Customer Reviews

Bicyc & Tricycles

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

 

 

I would say that, on a coarse-grained sort of analysis, there have been three main phases so far for the Orb, this latest album belonging to the third of those phases. The first phase began when the artists essentially invented (culling, of course, from earlier influences) ambient techno as it exists today in all of its annoyingly labeled and demarcated forms. In those olden days for electronic music--i.e., the early nineteen-ninties--repetitive beats were the norm, and the Orb came along and produced multiple, complex and "spaced-out" layers in their songs, creating (believe it or not) atmospheric techno, stuff that could actually be enjoyed outside of the dance-hall and appreciated as works of art in their own right.

Then came (my personal favorite of the group's changing style) the more experimental and complicated second phase, beginning with Pomme Fritz and ending with the (arguably) unmatched ambient masterpiece Orbvs Terrarvm. Losing the assistance of the former partner Thrash seemed to have a large effect on the group's commitment to less-beat-oriented-and-more-delicate-sound-dedicated approach, as the following LP Orblivion (the beginning what I call here the third phase) marked a return to oldOrb-style techno while keeping the mastery over complicated layering that was their trademark sound by the second phase, not to mention the amusing sampling that made for transitions between tracks. But by this stage, tracks became much shorter (losing the expected, Orb-esque exploration of a musical idea through fifteen minutes of odd samples and atmospheric synths) and by the time this phase reached Cydonia, Paterson et al. began trying on lyrics for size (not the best lyrical work in the world, but the music on its own more than made up for the lyrical slack; besides, there have been worse electronic acts whose attempts at lyrical work have failed far more miserably than in this album (see, e.g., FSOL's The Isness)).

Bicycles and Tricycles is an album that has much of the qualities unique to this latter phase, but it also has the feel that it is only a sort of first draft by the Orb's own set precedent. For one, the album lacks much of the complexity that is standard in almost all of their earlier works, with the exception of their first album. Tracks such as "Gee Strings" move on and on without much of the background randomness that is characteristic of similar pieces as "Asylum" or "Ghostdancing." Also, something about the mixing of the album just doesn't feel like a typical Orb album--the proportion of bass and treble is not right on a few tracks ("Prime Evil" seems this way to me, at least). Moreover, much like Cydonia, this album has less an organized, coherent theme as does the earthy, natural Terrarvm or the spacey, alien U.F.Orb. Instead, B&T has the feel of a collection of very separate, small articles the crew had been toying with for some time but had not developed into their own full form, and this leaves the listener with the sense of having been briefly introduced to some set of random thoughts rather than taken through a whole treatise, as was the usual effect of their previous work.

All of that aside, there are certainly tracks that make B&T a worthwhile collection. "The Land of Green Ginger" makes a reappearance (originally on the Back to Mine installment), this time with a slight make-over on the narration and a more island-style ending. "Hell's Kitchen" is very unlike any other Orb piece I am familiar with (with the possible exception of "Promis"), but is nevertheless an enjoyable track. The closing "Dilmuin" bears some similarity to the elegant, minimalist Speith piece "You Don't Fool Me," while the two-part "Orb is" & "Now here" (this latter on the Japanese release only) has a clear political theme, which is unusual for this particular group. All in all this album marks a good ending to the third phase for the Orb, and hopefully indicates a return to the beginning of the cycle (the sooner to the second phase, the better).

After Cydonia, the ORb's last album got panned by the reviewers (quire unfairly) I didn't think they'd be back. But thankfully they are, and with an album quite unlike anything else.
This is a mix between Orblivion and Cydonia, if anything. Alex Paterson and co have ironed out some of their more self indulgent moments to create an album with less huge tracks, and less tiny tracks.
The album starts off quite oddly, with "From a Distance" which is a massively commercial song, and features a guy from TheKLF. It's not bad indeed and would be a good track to release as a single.
The next track "The Land Of Green Ginger" is a terrific ambient dub masterpiece with well placed samples and a good melody. So far, so good.
"Hells Kitchen" is another good track, a sweeping sound matched with faux-sci-fi trumpets. A really interesting attempt, which gets better with every listen.
"Gee Strings" however, is an irritating, overlong track which drags on for 6 minutes before ending terrifcally with a trademark hilarious Orb sample.
"Prime Evil" doesn't improve either. It's a fascinating attempt at goth-dance but really just becomes too freaky. It's more of an album filler than anything. It has character but isn't an easy listen.
"Orb Is" is a real grower. At first it is a disappointment but with repeat listens it is fantastic. Swirly melodies and a great atmospher epropell this track to one of the tracks best moments.
UInfortunately, "Abstractions", "L.U.C.A" and "Tower Twenty Three" are bitterly disappointing, and are meandering electronica, more fillers. They are gentle background music but nothing ground breaking like we are used to by The Orb.
Even though Tower Twenty Three is disappointing, the tracks either side of it are simply brilliant!
"Compania" is a really eerie dub track, quite short but with massive impact, and the end track "Dilmun" is the beacon for the album; the one utterly top class track, worthy of a place on any Orb album.
In summary, buy the album because there are enough tracks on it worthy of a listen. People new to The Orb will find quite a few tracks enjoyable, Orb hardcore fans will probably at first hate it, but it turns into a GOOD record, with great moments after a few listens. Not the orb's greatest album, but free from orb's erratic past. The most consistent album to date, but the one with the least impact.

I actually find this one more enjoyable than "Cydonia". There's only 2 tracks with no beats. This I found odd, but there are ambient breaks in a few tracks. "From a Distance" is the commercial track that most Orb fans might not enjoy as much as the others. "The Land Of Green Ginger" is nice, but from "Orb is" is where the album really takes off. I've read that it takes a few listens to enjoy it more. It did for me as well. Some struck me immediately as brilliance. "Abstractions" and "Hell's Kitchen" are two of them. The songs are on the short side, but it's content are packed with imagination, beauty & excitement.I wish those in the dark could find samples of the songs. But if you are a long time fan like myself, I'm sure you will not be disappointed. A US or even Euro edition will not be released until next year, so you may as well treat yourself.From the Land of Green Ginger,RenePS - if you buy the cd, you'll understand my review title.

It was quite hard to imagine how excited when I got the Japanese version of this album complete with 'From A Distance Lyrics', but my excitement turned to mild disappointment on listen. For one is the change in style from spacey, ambient dub to 'plain' electronica. However this is not a bad record, it isnt a brilliant record, it has its moment of pure genius, it has its moments of failures.

From A Distance is the most commercial Orb track since Toxygene, and is very danceable although a bit silly. It has some furiously catchy hooks, but oddly reminded me of Faithless. Land of Green Ginger is the most ambient dub piece on the album, and a work of pure invention. Brilliant samples carry this track and is a signature Orb tune. It gets better with Hell's Kitchen a fantastic dance tune with outrageous melodies and sci-fi trumpets - which in this context a great thing! Gee strings is a very repetitive track, with samples getting quiter and then louder over and over again. Still good though.

Prime Evil is pretty much S A L T part 2, but a weird attempt at gothic dance, its ok I guess. Orb Is is pure electronica with trademark Orb samples. This is a nice interesting track. The rest of the album is filler and not worth mentioning bar some nice noises in Abstractions and the glorious finale Dilmun. This is pure classic, vintage Orb and stunningly beautiful to finish off the album with.

So to sum hardly the Orb's finest hour and probably will go down as one of their weakest moments. The Orb are that great that even that isnt bad. It's just not up there with Orblivion, Cydonia or Adventures...

I think four stars is fitting, yes...

This album is good.

No, it's great. It has a fault though.
The Orb has been my all time favourite musical act for three years now, and I've loved each album released so far.
The thing I didn't like about this CD on first listen is the quailty, or so called "Atmosphere" of the music has changed. It sounds much rougher than the music from Cydonia or Orblivion.
One thing I really liked about it was that The Orb has touched I think probably all of thier roots. The track "Dilmun" reminds me of "Back Side Of The Moon," the track "Tower 23" reminds me of "Towers of Dub," "From a Distance" reminds me of "Once More," or "Little Fluffy Clouds," and the track "L.U.C.A." is reminicant of "S.A.L.T." and "Majestic."
But leave it to The Orb to always have something new in stock for us, "Hell's Kitchen" and "Gee Strings" are both completely original Orb tracks, like managed on each album so far.

This release is particularly good, and you should definatley buy it, but I would wait for the US release because it's supposed to have a longer version of "Compania" and a completely new track, and the actual album releases are normally a little less expensive than the imports.
So I suppose what I'm saying is you don't necessarily NEED this one yet unless you're a die hard Orb fan. (Like me)

But yes, like I said, Four stars about sums it up. If you're new to the Orb, chances are you might want to go for Orblivion or Cydonia first.

First off don't pay any attention to those other schlub's that wine that this album doesn't sound like other Orb albums. What a shocker that Dr. Paterson and Mr. Fehlmann made some new music that sounds different than the music they have made in the past. I get very tired of people that complain when an artist goes in a new direction or puts a different style of song on an album. I wonder if all these people just sit in their basement and listen to old Kraftwerk albums because nothing sounds like Trans Europe Express. Why would someone that enjoys music be angry that we can now enjoy a perfect dance tune by The Orb, "From a Distance" is a ultimo solid dance track, and chances are anyone who likes The Orb, loved dance tunes similar to this one in the early 90's. I say embrace your roots, and stop being so elite-o. This album was yet another fine Orb album, which I will enjoy for years to come, and it was a fantastic purchase, well worth the cost.

"From a Distance" may be the WORST song I have EVER heard. I am serious, this is barely an exaggeration. I had to play it again before I wrote this to ensure I am correct. It is making my ears bleed as I type. There are rumors the album is being remixed for the UK and US release. I am hoping this song is dropped because I actually like all the other songs I've heard from the album. Anyone who says this song is okay needs to have their song/album critiquing revoked.

One last note, "From a Distance" may go down as the worst song in history. BTW, the orb is by favorite 'band' I usually give alex the benefit of the doubt, but this is where I draw the line, nauseating.