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Editorial Reviews
2011 release, the sixth album from the Electronic/DJ duo. While never being pinned down stylistically but retaining a signature sound altogether, Culture Of Fear is just like all the rest. That is if you're counting on smart, consciously-centered music still bestowing plenty of appeal on the average listener. But the main difference is the energy. Culture of Fear's sophisticated lounge sound invites anyone and everyone to feel the music. It's only when you get past the satisfying, digestible shell of COF that you realize they really are feeding you vegetables under the table. Listening to this album is like cruising over a freshly paved side road with the blemishes and potholes representing anxiety and premonitions out of sight and out of mind. With more than enough justifications to feel paranoid and fearful in 2011, the future doesn't seem so scary when Thievery Corporation is interpreting it, at least not this time around.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By RP
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm a huge TC fan, and pre-ordered this CD. A *very* strong first two songs (powerful/groovy beats, cool sound effects, smart hip-hop lyrics) push the envelope of TC's creativity and range. There's also some fun reggae/dub sprinkled throughout the album.
Unfortunately, these highlights are offset by otherwise generic-sounding, uninspired, and somewhat redundant (compare Amazon's sample tracks #7 & #11, for example) sounds that dominate the rest of the album.
Overall, a decent electronica album, but for long-time TC fans who have set the bar high, I'd say nothing too innovative or exciting beyond approximately half the tracks.
Unfortunately, these highlights are offset by otherwise generic-sounding, uninspired, and somewhat redundant (compare Amazon's sample tracks #7 & #11, for example) sounds that dominate the rest of the album.
Overall, a decent electronica album, but for long-time TC fans who have set the bar high, I'd say nothing too innovative or exciting beyond approximately half the tracks.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By CMOS
Format:Audio CD
I started listening to Thievery Corp several years ago with the Mirror Conspiracy and Sounds from the Thievery Hi-Fi. Those works are hard to match and were the signature works of these artists IMO. So it's pointless to always compare the newest work to the signature works, as people are prone to do in every musical field. People didn't like Pink Floyd's Division Bell that much because it wasn't Meddle or Dark Side of the Moon. To me that's a pointless exercise. Look at each work on its own merits based on what you like. Sometimes it's great to get a familiar sound (with new instruments and details and arrangements) from the same artist, almost comforting. Sometimes it disappoints. Just depends on you and want you expect to happen.
For me, I didn't particularly like the last couple studio albums. I ended up buying 2 or 3 tracks from each and thought perhaps that was the best was past. But I have to say, after just a couple hours of listening to it, I really love this new album. It's familiar enough in the sound and musical themes (equal parts electronic chill, Marley-hop, and eerie female vocals) to bring me into that comfort zone I've been missing. (I liked Cosmic but parts of it felt over the top or too frantic or... something. Just didn't feel like Thievery to me.) But Fear is also new enough and interesting enough that I can really appreciate the new twists and feel how it flows together. There are parts in certain tracks that even remind me of old Pink Floyd or Doors instrumental riffs. It just speaks to me.
This isn't a collection of iconic sounds to sell records; this is a whole and possibly my second favorite Thievery work among everything they've done. I have a feeling I'll like it more the more I listen to it. Definitely worth the download.
For me, I didn't particularly like the last couple studio albums. I ended up buying 2 or 3 tracks from each and thought perhaps that was the best was past. But I have to say, after just a couple hours of listening to it, I really love this new album. It's familiar enough in the sound and musical themes (equal parts electronic chill, Marley-hop, and eerie female vocals) to bring me into that comfort zone I've been missing. (I liked Cosmic but parts of it felt over the top or too frantic or... something. Just didn't feel like Thievery to me.) But Fear is also new enough and interesting enough that I can really appreciate the new twists and feel how it flows together. There are parts in certain tracks that even remind me of old Pink Floyd or Doors instrumental riffs. It just speaks to me.
This isn't a collection of iconic sounds to sell records; this is a whole and possibly my second favorite Thievery work among everything they've done. I have a feeling I'll like it more the more I listen to it. Definitely worth the download.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Jolt de Bolt
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Yes,finally an album which is alive from these guys.
This is also my 7th album (i never abandonded the band) from Thievery and as soon as the first beat hits you'll get familiar sound, which is upbeat spacey and groovy. The good news is they are able to maintain that feel through the entire album with ups and downs. Overall, if you never heard this band before this is a good album to start with. If you been around for a while, then you'll have fun with Culture of Fear.
This is also my 7th album (i never abandonded the band) from Thievery and as soon as the first beat hits you'll get familiar sound, which is upbeat spacey and groovy. The good news is they are able to maintain that feel through the entire album with ups and downs. Overall, if you never heard this band before this is a good album to start with. If you been around for a while, then you'll have fun with Culture of Fear.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The first comparison that comes to my mind is thier DJ Kicks disk. This cd reminds me of that set a lot and I love it. Thievery went gangsta and political on 'Cosmic Game' and 'Radio Retaliation' which I am not complaining about at all. I actually saw them live 5 times in that time period and they killed it every time. Culture Of Fear reminds me of older Thievery, not as 'aggressive', quite pretty and melodic and overall just a great album.
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase
As with most people on here, it seems like everyone's been a fan of Thievery's for a long, long time. I think this new album 'Culture Of Fear' is fine, but it just doesn't really blow me away.
Culture Of Fear seems to be right on the cusp of being amazing. The songs all sound good/ good beats/ good vibe to them. But a lot of them don't really seem to ever take it that next level that I always (perhaps unfairly) expect them to take it to. On a lot of the songs I felt like a little something extra was just missing. I can't say that the entire album is very memorable to be honest.
I'm not saying this is by any means a bad album. On the contrary, it's definitely good and it's a lot better than most stuff you can buy nowadays. I just think this won't be a classic that I'll still be jones'ing to listen to several years from now, like most of their other material. For the true collectors and completionists, of course this is a must-purchase. For new listeners, I'm not 100% sold on this one.
Culture Of Fear seems to be right on the cusp of being amazing. The songs all sound good/ good beats/ good vibe to them. But a lot of them don't really seem to ever take it that next level that I always (perhaps unfairly) expect them to take it to. On a lot of the songs I felt like a little something extra was just missing. I can't say that the entire album is very memorable to be honest.
I'm not saying this is by any means a bad album. On the contrary, it's definitely good and it's a lot better than most stuff you can buy nowadays. I just think this won't be a classic that I'll still be jones'ing to listen to several years from now, like most of their other material. For the true collectors and completionists, of course this is a must-purchase. For new listeners, I'm not 100% sold on this one.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Greg B
Format:Audio CD
If it ain't broke don't fix it. And that's what TC does here. More great music from great composers.
Enough said, u listen and be the judge. fyi, There is a free stream out there.
Enough said, u listen and be the judge. fyi, There is a free stream out there.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Brilliant album. Really an eclectic mix of different genres of music (electronic/jazz/world). Dreamy&Upbeat, at times challenging. I don't know a lot of their old stuff, have listened to them here and then but this album has some great bass beats and reggae/dub tunes. A really good album to listen loud to whilst relaxing in the house. Also, an album that is relevant to our times - we are indeed breeding a culture of fear. Thievery corporation tell us not to 'succumb to the culture of fear'. Recommended!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Overview:
Culture of Fear is great. It took a few listens to really to get into it, but it is on par with the other great Thievery, original material albums (e.g. Mirror Consipiracy, Richest Man in Babylon, Cosmic Game). The female vocalist that does a majority of the vocals is just terriffic. The bass lines thoughout the CD are just killing. I'm not really a rap fan, but the one rap song (title track) was well done. The horns in the background are quite nice. There are not as much reggae and world touches as some of the more recent albums, but they are still there. For me the two keys to this album are the fantastic bass lines throughout and the female vocals. The 2nd half of the album is sooo much better than the first.
Song Highlights:
Tower Seven: For the two plus minutes or so this seems like a dreamy trance piece that doesn't go anywhere. Then out of nowhere they segue with a nice Asian keyboard lick and the bass kicks in. From here on out its a killer spacy trance sequence. I think when Thievery fans look back at this album, this track will be remembered as a classic. So smooth, but never too smooth.
Safar: So pretty. Middle Eastern sounding with pretty vocals that could be Russian, or Middle Eastern, I don't know. The only thing wrong with this song is its too short.
Free: Again the vocals kill, and the background music does too. Very dreamy, very "Massive Attack"-ish. Nice lyrics, reminds me of the first song from Babylon, but better.
I don't understand how Thievery fans critized this album. I think the last albums were just so good and people forget they get better with each listen.
Culture of Fear is great. It took a few listens to really to get into it, but it is on par with the other great Thievery, original material albums (e.g. Mirror Consipiracy, Richest Man in Babylon, Cosmic Game). The female vocalist that does a majority of the vocals is just terriffic. The bass lines thoughout the CD are just killing. I'm not really a rap fan, but the one rap song (title track) was well done. The horns in the background are quite nice. There are not as much reggae and world touches as some of the more recent albums, but they are still there. For me the two keys to this album are the fantastic bass lines throughout and the female vocals. The 2nd half of the album is sooo much better than the first.
Song Highlights:
Tower Seven: For the two plus minutes or so this seems like a dreamy trance piece that doesn't go anywhere. Then out of nowhere they segue with a nice Asian keyboard lick and the bass kicks in. From here on out its a killer spacy trance sequence. I think when Thievery fans look back at this album, this track will be remembered as a classic. So smooth, but never too smooth.
Safar: So pretty. Middle Eastern sounding with pretty vocals that could be Russian, or Middle Eastern, I don't know. The only thing wrong with this song is its too short.
Free: Again the vocals kill, and the background music does too. Very dreamy, very "Massive Attack"-ish. Nice lyrics, reminds me of the first song from Babylon, but better.
I don't understand how Thievery fans critized this album. I think the last albums were just so good and people forget they get better with each listen.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
favorite cd
this is definitely my favorite thing to listen to. no matter what mood I'm in - sad, happy, anxious, mellow. Read more
Published 2 months ago by mom12
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maybe best album yet...?
As an album, the songs present great continuity. And as always, TC has a nice range of sounds: from the funk-influence, to Mr. Lif's rhymes, to the soothing vocals of Ms. Lulu. Read more
Published 3 months ago by KERRY LAPREES
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Music.
My boyfriend can't stop listen to this CD he says that is best of Thiervy. He played all day. I highly recommended.
Published 5 months ago by Catalina Palma
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great one!
Thievery Corp never cease to amaze me! All of their albums are so diverse! I love that it has a political stand and a bit of underground hip hop feel to it. Read more
Published 17 months ago by mtheartist
1.0 out of 5 stars
Wash, rinse, repeat....Radio Retaliation all over again
Check out my review for Radio Retaliation. Same boring script here as well. There is no emotional attachment to the music, no depth. And again with the varied list of singers. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Justin C. Leblanc
4.0 out of 5 stars
Barbaro!
This is quite cool. I have many TC's CDs and this one meets expectations. Much better than "Radio Retaliation", without the annoying repetitive voices.
Published 18 months ago by La Reya
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thievery Corporation does it right!
Lou Lou Ghelichkhani and Sylvia Bernice Eberhardt are outstanding!
'Culture of Fear' is another solid Thievery Corporation album.
Check it out for yourself ..
'Culture of Fear' is another solid Thievery Corporation album.
Check it out for yourself ..
Published 18 months ago by Fritz
3.0 out of 5 stars
It was Ok....I tried...
I love the past T.C. cd's and listen to each one a few times per week. LOVE them! This cd was disappointing. I love T.C. and can't believe how dull this cd was. :(
Published 19 months ago by Lucy
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Thievery's Best
Thievery Corporation's albums seem to get better and better, and this one does not dissapoint. If you like any Thievery, you will like this album.
Published 20 months ago by Thomas L. Freier
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another winner...but Radio Retaliation still better
Thievery Corp never fails to impress me. This album has their signature sound, and not much variation from their last few albums. Read more
Published 21 months ago by drbenny
