Customer Reviews

Best of Agricantus

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This CD truly captures the sounds of Southern Italy at its best, while also incorporating other Mediterranean vibes. All of the songs on this album gracefully blend numerous languages with the sicilian dialect(since the band is from Palermo, Sicily), to form a type of music that is rare and refreshing.

This is a wonderful CD for just about everything: driving, dancing, relaxing, etc. It's a great combination of many Mediterranian influences, with elements derived from North Africa, Greece, and Italy. My only complaint it that it gets a little repetitive, and many of the songs sound very similar. If you like Mediterranian music with strong female vocals, I also suggest you check out Mammas. It's a little less percussion-heavy than Agricantus, but still very good.

Agricantus's CD is amazing. I saw them live in Rome four years ago. I went to a small intimate concert they gave, and their music is just amazing. They are awesome performers, so if you ever get to see them live, you will be amazed. Their musical virtuosity and love of music are evident in their performances. I think that you will appreciate their songs, even if you can't understand the words. One reviewer felt the songs were repetitive, but I think that comes with the territory of not understanding the meaning behind the words. I never got that impression from them when I saw them live. I wish more of their stuff was sold in the US!

The only problem after listening the Best of Agricantus is wanting desperately their previous material which is not available in the US. One has to wonder how this lack of distribution affects the most eclectic and powerful Italian band of the last years. If you dont mind the frustration, then dont fear the beauty of Agricantus.

I've got to confess I picked this one up because of the look of the cover and the blurb on the back without having heard anything, but I haven't regretted the purchase. Interesting, atmospheric and often high-intensity fusion of North African, southern Italian and eurodisco elements, topped off with a great female vocalist who seems to sing in every conceivable language. It could stand to lose some of the pulsating, "choral" synths but overall a very solid album, especially the pieces from their "Tuareg" project. Some of the dancier stuff has good, solid, bass-heavy beats. If you like Deep Forest, you'll like this.

Having heard track # 5 on the radio , I quickly ran and bought this CD. A greater disappointment than the one I experienced when listening to it is not imaginable...That this music incorporates influences from from the Middle East & Africa is total nonsense.True, some tracks begin with oriental flute melodies, but what follows are generic western rythms, primitive , repetitive, boring melodies ,smelling not of either thought or creativity, to speak nothing of oriental elements. But if you are looking for truly intoxicating music with strong vocals and exotic touch, check DEAD CAN DANCE ( Spirit Chaser or Into the Labirinth), and SORMA (The Mirage of the East).Both these groups are more impressing and individual that a million Agricantuses.

passionate, energetic, tight, clear, and a fusion of many different influences--satisfies a bunch of bugs at once, hypnotic

I am very diverse in my musicial taste's and habits. My experience with this album happened in Amsterdam,NE,the 25th of Dec.2002. While sitting in a very small cafe (Old Style) with my beatiful wife who's musicial taste's are much narrower.(brief injection;we own a small Native American shop and listen to alot of flute,drum,chant music every weekend upto 10 hrs. a day) We had arrived in Amsterdam that morning,settled in,and picked this cafe to begin our experience with. We had passed a dozen or so cafe's,with extreme Tecno type music emenating from them(wife'y not impressed).When we entered this cafe the music was of soft-med rock,unknown Euro origin,very pleasent.The next CD was this one,Very Relaxing.My wife and I were thoughly Impressed.After it finished I questioned the manager for the info.on this album, and he showed me this and other albums of the band.I came to amazon.com to purchase this album today(need a deal).I've read the other reviews on this CD,and actully agree with all. Yes it may get repetative,but most music does. All notes concedered I recommened this CD to all who have an open mind,and appreciate well performed sound.ALL MUSIC HAS A TIME AND PLACE.

This is an enlightening cd that made me feel all aspects of life. It combines sounds in a super dynamic style that can really set the mood.

This CD is the bomb for those who truly dig music from other cultures. Traditional music is given a twist with the added modern bass drum beats. The rhythm is rather hypnotic. You can either groove to it or drift off into never-neverland. If you like Deep Forest then you'll most definitly like Agricantus.