Customer Reviews

Discord

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

 

 

This is a fantasic work, and this says a lot. I am not a big DJ Spooky fan, nor am I particularly fond of Ryuichi Sakamoto's pop music. But he certainly hit the nail on the head with Discord. In order to fully appreciate this album, you need to put aside an hour of your time, and listen to the CD from start to finish. It contains the most captivating melodies, beautiful contrasts, and truly mature, creative songwriting on the part of Sakamoto. This CD is proof that there is hope for a successful union of the classical and electronic worlds.

In 'Discord', Ryuichi Sakamoto captures Grief, Anger, Prayer and Salvation in haunting, searching instrumentals. 'Grief' is simply beautiful - the despair in the violins' cry counterpointed by the attempted consolation of the bass - the redoubled cries of the violins - you get the idea... 'Anger' is disjointed, aimless, powerful, then rythmic, then chaotic - I wouldn't like to see it's creator in a bad mood!! Probably the least accessible track on the album... but then again this is not an album made to be _completely_ accessible. 'Prayer' depicts a search for peace - a combination of tired bass and questioning oboe - with supportive piano and horn as the track progresses and uplifts a little... 'Salvation' begins with what sounds like a recording of a support group - sometimes this can be irksome, but Sakamoto uses the murmuring with a wave-like effect which builds expectancy for what is to come - a revisiting of the earlier themes in a more structured, peaceful composition, punctuated by poetic ramblings - the original melody from 'Grief' is reproduced, with the edge taken off with more instruments supporting the violins and a slight change in tone - a fitting and satisfactory conclusion to the album.

This is musical visualisation - occasionally whimsical, occasionally profound, always entertaining and thought-provoking.

I bought this album back in 1997, the week it was released, after seeing a video-streamcas't of Ryuichi's on the Internet from Winter Garden in New York City, where I was part of an audience that was responding to the performance from my computer mouse, which showed up on the screen behind Ryuichi, DJ Spooky and the classical orchestra. I was so blown away, that I freaked out for hours. This is one of the greatest treasures of modern music I have ever had the pleasure of taken part in watching live and from disc. Best of Best - A++

The music engulfs a spectrum of powerful emotional human experiences. Much of it is sad, and if you're feeling really happy and high, it will
not 'feel' good at all.

Listen to this when times aren't so great, and you will embrace it's beauty completely.

It is deep, very very deep - like the Marianas Trench deep.

It's goal is your Salvation.

Enjoy!

If you've ever seen Dancer in the Dark, you may as well consider this its unofficial soundtrack. At times you wonder WHEN the theme will alter itself so you can be reassured that your CD is not skipping. And other times you become so lost in the beauty of the sounds that you could listen to it forever. I recommend that you listen to the album at least once through before buying it, because once may be enough, or a hundred listens may just get you started.

With or without viewing the visual components of the enhanced CD, a listener will be swept away by these four very different movements. The enhanced graphics when viewed on a computer only add to the experience. This CD is truly transcendent, one of my favorites.

This re-defines Sakamoto for me. I had come to know this man as a talented musician who fell into a rut of writing second-rate pop tunes. Discord has turned everything on its head for me. Sakamoto is more than talented; in fact, he's more than a genius. He is a visionary.

This CD absolutely must be listened to all the way through right away. Set aside an hour of your time - you will not regret doing so. Grief will cause you sheer emotional anguish, Anger will [enrage you], Prayer will lift your eyes up, and Salvation will bring your soul and spirit up. This isn't religious music, but it speaks to our inner selves. In other words, it does what the greatest art is supposed to do: change us. Makes us learn and become better people.

So buy this CD. It rises above all the garbage that has come out in recent times. This is art in its truest and most beautiful form.

If you love Spookys twisted and dark sounds, then you should check out this disc. I found it very easy to just play the disc, all the way through without getting restless. Tracks #2,4,5 have a unique and captive sound. These were my favourites from this selection. If your in the need to add some DJ Spooky to your diet, check this out...

For me this cd wasen't really that good. The tracks on the cd describes the music but personaly I think the album was too monotone and dull especially the track Grief. The second track Anger is too noisy and in Salvation you hear a dialogue. I like fare better his other works like (Rain, A day a Gorilla.., Acceptance and Merry Christmas...)
So if you like his more known works from films I would not buy this cd unless I first had listened to it.
And if you need a track like Anger try the soundtrack (Requiem for a Dream) instead.

As you can expect this is an excelent work of Mr. Sakamoto. Always different and eclectic but once you hear this, you really will like it.

Sakamoto embraces a world of feelings here. You can sit and listen, you will become anger or prayer. The music swallows you up like an torrenting ocean of warm rain. You can't do anything but let it wash over you.