Customer Reviews

Daft

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There has never been another group like the Art of Noise, and all their best work is on this CD. It includes the whole first album, with the original long versions of "Close To The Edit" and "Beatbox", as well as the rare EP "Into Battle", plus the lush remixes of "Moments In Love" that were originally released as a 12" single. Sadly, the group rapidly went into artistic stagnation from the second album onwards (covering "Peter Gunn" was never going to rock the world), as they merely repeated their unique sound to less effect every time. Even worse were the techno makeovers of their music in the 90's, which bore no relation to the original style. Their remarkable and innovative genius is completely showcased in this must-have package.

I can't say that I am a huge AoN fan, but I bought this CD for a few of the tracks on it which I have heard and like. They're all on it and are the versions I was looking for, hence the five stars. In particular, this alblum has three versions of "Moments In Love", including the *very popular* 7" version ("Love", track No. 1) that a lot of people have heard on the radio (yes, the one that has gotten a *lot* of radio airplay, not the other versions which some find disappointing). For those who are solely interested in this version of this song, the CD is worth it. For others who like different AoN tracks (myself included), this CD is also for you. Too bad the Maxx Headroom version of "Paranoimia" isn't on this CD as it is one of my personal favorites. Otherwise, I found this to be a great buy.

With their combination of production wizardry, experimentalism and ability to make a hummable tune out of just about anything, The Art Of Noise were as pretentious as their name suggests, but a whole lot more fun. This compilation takes in all the essential early stuff the group did on their original label ZTT - not only the whole of their first proper LP "Who's Afraid Of The Art Of Noise?" but also the pick of their debut EP "Into Battle" and a couple of (excellent) 12" mixes of the classic "Moments In Love".

The Fairlight sampler was the group's instrument of choice (indeed the Art Of Noise were one of the first groups to bring the sampler to public attention) and their use of "found sounds" is ingenious and often surprisingly danceable, particularly on the breakout hits "Close To The Edit" and "Moments In Love". The fact that the latter track has appeared on a million "moods"-type compilation albums is testament to its sheer loveliness, but it is all too easy to forget what a brilliantly-constructed piece of music, and of art, it really is. Hearing it alongside a selection of The Art Of Noise's other work gives a whole new perspective on it, and reminds you that there is an underlying sinister-ness to it, all clanking prison chains and insistent "now! now! now!" hectoring.

This combination of beauty and cruelty is a common Art Of Noise trick, employed to good effect on tracks like the atmospheric "Realisation" and military-themed "In The Army Now" and "A Time For Fear". Even their catchiest moment, "Close To The Edit", misquotes poet Robert Browning's "Home Thoughts From Abroad" in a distinctly unsettling way.

But lest anyone should think the Art Of Noise were all about darkness, it should be pointed out that there's a lot of light here too - the joyful "Snapshot" (present in extended form) and the wonderful, endlessly inventive "Beatbox Diversion One" will put a smile on anyone's face and a tapping in anyone's feet.

On the down side, this material is nearly 20 years old now, and it shows. The experimental pop noise of yesteryear cannot be expected to still sound state-of-the-Art two decades on. Even so, it's hard not to marvel at the imagination that went into this music. It may sound a little dated in the 21st century, but the beats still work, and when you hear "Daft" you know that what you're getting is the true, original article.

This is an essential for the AoN fans of the older Zang Tumm Tumb days....it is actually a conglomeration of three records: Into Battle, Who's Afraid, and the Moments In Love maxi-EP containing four versions of the fabled track. I find it extremely convenient to have all these wonderful and timeless tracks on one CD, but I have one major quibble which prevents me from giving it all five stars: Why the absence of the original Beat Box? Since Into Battle is no longer available in the states, it is quite difficult to find the original version of Beat Box, and are left instead with the silly and long-winded "Diversion One" which is found on damn near every AoN compilation I've seen. Luckily I have Into Battle on vinyl, but it would have been nice to have this one on digital. Overall, a must-have for the conniseur of fine electronic music and art-rock. The Art Of Noise meddle...the Art Of Noise bang and clang..... Between Jest And Earnest....between love and war....between now and then......Hummmmm along with the AoN!

I've got this album several years ago, but every time I listen it is like the first.
An album where genius and experimentalism are the map traced by Anne Dudley and JJ Jeckzalik, coadiuvated by Trevor Horn.
Now the Fairlight CMI is a prehistoric instruments, but it's voice still make me wonder every time I listen for an old Art of Noise's song.
This album is higly recomended to whom want to listen the quintessential of a way to perform music mixed by genius.

Sort of a mini-best-of, featuring AoN's one album for the ZTT label (WHO'S AFRAID OF) and other choice cuts from 12" singles and their mini-LP INTO BATTLE. The extra tracks make for a great listen. Three versions of Moments of Love is one too many - I'd ditch the first or second, 'cause "Three Fingers" is excellent. Even my mom likes this album, so I'll recommend it to pretty much anyone.

A great selection of music from the Art of Noise (AON). I remember when I heard "Close to the Edit" the first time in '84. These English people had a hit on their hands - and me as a fan. My favorite song from AON is "Moments in Love." Let me be frank - it was a perfect slow song until that weird transition about 3/4 of the way through the song. Nonetheless, it's a song I will never forget! Five stars for AON and 'Daft!'

The first track, Love, is the track that got substantial play on all of the "smooth jazz" radio stations. This track is sublime. The remainder of the album is exactly as the name implies...a series of squeaks, chirps, groans, and burps; arguably artsy, in its own eclectic way. If you like that sort of thing, you'll love this album. But if you have heard the first track on the radio, don't buy the album on the strength of that song, as it is not at all representative of the remainder of the album, and you will be disappointed.

Art Of Noise is not one of those you can walk into a media store and pick off the shelf anymore.

You can all say what you want but with the original version of Beat Box, this compilation is six stars on a five star scale, period!!! It is a good compilation otherwise but one gets the sense that something is missing (& it is!!!) For this compilation the original beat box (NOT the "Diversion One" version) BELONGS on this CD. It DEMANDS inclusion!!!! While still good, for this reason (& this reasoning is MORE than sufficient) I can only give it 3 stars. Get the "And what have you done with my body, God" Box Set instead!