Customer Reviews

Across an Ocean of Dreams

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Those who love the music of Enya and Secret Garden should check out 2002. There is a distinct difference in that there are no solo female voices, but rather ethereal voices combined with the instrumentation. The result is very evocative and somewhat sensual. This is music to dream by although, unlike one of the other reviewers, I didn't find it ideal for sleeping. Those who dismiss this music as bland and boring aren't tuned in to the levels of sound presented here. As such, it lends itself to deep listening for those who do enjoy new age. I echo the advice of the reviewer who in effect says if you don't like new age music, forget this CD. But if you enjoy pure musical sound, you may well treasure this as a favorite. It is great reflective music to enjoy alone, but as noted above, there is a sensual quality, for those completely tuned in, which makes it quite appropriate for sharing with a special other who also vibrates to this style of music.

Ever been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium? You know the Kelp Forest exhibit? Have you sat and just watched the stalks of kelp dancing up and down lazily as the waves come in and roll out of their tank? That's what "Across an Ocean of Dreams" feels like. I've listened to many ocean-themed albums in my time, but this one nails that submerged effect that most of the others tend to lack.

Now, I know there's an overabundance of ocean and water themed new age albums out there, but let's face it, water is inspirational. Like humans, water can take many shapes and sizes and perform many different tasks by taking on new forms. Unlike humans, however, water flows carelessly wherever it is taken. Perhaps it is that humans long for such a carefree and flexible existence that it intrigues us so.

Amazon reviewer Diliberto should not be blamed for his reaction to the album. It has been a strong trend in New Age music of late to produce upbeat and inspirational music rather than gentle, meditative music. This is slowly becoming "the standard" for reviewers of the genre, and many tend to overlook the intention of other varieties of the genre.

Back to the album itself, it is my opinion that this is 2002's greatest to date. This album captures the relaxing mood often associated with underwater excursions in true 2002 fashion. I only hope that they will continue to produce music this emotional and gentle in years to come.

I bought this album on a recommendation from a close friend. I was having one of those crazy, stressed out days and needed to escape reality for a while. I filled my bathtub, lit a bunch of candles, dumped in some aromatic bath salts and hauled my portable CD player into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I put this CD on, layed back, closed my eyes and let the mood of the room take over. It was like heaven, the thing I needed most for myself. I felt like I was on a spa vacation! I can't believe how great this made me feel and for so little effort. The music made everything I was stressed about seem meaningless and actually inspired me to make some life changes this year. I'm looking forward to my next "getaway" and to trying other CDs from 2002. I will definitley recommend this CD to all of my friends!

Let me start with a warning to anyone who wishes to buy this album: DO NOT PUT THIS INTO YOUR CAR'S CD PLAYER WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. The music is so soothing and soft that it might cause you to doze off! Seriously, this album is perfect for those who want to put themselves to sleep in an atmosphere of love and gentleness. Perhaps the most impressive thing about it is that 2002 did not use any nature recordings; all sounds are by musical instruments and wordless vocals, which makes the imagery linked to the ocean even more astonishing. I wish more new age artists would do that. Now that the year 2002 have come, this album by the duo 2002 seems like their masterpiece. I cannot imagine how they could ever top this!

I was browsing through Amazon.com Popular music collections and I found 2002. This artist is a genious. His compositions are unique. It is any time better than the recent album of yanni.I am a great fan of yanni but now I realize there are others who exist besides jim brickman,david arkenstone,yanni and others. 2002 is superb. I dont have any words to describe the amount of relaxation this music brings to your soul. It takes you to a different world. Almost all of 2002 albums are worth buying. I want to thank amazon.com for giving me an opportunity to listen to sound clips or I would have never discovered this great artist.

I'm unsure of what incites John Diliberto's attack upon this album, but his negative descriptives all fall under the category of "angst with things generally thought of as feminine."

Truth is, if you are looking for stunning, multi-layered, lush music that both inspires and relaxes, then this is it. 2002 continues to grow with every new release, creating an aural feast for the hungry listener. Their instrumentation, vocalization and obvious studio expertise, (they do all their own studio work,) make for an album sure to become an all time favorite, withstanding the test of time (and tin eared reviewers).

ACROSS AN OCEAN OF DREAMS is the follow up to 2002's critically acclaimed RIVER OF STARS. 2002 is an Irish duo that creates a sound that seems to take the best of Enya, Windham Hill, and Narada and combine them into a unique blend that creates a peaceful, soothing sound. 2002 envisions its music to flow like a symphony and recommends listening to an entire CD rather than skipping around for excerpts. Since one pieces flows into the other rather fluidly, it is easy to understand why this is the recommendation.

Though the disk has many moving and beautiful moments, I will have to admit when I first listened to it I was a bit disappointed. It seems to be missing something as compared with RIVER OF STARS, which is hands down the best 2002 disk, but I have grown to enjoy it very much. I can often put it on in the car while sitting in traffic, and be transported someplace else, but don't worry of you're on the road with me, it's not so intoxicating that it takes away concentration, so it really is wonderful background music.

This is one of the best relaxation CD's I heard in a long time. Pamela & Randy Copus have really out done themselevs on this CD. When I come home from a hard days work I run a hot bubble bath pop Across An Ocean Of Dreams in my CD Player and let the music take me away. I strongly recmmend this CD for those enjoy relaxation music.

I am a massage therapist and discard many cds before I choose one to use for my clients. This is one I have added to my personal and professional collections. This is definetly a keeper!

Although I love Enya, I will not use it in the therapy room. Voices, drum beats and fast sections of music do not allow total relaxation. The mind follows popular/familiar musical remakes...so all those are also eliminated.

My first exposure to 2002 was about six months ago, when I first heard 2002's "Chrysalis". Incredibly relaxing, ethereal, full of angelic choirs and tones, sans a "beat". One of my favorites. "Ocean" is a very enjoyable album, but the comparisons to Enya are unavoidable. I like Enya a lot, but it doesn't take me to the same deep place as "Chrysalis" or any of Liquid Mind's work. "Ocean" features the plucked violin, swelling strings and stirring piano elements of Enya, to the extent that you would think Enya had a new album out if you didn't know better.

Again, I like Enya, and this is every bit as good as anything she has done (except for a few of the tunes on "Shepherd Moons"). It is relaxing, but it is not consciousness-shifting. Give "Chrysalis" a try, as well as anything by Liquid Mind, or Raphael's "Angels of the Deep."