East of the Sun / West of the Moon

Tuatara | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Fast Horse Recordings
• ASIN: B000WCBRGC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,040 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Waterhole

2. The Spaniard

3. Bones, Blood and Skin

4. Silo Spring Violets

5. Trouble Rides In

6. Missionary Death Song

7. A Spark In the Wind

8. Madrigal

9. All the Colors In the World

10. Orpheus Must Die

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Bird's Eye View

2. Los Angeles

3. Wrong Turn

4. Are You Feeling Me

5. When the Love Is Gone

6. The Old Carving Knife

7. God's Meditation

8. Playing and Being Played

9. So Fine

10. Never Look Back

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Tuatara, the ongoing side-project formed by REM's Peter Buck and drummer/composer Barrett Martin, finally releases its magnum opus double album, East Of The Sun/West Of The Moon. The 2-disc album is a collection of 29 original songs. With seven full-length releases under their belt, Tuatara has evolved from an all-instrumental soundtrack project, to a revolving ensemble of singers, poets, and instrumentalists. In addition to Tuatara's famed rhythm section, EOTS/WOTM features such luminaries as Mark Olson and Victoria Williams, Gary Louris, poet Coleman Barks, Mark Eitzel, Dean Wareham, Jessy Greene, John Wesley Harding, Gina Sala, Adama, and Iraqi oud-master Rahim Alhaj. East Of The Sun is disc one, and features a collection of sparse, border-town themed songs that capture the atmosphere of the mystical southwest. The second disc, West Of The Moon, has more of an R&B approach, with touches of Rock and Soul, as well as classic Americana, and even some fiery Arabic-themed songs. It could be said that Tuatara has morphed yet again, this time into a band of soundscape songwriters, whose current flight has been rerouted from Memphis to Marrakech. This package was initially released as two separate albums, now combined into a 2-CD set for the price of one CD.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Killer Follow Up To "East Of The Sun", January 28, 2008

By 

James Wainright (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: East of the Sun / West of the Moon (Audio CD)

I love this album! Its a great follow up/flip side to the excellent "East Of The Sun." I like the fact that the band is working with different singer-songwriters, many of whom are famous voices of the alternative music movement. Why should they be expected to do instrumental songs album after album? To hell with the pissy-pants "critics" who can't accept musical evolution, buy this album if you like great songwriting and beautiful production.

1.0 out of 5 stars Name is a Misnomer, September 18, 2009

By 

C. Shupe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: East of the Sun / West of the Moon (Audio CD)

The item is billed as a dual CD release of the brother/sister albums, but is not. As a result, I had to go out and order East of the Sun separately.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bland, boring, now-vocal tedium, January 2, 2008

By 

MM - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: East of the Sun / West of the Moon (Audio CD)

I ordered this and East of the Sun. And BOY was I disappointed!! Gone are EVERY ONE of the things that made the band interesting: the polyethnic tone, the polyrhythmic presentations, the multiple instruments interwoven into an aural tapestry.

Instead we have 'soft jazz' with NO interest and tedious vocals. Heck, because of the vocals it doesn't even make good BACKGROUND music.

If you liked previous Tuatara albums, cherish them, apparently that is all we will be getting of that fascinating musical contribution.

I wish I could return this as "defective" for CONTENT.