Flashback: ...And The Beat Goes On

This is gonna be a new post-series. From time to time I'm gonna spin the bottle and select a random album (or other stuff) to munch on. The first one is the first one, ...And The Beat Goes On!

I remember well when I first heard these tracks. I was 8, and my dad was listening to a cassette tape that was copied from the neighbor guy. It featured Hyper Hyper and Move Your Ass, and later the same guy bought the album when it came out. That's when I decided: this music will show my way in life. To put it in a cliché way: I didn't choose the music, the music chose me. I still consider myself an oldschool raver btw.

So, let's get the CD/MC/LP rollin'!

Different Reality
And there it is. The very first track of the very first album defines Scooter's sound at around the 50th second: rave. Pure, motherfscking rave. Not to be confused with hardcore, this track is something that classic rave sound was about. Nice strings, leads, catchy synths, simple yet effective melody. Perfection from start to end. When I first heard it, I couldn't understand the feeling and spirit this track is to give you. As an adult, I do. And I envy those who witnessed it played live back then.

Move Your Ass!
If the CD is a whole-night party, this track should be the "big name" DJ. You know, the one who really starts up the party. Faster tempo, harder grooves, everything you need. Personally I never "moved my ass" to this, I rather jump up and down uncontrollably. Still an absolute favorite, and miraculously it easily fits in hardstyle environment. (see: Live In Hamburg)

Waiting For Spring
When I was in primary school, many of my mates liked Scooter, and we usually played a lot of tracks on field trips and such. But we haven't had the cassettes back then, so we only had a few ones on copied tapes. This was one of the "played-till-the-deck-bled" tracks, mainly for the nice melody. It's not really a stomper for me, on parties I rather play it between two harder tracks for chills. (this doesn't apply to the live version, 'cause that just blows your balls off)

Endless Summer
Another all-time classic. There is one thing that alone wins the "fav" sticker: the pianos. Ricky really did a miracle with them in this track. I never learned to play the piano, but the first thing I learned to play, was this melody. I can still play it.

Cosmos
Classic rave/trance. A good track, but nothing extraordinary for me. Never got into my TOP-10, though I know some guys who just go nuts about it. Personally I think H.P.'s shouts are pretty much useless in this one.

Rhapsody In E
Lovin' this. One would never think how much energy sleeps in the depths of this track. It sounds relaxing and soft... until you put the needle on it to a crowd of 100 ravers. Earthquake!!

Hyper Hyper
You know what I like in this track? The simplicity. One TR-909, a Nord Lead and a TB-303 can carry this monster on their backs. And it still kicks! I really like the drum grooves, they are quite catchy. I'm sad they don't play this live anymore.

Raving In Mexico
Many people who laugh at Scooter and despise their music adds the remark "but hey, their first album was damn good!" - and if you ask them to name one track beside the singles, they will probably say Raving In Mexico. Yep, this track is absolutely killer. It has everything a raver needs: pounding groovy part, soft melodic part, nice intro and outro, some MC shouts. This is truly a glowing pearl in the sea of music.

Beautiful Vibes
Now that you think I'm gonna idolize all tracks on the album, I say: I don't like this one. Never did. I'm not keen on the breakbeat things, and I also find the "vocal" sample annoying. "Beautiful, beautiful, wooohooooo..." (BARBRA STREISAND! :D) The piano can't save it either, Endless Summer alreadyí got the point for that :P

Friends
The single version is much better in my opinion, but it's OK. In parties I usually choose this one, 'cause it's more DJ-friendly. But I really miss the piano&rhode melody from the single.

Faster Harder Scooter
The intro in this track is awesome. But as it slowly reaches the end, the track loses energy. Or at least that's how I feel. It has a hard kickstart, but it just can't last 'till the very end. Fortunately, the piano play towards the end gives bonus energy to keep the listener's ears up. The last kick and the fading synths are alright in the outro, nicely ending the album.

Yep, I love this album. Not just 'cause of the music, but for the countless number of sweet memories it pops into my mind. There are a few CDs around that I just have to look at when feeling down, without playing, and it just forces me to smile. And this is one of them.