x close

The Understanding

In 2002, the Norwegian duo of Svein Berge and Torbjorn Brundtland found a sweet spot between wispy Moon Safari-style pop and Boards of Canada-like atmospherics on the widely-admired Melody A.M. The Understanding sounds relatively absent-minded, careening around the room like a panicky fly. Some of it works well; the bouncy "Only This Moment" resembles Fischerspooner at their silliest (and thus, most fun), while "49 Percent" gets a huge lift from a New Jack vocal courtesy of Chelonis R. Jones. But the record is too often thwarted by syrupy synth-pop ("Follow My Ruin") as well as the lack of shifty downtempo rhythms and avant-garde underpinnings that kept Melody so pleasantly grounded. They haven’t lost their knack for subtle hooks and well-placed cross-rhythms, like the slippery keyboard squibble that glides its way into "What Else Is There?" But the sophomore curse is hard to overcome, and though there’s plenty here to recommend, Berge and Brundtland aren’t able to break the spell. –Matthew Cooke

---

Futures

Limited Edition;

---

Customer Review:

Pure Norwegian Bliss... Get the "repeat" button ready!

I originally heard of the Norwegian group Royksopp when visiting Amsterdam. I had MTV Europe on in my hotel room (MTV Europe actually still plays music, what a concept!) and I saw the video for "Poor Leno" and was instantly hooked. Of course, when you hear a song so instantly infectious to your ears, you think, how the heck can they possibly follow this up?

The answer is "The Understanding," an absolute gem of a disc that builds on the bands beginnings and takes their music one step beyond, creating swirling cinematic melodies coupled with beautiful, emotive, yet understated vocals. The first single and video, "Only This Moment" is sublime. (Be sure to check out the video online at the Astralwerks website.) The song is plaintive, emotional, melancholy, and at the same time "funky", albeit in a Norwegian Electronica sort of way.

I have had this disc for two weeks and it has yet to leave my CD player. Call it electronica, dance, downtempo,or whatever you like... this music is gorgeous and cinematic. Music based in electronica can sometimes be cold and inaccessible, but Royksopp know how to put emotion in their music. Royksopp's music is rather hard to categorize... Let's call it "Norwegian Bliss".

Note: The limited edition 2CD set is worth the extra few dollars! It includes bonus tracks, mainly instrumental, unavailable elsewhere.

The understanding of why different could be mediocre

Fist of all, Royksopp's newest album "The Understanding", does not suck by any means. It is a great album that shows the musical duo's depth. It also shows their ability to evolve and make a sound that is entirely unique (just like with their first album.)But just like with evolution, there is always something that gets left behind. In the case of The Understanding, it seems as though the older, raw, retro-synthish, old-skool electro-popish Royksopp that we all came to love so much, grew up and matured into something that we arent sure how to deal with. Maybe I will learn to love the new evolved Royksopp as much as the old one, hopefully. But I dont think I could ever give up those days of listening to Melody A.M. on vinyl,,,,,,,ahhhh how nostalgic! But hey, dont think that the new album is not worth picking up, any true Royksopp fan needs it....So check it out, and maybe you will see that I was wrong!

Excellent, but unexpected

The Melody A.M. album is one of my all-time favorites. Something about it transcends any particular genre, and I find that I can listen to it in the company of other electronic music, pop, world, classical or jazz and it just feels... at home.

The Understanding is an entirely different story. While some tracks sound "characteristically Röyksopp," many sound like they're by a different duo altogether. That's not to say the album isn't fantastic, but the sound wasn't quite what I was expecting. I agree with those who label this album as a little more "pop" or a little more "dance" than the "electronic" label of Melody.

The bonus tracks are interesting, but not really all that exciting (at least after listening to them all twice through). Choosing between this and the standard album (with its more appropriate CD-insert booklet) should be the hardest part for you. Definitely pick this up.

---

Keywords: Ambient Breakbeat; Club/Dance; Dance; Dance Music; Downbeat; Euro-Dance; Pop; Trip-Hop;

---

---

x close

The Light in the Piazza (2005 Original Broadway Cast)

Like a shimmering pearl, The Light in the Piazza emerged from a sea of revivals, rehashings, and movie adaptations to secure 11 2005 Tony nominations, including Best Musical. Based on an Elizabeth Spencer novella (which was also made into a 1962 film), it follows a mother, Margaret (Victoria Clark), and her daughter, Clara (Kelli O'Hara), as they take a vacation to Italy. There, Clara and a young Italian (Matthew Morrison) fall in love, but Margaret is determined to keep them apart.

The Light in the Piazza doesn't fit the model of most Broadway scores, with a splashy opener here, a swing number there, then the big ballad. The score is more of a unified whole, sometimes jarring, sometimes following the patterns of speech, and sometimes unfolding in glorious sheens of sound. (Heck, some of it's even in Italian!) In that sense, it's similar to another unconventional American musical set in Italy, Stephen Sondheim's Passion, which is more chamber opera than musical, and composer-lyricist Adam Guettel (song of Mary Rodgers, grandson of Richard Rodgers) seems the most likely heir apparent to Sondheim in the current generation of musical theater creators. O'Hara's voice soars in the score's most beautiful moments ("Say It Somehow," the title song), but Clark enjoys two exquisitely lyrical moments with "Dividing Day" and "Let's Walk." She was one of the show's six Tony winners (for Leading Actress), along with Guettel's score and the orchestrations, scenice design, lighting, and costumes, while O'Hara (for Featured Actress), Morrison, Craig Lucas's book, and Bartlett Sher's direction were also nominated. --David Horiuchi

---

Customer Review:

An amazing musical!

This musical is a breath of fresh air for many after seeing many of the recent things coming out on Broadway. Nominated for 11 Tonys (winning 6 of them), The Light in the Piazza, is truly an amazing musical! I stumbled upon this CD after looking up Matthew Morrison (created the role of Link Larkin in Hairspray) recent theatre credits. I am very glad that I did since this musical is simply a beautifully done piece. I recomend this to anyone who is a fan of musicals from the 1980s. The sound is similar to Sondheim's "Passion" and is sung beatuifully all over. If you only buy one musical CD this year, this is definately the one to go for!

Beautiful...

I have always love Guettel's works, but this one is so outstandingly brilliant that I cannot stop listening to it! Thank you so much for writting such breathtaking music!

The Light In the Piazza Burns Clear

Having listened to the music but not having the privilege of seeing the Tony winning musical, I have to say I was caught up in the lovely, light music and the crystal clear voices of the performers. It took a good 3 "listenings" to help me to decide that I did really like this musical. Although the music is not as memorable as some, it has it's moments and I have enjoyed listening to it over and over. I was a bit disappointed not to learn of the secret of Clara in the libretto but I still enjoyed the overall performances and voices.

---

Keywords: Cast Recordings; Country-Pop; Int'l & World Music; Music Theater; Musical Theater; Pop; Showtunes / B'way;

---

---

x close

25 Mozart Favorites

This is an astonishing collection of works - or parts of works - by Mozart that covers almost every aspect of his creative output: symphonic, religious music, concerti (for piano, horn, violin, clarinet, flute), chamber music, serenades (for strings; winds), a couple of opera overtures and more. Those who know and love Mozart's music will not need this, but it's a great introduction, a great overview. The selections are well-chosen and interestingly organized, with familiar pieces splrinkled among some not-so well known. A good primer. --Robert Levine

---

Customer Review:

woah

Like, hizzoly crap fo shizzle mah nizzle dawg. I thought I wuz da only gangsta who listened to tha Mozart shizzang! Like dang yo dat is down! Dis CD wuz great fo chillin in da club and breakin' it down fo mah fine gal down in mah crib we be bumpin up da beat box to this jam fo real! Y'all mah homeys say G werd if you down wit tha Mozart jamz! Up, down, an back to da hizzle.

MOZART WAS A CRAZY SILLY GUY!

I cannot believe my ears!!!!!!!!!

I usually listen to the radio or MTV or huff gasoline and listen to the ringing sounds that the vapors cause in my head, but man oh man, this is something I'd never heard before until I picked it up at my local gas station! It was sitting on the counter near the microwavable burritos, and in my gasoline-induced stupor, I picked this up by accident (and by "picked up" I mean "I put under my shirt when no one was looking").

When I got home and logged onto Amazon.com to see how much I could get for it on here, I was dismayed that it was selling for a miniscule $2.45! So instead of selling it, I decided I would add to my ever-growing collection of CD's that I get from the gas station.

When I first put it on, I couldn't believe what I was hearing! Really, I couldn't! The whole CD sounds like it was recorded underwater. Upon inspecting the linear notes, it was confirmed that this CD, was indeed, recorded underwater! Simply amazing! Also, another great thing this CD has going for it is the fact that there isn't one complete piece of music on the entire goddamn thing! Who wants to hear a masterpiece like Mozart's Symphony No. 25 in its entirety when you can just listen to a snippet? No sir, not me! Just give me the "good parts."

Overall, this fine compact disc gets an astounding FIVE STARS. And what a funny coincidence...that's how much this CD costs: FIVE DOLLARS. Bargain of the century!

Pick it up at a local 7-11 near you!

A good begining to learn about Mozart's music

This CD contains the most popular music from Mozart. If you are just start to listen some classical music, this one is a wise choice for you. The price is cheap, and the quality of recording is acceptable.

---

Keywords: Chamber; Chamber Music & Recitals; Choral; Clarinet Concerto; Classical; Classical Composers; Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento; Classical Period Symphony;

---

---

x close

Battlestar Galactica: Season One

---

Futures

Soundtrack;

---

Customer Review:

Best Soundtrack Ever

I am an avid collector of movie and TV soundtracks, I have to say, this is one of the best ever I have bought. The music is moving, deep and often quite thought provoking. This is especially so if you have seen the show.

If you are a fan of the series then I strongly suggest you buy this soundtrack. Tracks 24 and 27 are my favourate from Kobol's last gleaming.

Good Listening!

I've enjoyed listening to Battlestar Galactica's soundtrack driving to work. The music is remarkably varied and dramatic in its own right. Listening to the CD has piqued my interest to watch the series on TV. I now want to see how the young composer's remarkable talent enhances the action happening on the screen.
I think Bear McCreary's special talents are a wonderful contribution to contemporary music.

Celtic Scifi?

If you like the series and noticed the music at times, then I think you will not be disappointed. I bought this CD mainly to enjoy while driving and while programming at work. There are only about 3 tracks that I didn't enjoy. Some tracks have a definite celtic influence that somehow works.

---

Keywords: Film; Film Music; Pop; Soundtrack; Soundtracks & Film Scores; TV Soundtracks;

---

---