Beyond The Radar is the mostly electronic debut by Kevin Bottorff: with Roland, Yamaha and Alesis instruments and devices, the guitarist adds synthetic rhymes over reverb’d loops and effects that cater to a distinctly otherworldly concern. “Into The Cosmos” is quite the spacemusic exercise, its reined-in dynamics integral to a now decades-old style. The “Lux-Ptah” track sustains a quirky melody which suggests tutorship under Wendy Carlos (the Queen of habitually quirky, classically-derived melodies). A jocular bent is espoused by “Against Time” and its three-note blippy motif, and sappy, randomly-cued FX. “A New Wonder” brings to mind a great many soft-EM tracks that reside somewhere between new age and ambient, its sequential “snowflakes” a hallmark of 1980’s synthesists like Suzanne Ciani and Richard Burmer. An industrial m.o. is plied on “Manick” with processed vox, electric bass, and shimmering DX-like tones with sharp, pointed ends. “Lost In A Winter’s Dream” is a cool knock off the chillout block, its tranquil air effecting smooth, slowly shifting timbres that belly-crawl over a rhythm-less canvas.

I first heard about Radio Dystopia whilst on my travels through the fellow musicians on Soundclick, and was highly impressed with the work I downloaded. 'March of the Drones' is a completely unique sounding electronica piece, with some brilliant drum patterns, and minimal but impressively intelligent sonic blips, whispers and notes mutating amidst the constant beatings. Lots of nice echoes and reverbs with notes bouncing off each other in a more confused than orderly fashion. A definite good opener that brings to mind Jaga Jazzist, Red Snapper, a very dizzy Orbital and maybe hints of Ozric Tentacles for pure oddness. In fact, imagine if King Crimson were a little more electronic minded, I think this is the sound they would emit. 'Into the cosmos' features spoken word outings and drifting sounds, staying mostly on one theme and hypnotising us well. 'The Planet Lux-Ptah Lounge' is a highlight, with some very warped sounds, giving you the impression that your brain is slipping out of your ears, and completed by some lovely vibraphone style sounds and jangling rhythms. 'Against time (The Chase)' is the darkest track thus far with LFO style bleeps and wiggling notes in the background causing disarray. 'A new wonder' and 'Approaching the now' are more very Crimson-esque pieces, with masses of reverb on the guitar notes. 'Manick' reminds me of The Cinematic Orchestra and Amon Tobin, and closer 'Lost in a Winter's Dream' is a beautifully ambient piece to chill you out thoroughly yet still dragging you in for one last journey. A very impressive album here with plenty for the electronica and spaced out prog rock connoisseur.

When you first listen to "Beyond the radar" you get the impression to be yourself within a science fiction story made in music. Futuristic sounds, articulated, complex melodies and interesting chord lines played with a skillful taste. All this makes of this album an experience I recommend to everyone, and specially to the ones who are tired from the stuff that you normally ear on radios and that look for something new, that want to discover the sounds of the future. 5 stars!

This cd encompasses all the different traits of Space Rock and Electronic music. Like Led Zeppelin covered all types of different styles of rock and blues, Radio Dystopia covers all types of Space Rock And Electronic music. This cd gets very addicting!