Australia: Sound of the Earth

David Hudson, Sarah Hopkins, Steve Roach | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 23, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fortuna Records
• ASIN: B0000007UX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,890 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Australia & New Zealand
  • #30 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > American Alternative
  • #47 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo Fi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Original, A Must Have, April 11, 2001

By 

M. D. MCGINLEY "Chief Highliner" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Australia: Sound of the Earth (Audio CD)

When I purchased "Australia," I was expecting more of something like "Dreamtime Return," which Roach recorded around 1987 for the 1988 release. Ever since then, I was hooked on Roach. His ambient, totally original style is evident on this, another Australian recording that is permeated with the digeradoo, a long, wind instrument frequently used there that produces deep, pleasantly haunting sounds. It is believed that Roach uses whatever can carry a sound as percussion instruments: rocks, water, bottles, washboards--and some instruments you never would have guessed--in addition to his synthesizers.

At first, I had resistance to the syncopated, off-beat patterns, but as I let the album play, the rhythms of the other hand-made instruments Roached used, and the overall down-to-earth, unrehearsed style got to me, like the distant sound of a bull roarer in the background. I listened to the entire album, and nearly an hour went by like it was 15 minutes. Roach's music is difficult to explain, but is best summed up as music for the mind. I listen to it--with REPEAT ON--while reading and writing, and to help me reach a transcendental, meditative state. For these reasons, as with all Roach's music, I find that it is best as a personal, solo journey best experienced with the privacy and deep sound of a good pair of headphones. Highly recommended as an effective, immediate means to reduce stress, aggression and hostility. If you don't have this album, then you are truly missing out on one of the most original pieces of ambience from one of the most respected musical artists of our time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music that connects you with the Dreamtime, January 7, 2002

By 

Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Australia: Sound of the Earth (Audio CD)

This music is some of the most beautiful and spiritual Aboriginal music I think I have ever heard. Its very modern and upbeat, but at the same time has a definate connection to the Aboriginal culture. I can't stress this CD enough. If you are into New Age or World Music, you owe it to yourself to check this CD out.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very deep and powerful shamanic music, May 28, 2008

By 

earthworm (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Australia: Sound of the Earth (Audio CD)

This is music for communicating with the Spirits, with the Dreamtime, with the Australian Earth. This was my introduction to all three of these artists, and while I have pursued the music of all three, and all three have done amazing work, nothing that any of them has done separately seem to approach the depth of this album. Their synergy generated an extraordinary Power. (Sarah Hudson's unique and extraordinary cello solo, "Awakening the Earth," deserves special mention. I wish she would do a whole album of music like this, but it may have been uniquely inspired for the occasion.)

This is not very accessible music. It is not entertainment. It is not even especially pretty or pleasant. But as you tune into it, it can put you into a profound altered state.