Cosmogramma

Flying Lotus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warp Records
• ASIN: B003ATUFSK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,756 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

When global bass music matriarch Mary Anne Hobbs recently told The Fader ''Flying Lotus, for me,is like the Hendrix of his generation'', it seemed more than an audacious opinion, and with the arrival of Cosmogramma, it's revealed as a revelation. In the past couple of years since his debut album, Los Angeles, Flying Lotus has grown into the position of being far more than a producer, he has helped materialize a far-reaching strain of musical ideology that has encompassed not only a global family of like-minded artists, but also a nearly infinite palate of planetary (and interplanetary) sonics. No longer simply an outgrowth of Ellisona's machines, the music here is also the product of live instrumentalists from the worlds that Cosmogramma engages. There's the constant bass presence of ''Thundercat'', a cornerstone of Sa-Ra Creative; there's Rebekah Raff's harp connecting the dots between the music of Harry Partch and Ghostface Killah (both of which she's performed); there's an appearance by the tenor sax of Steven's cousin and jazz royalty, Ravi Coltrane, and by the voice of one Thom Yorke, an Oxford bloke taking respite from singing in the most influential rock band of the 21st century.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Continuing to push the realms of possibility... one head nod at a time, May 5, 2010

By 

Scott D. Gribble (Baltimore MD) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cosmogramma (Audio CD)

I don't think its fair to review and rate an album such as this after only one day's listen... it's simply too dense. However, I can't help but offer my initial impressions to those of you still debating or waiting to get your copy.

While Los Angeles has its roots still sample based Hip-Hop, had dashes of Trip-Hop and Electronica, Cosmogramma goes beyond the far reaches of any boxed genre I can think of. The closest I can relate it to is avant garde jazz w/ some futuristic head nodding space grooves. A feeble attempt at classifying something that could very well be a considered a new genre. I know it's been said before about some of his work, but now so more than ever does FlyLo make that argument legit.

What I'm not struggling with is the pure genius that bleeds through the speakers in many of the small moments. The first couple of tracks didn't leave a huge impression on me, but as with the last LP, helps set the stage for stronger cuts like "A Comic Drama" and "Zodiac S*!!". Both are your "typical" solid FlyLo tracks. At that point the album could have coasted and probably still have been a solid 3rd album effort... but all of a sudden we get the intense build of "Computer Face//Pure Being" kicking it up notches beyond dope. The Nintendo generation will have shades of "Mega Man" esq loops interlaced and woven all throughout the track. Never missing a beat from thereon out, the album is loaded with those "holy s$!!" moments of musical ecstasy and you find yourself lost. From the head jerking "Recoiled", the interlocking drums on "Arkestry" to the woozy groove and lush strings of "Do the Astral Plane"; I find myself torn: drawn to each song in its own right and yet never fully being able to commit to a strong favorite above the rest. The sublime "German Haircut" is another blessing w/ Ravi Coltrane providing smooth Tenor Sax to the mix. Heavy synths and keys on "Dance of the Pseudo Nymph" require as much deep concentration as it does a mandatory nod of the skull. All the way up until "Galaxy in Janaki" (which also stands out as an epic symphonic conclusion to the performance) this piece of music captivates your attention and commands your eardrum. I will say that the vocal performances to me are not as tight as on LA, but it may be because the production simply overwhelms them here. I find myself clinging to the harps, strings, bass cords and yes... the table tennis match instead of vocals by Thundercat and the return collaboration of Laura Darlington. Even the welcome appearance of Yorke seems to serve its purpose as better exposure for FlyLo as apposed to actually adding the significant value you would think. Not to say that these players don't bring anything to the table. They are merely servants to FlyLo's bag of tricks, rightfully never able to wrestle the beat away from his control. He creates a beautiful canvas of sound that seamlessly moves from neck breaking to deeply satisfying grooves. Before you know it, you're constantly skipping back to pick out your favorite moments, only to vanish again in the overall flow of the album. Call it blasphemy, but Cosmogramma gives me the same feelings I got when I first heard Endtroducing... back in late '97; an album where I'm still trying to peel back all the layers even today.

There is still plenty I need to digest here, but my initial feeling is that I will love this album for years to come. Those wanting more of the same FlyLo might find their boundaries being pushed forward into unexpected realms of musical imagination. Although I am hesitant to award any fresh purchase high praise before experiencing its long term enjoyment... right now this has me in a strangle hold.
(9/10)

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting Better, May 12, 2010

By 

E-CLoud "E-Cloud" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cosmogramma (Audio CD)

I've heard some people say this album is Flying Lotus' least accessible album and others say it's his most accessible album. I don't really know. I do know that this album had much more work put into it and you can tell. I love albums where you can consistently hear new things in the music each time you listen to it, and this is one of those albums. It has the usual Flying Lotus synth sounds, 8-bit sounds, ever changing drum beats, solid bass, weird unidentifiable sounds, occasional vocals, etc.... but I LOVE the addition of the live bass guitar, harp, and strings scattered throughout. He definitely imitates the Alice Coltrane sound on two songs, and they are beautiful nonetheless. The difference between L.A. and Cosmogramma is like the difference between Miles Davis' In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew. Cosmogramma is like a rocket launch into new territories, utilizing new instruments and a more cacophonous approach, much like Bitches Brew did. It's a great album, and it helps if you are into some of the "cosmic jazz" influences like Alice and Sun Ra. Flying Lotus is headed in the right direction, exploring anything his imagination conjures up, and I hope he goes further.

22 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Progressive, innovative? Yes. Better? No., August 4, 2010

By 

Derek Young (Baltimore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cosmogramma (MP3 Download)

3.5 Stars.

I've been listening to a lot of IDM, instrumental hip hop, off-beat electronic music, for the last 15 years, and far from being settled into a sound I love hearing new approaches and new ideas. FlyLo's Cosmogramma apparently falls into the same problem as Aphex Twin's later drill 'n bass albums, or Squarepusher's lamer albums. There are cool ideas. There are great sounds. There is even some great composition. But there are not many great songs. The album is cohesive, sure, but cohesively mediocre. One of the treats of electronic music is the possibility of variety, but Cosmogramma seems to be infused with a prankster mentality, as an interesting song idea will pop up and then WHAM HERE'S A SYNTH WITH THE SAME SAW PATCH AGAIN! HAHA! and then we take a breather as FlyLo toys with some melodies and drum 'n bass rhythms and then HEY HERE'S A CRAZY BASS GUITAR WHOA! and that's that. Sorry, I heard those tricks back in the late 90s, and they were annoying then too.

But the album is consistent; listening to it from start to finish is more worthwhile than picking out any particular song, with three exceptions. Do The Astral Plane is fun and a definite standout, and Nose Art is probably the best of the hyperactive jumbly tracks . Recoiled is sublime, and worth buying by itself. And Table Tennis isn't as good as other Laura Darlington tracks but is still nice.

Maybe FlyLo got bored. Much of the album sounds like he set a personal challenge and then recorded the result, which while not terrible is generally not very good either. Maybe he was trying for more of a jazz approach? Well, jazz is best with a memorable head and strong solos, none of which are here. He definitely seemed bored with his "dubby bass" sound, as there is a decided lack of bass frequencies in the album. I think FlyLo could do some interesting things if he continues to pursue this direction in his music, which makes me excited for his next album, but Cosmogramma will remain the "You could see him moving towards greatness without reaching it" album.

Editing to add: After owning the album for a few months, I will add it to the "grows on you" category. I still feel that there is an uneven mix here, and Thundercat's bass playing does nothing for me, but the album makes me very optimistic for FlyLo's next release.