Pirate Pete's Page of MOD Reviews

I'm not sure what it is that I like best about this mod. Perhaps it's the tune itself, I don't know. But *something* clicks, that's for sure...after listening to this magnificent composition, I'm ready to take on the world. Heart surgery? Pfaugh! Nothing to it! Bring that baby on!

Scorpik uses an extended opening sequence to set the mood--dark and brooding, as indicated by the rather cryptic title ("Invasion of the Body Snatchers", anyone?). Eerie vocals, sound effects, and deeply resonant synth sample put you in the "I'm in the Twilight Zone" kind of mood. Then the artist drops you into a 4-on-the-floor differential breakbeat that takes your breath away with its manic rhythm--if you're dancing to this, be sure to bring plenty of nitroglycerin pills along; you'll need them to sustain your heart (I hope I don't. have angina just writing this!).

Midway through the song comes a break, followed by another lapse into the initial rhythm. After about two minutes of this, Scorpik pulls out the stops and lets this beauty fly! In a rave sequence that raises the back of my neck hairs just *thinking* about it, Scorpik gets totally vicious with anyone foolish enough to still be on the dance floor (break out the oxygen masks!). Yer ol' Pirate pal is even now weeping tears of jealous anguish wishing I'd been capable of producing such a *monstrously* beautiful sequence!

Now, don't get me wrong--there are other mods that are excellent and quite capable of bringing tears of joy to my eyes. Some from different genres might even rate above this mod. Yet in this present moment, I absorb "Back to the Cocoons" with all the relish and attention I can muster. It simply *is* the best. I can't put it any other way, except, perhaps, "Daddy, when I grow up, I wanna be like Mr. Scorpik...."

After listening to this exquisite mod (obtained from the Advanced section of Walnut Creek's Music Compo 6), I'd like to visit this Middle Eastern land of milk and honey (according to the pre-Saddam brochures anyway--I doubt if the old strongman would want a Yankee American pig-dog like myself to start people thinking modern day Persia was a new vacation hot-spot).

"Boogie" works for me on a number of fronts. First, the beat is simply scrumptious--I picture myself cranking this baby up to 3/4 volume in my Jensen stereo while cruising at 90 mph along I-70 on a pleasure trip to Pittsburgh, PA (and when the cop pulls me over, I imagine he'll be dancing on the berm as he writes my speeding ticket). Second, I love the arabesque chord progressions (yes, for all you Music majors out there, there's a specific name for the progression, I just don't happen to know it--does anyone?). Third, the jazzy melody soothes my Occidental ears, easing me into an Oriental groove without the slightest hint of the culture shock I've come to associate with such music (of course, it could easily be said that this isn't *really* Oriental music, it's just an *American's interpretation* of such). I particularly enjoyed the muzzein sample (calling the faithful to prayer?)

I don't know who won Music Compo 6, nor do I know who composed this piece, but I hope "Bahgdad Boogie" placed fairly high. From the other entries I've heard, *I personally* would've given this mod *at least* 4th place, possibly as high as 3rd.

The sample is played 30 times throughout the song (with minor variations such as echoing, gapping, and channel swapping). I must deduce from the emphasis placed on this pejorative term that either a) the composer has a low opinion of him/herself, b) he or she is a bigot that enjoys demeaning other people, or c) the sample comes from a movie or TV show the composer particularly enjoyed. Using Occam's Razor, I suppose (c) would be the most appropriate option, although if the composer were as young as I suspect, his or her emotional immaturity might lead me to lean more towards options (a) or (b).

I call this style "Ambient/contemplative" because this tune is "mood music" of the finest sort. It's suitable for any activity from romancing your loved one to kicking back on your private beach (ha ha), sipping on Mai Tai's and watching the sun sink slowly beneath the western horizon, spreading a soft, golden glow across the ocean as a gentle sea breeze ruffles your $200 hairdo...boy, howdy. Am I into this mod, or what? *8^)

A bright and airy opening arpeggio is repeated throughout the song to good effect, with plenty of dance bass/drum riffs added for spice. The tune is very catchy and easily recognizable (you'll be whistling the melody after only one listen).

The opening synth arpeggios set the mood for the rest of the piece. They produce a certain *je ne c'est quoi* feeling which I suppose might best be described as "warm and fuzzy". When listening to this mod, I picture myself curled up in front of a large fireplace stuffed and blazing away with crackling logs. Outside, the wind howls and snow beats against the door, begging to be let in. I'm holding a cup of steaming hot cocoa (topped with marshmallows, *von naturlich*). My eyes begin to tear as I listen to thr music, for it makes me nostalgic as I remember poignant scenes from my childhood.