Customer Reviews

O Earthly Gods

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Considering most of the music I buy is hiphop or DJ, I was surprised that I liked this CD as much as I did. It was an impluse buy at one of those book/music megastore/coffehouse joints, the kid at the music counter had it playing. When I listened to the whole thing I was very impressed. While this entire CD's not gold, there is a marked lack of crap. While I have nothing else of this genre to compare it to, the music was very accessible to me as lush, quasiethnic background noise, different from the norm but with just enough bass and rhythm to occasionally bop a head to a track. If nothing else this is one of the few CDs I own that I don't wind up skipping songs on when I play it in the car.

This Cd is the best Cd I own (and I own about 400). Shane O'Madden is an unbelieveable musican who has the power of casting a mythic and mystical spell with music. The celtic, gypsy and world beats combined with beautiful and haunting voices is so fluid and transforming, that each song has a personality of it's own. This combines so many facets that it is appropriate to listen to for relaxation, while driving or while making love. If you are interesting in purchasing a CD by Govinda, I would purchase this CD first. I did, and now I own the majority of their catalog. This is a (band) that needs and deserves more exposure. I highly recommend this CD, it will transform your spirit and ravage your soul.

Hush!

A full moon is rising...

All stare in splendid wonder as the sun falls and the night slowly covers the promising sky to embrace the glories of blissful darkness...

A violin dares to break the silence now and all turn to look as the beautiful sound becomes more fervent and exotic! Bodies begin to sway with the timeless beat and a fire rages as the people rejoice in the afterglow of Govinda!

"Oh Earthly Gods" is Shane O'Madden's first international release with Earthtone records and is surprisingly his most diverse work to date. Many describe this particular album as being gypsy music but it features a vast array of genres (spanish, celtic, middle eastern, egyptian - all layered atop subtle trip-hop), which are sure to appeal to modern world fans.

I own close to 300 CDs now (many of which are in the same vein as this) and often forget about certain ones but I always seem to return to Govinda! Shane was definitely born with a gift to be envied of and I wouldn't be surprised if even the angels weep when they attune their ears to the intoxicating spellbounds of him playing! His remarkable talents as a classical violinist sweep across my senses and fill my mind with such sweet serenity as his sensual string melodies envelope and transform my essense into a transporter of sorts, for his music takes me on a journey that is pure ecstasy! I suppose this would be good to make love to (as another reviewer stated) but you could also listen to it while meditating. Or, better yet, I've been toying around with some bellydancing lately (thanks to a good friend of mine) and this is always my first choice as it inspires me to move!

If you're new to Govinda than I recommend buying his albums as they were released. Then you can openly grow with his changes without be disappointed because, that way, you'll learn to be a little more accepting to experimentation. "Erotic Rhythms From Earth" is a phenomenal album (definitely his most sexiest!) but he turns in the prominent direction of using his influence in trip-hop to a higher, more explored level.

I personally find the spiritualness of "Entwined & Entranced" to be his most impressive record but "Oh Earthly Gods" comes very close and is highly recommended!

and guitar with ethnic styles from Spain, India and Ireland all woven into textures of deep groove, ambience and modern psychedelia." from the cd pamphlet.

Wow! I am a violinist and I've played about all types of music one can play on the violin but Shane O'Madden's style is one of the most wondrous and appealing to me. I've owned this cd for years now and never can get out of my seat to get my violin out to attempt to play along--it's like I'm frozen in awe listening. I'd give just about anything to have all of Shane's music to this, "Entwined and Entranced" and "Erotic Rhythms From the Earth." I don't know the words to express to you how Amazing this is. Shane Knows his Instrument.

No weak tracks, I love every single one but my favorite is "Blessed." ("You come for me, I am blessed...") [I love the cover art, it reminds me of Jesus. He came for me and I AM Blessed.]

If you love to hear the sweet yearnings of the violin accompanied with mystical, enchanting vocals set off by dynamic, soulful and mysterious instrumentation that sends you on a journey like unto a dream, O Earthly Gods is for you. This is my favorite Govinda cd (Entwined and Entranced is a very close second depends on the day) and it's also one of my top favorite cds that I own! Buy it now! o8E
Soar!

although nowhere near as great at it as Delerium or Enigma, Govinda's 1998 debut "O Earthly Gods" is a very interesting blend of Middle Eastern classical, Gypsy, Flamenco and New Age rhythms into a very interesting album of 12 tracks. "Transformation and Immortality" begins with a discordant voice effect and ocassionally awkward beats but melts into beautiful violin rhythms.

This band has obvious talent! Their music is great for a happening party or for relaxing after a long day. It sounds sort of indie with a bit of Irish fiddle in it too, and the vocals, though there are few, are really great!

I purchased this CD from a seller 6 mos ago and I doubt there's been a day that I've not played it. I dance to it, relax to it, play it in the car, for yoga, et al. What stands out to me most about O' Earthly Gods is the haunting, passionate weep of the gypsy violin especially on Nomads and My Tribe, it is positively bewitching. Transformation and Immortality is unique in that it begins with an Industrial vibe and blossoms into exquisite,heart chakra opening violin rhythms. This music has a strong Eastern European and Middle Eastern feel to it but other influences are at work here... Flamenco, Irish, Indian even Hip-Hop. Fans of world music and world fusion will enjoy this CD a lot.

I actually took this out of the library because I thought the artwork on the cover was interesting. So I went down to my car popped it in my CD player and liked it so much I played it over and over until it came due and then I bought my own copy. I like the fact that there is a variety of types of music on this one cd so I can listen to whatever I'm in the mood for without having to switch cds.

Thoroughly modern yet ancient and mystical, this CD is just so unusual yet profoundly accessible. You must here it to believe it. Most world music is limiting, almost as if it doesn't give itself enough room to explore the boundaries of its influences. It is a paradox. Thus, world music tends to be, well, too narrow and I guess that is the point in a certain way. But O Earthly Gods has many different dimensions without loosing its consistency or focus which seems to be a kind of ecological, highly electronic lyricism that enfolds Celtic, Gypsy, Mid-Eastern instruments, chants, and songs. There's even a hint of hip-hop. It's as if Govinda (Shane O Madden?) who is of Irish and Lebanese roots is trying to affirm both his/her past and future. The last word in this type of eccletic form had been Strunz and Farah, Primal Magic. But this CD from Govinda is simply more impressive just for the reasons that musically it takes more risks. And succeeds beautifully. --RC

This is a fresh CD that I stumbled on purely by accident. After listening to the clips, I found that each song was full of earthly beats and ethereal singing. I love the world-wide influences, especially the flutes. This is a great combination of styles!