Customer Reviews

Artifacts

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
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Roach's 1993 release Origins was a consummate example of tribal-ambient electronica, his finest solo recording since Dreamtime Return, the album generally considered to be his masterpiece by both critics and listeners alike. Artifacts is the follow-up to Origins and like previous Roach recordings, it continues to blaze new trails in sound synthesis. Perhaps the highlight of the disc is the 24-minute "The Origin of Artifacts", which begins with a truly bizzare sequencer rhythm that gently yet relentlessly pushes you to the outer limits of deep space, then evolves into a catharic frame drum-based ceremony that gives you an idea of what our prehistoric ancestors may have indulged in from time to time. There are "ambient" pieces as well like "Your Own Eyes" and "Begin Where I End", reminiscent of both Dreamtime and Structures From Silence. All in all, an accomplished work.

This particular release by Steve Roach contains such a potent spiritual quality to it. I own eight of his other works, but this is the cd I keep coming back to. I can imagine that many people have releases by artists that mean much more than just music to them, but rather encompasses some facet of who they are, what they feel, and what they know. That is really what Artifacts represents to me, and that tends to make it tough to actually describe this release or put into words that most people can relate to. But I also feel that many people would understand if they were to listen to Artifacts in forthright, and especially in an enhanced setting for such music, like the desert southwest. Definitely give this cd a shot.

This was one of Steve Roach's best CD's. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and was completely satisfied with it as it did live up to my high expectations of Steve Roach's amazing works. If you are a fan or just enjoy ambient music this CD is definitely a good choice one will be happy with. Steve's music is so soothing and relaxing in a way that gets your mind away from your everyday worries. Overall an excellent CD and artist.

I want to express a very sincere THANK YOU to Steve Roach for sharing this masterpiece with us.

"Origins" and "Artifacts" seem to be the result of what Steve was trying to say with "Dreamtime Return". While "Origins" is more percussive and tribal in nature -- and definitely one of my all-time favorites, too --, "Artifacts" takes you to the next level. Its sheer depth and trance-like nature is moving and spiritual in a way no other music could ever approach. It's Steve's most heartfelt work from the Master New Age Shaman himself.

Do yourself a favor and buy this CD, then take a drive up a nearby mountain on a still night with lots of stars out... and play it. Time will stop, you will feel One with the Universe, and you just may experience "eternity" for the first time...

Enjoy.

This was the best joint effort of Roach and Reyes and it is too bad that they moved on. I feel this is some of the most inspired and creative work by either artist. I have judged many later recordings by either artist and none have obtained the magick that was in this joint work. This is a must have of Steve Roach.

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∆As an aural tourist of Roach's architecture, I often wonder, not when, but where my journeys will end. Steve Roach is one of those prolific artists who can spin and weave almost endlessly, churning out new musical ideas, allowing us to look down upon nature/biogeographic zones -- namely the desert -- and atmosphere/space.
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∆Where some of his albums admittedly re-hash older motifs or contain previously released material -- a habit I wish he would avoid -- "Artifacts" doesn't just quietly assume its place on the terrace of native ambience. It creates it.
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∆Within the timeframe of 77 minutes and 12 seconds, Roach will transport you from his Timeroom in Tucson directly into his backyard. You can only begin to imagine the wilderness of the desert, the frogs near a pond, the dim glow of the zodiacal light burning black into blue on the horizon. But Roach isn't keen on giving you a tour of his desertscapes but, rather, an appreciation of the sands, the sounds, the breezes, the temperature, the humidity, the height of the skies expanding above you and forever to each side, and finally: time-lapse expansion.
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∆"Artifacts" is in itself inspired by more than desert. William Lesch's photography has a major role in Roach's compositions. Like most art or music, a certain core or foundation can be ascertained with knowledge, and objective understanding can be attained with a little understanding on the listener's part.
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∆I recommend people unearth Mr. Lesch's photography to derive a deeper meaning to Roach's album, perhaps even complementing or improving the listening relationship. If one can sit back and enjoy the haunted space invoked by these tracks, why not spend time enjoying the artifacts that inspired them.
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http://www.leschphotography.com/art/fineart/light_painting/arizona/lp_ds_05.jpg

I think this is one of the best Steve Roach CDs. If you're a fan of Brian Eno's ON LAND, then you will most likely enjoy this. The sound of ARTIFACTS is mysterious, dark, ancient, murky, grumbling and ritualistic. Many deep throbbing cantus firmuses, ascending and descending thrumms, and underground winds which sound as if they're scabbing upon indigenous instruments. I think it's deeper than WESTERN SPACES.