Customer Reviews

Flood

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

 

 

I had heard some of the RA samples on amazon.com, and I was blown away by how rich the music was, even on a bad quality clip. It's nothing compared to listening to the CD in a massive stereo. The music resonates through your ears and fills your soul with this energy that just overflows through you. The most powerful song, I think, is "Blow The Wind/Pie Jesu". It amazes me how two different songs can blend and dance together through your mind. Especially around 1:15 when the music blends with "Dona Eis Requiem". "Masked Ball", used in EYES WIDE SHUT, is the extended version, and is twice as long as the one on the EWS soundtrack. At first, the two minutes or so of ominous music gets tedious, but then the tenor voice comes in and the organ/keyboard cresendos to a powerful backing for the singers. This is repeated, forming the length of the song. "Oppenheimer" and "Flood" are also excpetional. Jocelyn Pook weaves here, a dreamscape of rich music that blows you away with its deiversity and melencholy beauty. A winner!

I first heard Ms. Pook's music on the "Eyes Wide Shut" soundtrack (the masquerade ball scene) and was blown away; if ever there was a necessity for music to permeate a scene in a film this was it. She incorporates a blend of the traditional songs from faiths across continents and mixes them, for lack of a better comparison than similar to your quintessential raver d.j. (though these are better and definitively more original :) "Oppenheimer" is my favorite, and if you let the last track run for a few minutes a portion of the song will play once more. I can't wait to hear more of her stuff - these hymns are awesome.

"Flood" contains the music written or rewritten by Jocelyn Pook at the request of Stanley Kubrick, to serve as the soundtrack for his film "Eyes Wide Shut." Pook's inspiration for the compositions (originally conceived as "Deluge," music for a Canadian dance company) was "linking up the two millenia - the year 1000 and the year 2000 - by means of myth, legends and fears about the end of the world." She "wanted the music to embody ideas and influences from both these ages, and to draw upon cultures as diverse as Hinduism and Christianity, Judaism and Islam." The result is a broody, eclectic and at times minimalistic fusion of medieval chant motifs, lush modern harmonies, childlike lead vocals, traditionally nasal world folksongs and chamber-style strings that alternately drone menacingly and pulse like heartbeats. It's an interesting and effective mood, though a bit laid back for a depiction of the end of the world. But to listen straight through can get a little monotonous sometimes, so "Flood" might be one of those albums whose tracks are better appreciated when mixed up with others. That said, "Blow Thy Wind" is a gently winning song that is engagingly developed, and the drum-laden "Goya's Nightmare" also stands out from the rest. Try Pook's other work, like "Untold Things" and the soundtrack for "The Merchant of Venice," and compare with James Newton's haunting, emotive soundtrack for M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village," and also (speaking of the end of the world) Richard Gibbs's laid back, minimalistic soundtrack for the "Battlestar Galactica" miniseries.

What a relief to discover such a unique talent! I did not know that such a significant composer exists at our time. And it is a young woman! How come that only through the movie I could make my discovery! I was not impressed by the movie at all, except for the music - and that is how I discovered this refreshingly strong composer. Her music should be everywhere. I will make sure that all my friends who are mostly artists, writers and musician will learn everything they can about Mrs. Jocelyn Pook and her amazing, AMAZINGLY ORIGINAL, POWERFUL, INCOMPARABLE MUSIC!

The movie 'Eye's Wide Shut' led me to 'Masked Ball', which in turn led me to Jocelyn Pook, which in turn led me to this CD. What a find!!

With the exception of Track 3, "Romeo And Juliet", I love this album.
The strained, gravelly vocal portions at the beginning of that song are horrid! I cannot believe this wasn't redone in the studio, using smoother harmonies. ugh!
Eventually, though, that portion of the song ends, and actually becomes quite pleasant to listen to...but those opening vocal chords....yikes!

Ultimately, though, this CD is chock full of interesting musical explorations. If you're looking for an album full of 'Masked Ball'-type music, you'll be let down. It took me a few times to get used to the various tracks (except for #3....will never like it...haha), and now I have deep fondness for this CD, and it's mellow, tranquil melodies. The album flows like one continuous masterpiece.

I'm struggling to find another artist (that I listen to) to compare her to, and really can't think of a one. 'Flood' is unique, and quite easy on the ears ('cept for #3). =)

This CD is an almost religous experience. Ms. Pook, besides being a phenomenol musician and vocalist, is a trailblazing pioneer in her genre (which is basically just her). For an excursion to a future that is still steeped in the past check out this disk.

When I listen to that record, my mind fills with fleeting images of waterfalls and when I open my eyes, the walls are breatching ;-} I bought it after watching Eyes Wide Shut with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman (Stanley Cubrick film). The best compositions are the Masked Ball and Forever Without End, IMO.