Piano Dreams (piano_dreams.xm)

Overall Impression (8/10)

More than six minutes of finest techno - That's a style I actually like :-D To some, it may sound repetitive, but I actually like this. I was kind of surprised when I listened to this for the first time...

Technique, Arrangement, Composition (8/10)

32 channels? Sounds OK. 15 Samples? Wow, I thought that there were more samples before I looked at them! Unluckily, most of them are 8-bit and not the best for the module's time (1999), some rather old sampels are included (the piano...), but some good ones are in there, too. The synth effects are realised in complicated patterns, the rest of the pattern structure is not so advanced.
However, the arrangement sounds typical for a techno tune. Some themes are played again and again, The beat starts with a Hi-Hat, then some percussion, then the bass drum and the snare. I actually like the synth chord progression and the voice effects with that old voice sample from Dune (?) very much.

Development (6/10)

Well, it's monotonous techno. Doesn't say that everything? :-D No, just kidding, I've heard much worse tunes. I like the development of this tune, some new themes begin now and then, some of them are maybe played a bit too often.
The tune ends abruptly, it even sounds like it should be looped. All in all, the ending could still be a bit improved.

Creativity (6/10)

Hm... standard techno patterns. Some themes also seem to be inspired by some commercial techno artists (Dune). DJ Dexter maybe wanted to sound like them, which can't be done with such samples...

Enjoyment (8/10)

If you like monotonous songs, you can play this in a monotonous loop for hours! :-D I played this song now maybe for half and hour, and I'm still not tired of it. I think it's the voice effect that keeps me listening...

Additional Comment

This tune would be even cooler if it was in IT format, so DJ Dexter could have used some awesome lowpass effects!