Customer Reviews

Australia: Sound of the Earth

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Long ago,I purchased this recording, the first of my digeridoo albums, because of its blend of electronic atmospherics and New Age/Ancient deep guttural traditional sound of the digeridoo and spirit catcher whirligig. It was among the first albums for David Hudson, who has made a major career playing the digeridoo. Since then, I have largely avoided mushy New Age electronica and prefer acoustic traditional instruments. Relistening to the recording, I find that it may serve well as a movie soundtrack but does not stand up alone because of the inconsistency and fuzzy ambience. It is best when Hudson plays solo, though track 5, The Initiation, when all three musicians perform, is very powerful. The earthiness and romantic sound of an ancient people make the album worthwhile, and it is significant by leading the way for more focused digeridoo albums. That it is still available indicates that it was among the better experimental fusions of the era.

Having been disappointed with "Space and Time," I was sorry that I had bought another S. Roach CD at the same time. So I went into this thing with a cranky, negative bias. But no! This thing is great! I came for the didg playing, and it's got that plenty strong. But there's also a "love of sound" going on hear that is a pleasure. I came back to buy a copy for a five year old friend of mime. This is an authentic "Must Hear" CD. Bravo! to Hudson and Bravo! to Roach.