This review covers the breakbeat track Moby – Porcelain.
This track was released in 1999 on the album Play.
The track starts with strings hitting somewhat quick notes. The drum kit then joins the track. More of the drum kit joins the track after that. Piano and a voice sample is added to the track. The vocals fill out a little as an effect.
From there, the vocals take the track into the first verse. There is a filtered delay effect on the vocals. From there, the instrumental that seemingly serves as the main chorus takes over. After that, the strings drop out as the vocals continue on.
The strings then returns as a female vocal makes an appearance. After that, two layers of vocals appear. Afterwards, the track largely drops out, leaving the vocal samples and piano.
After that, the drum kit and strings make a return. As this section continues, a whistle makes an appearance as well before the track drops out entirely.
From there, the strings return, backed by the piano element. This is only brief as the piano leads the track out.
One thing that is great about this track is the fact that it has a nice laid back sound overall. While the vocals may not be the most audible, that winds up not really being the focal point in this track. So, in a somewhat rare moment, we’re saying that the vocals are best left being an effect rather than having articulate lyrics.
The only real problem with this track is that once you get to the instrumental main chorus, it’s like the rest of the track was just built around it just for the sake of fleshing out the track. So, there is that undertone of this track being a bit of a one trick pony here.
Still, I’d say this is a pleasant track to listen to. The breakbeat elements back the strings nicely. The vocals are nicely brought in more for an effect more than anything else. It could have been more dynamic with other features, though. So, a solid track all around.
Score
7/10
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
