): Ogre stays on board for one last song. For those
OhGr has totally made SunnyPsyOp what we all expected and more. Awesome CD,
take me back to Litany for dog's sake!
I was awaiting with baited breath my copy of the newest ohgr offering --
after the 3 week difference between US and Europen release dates, and my
truly concrete willpower not to 'acquire' the album from IRC. Still, it's
here now, and 2 of 3 listens through I've been inspired to review it. Upon
reading the previous reviews, i find this is probably identical to the US
edition.
first listen, disappointing. None of the raw 'edge' of the live version
remained, instead i percieved a watered-down WELT-era track. After another
couple of listens, this grows on you, however I'll still miss the punch of
the live track.
ohgr's commercial potential is overlooked -- thx Spitfire) comes next.
Darker, and more moody than cracker, this will do little to touch the MTV2
et al playlists. Ogre's vox are sent through the wringer in this one,
leaving a stompable, anthemic single. It is at this point, however, you
notice the shift from the WELT-era style of the vox' prominence. It may be
to your taste, but for me this strips some of the appeal -- i've loved
ogre's voice since i first heard smothered hope.
to walking through treacle, and it grows. Which is a good job, since again
this brought disappointment upon first hearing.
Thumping bass beats, repetition and heavily distorted vox make this my
sunnypsyop 'lusid'. awesome, stunning, etc, etc.
a let down as 'hilo', and it brings us squarely back to WELT. another
winner, and by now you'll be bouncing. similar vox sample to those used in
'pore' feature in the background, working better as a layer, than at the
fore.
stripped of the more metal tendencies of the live ohgr lineup, and as 'jako'
marks the change to a calmer, more focused [though ever jaded] ogre.
of an ebm band's attempt at 'a slowy'. Featuring programming, and vocals
very similar to that used in WELT, it might be your thing.
between furnace-era download and process-era skinny puppy, 4 minutes of
bliss, although a little extra time/variation/consideration could have made
this into an awesome 12".
interspersed indecipherable vocals reminiscent of ogre's [rant]ing. This is
my #2, a track which should probably be making Spitfre millions on the DAC.
Bloody awesome!
the album, imagine 'suhleap' -- only worse. Maybe it's just me, but this
doesn't sit well with my auricular tastebuds; it would be nice to end on a
high.
chemtale, sunburn and majik are sparks of genius. The opening is less
explosive, more enticing, and as to your perception of the rest of the
album? Who knows. I've given my £0.02. Addendum: it's ogre. buy it.
How is it?
Excellent.
I know it's only a few hours before you can legally purchase ohGr - SunnyPsyOp, so it's almost pointless in sending in this review, but I'm going to
anyway. Keep in mind, I'm not one to remember tons of lyrics and song titles to compare to previous Ogre related material. I'm on track 7 (iOvNow), listening to it the first time through as I type
this out.
i got my SunnyPsyOp in the mail today. i'm at work right now, sneaking a listen through some shitty mac speakers.
the first track, HiLO, is playing and it has inspired me to actually write a review (instead of doing work). it picks right up where 'minus' left off. the vocals are very calm and personal sounding. the sounds are melodic and the up-beat is very ohgr... as in fast and poppy. i've noticed that HiLO is longer than most songs from ohGr's first disc.
vocals are positively stronger.
When I did a review for "Welt" I did a harsh sounding review for it, but
as time went by I realized the album wasn't really a bad one, I just
expected so much more from Ogre and Walk that it seemed bad in the
beginning. Over time Welt has grown on me in a way Ritalin never has.
had and more.
drums and effects.
(or maybe keyboard) effect in the beginning but it is a good song.
Orge has found in his music and vocal style balancing the harsh vocal
with the soft vocoder as well as the whole album which shifts between
dance/ambience/noise.
and he takes a swipe at Bush, so who can complain?
vocals all around.
saw Ogre live rave about this track, but it doesn't do much for me.
freestyle feel toward the end of it as real bass kicks in.
Muzik Fur Catz. It's only of those songs that if your in the mood for
beeps and boops you'll like it.
to a danceable songs, who knew? However, Like Pore I wonder how he would
pull off the vocals live.
ending to a great album.
and Shite Ogre still likes to do instrumental tracks. I always loved the
instrumental tracks for Skinny Puppy.
SunnyPsyOp continues the entity of Ohgr and all that it has been known of it
through Welt. The album takes different strides in some songs, all the while
throwing in a bit of Ogrely genius that has been the ingredient to many
things in the past.
various noise and whatnot. There is a very apparent, yet subtle bassline
under the static happenings and single noting pads, throwing in the guitar
at times for a more ambiently textured sound. Ogre's voice is never raised
and keeps a lowness during the entire song, giving it an upbeatish-sorrow
feel. The song works very well whether you are high or low.
in perfect harmony along side the guitar and high pitched synthetics. There
is a sort of "Left, Right, Left" voice-type loop that if listened to never
keeps the same "Ah". There are various slowdowns in the song, letting the
mood drift out then come back. Ogre keeps an almost non-treated voice
mostly, except in some points where although odd sounding to some, fits in
very nicely. He conveys a hopeless feeling which keeps the song in its own
dread. Very good listen, but very short.
starts with a slow dance "buh-tsee", which then picks up a different type of
beat but keeps the aforementioned on hand. The mood of this song is very,
very blue. The synths are all higher pitched, with a pianoish sound in the
chorus, all over a bassline. Ohgr's voice sounds like a guitar at times, and
remains distorted all throughout. He totally owns the chorus and all those
who attempt the same sound, keeping his voice in a desparate tone while the
music fulfills the mood he is throwing out. Awesome song.
steady beat, but more of a controlled chaos of drums that work in tune with
the bassline. Ogre has a very Puppy voice in this song, while being somewhat
distorted. Not a bad song, and it's very good at giving an image that is
probably different in everyone's head.
various bassish sounds. Ogre sings treated and untreated throughout the
song. In the verses he keeps a very positive mood, but by the chorus makes
the feeling more desparate and longing-like. There is a faster pace in the
chorus with a guitar and various fast noises. After a while, Ogre does a
Pore-like style of singing with the chopped up vocals being played very
quickly. This stays more upbeat, but then the chorus comes back to haunt and
the end fades out. Awesome switching around of feeling in this song.
beat. The drums stay at a "dum-dum-dum......dum-dum-dum" pace all
throughout, a deep bass sound accompanying them. Ohgr sings the song like it
should be sung. It gives the feeling of being trapped, with higher pitched
sounds going along with the drums and the bassline. There is a brief part
where Ogre has a very clippy, sped up Pore period. Other than that, he has
an untreated sounding voice which in turn is obviously treated. One of the
best tracks.
singing. There are several longer noted sounds, with shorter bassish keys.
The chorus is very synthetically rich sounding, with a sad-like mood. After
the first chorus, there is a more tribal drum beat with the verse, which
then turns back into the chorus. After the second chorus, there is an
ambient little period that goes into another chorus, then into the final
drum beat. This song is suprisingly long for OhGr, going over 7 minutes.
Totally awesome song that never gets old.
are lots of high pitched, fast paced noises and drums, but there is no
actual beat. The noises never really take a different form. There are added
things, but besides that the song keeps itself going and going. Very nicely
done, and the perfect followup to iOvNow.
the annoyance of it. The beat, bassline, Ogre's speedy distorted singing,
and all other noises create the feeling of sunburn. Very insane, very good
listen.
gives an odd mood. The higher pitched noises find themselves as slaves to
the lower basses. When Ogre gets to a certain point in the chorus, he makes
you wish the CD wasn't ending. The rest of the song slowly fades out as Ogre
leaves. Perfect ending song, but it's not the end yet...
who have seen the MaJik video, the sad piano sounding notes are featured in
this song, while a sorrowed bassline carries the beat. Ogre is very robotic
in this song, making it upbeat yet sad. Very aural song, and a very welcome
ending.
and every fan should get it.