Customer Reviews

Duality

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

How this composition has failed to make it big in the US is beyond me. While composers like Loreena and Enya sell by the truckful, true musicians like Lisa Gerrard are hardly heard of at all. Lisa was once part of Dead Can Dance, a group that had dozens of unforgettable albums before disbanding.

'Duality' opens wonderfully, with what I would call second to only the opening witnessed on 'The Mystic's Dream' by Loreena. The track in question is 'Shadow Magnet' a rather long but ultimately fruitful song that stays with you long after you've listened to it. So is 'Tempest' - a soaring, absolutely enthralling track, made only more beautiful by Lisa's stunning vocals.

For all those who buy 'Duality' and expect to find lyrics to the songs, don't bother looking. The beauty of Lisa's work, both here and in her previous 'The Mirror Pool', is that she chooses to sing in languages not easily accessible (such as primitive Polynesian) and most often gives that up in favor of phonetic chanting. This is especially enchanting as Lisa shows us that music is indeed wordless, and can remain so even when a vocal is in full effect. I cant think of a single musician who could manage to pull this off through the course of an entire album.

Make Lisa's 'Duality' a priority on your next music list. Chances are, you wont at all be disappointed. If you liked Loreena, you'll love Gerrard's work, which is at once more experimental, and definitely more accomplished. While Lisa will perhaps never become a household name, works such as 'Duality' deserve more recognition. Any contemporary New Age performer's works pale in the face of this remarkable recording. I listened to this album, and then played most of Enya's works just to see what the most striking difference was, and it turned out that Lisa scored higher on every level : musically, vocally, and technically. The production value on this CD is flawless, and certainly worth referring to.

All in all, a splendid album, and the only thing in the last few years that has really caught my attention (I'm rather picky). I can't recommend this enough.

Ten stars, if possible.

I was never a fan of 'Dead can Dance' only because I'd never heard them. But a friend of mine saw that I liked Caroline Lavelle and said: "I think you'll like this album." Let me just say, I've never put this album away and had to replace it twice (once was worn and broken, once a boyfriend stole my copy.) I think I have yet to find someone I know who will listen to it and it doesn't move them somewhat.

This album is incredibly atmospheric. It's one of those beautiful and lovely CDs that you can put on at night in the summer with the windows open and light lots of candles -- actually it's what we did and just had a bottle of wine talking with this in the background thoroughly enjoying the music of Duality.

It is a combination of Eastern, tribal and classical music in my opinion. Specific songs in particular to really revel in would be: Shadow Magnet, Forest Veil, the Human Game, and the Unfolding is very VERY moving if you listen at a louder volume.

I adore this album and have yet to find another like it. For those of you who are Dead Can Dance fans, I don't know what to tell you but I like her solo work. For those out there who are Loreena, Enya or Caroline Lavelle fans, check out Lisa Gerrard and enjoy. This music is good for atmosphere, meditation and something different. Highly recommended.

After wearing Gladiator out (i just left it on repeat for about 4 months) I wanted something to follow it up with. As I already had lots of Hans Zimmer CDs, I decided to check out Lisa Gerrard. Duality is very diffrent from what i usually listen to, but i decided to take a risk... let me tell you. it was WELL WORTH IT! Lisa's vocals are just as vibrant as in Gladiator, and although i've never listened to "Dead Can Dance", i will certainly check it out now! I advise anyone with a real appreciation for music to buy this CD!

I've been an obsessed fan of Dead Can Dance since about 1984. Lisa Gerrard's voice is so beautiful that she has brought me to tears on several occasions. This album is wonderful. My favorite is Sacrifice, which is full of so much emotion, and is so moving, it puts little goose bumps on my arms. The Unfolding and The Comforter are also amazing. So is the whole album. It's a must have for anyone who enjoys beautiful music. I look forward to another colaboration by Lisa and Pieter. Duality fits them perfectly.

Lisa Gerrard's voice is so fantastic and varied here, which provides an excellent listening experience. I was amazed by some of the ranges she could sing, including some where she sounds as deep as a man. This factor only enhances the experience. This entire album can be confidently refered to as a "experience" because she transfers you to some exotic middle eastern location. Some songs have fantastic beats that accompany her middle eastern rythms. However, the best songs are those that take on a Placido Domingo like quality with stirring voices and orchestra. Two tracks in particular, the Unfolding and the Sacrifice, are excellent examples of how beautiful her music can be. I recommend this cd for all due to its magnificence.

Wow. This is an amazing recording. For those who found the voice of Lisa Gerrard in the movie Gladiator a memorable experience, this CD of that lady and her partner Pieter Bourke will be a definite treat. Duality is a collection of truly haunting pieces, some with a joyous intensity, some with a religious fervor, some with a sense of militant "nationality." Despite the fact that the "words" have no meaning in a linguistic sense, they connect with the heart, proving that all human sounds communicate at some level. A wonderful experience. I expect to buy some of their other work too.

First, I'm new to Lisa Gerrard. I first heard a snippet of this album on the radio while driving and nearly went off the road. I *had* to know what it was. Eventually, I tracked it down and bought the CD.

What a creative, unique album, a sonic landscape of ideas and dreams. One of the few pop (?) albums that never seems to grow stale, even after repeated listenings. Its layers and moods keep you involved. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Well, unlike most people writing reviews here, I never really cared for Dead Can Dance. I guess I just didn't get it. But I really do like this album. The music is great for relaxing, cooling down after a stressful day in the modern world, taking a break, thinking deeply, reading, or winding down at the end of the day. But it's not shallow or sentimental; it's deep, haunting, and spiritual in the old-fashioned, strong sense of that word. If you enjoy new age music, this is a good CD for you.

Even if you're not a Dead Can Dance fan!

I bought this after sampling it at Borders about three years ago, and can't seem to stop playing it. It was a perfect introduction to Lisa Gerrard's vocals and melodies; previous attempts to appreciate DCD were met by lukewarm response from my ears. I think this CD is best listened to at night above all else--my best friend and I played it at top volume while driving in a convertible down a wooded two-lane road through Oak Creek Canyon, AZ on a night where you could still make out the mountainous landscape in the light from the swollen moon. "Shadow Magnet" is the most haunting, vibrant track on this album, with a middle-eastern, swirling sound. It sounds almost the way a dancing flame looks. "Human Game" rises to a breathtaking crescendo. This album is simply rapturous, and serves as excellent background music for anyone interested in writing fantasy fiction or just reading it. Most of the songs blend together very well, so that when you are listening to the entire album you don't even notice the tracks changing because of the strong overall ambient effect.
Also, the reviewer who posted the story about playing this album while giving birth has given me a wonderful idea for the future.
I can't wait for Lisa & Pieter's next album, whenever that will be. Someone please tell me there will be another album!

I love this cd and would recommend it to anyone who is tired of "ordinary" music. So much of what is popular today in music sounds so alike that it's hard to distinguish the differences. This is not the case with Lisa Gerrard. I won't be an idiot and try to describe her voice or her music to you, I will only say I absolutely love this cd. I was afraid to buy it at first because it was something "different" and I didn't know much about her style. The few samples I have are from my Gladiator and Ali Sound-Track cds, I fell in love with her voice then. I am so glad I ordered this cd. Some of the songs are almost painful to listen to, her voice is amazing beyond belief.