Album Description

Johnny Vicious presents 2CDs of the hottest dance musicfeaturing such artists as Deborah Cox, Cassius, Dirty Vegas & Jessy. After a string of hits and a #1 album in hernative Belgium, Jessy is ready to take the US by storm with her latest smash single, 'Look @ Me Now'. The extendedvocal mix is made to burn up the airwaves, while the harder DJ Philip remix will destroy any dancefloor. 24 tracks oftoday's hottest dance music in a slipcase. Ultra Records.2003. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Ultra Dance is Ultra Good.
DJ Johnny Vicious takes the helm one more time and mixes the two CDs that make up "Ultra Dance 03," a tasty selection of the latest club hits. Easily the best of the three volumes, these 2 discs are surprisingly good, thanks to its impressive tracklisting. Hex Hector gives an energetic disco twirl to the infectious "Mr. Lonely" by Deborah Cox," while the French act Cassius get remixed in "The Sound of Violence." Those who couldn't get enough of DJ Sammy's remake of Bryan Adams' "Heaven" will dig his dance cover of Don Henley's "Boys of Summer." But, for me, the disc's twin peaks are the throbbing sinister beats of Oscar G and Ralph Falcon's "Dark Beat," and the high energy anthem "Head" by Thunderpuss (Chris Cox and Barry Harris). The second disc is enhanced and features a video of the cover model dancing to Armin Van Buuren's "Yet Another Day." This video, which runs for only a few minutes, is a bit cheesy, but it's kinda cute. Unlike the last two volumes, "Ultra Dance 03" is surprisingly consistent with minimal filler and really hot tunes. If you liked 1 and 2, then you won't be disappointed with this one.

Good Cd
As one reviewer said The Undergroud Series is way better. For one the dance track on the Underground Series is far better than the Dance tracks on this album, but don't think this Cd has nothing going for it... For one this 1st Cd is mainly dance music, while the 2nd is mainly trance with a little dance vide thrown in, so I enjoyed the CD 2 more(I happen to be a trance lover), but first Cd could do without these tracks numbers: 7, 9 and 12... Those maybe good to others but they don't cut it for me and who knows probably Ultra Dance 4 will be mixed by DJ Encore & Johnny Vicious since each has mixed one version already(Johnny Vicious also mixed Ultra Dance 1)and maybe that time this series will be able to match up to the Underground Party series...
All in all is a great album to have...

Very good, well-rounded album
This CD totally rocks. While the second disk focuses mostly on beat, the first is all about strong vocals, and no one can match the talent of Deborah Cox in the Hex Hector/Mac Quayle mix of "Mr. Lonely", or the power of the chorus in Katrina Ruiz's "You're Gonna Miss Me". Several songs exhibit periods with excellent synth lines, like in Tomcraft's "Loneliness", and the trancelike rhythms of DJ Sammy's take on "The Boys Of Summer" will get your blood pumping. Drunkenmunky's "E" has its own charm and unlikely instruments. The second disk wasn't quite as entertaining or danceable, but it wasn't mediocre enough to hurt this album. My suggestion: Buy. Now.

One of my favorites
Something about this album got me hooked. At first I was disappointed because it did not have the initial appeal of "Ultra.Dance 02." The more I listened the more I liked it. I thought initially that the first disc had better songs because it was more mainstream but the more I listened the more I liked the discs equally.

There are good and bad songs on this CD and is seems that when they mess up, it's seriously bad. I really liked the first three songs on disc one. I liked Johnny Vicious's remix of iio's "At The End," Kreo's "Burn For You" and Humate's Remix of DJ Sammy's "The Boys of Summer" was my favorite section of the disc.Tracks 4 through 7 were in my opnion the worst act of the album. The vocals of Jessy, Deborah Cox, Paulina Rubio, and Katrina Ruiz got redundant after a while. Narcotic Thrust's "Two Minute Warning Mix" of Cassius's "The Sound of Violence" was a highlight track. ATFC's remix of Moby's "In This World" was SO ANNOYING! Listen to it once and your ears will cringe. I dont want to think about it. Anyway, I enjoyed Tomcraft and 4 Strings and I like Dirty Vegas's "I Should Know" but it sounds like it is sped up to more than 5% which makes it sound bad. Drunkenmunky's "E" was in my opnion annoying.

Disc two starts out with Armin van Buuren's "Yet Another Day" followed by "The Way" and Energy 52's "Café Del Mar." I liked these three songs and how well they fit together. The transition to "Head" was a bit iffy but I did like "Dark Beat." "Sweat" was disappointing consitdering it came from C + C Music Factory's smash "Gonna Make You Sweat." The vocals on this song were not sung by Freedom Williams as the album says, but were performed by the powerful voice of Martha Wash who also sung the title lyrics for SNAP!'s 1996 song "The Power." I did not like Scanners's song "What God Has Given You." It got repititive, but I did like Velocity's "Inside" and Veronica's "Love In Bombay." I loved Johnny Vicious's own "I'm Waiting" but was disappointed with the sensuous conclusion of "Sweet Dreams."

If you like club music, this CD is a good one. I loved the transitions by Johnny Vicious. This makes you feel like you are really there. My friend (who was into rock) kept thinking that it was the same song when the next song would start. That's how good the mixing is. There are some bad songs, but the good outweighs the bad by far. I am satisfied.

It grows on you
I bought Ultra.Dance 02 and enjoyed it greatly and thus bought Ultra.Dance 03. At first, I did not like this CD as much as the first but the more I listened to it the more it grew on me. There are still some tracks I don't listen to, for instance the annoying remix of Moby (Disc 1 track 9) and Drunkenmunky (Disc 1 Track 13). I also did not like "What God Has Given You" (Disc 2 track 7). My favorite tracks include the Humate Remix of "The Boys of Summer" (Disc 1 track 3), "Yet Another Day" (Disc 2 track 1), "The Sound of Violence" (Disc 1 track 8) and Johnny Vicious's own "I'm Waiting" (Disc 2 track 10) (Which I discovered is EDITED for this CD: "...stop gnikcuf with my mind..."). Despite inconsistencies, this is a good CD. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

fun album
Unfortunately what gregorsamsa and I disagree on is that not every album has to be groundbreaking for me. I don't put on an album hoping that perhaps I will hear something that puts goosebumps on my arms. But yet we still both give the same number of stars. I enjoyed this album, thouroughly. As did gregorsamsa. But four stars is more then I could personally ever hope for in any artwork (audio, visual, or otherwise), that I could ever hope for. Buy this album, not because you're looking for Mozart, but because you just want some new tunes to groove out to.

Good, but not *that* good
I'm missing what everyone is raving about. Yes, lots of downtempo released these days (and yesterdays) is derivative, but that hardly makes this a masterpiece. Where I differ from the rest of the peanut gallery is that I've heard everything on this album done before and done better. Mukta does a better sitar (in part because they know how a sitar works instead of changing the synth voice to 'World - Sitar') and Piero Umiliani did these strings (change voice to 'Pads - Strings') before. Some of the synth work itself is not unlike the simpler work by Boards of Canada, but without the technical wizardry they use to turn their instruments from emulators into expressive tools.

Hey, I still like this record, and I'd certainly buy it again. I just wanted to like it more than I do. I suspect that once Bonobo get a grasp on the capabilities of their tools and the concept of timbre becomes intuitive, they'll be excellent. For now I think they rate a Good.

A pinch of Amon Tobin, a slice of DJ Shadow, all brilliance.
This cd falls into my top 5 downtempo/Jazz core catagory. Right alongside Permutation by Amon Tobin, Kaleidoscope by DJ Food, A Livingroom Hush by Jaga Jazzist, and Resound by Ugress. This cd contains track after track of pure, unfiltered downtempo beats. Played with (but not used excessively); Sitars, flutes, and horns. Check out the rest of his albums, they're all this good.

Excellent Excellent Excellent
I am greatful for musicians like this. Wonderful downtempo with a spice and funk that omits boring repetition.
I am a hard one to please, esp with chill-out type music. Often ppl overdo the CHILL factor.
These guys are DOPE.

Ingredients of Inspiration on this downtempo disc
There's a paper waiting to happen that discusses why everyone with a computer, some string samples and a half-speed beat thinks they can make quality downtempo music. Just look at the sheer volume of modern lounge material released monthly, repackaged ten different ways with all the hot nametags. Much of it has craftsmanship, but how much has inspiration?

That's the noticeable ingredient on Simon Green (Bonobo's) slow motion debut Animal Magic. Within the rich textures of each track, and the earnest instrumentation - chimes and Asian cooing on "Sleepy Seven", sitar, keyboard twinkles and back-looped voices of "Terrrapin" the idea and the hook are clearly felt.

Highly lauded "Kota" has already been a huge hit, the guitar plucks, swooning strings, and present bass thump woven into heartfelt song. "The Plug" slowly winds in muted horns, (again) stylized strings, and a slice of old soul that somehow Moby missed. Near the end, Green even opens it up a bit, closing with some cranked up drum programming and jazz showmanship.

It's a cohesive album with an appreciably diverse field of sounds within. Not quite a five star wonder, perhaps, but as the work of one man? Superb. Next time you have the itch for a Now That's What I Call Chill factory comp, what say you give an artist album a try instead? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Ok classical music CD.
This is a pretty run of the mill clasical music CD. The first track sounded a little rough to me (sounded like harmonica and recorder -- I was not overly impressed) but the other tracks seem more par for the course. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In listening to Moby's collection of early work and rare remixes, it's clear the diversity of this man's wax was in full effect long before the gospel field recordings of last year's wonderful Play came to the fore. Little pieces of dialogue mingle with gigantic house beats and snippets from sources forever unknown, twisting through songs like the downbeat "UHF" with serpentine ease. His grasp of structure was much different then, however, as these mixes can wander a bit--especially in the hour-plus worth of "Go" remixes he offers up on the second disc. Still, this is a worthy excursion for Moby fans and those who appreciate techno with a little range. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Mostly What You Would Expect With B-Sides But...
This album has some killer re-mixes and that in some cases are better than the original version. Specifically, songs like Next Is the E, Have You Seen my Baby, and Drop a Beat. It also contains one of the most jarring tracks ever in Thousand, which according to the Guiness Book of World Records, is the fastest song ever recorded. Needless to say, it probably won't be one that you would want to listen over and over to. The remixes of Go are good at first, but then they sorta become bland, but then again there are 14 different versions here. The Rainforest mix is my favorite version of Go, and the In Dub mix was my least favorite.

Should you pick this album up? Most definitely if you're a fan of Moby or of techno. Yes, there's some weak stuff here, so it's not going be another Play, Everything Is Wrong, or I Like to Score. It's more like Moby but with more filler, and it's probably a better album than about 85% of the stuff that's out there now.

I got yer Moby right here!
If you had never heard of Moby before his songs started "Play"ing in the background of tv commercials, then, you may not enjoy this album. This is older, experimental techno - an etheral mix of house, early jungle and even a bit of industrial. It is almost *nothing* like his amazingly popular "Play", which makes it thoroughly enchanting. Here we are given a rare glimpse into the life and compilation style of Moby from 1989-1993 - an interesting slice of his music, with mixes so hearty that I actually enjoy the ones covered on this album more than I did the originals.

"Have You Seen My Baby" is my personal favorite, which must be turned up to full volume and bass to fully appreciate. "Drop a Beat" also puts out some really good rythms, as Moby skillfully interweaves melody, beat and somewhat disjointed vocals, the meaning of which cannot be determined. Sit in a chair while you are listening and you will feel your body pulsing in time with the music. "I Feel It" comes full circle, using the vocals sampled in the much-loved "Next is the E" (What is the 'e', anyway?) The disc ends with Thousand, which, if I remember my facts (and the liner notes), was marked in the World Records Book as being the fastest song ever recorded. I don't personally care for it - it disturbs me. But there it is.

Disc two is a bonus, hooray! Get ready for a cool CD just of remixes of "Go!" Most of the remixes are very worthwile and are great for chilling out, providing background music mostly. A couple I skip through, but we won't tell Mister Moby that. : ) All in all, certainly a great value - two discs for the price of one.

The "Rare" album itself is not so much of a concept album like just about everything from "Everything is Wrong" on to the infamous "Play" - however, it contains some very nice techno from one of its early innovators. Moby has always stood by his convictions and made amazing music while spreading his worthwhile and unobtrusive message. You can't really help but be inspired.

Early Moby, how I love thee.
A great mix of electronic genius Moby's early remixes and b-sides. Virtually every genre of dance is collected here, from the classic rave track "GO! (rainforest mix)", the odd electronica "UHF 2", to acid-club fan favourite "Have you seen my baby (baby mix)". Also contains the fastest song ever recorded, "Thousand", topping in at an insane 1034 bpm. (I've tried to make super fast songs, but nowhere need that speed! All my programs stop at 999 bpm!). Hard, odd, but loveable, "Thousand" is one of my fave Moby tracks. Sure, some of the beats sound a bit dated, but what can you expect from dance songs made from 1989-1993? The bonus disc, I feel, is better than "Rare". I just love to play this album from start to finish, and listen to it again, and again!

BEST TRACKS: UHF 2, Thousand, Go (Rainforest, Arpathoski and Amphetamix Mixes)
WORST TRACKS: Hard to choose... none are really bad, but some do sound a bit dated, and some of the voice samples do REALLY annoy me, but nothing stands out as bad!

A near flawless collection
This is one very good collection for big Moby fans and completists.Disc 1 collects all the essential mixes of the mega-hit Go.The mix is continuous and adventurous.You can literally hear all the dance genres mixed in the tracks,Ambient,Tro-hop,Acid,House,etc.The best one I think is the Woodtick mix.Very fast and hard! Disc 2 collects some of his very hard to find or otherwise deleted tracks.Some of the tracks are better sounding here than on his Early Underground cd.Especially I feel it,Have you seen my baby?,and Next to the e.Best tracks on here I think.Overall it is a good set to have if you don't want to hunt down the singles separately and spend lots of money.

A marvelous collection well-worth buying
What a fantastic mix of spirtiual, hard-core, dance, and other types of Moby's vast array of fantastic music. The Rare disc is simply fantastic, a great disc to put on and listen to all of the way through. Although not all of the songs shine, there are quite a few stellar examples of good techno. The first two songs, Voodoo Child and Next is the E are amazing (listening to the varying left-right play through headphones sounds awesome) and the track that was spawned from E, I feel it, is equally awesome. The last track, the fastest song ever recorded, seems to conjure up different images for every person that listens to it, and is a perfect example of how a few simple beats can make a fantastic song. In between there are a few other good songs (although I am not as big a fan of Moby's more hard-core songs), specifically the songs where he uses simpler beats and notes in a very moving way. The Go disc is a great addition to the already great Rare disc and i love to just put it on and let it play and play. If you are a big fan of Moby you have to get this disc, if you want this as a follow up to Play you may want to try another disc first. ... Read more

Album Description

King of all he surveys when it comes to the trance world,Judge Jules has been (and remains) one of the mostimportant figures in modern dance history. It's thereforefitting that he's at the helm for Ministry of Sound's'Trance Nation Anthems' collection. A triple CD set, thecompilation calls in all the biggest trance hits of thepast decade alongside a smattering of current club & chartsmashes. CD one & two feature a wealth of trance classicswhilst the third CD - entitled 'Gone But Not Forgotten' -is named after the popular section from Judge Jules' BBCRadio 1 show in which he revisits dance-floor anthems. 50tracks packaged in three slimline jewel cases & housed in aslipcase. Ministry of Sound. 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

5 years in 3 CDs - Epic tyune after epic tyune
A friend let me borrow these discs. They are, without a doubt, the best single source the best tunes of the last 4-5 years. You'll recognize so many of these tunes from the great Oakenfold mixes of '99, Van Dyk's essential mixes and Tiesto's studio mixes. These tracks really are "greatest hits" - I think there were only a handful of tunes on the entire set that I didn't recognize, and I'm not some sort of obsessive trance junkie that's been into it for years and years.

Jules mixes nicely and orders the tracks in a fresh, new way that really revives some of these tunes. While spontaneous live mixes will always have that sense of razor's-edge spontaneity, it's great to have all these tunes in one place.

While I'd still advise getting the original mixes on which these tracks appeared, if you're a little burned out on your older Oakey/Dyk/Tiesto/whoever, definitely pick these up. Especially if you can "borrow" them from a friend.

You must buy this!
This is definitely the best trance collection I own, and if you don't own it, then that MUST change. Seriously. Buy this or you will live to regret it. Anyway. If you want some quick advice then here are 3 reasons for buying this 3-cd set:

(CD1) System F - Out Of The Blue
(CD2) Kristine Blond - Love Shy
(CD3) Energy 52 - Café Del Mar

Those are clearly the 3 standout tracks throughout the whole collection, even though there are loads more (Pulp Victim - The World; Matt Darey & Marcella Woods - Liberation / Beautiful; Chicane - Saltwater; Serial Diva - Pearl River; Lustral - Everyime...). The mixing is very good and all the selections except for about one or two (a couple weak spots towards the end of CD1), but other than that, this 3-cd box set is PERFECT! I recommend it for anyone, trance fan or not. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The swirl of Egyptian strings, hip-hop beats, love, and politics can make strange bedfellows, but once again Natasha Atlas, chanteuse and belly dancer, makes sense of it all. Singing in several languages (including French on the opener "Mon Amie la Rose") she delivers 11 exotic worldbeat tracks full of exuberance, reflection, and yearning that are at once compassionate and militant, her Arabic roots sharing center stage with her club experiences with the likes of Transglobal Underground. Funky beats, kanoun, oud, string sections, and percussion jostle for attention in the background as Atlas's serpentine vocals entwine the listener in tales of passion, injustice, and the mysteries of life. Recorded both in London and Cairo, Gedida is a truly cosmopolitan melting pot for the '90s, ranging from hip dance-floor grooves to traditional Egyptian orchestral arrangements, and Atlas, equally at home in both, is fast proving herself one of the most intriguing and original artists blending international cultures into a common musical language. --Derek Rath ... Read more

Reviews (36)

great middle eastern tune
I bought this CD in 1998 and I have been listening to it eversince.Each song is beautiful with its arabic instruments.They make you feel like you're in a whole new world.Natacha has a great voice.Great music for bellydancing.Just excellent

Natacha's Best Album
Pop singer Natacha Atlas is one of the best voices in Arabic pop music, both in Egypt and in the west. Because she sings in Arabic, English and French, her music is both beautiful and easily approachable to western ears. Although at times she does play up the stereotypes, making her music "more Egyptian", she is one of the most talented pop stars around. From the romantic opening song "Mon Amie la Rose" to the stunning tracks "Kifaya" (enough) and "One Brief Moment", she enthralls you, making you want to dance, listen and even sing along. This is probably her best CD, and I strongly recommend you check out her other works if you appreciate this. Aside from the aforementioned songs, I also am particularly fond of "Bastet", "The Righteous Path" and "Bilaadi" (My Country). Check her out, especially if your new to Arabic/Egyptian pop music. She is definately an easy introduction for westerners who may be unused to Egyptian music or the Arabic language.

Wonderful!
I really think you'll be sorry if you don't get this
CD. It's great and upbeat. I've watched Natacha Atlas' concerts
on Arabic TV Channels before and she is great.

Original
If you think you might have any interest in great belly dancing music mixed to modern dance beats; to a truly astounding voice that can mesmerize and captivate; to truly original orchestrations of the music; then you must try this CD.
Abandon hesitation and sample this, it is quite unique and powerful. Some of the best modern middle eastern music you can hear.

Pleasant Suprise
Natacha Atlas has a lovely voice, and this soulful CD has plenty of good belly dance music that is enjoyable to listen to even when you're not dancing! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Go and buy this album now
i don't understand how anyone can snidely dismiss this album and call it "a bunch of beats." are you angry that this isn't your standard limp bizkit top selling piece of crap that's basically screwed up american music as we know it? unlike the self-centered, phony musicians of today, all whom are idolized and praised, moby plays practically every instrument known to man, and he does his own thing. i'd go through any length to see him and beck play together. but anyway, this album is gorgeous. it will make you want to dance, make love, close your eyes, and feel everything moby put into this album. before you know it, you will feel all this trance-like beauty being put in yourself.

Early Underground is everything Moby, and techno, is about.
This album rises to the top as a defining techno compilation. For those of us around the techno, rave, dance, or club scene several years ago (the turn of the 90s), Moby's music is the embodiment of that atmosphere. This album is essential for anyone interested in what "early underground" and the early rave scene are all about. This album is fantastic, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who holds any interest in the evolution of techo, disc jockeys, the dance music culture and/or the underground rave scene.

Apprentice Moby
The music on this album may not be as complex or as polished as that on 'Moby' but it's a rich seam of early techno-period Moby tracks that you probably haven't heard before. My favourite tracks are Besame and UHF 4 mainly because they have the piano riffs (or whetever they're called) in them. A lot of the tracks could be seen as prequels the tracks on 'Moby' (Go Original Mix is an interesting listen) and Moby's learning curve can be heard when comparing these tracks to the ones on 'Moby'. The bottom line is, if you liked 'Moby' you'll like this.

Excellent
I don't see how people can not like this CD. I mean, obviously, you probably don't want to start with this if you've just bought Play or 18 and now you want to venture into Moby's past - if that's what you want, I reccomend you look at Everything Is Wrong. But a prequel to Play this ain't.

What it IS, however, is a bunch of GREAT songs, including the original Go (which everyone seems to hate except me), UHF3 (which features great early 90's piano); Voodoo Child, one of my favorite Moby songs of all time, as well as other quirks like Move the Colors and Permanent Green... even M-Four, the last track, is a great album ender. Highly recommended.

Not As Good As The Moby CD
I have listened to this album a couple of times and it just hasn't affected me like some of Moby's other stuff. I agree partially with reviewer Josh Taft (a pretty good reviewer, especially on Techno) that Moby's 2 best CDs may have been his first, Moby, and his last in Play. Where I disagree with him is that I think Everything Is Wrong and I Like to Score are just as good or better than Moby with Play being the unquestioned masterpiece. However, Early Underground is not better than Moby and the tracks on this album are not as memorable to me as the ones on Moby or Everything Is Wrong or I Like to Score or Play. I guess I have gotten spoiled by Play and since I feel that EIW, ILTS, and Moby are also solid albums this one is sorta of a letdown. Tracks like UHF3, Voodoo Child, Barracuda, and Mobility are the ones that I like the best. The version of Go here does not include the Twin Peaks "elements" that would make this song his most well-known. This version is still good, but you've been warned that when you listen to this song that it won't be the version you've been expecting or the best version of this song.

Maybe in time, my opinion of this album will change, but for now although it's a solid techno album, it simply is not as good as some of the other stuff he has done. This album is still a must-own for any Moby fan and for die-hard techno fans, but for those who are just getting into Moby's stuff you might want to borrow someone's CD and listen to a couple of tracks before deciding to buy. I don't regret buying it--it's just one of those CDs I have that I don't listen to alot. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Inspirational
By far one of the best and most energizing cd's I own. The music, the sounds, the energy just sweeps you away into a frienzied dance of power and spirit that is rushes through the room. My favorite track, The circle is cast, is by far the most moving and motivating song I have ever heard, for me and my friend who have heard it, it has become a regular part of our daily ritual. Well done!

Wonderful!
This CD is fantastic! There are several styles of music presented here, and all are wonderful for circle use, solitary ritual, or just pleasure listening. The 23rd Psalm is especially beautiful!

I wish that I could give it more than 5 stars!!!
This is one of the best (if not THE BEST) Pagan/Goddess centered chant CD's on the market!

Robert Gass and his choir have done it again! This album crosses time and space, culture and language, and religious traditions! Z. Budapest does a wonderful appearance on the CD in track #9 (Glad Woman)! The CD also has a wonderful resource/suggested reading section....

Highly recommended for anyone! This is one of the best musical purchases I have ever made!

It's Okay...
I had such high hopes for this CD and waited patiently until I had enough money to buy it. Turns out that I only like 3 songs on the entire CD. I didn't care for the christian material thrown in. I'll stick to my Lisa Thiel CDs until something better comes along.

A great one to add to you goddess chant collection
A wonderful and diverse collection of chants to the Goddess. The underlying chants of goddess names on Ancient Mother adds to the chant immensely. The "Circle is Cast" will get you energized and ready for ritual and there is a good version of the "Circle is Open". The bonus is that unlike some collections of chants it is actual not painful to listen to repeatedly. A great way to prepare for ritaul in the car before you get to your ritual. ... Read more

Album Description

Frequent Flyer captures the essence of the international musical landscape with a selection dedicated to sophisticated evenings and relaxing mornings. Your destination is Bombay, India where a new generation of musicians have taken the traditional sounds of the sitar and tabla and fused them with the beats and instrumentation of electronic music to create a whole new, captivating sound. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Curry anyone?
One disc of Mid tempo, and one disc of down tempo.I didn't recognize many of the names on this album, but having already bought, and loved Frequent Flyer Rio, I was willing to take a chance.This one satisfied my electronic music tastes, but spiced up everything with some seriously eclectic eastern sounds.More downtempo than the Brazilain beats on Rio, but quite satisfying. Nice packaging too. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Two cd's , two different listening expierences.
Another difficult project is again handled masterfully by DJ Spooky. The first cd is a collection of remixes from different volumes of the Blue Series. Since the original songs were difficult as originals remixing them would be anyones nightmare.
DJ Spooky demonstrates that he has no equal at deciphering these abstract pieces and then adding his own flavor. The result is a dish for those who don't mind the well prepared exotic dish, prepared by the master himself, DJ Spooky. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Natacha kinds of mixes !!
I have the French limited version of this album, which includes the remix of the hit which push Natacha to the godness of French market: "Mon Amie La Rose".

Clearly, this is not a Dance Remix album, but more expermental, search for the boundry of Natacha'a music. Natacha herself had put efforts in this album, therefore I believe it does not "obey" whatever Natacha had done in her pas albums. You can easily find this attitude in the album Natacha worked with her husband "Foretold of a Dream".

I like the remixes of "Duden", they had extended the mysterious feel of this song. And of course the remix of "Mon Amie La Rose" is terrific. I would recommand anyone who really understand Natacha's world to own this CD. It will let you get into her world even deeper.

Eh. Unusual but underwhelming remixes...
Not what I expected & definitely not what I hoped for. Natacha Atlas' 1998 'Gedida' & 2001 'Ayeshteni' CDs have real dance grooves, strange enough to keep you wondering, heavy enough to keep you dancing. You'll find no unreleased tracks here - this is a CD of remixes - but don't be fooled, it's not a dancefloor record or a club record. It's more an opportunity for respected British DJs to completely rework and deconstruct most everything Natacha Atlas. Her vocals often become minor elements of the mix, floating in and out, processed, valued tools in a mix that I would definitely file as Pro Tools experimentation. I'll admit I'm not in pace with break-beats, or really any mix that doesn't propel a bass groove. There's so little groove on this adventure and I cannot recommend it.

Still, it's interesting that most of the 'Remix Collection' takes on songs that were never highpoints of any Natacha Atlas CD. (Three mixes of "Yallah Chant" alone, and other tracks less memorable in their original form.) That DJs would totally rework minor Atlas songs is admirable - just don't expect amazing dancefloor results. Personally, I traded this CD within a week of purchase.

feel your body and move with fire
meditative and peaceful yet also heart pumping sensuality. a great fusion of mideast and western hypnotic beats. her best cd.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............
A surprisingly dull and unimaginative group of dance tracks.

I was introduced to Natacha Atlas' music through her album GEDIDA, which included a lively and varied mix of music. It seems to me that she's sold short by dj's who believe she should be used as one of a handful of instruments on these tracks, which are all glorified drum-machine solos with Atlas and synth-strings turned down low in the mix. I don't really think this qualifies as a Natacha Atlas album since her voice is only employed as a gimmick.

I really can't even pinpoint one or the other of these tracks as a highlight; except for differences in tempo they are virtually indistinguishable from each other.

Haunting!!!
I bought this cd not knowing what to expect. To tell you the truth I think is refreshing and has some kind of mystery to it. I can't stop playing the cd. I recomend it. ... Read more

Album Details

With Contributions from Michael Scheiffel, Si-cut.db, Scanner, Chi2 (Who have Worked with Moby, and Klf/Orb),global Underground and Goldfrapp. "Abduction" is a Reverential Take on this Band's Finest Moments and Even Includes a Cover by Original Member J.j. Jeczaliks Project the Art of Silence. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The art of the remix
Certainly the best of the modern remix albums -- which include Ambient Collection, FON Mixes, and Drum and Bass Collection -- this compilation best captures the irreverent spirit of the original band.Some tracks are truly inspired: Chi2's "Eye of the Noodle", Eliot Levine's jazzy "Rapt."Original band member JJ Jeczalik's "Art of Silence" gives a glimpse of what Might Have Been had AoN survived a label change and each other with creativity intact.

The only drawback is that despite the varied catalog of original songs to draw from (in both ZTT and China days), this album still contains two "Beat Box" remakes, and (count 'em) three "Moments in Love" reworks -- I would have preferred not revisiting the same song (even in different forms) so many times.But even AoN wasn't immune to the temptation to include one or two remixes of favorite tracks on a single album, so perhaps even this indulgence is more true to the AoN spirit. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

nice music, no future money
I don't see how this CD will prosper anyone's life, let alone add money to their bank accounts. For one thing I don't believe that subliminal messages spoken at below the thresh-hold of consciousness works for me. I got to listen to inspirational songs, hear speeches, do exercises and apply some strategies for turning my life around. Buy this CD because you like the music, but I think anyone who believes that this CD will make themselves rich is just fooling themselves.

Whaaaaat?
It seems that the only prosperity this CD attracts is to Mr. Halperm

Good Music, But Don't Count On Wealth
I am an open-minded person, so I bought this and thought I would take it for the word of the advertisement that within 30 days you would see results for attracting prosperity.

Faithfully, everyday I listened to it. I was listening to it 8 hours a day and before going to bed for not only 30 days, but for 45 days without missing a day.

By nature, I am an optimist. I know if you keep looking for the good in things the good shows itself. This month and a half experiment seemed no different than any other time of my life. I have not seemed to attract any prosperity. In that department, some things are even worse with a business deal that I was let out of and my husband getting a 20% pay cut and we still have bills and no real idea of when the money will come to pay for them. No cash windfalls, no new business ventures or promising jobs, pretty much the same story of my life.

I feel hopeful things will turn around as they always do, but this attitude has nothing to do with the CD. Life has ups and downs. I know things could be worse and am grateful for what I have.

The music is soothing and relaxing. I really enjoyed it. I won't be listening to it everyday anymore, but will come back to it when I want some soft background music.

If you are looking at this CD in hopes of attracting prosperity, don't do it. If you like classical music, buy it, he's a great artist!

Please...
If you are writing a review for a CD that is meant to bring prosperity...do you not think for one second that we care how relaxing it makes you feel? Why not write a review when you have some kind of prosperous result to share? That is what I want to know!

Stimulating CD
This is one of my favorite CDs. It has a lot of stimulating tones that feel good in my head (best experienced with headphones) though some tones might be a little high for sensitive hears. My favorite track is #4 where delicate harp picking is weaved into Halpern's music and some of the final tracks include familiar tunes. I also like the fact that the subliminals messages are virtually undetectable so you can play this music anywhere without anyone knowing you are listening to subliminal music. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ambient explorer Roach and percussionist Metcalf originally began this as an experiment into the effects of breathwork and the use of sound on a person "as a shamanic strategy for healing, personal growth, and transformation."The successful effects their music had in group settings were extended into these compositions. While billed as a collaboration between the two men, The Serpent's Lair also features contributions by (deep breath) violinist Vicki Richards, overtone vocalist Jim Cole, pre-Hispanic sound sorcerer Jorge Reyes, singer Lena Stevens, synthesist Vidna Obmana, "groove alchemist" Vir Unis, and djembe players Jeffrey Fayman and Momodu "Mohammad" Kah. The two discs in this package act as yin and yang--the eight parts of the first disc, "The Serpent's Lair," highlight intoxicatingly hypnotic drum rhythms slicing through churning ambient spaces, while the seven cuts that make up the second disc, "Offerings from the Underworld," travel down darker, spacier streams with subtle rhythms, reverberant vocals, and exotic aerophones caressing and riding the ethereal aural waves. This invigorating combination of musicians invents a dynamic new perspective on Roach's trademark deep-listening forays. It would be wonderful to hear more collaborations like this. --Bryan Reesman ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Extreme tribal trance (for ambient music)
Heavy on the tribal and trance sounds mixed with very cutting edge electronic music. A few tracks verge on nightclub electro dance music. Towards the end of cd #2 it gets very tribal on the vocals, not so much on the rhythms and sounds. Although each track is quite different, once the tune gets going, it gets repetitive as if to induce a trance. It's very good to listen to if you are working on a project or even to work out to.

A rich and pleasing experience
I never cease to be amazed by the many ways Steve Roach can weave a web. I mean, in how many different directions can one man go with long, ambient, atmospheric pieces almost totally devoid of melody? Evidently, in more ways than I can count.

In collaboration with Byron Metcalf and a host of others, the list of which reads like a veritable Who's Who of prominent ambient musicians, Roach provides a sense of tribal mysticism with those long ethereal passages we've come to associate with his work. THE SERPENT'S LAIR is a rich blend of soothing tones, hypnotic tribal beats and some lovely vocal passages (a rarity in Roach compositions).

Although I am a huge Steve Roach fan, owning most of his CD's -I was hesitant to purchase this Disc; now I'm sorry I waited so long to buy it. My fear was an overemphasis of the percussion aspects of the compositions over the soothing atmospherics and the sense of exploration I associate with his music. (I've been disappointed with these collaborations before, namely with DUST TO DUST, an album that I've never really liked.) I need not have worried - this double CD is rich and complex, and is a brilliant example of Steve Roach's ever evolving talent. In some ways, it reminds me a bit of Michael Stearns THE LOST WORLD, another brilliant work and artist that I highly recommend.

Shamanic serpentine excellence!
I have been a fan of Roach's for some time now, but I have to say this may be one of his best works (up there with Origins and Artifacts). This shamanic experiment may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is a powerful sonic presence that shows the ability of music of alter consciousness and shift reality.

This work has to be experienced to really appreciate it. The samples here are limited and the full scope of the work only becomes obvious when listening to the entire CD in person.

I love this work and consider it a favorite in my collection.

Great Trance Tape
Yet, I for one am a little tired of the continued use of long synthesizer washes that go on and on and sound, after a while, a bit like almost every other album this wonderful artist has created. Without a doubt, Steve Roach is one of my favorites and I always find myself willing to spend the money on one of his CDs. But, again, I do wish he would head in a different direction for awhile and show us his chops in new and more lyrical ways. For me the best Steve Roach album is "Strata" which he did with Robert Rich whose keyboard skills added a lot of energy to that album. Steve's catalog is significant and one can be hard pressed to choose from such a vast body of work. For me, "The Serpent's Lair" does remind me of "Dreamtime Revisited" and of the two CDs in this collection, I prefer the second one titled "Offerings from the Underworld". There is more much more of interest here with vocal tracks adding a lot of "presence" to the percussive and synth washes. The contributing musicians are very much attuned to the spirit of this music, especially Jorge Reyes. As a psychologist myself, I respect Dr. Metcalf's research in the Shamanic historical use of trance inducing percussion to facilitate the process of guiding a person toward deeper inner awareness and, hopefully, the exquisite beauty of personal transformation into a more balanced being. This album certainly is perfect for those types of inner explorations. Personally, as a musician (my other hat)I did not find his drumming "processed" although I can bet it was edited and looped. But then, I could be wrong and Steve may have quantized during mixdown for he is so great at the mixing board. He never overdoes reverb and yet there is such depth to his music in this collection that one can imagine being in a huge cavern with others dancing around a firepit and casting shadow pictures onto the cave walls for that is how visual these songs actually are while being driven by percussive repetition that is so important in maintaining consistent trance levels to reach the height of the transformative experience. This body of work is so hypnotic that I really wouldn't mind what Steve did while mastering this CD. The sounds are crystal clear and one suspects he recorded directly to hard disc for there is zero tape noise or other distracting artifacts. All in all I like this album and enjoy playing it before bedtime to relax and mellow out.

Too mechanical and calculated
Frankly, I'm disappointed. Byron Metcalf's percussion is too mathematical, too methodical, too deliberately precise. Where's the sense of space, the feeling of exploration, any hint of improvisation? It's almost drum-machine-like, robotic. I understand that he's going for hypnotic and ritualistic, but he comes off sounding just plain overprocessed to me. As far as techno-tribal percussion goes, I much prefer the sounds invoked by Jorge Reyes, Steve Roach himself, and numerous other artists to that which is presented here. Although this is hardly a "bad" album, I certainly don't put it on the same level as some of Steve's other recent CDs, such as "Vine, Bark & Spore". Some people have been comparing this to his classic "Dreamtime Return"; sorry, but I sure don't see it... The feeling isn't there! As a polished professional thesis, I'm sure this is a masterful work, but where is the sense of being transported somewhere, transformed somehow, that entering-another-world experience that you listen to Steve Roach for in the first place? Yo, guys, having Steve play second fiddle to a percussion line is a mistake! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Something of a "greatest hits" collection, this CD contains several tracks from previous Evenson albums, as well as several new pieces. What sets Sound Healing apart from most recordings of its ilk is that the pieces are musically sound; instead of wandering from place to place, they have a musical starting point and destination, which makes them enjoyable to listen to. Of course, this doesn't detract from Evenson's intended purpose; Sound Healing is an excellent accompaniment to meditation, with its blend of flute, harp, guitar, and natural sounds such as crashing waves and birdcalls. Whether you use them as part of a healing program or just to relax, the gentle melodies and cinematic soundscapes of Sound Healing are an evocative treat. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Excellent CD
Relaxing and beautiful in an uplifting, not sad, sort of way. Suitable for listening at any time of day or night.

Most Popular CD in my New Age Collection!
Soothing, Relaxing, Centering and Balancing...
I have over a hundred CDs in my collection I use as an Energy Healing Practitioner, Minister/Spiritual Counselor, and Seminar Facilitator. This compilation is the most played out of all of them. Many clients and students have asked for the artist's name and title information, after playing it during their session, or class. I highly recommend this for use during massage or healing sessions, yoga or tai chi, relaxing, reading, studying, driving, working, ANYTIME!!! If you were to own just one New Age CD - this should be it - find the Peace Within!

Great for yoga
I have taught yoga for over ten years. I have a large collection of relaxing tapes and CD's. This has been my favorite now for over a year. My students all love it and leave each class feeling very relaxed and refreshed. I would recommend this CD to anyone for yoga, relaxation, and background music to reduce a stressful life.

Wonderful.
This is wonderful, soothing music. I play it daily in my office as background. It helps easy my worried mind. (It is not insipid elevator music, nor the generic windham hill type). It is so good that I am thinking of buying a second disk for home.

Great!
Ever since I got out of the military, I have been having trouble sleeping uninterrupted through the night. I play this CD on shuffle as I sleep and I cannot believe how deeply I sleep now! I have never owned a new age CD before this one, but it has definately turned me on to the genre. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Synthesist Jonn Serrie has always traversed a spectrum between deep space excursions and sentimental pop melodies.He charts a similar course on Lumia Nights, creating ambient lounge music full of breathy synthesizer pads and cocktail-bar-at-midnight moods.He even covers the jazz standard, "Autumn Leaves" to cloyingly bad effect. Just think Lawrence Welk plugged in.The lounge rhythms are offered up with none of the irony you might find in electronica artists such as Thievery Corporation or Loop Guru, whose grooves call up an iconography that's twisted on its head.It's not until "Deep Mystery" that Serrie floats off into the night sky with shimmering synthesizer textures that recall some of his Planetary Chronicles recordings, but even here, the synthesist goes for melodies that exhibit more saccharine than soul. --John Diliberto ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Wow! This is great romantic and dreamy music!
I have only recently discovered John Serrie in my odyssey through space music. I first discovered "Hearts of Space", with a playlist which included John Serrie, and after much searching, happened to find a HOS broadcast featuring "And the Stars go with You", which I feel is an absolute classic of Space music. So I wondered whether "Lumia Nights" would be as good.
Actually this album is warmer, more romantic, and not completely in another universe, and has song and tunes. "Autumn Leaves" gets a new, wonderful and haunting treatment that I truly adore! Very "breathy". This music is accessible, memorable and beautiful. This lifts my day and brings a smile to my face everytime I hear it.

Night Traveling to Perfection
For many years now, The music of Jonn Serrie has been an essential part of my life.From the First chords of And the Stars Go With You, through Planetary Chronicles..Tingri, Spiritkeepers, Ixlandia and all the rest..he has taken me along with him as his soul expressed itself. And I have been blessed to have been allowed to ride the cosmos with him.

With Lumia Nights, as soon as I received it, I waited to listen to it until it was night...and I was softly comfortable with earphones on and quiet around me. For to listen to his music is to EXPERIENCE something that almost cannot be defined.

This Cd takes you on a journey from evening to the deep hours of night and when I heard his rendition of Autumn Leaves, I instanty felt as if I were aboard a huge ship and sitting in a lounge where so many of us were gathered and he was there playing this for us, as we all thought of Earth and life here. I know to some this may sound totally absurd..but I know there will be some of you that will know exactaly what I mean!

If you are a tried and true Jonn Serrie fan, than this will enchant you beyond belief.For once again he has taken us all to another place within ourselves. For those who may be new to his music, be prepared to feel many emotions,for this is an experience that is a gift from his heart to ours.

Reminiscent of floating in space with your soulmate.........
As I was reading through the reviews for the album (as I always do before buying) I was amazed at the differences of opinion on this album. Either you loved it or hated it. So, as a person who loves conflict I decided to purchase it.

I took heed to the negative reviews thinking it would put me to sleep. As I listened to the album, several of the reviews came to mind. Sleepy elevator music, tracks running into tracks.... But I was simply listening to the "white noise". Soon, though, I really began to "hear" what was behind the music. Pain, love, friendship, heartache, romance and patience are all "floating" behind this music. THAT it what MAKES it music, not just a bunch of chords, swooshy stuff and tinkly [kaka], as MANY of the "Space" and "New Age" artists do today and call it music.

"Space" music tells a story, it takes you on a journey to the stars: beyond and back. Any "musician" can slap melodies and chords onto a cd and call it music. Any "author" can take words and turn them into a book. It takes a talented individual to blend the elements of storytelling and instrumental music into one. Mr. Serrie is one such individual. Each track on the album leads to the next track, much as each chapter in a book leads to the next. By the last song on the album, I had completed my journey into the stars and made it home safely, where as many musicians had left me stranded somewhere beyond Planet X.

So to those reviewers that slammed the album, I urge you to go back to the cd with an open mind, remembering that it is telling a story, and, much like one of the reviewers said, (and Xena) "Don't just listen to the sounds, but what is behind the sounds."

Take a chance...You just might be surprised.

Should re-name this CD Deja Vu
Wow, pretty weak effort. Not one of his best. Listening to the CD, I wasn't even aware there were multiple tracks on it since they all sounded alike. Skip this disk and play one of his earlier CD's.

*WARNING* Play CD at own risk..Bedroom performance..high
When you first hear Mr. Serrie's music, you may find it sleepy or something you would hear in the lift. I thought this to be true the first go around. But as I put one of his first CD's in the player eons ago and had a second listen to, I really began to appreciate the music. You must not simply hear the music as many of us do these days, you must LISTEN to music. If you DO listen carefully, you can feel the emotion and and see the energy he puts into each and every sound, each and every track.
Lumia Nights is one of the most tender and passionate recordings I have heard from Mr. Serrie in ages. ("Lovers in Motion" and "Starshower" are my personal favorites ) I can hear that this project has been weighing heavy on his soul for many years. I hear heartache and pain, love and passion. It stirs a longing in me that I have thought long dead. The sensuality of the erotic sounds and the movements in these songs can place you in another time and place. This recording falls right in line with Ixlandia and Midsummer Century, while staying true to his space music roots.

If you are a space music fan, the latter part of the album will appeal to you the most, if you are a romantic at heart, the first tracks will call to you.

All I can say to the critics is take another listen, clear your mind of all other activities in your life and listen, not just hear the music, but really LISTEN. Listen to the multitudes of layering, listen to the sleekness of the instruments, listen to the movements, listen to the emotion, the passion behind what he is playing and tell me this is not a "creative" piece of work.

Mr Serrie, hats off to you. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The death throes of the Leviathan.
"Grimmrobe" is an awakening.I like "White2" because it's a retreat from sheer, crushing doom to sheer, ambient doom."White1," mixed as I am about that album, is much the same experience."Flight of the Behemoth" lacks one thing: clarity.It doesn't sound sludgy, it just sounds as though it's being recorded very, very far away.So the atmosphere is good, but the sound itself leaves me longing.But "Grimmrobe" is what Sunn0)) must sound like at the apex of their Earth-worshipping, Sabbath-following project.Crisp, raw sound, but never lo-fi.Slow, massive riffs, amply walking the line between "Come My Fanatics" and "Earth2"; in other words, unholy doom and drone that engages the willing listener and keeps his or her attention until the end.So many, more "straight-forward" doom outfits lose my attention in a hurry -- if only because I feel that other people have done it, and they've done it better.But Earth and Sunn, for all their similarities, are distinct units with distinct sounds (like night and day for the initiated)."Grimmrobe" is the sound of the Leviathan in its death throes, writhing on the ocean floor.And the ocean is on another planet.It does not paint a pretty, sunny picture, and so this is not for everyone; but it will get inside your head, it will stimulate and calm you simultaneously, and it will leave you with questions, with curiosity, with the desire for more.Doom on, gents, and keep it coming...

DRONE
This album is huge and better than anything your band will ever make, hail Anderson and O'Mally. And to the guy who said there is no bass, there is a bass, it is played by "Bootsy Cronos" As stated in the liner notes ( do you even own the album dude).

((((((((((((((((((((((((((O))))))))))))))))))))))))) Lordy!
I am listening to the song "Bremerton" that is available on the double-album version. If you are a collector of their vinyl, it's worth getting, but certainly not for this song. I would much rather listen to "Grimm and Bear It".

Of all the Sunn recordings, I believe this to be their best. "Flight of the Behemoth" is huge, as is "00 Void" but this is the one currently on heavy rotation. Lately I can't get enough of this genre, whatever it is we call it. earth2, Boris "Absolutego" and all the Sunn stuff has taken me down the path of spiritual awakening. This is sound that move the soul, moreso than any other form of music.
I must be doing something right, since my 16 year old daughter thinks her dad's music is loud and obnoxious.

Sunn 0o0o0)))))))
To the dude below me...They use Guitars. There is no Bass involved. They make it sound like Bass Guitars because it's so low and heavy, thus even more amazing considering they use guitars.

This album like all Sunn 0))) releases, is brilliant from start to finish. This album, from what i've read, is hard to find. So really, if you are a fan of this band, do not miss this album and buy it through Amazon.com.

Starting off with the slow and sludgy song, Black Wedding which goes for around 19 minutes, you can actually feel the tension. There's a certain tension with this kind of music, where it can be either hypnotic, or tense, or just trippy. I'd say this album is tense for the most part.

The second song Defeating : Earth's Gravity, picks up where Black Wedding left off and can almost be confused with it being the same song. But if you listen closely, they really aren't. Sunn 0))) do that. They aren't just mindless noise. They're actually an intelligent, hypnotic, band..that differ from most noise/metal bands around today.

The ending of Defeating : Earth's Gravity, fades away into silence leading into the 3rd track Dylan Carlson. If anyone is wondering why it's named "Dylan Carlson"..It's actually the name of the guitarist from Earth. One of the bands that influenced Sunn 0))). ..Just for a random fact, if you didn't know..Dylan Carlson actually sold to Kurt Cobain, the gun he used to commit suicide. But now apparently he is a heroin junkie. But the song on this album, is very slow, and sludgy..much like Black Wedding. This song is also the longest on this album, at 21 minutes too.

Then the last song, Grimm & Bear It, comes on. Going for 16 minutes, the first 8 seconds sound as if it's going to take a while to kick in, as you can just hear a faint helicopter-type sound, then at around the 9 second mark the song starts. The helicopter-type sound doesn't go away either, if you listen closely, you can still hear it sometimes in the background, over the wall of sludgy noise.

Overall, if you are into Sunn 0))) at all, if you find this somewhere or are thinking of getting this through Amazon.com, do not hesitate. It's a must buy for fans of this band and this genre.

5/5

dying tickles..
you remember that part of terminator 2 where the liquid metal guy is walking through the wreckage of a crashed truck, and how the soundtrack just goes DMMMM!! DMMMMM!!! - there's not much melody, and it's not pretty, but it effectively conveys the feeling of terror that john would be feeling.. it's like the sound of blood rushing through your veins, your pulse beating against the inside of head... panic.

well i'd liken this to that. except it's way way beyond panic. an incredibly slow building fear gives way to the knowledge of impending doom. listening to this music DOES actually affect you physically. reading along with the text in the booklet doesn't help either. i felt ill, physically drained. but it's morbidly exciting. imagine that instead of the t-1000 in the fire, you're watching a horrible retillian elephant bat beast rising from the ocean... but the ocean is already full of decomposing corpses, blood, oil and bile... and this is all dripping off the thing as it breaks free from its watery resting place. you KNOW it's over.. everything is over, but you can't help watching...

(((musically, it's two dudes with guitars and bass. a guest occassionaly twiddling knobs that go 'bwoop' but only occassionaly. basically 2 x guitars and a sh*t load of distortion)))

incidentally i only rated it 3 because you'll either love it or hate it, i would imagine. me, i wanna go listen again... ... Read more

Reviews (7)

haunting, beautiful ambience
I picked up this album randomly at a music shop, going only off of my previous good experiences with other bands on the same label. I had no idea I was picking up an album with no vocals, no rhythm, and no melody. I found out after a few listens that this is a good thing when it's done right. SOTL are very good at what they do.

This is mostly a dark sounding record yet full of somehow comforting drones. Beyond that it's hard to describe as I have no idea how these guys make this music. If you attempt to track down pictures of the group, in a live shot you can see someone playing a bass, but it's impossible to tell what instruments are being used on their records.

Ideally this music is great to fall asleep to, and also great to read to. It would be unfair to call this music filler, or background music. It's much to good to be reduced to that, but it's perfect to listen to if you don't want absolute silence, but you also don't want to be distracted from the task at hand (i.e. sleeping or reading).

Beautiful... so beautiful....
Stars of the Lid, my favourite band now for a couple months are probably the most incredible, beautiful, ambient, atmospheric experimental group under the Kranky label. I love this CD. These songs are so emotinally RAW, agonizing, icredible... it's so sad some of the tracks on this CD though. It's depressing at times, it's just so amazingly beautiful. Even "Music For Twin Peaks Episode 30," probably my fave on the CD is so TWIN PEAKS finale like. Picture the episode after the finale of twin peaks, things are blown up, everyone is in critical shape, Cooper is stuck in the Black Lodge... life is so tragic. This CD is compelling, unbelievably one of the best CD's ever. Buy it now. Change your life...

The desert at night
To date this is my favourite Stars of the Lid album, and as a consequence, one of my favourite ambient albums. What puts it over the top for me are the images of desolate nocturnal landscapes it brings to mind - the tracks "Central Texas" and "Music for Twin Peaks Episode #30 Pt. 2" are particularly effective in this regard. Meanwhile any SotL fan HAS to have "Sun Drugs," which is a staple of the band's live shows and deservedly so.

There isn't much more to say that hasn't been repeated ad nauseum here so I'll cut things short. Let's just say that if you want atmosphere or merely something to relax to, you can't go wrong with The Ballasted Orchestra.

audio horizon
stars of the lid's "the ballasted orchestra" is a much-underappreciated and criminally ignored masterpiece in an undefined genre that can only be described as "drugged-out ambient"... this album, however, shatters the goofy, new-age soul-searching connotation that "ambient music" suggests. "the ballasted orchestra" is TRUE ambient: minimalistic but warm, visceral but incredibly ethereal, and unbelievably soothing. there are no cheesy synth-chorus voices wailing brazilian chants in the background, no tabla... hell, i don't even know what instruments stars of the lid are using. although, in theory, it seems (and could be) uninteresting, each song sounds like the conclusion of a rock song - the VERY end - but in suspended animation - dragged out and mutilated in slight ways, running in a line. lying there listening to songs like "sun drugs" and "f**ked up (3:57 am)" caused me to feel almost floaty and weightless; it's easy to lose track of time. this album takes a few listens to truly understand and to truly get into, but once you start to love it, it's perfect for anytime - it makes a beautiful sunny day seem mystical and shimmering, and it makes the night feel like a movie. "the ballasted orchestra" is the pale blue light in the distance - it's more than music, it's a beautiful and welcoming audio horizon. let it take you on the trip.

Music for contemplation
When I have this CD playing, I let it loop over and over and over. Great reflective, meditative stuff. Excellent to work to. I painted our boys' room listening to it. If you appreciate ambient without a beat, droning stuff, check it out. I think I like Arch Song the best, if that matters at all. ... Read more