Ariels [Import]

Bent | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 12, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Open / Mosr
• ASIN: B0002PD3IY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,442 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

'Ariels' is a massive departure and progression for Bent, in that it dispenses with the found-sound reliance of their first two albums (Programmed to Love' (2000) and 'The Everlasting Blink' (2003)). 'Ariels' is their first album that doesn't contain any samples, just pure sounds. Featuring the vocal talents of Steve Edwards, Sian from Kosheen, Rachel from Weekend Players and long time Bent cohort Katty, this album represents musicianship and songwriting skills, in which guitar chords replace samples as the starting point for the tracks. The result is a remarkable, emotionally resonant album. Open Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bent's finest and most complete album to date., July 27, 2006

By 

Robert W. Mccann "Atlanta419" (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ariels (Audio CD)

First of all I'd like to say that Bent are the most consistent producers that I have had the chance to hear.

"Programmed to Love" was as one of the finest debut albums I've ever heard. "Everlasting Blink" was a very nice follow up to the debut release. "Ariels" shows me that this duo has perfected their style in a magnificent way.

This release is one of the finest works released this decade. It starts out with a few slower tempo songs that have a very nice feel. This really helps set a tone for the rest of the album. Soon we begin to see the complexity that this group has to offer as we progress through the album. The mixture of exquisite instruments layered upon perfectly chosen vocal tracks reveals a quality of production and song writing very rarely experienced in popular music. With the duo's "Exercise 4" we get a wonderful bit of electronic fun just before they sink into "The Waters Deep", the last track on the album. Which puts the so called 'cherry on top' of this tasty treat for all to enjoy just before we start the CD over again.

I myself can't seem to take this album out of my car. Everytime I feel like listening to something really amazing it's right there to make everthing alright. I for one can't wait for the next release from Bent. They've made themselves into something special that all music fans can appreciate for one reason or aonther. For anything from the variety of instruments, vocalists, and equipment used to the pure quality of production. And yet the song writing may be the strongest quality displayed in "Ariels".

It isn't the individual attributes of this duo that really brings them to life. It is the style in which they combine these qualities and the consistency with which they do so.

If you haven't heard of Bent it's probably time you buy one of their albums. You can't go wrong!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this belongs in The "beautiful music" genre, October 27, 2005

By 

Robbie rob - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ariels (Audio CD)

wow, i am truly stunned, what an amazing album. This album has some of the most beautiful songs i've ever heard, it doesn't sound like bent's other cd's though it is even better that the others. This cd is a great cd i put on to chill to my favourite song is "silent life" a truly beautiful song that reminds me of an open meadow in spring, but pretty much every song reminds me of something beautiful, truly an amazing album, congrats to bent on this one!.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Over and Over Again, December 9, 2004

By 

Dylan Ho "dealinhoz" (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ariels (Audio CD)

I just got this cd and i think it's definitely better than the Programmed to Love album (which I'm really into as well). Reading about the geniuses behind Bent (Nail & Simon), this album derives from a life changing experience one of the members had; an illness and a birth of a child. The CD was even recorded in a chapel... and if you listen to the album you might agree that it emanates a touch of bliss and rapture. "Coming Back" is a great song with an 'asianesque' guitar riff. "Sunday the 29th" is probably my 2nd favorite song that has beautiful lyrics. My favorite track is "Silent Life". The vocals, chorus and riffs are just poignant. This song instantly puts me in a good mood. "As You Fall" has great vocals. "Exercise 4" takes you back to Bent's true electronic/pop style. Boy wouldn't it be a treat to see Bent along with Air, Lemon Jelly and Zero 7. As stated in the title, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.