Customer Reviews

Human

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is much in the same vein as "Prophesy" (5 stars for music, minus one for irritating sound clips), but somehow it just doesn't grab me as much. More of the same, and an obvious follow-up album. I've played the disc now several times, and none of the songs sticks in my memory. The hooks are not as catchy, and the sound is more uniform. If you're looking to buy your first Nitin Sawhney album, go for Prophesy instead.

Nitin Sawhney has elevated his work to a new level with Human. He continues his engaging mix of various musical styles into a blend all his own. The track "Falling" is a massive achievement. This song begins with a very exposed, introspective sound and builds to a lush, sweeping, euphoric celebration. It's one of the most incredible songs I've ever heard. Too bad this album wasn't viewed as worthy of US domestic release. It's a terrific follow-up to Prophesy and well worth the import price.

I must admit that upon first hearing Human I was a little disappointed. It certainly didn't have the immediate positive impression on me that (for example) his first three albums had. Another reviewer says that this album is similar to Prophecy, his last CD. I'd have to agree, but I think that with Human, Nitin Sawhney has again found his form. You have to give the CD time - and it does take a while - but you soon see the vibe that the artist is trying to communicate to you. Once you've found it, you see that Nitin is evolving as an artist and Human says more about his refined direction than Prophecy did. Nitin's ultimate album is still "Migration" IMHO. If you've already got it, then Human (after you've given it time to bed-in) won't let you down.

With 'Beyond Skin', 'Prophesy' and now 'Human', Nitin Sawhney has produced a trilogy of albums based on faith, hope and trust and what it means to be a minority in a majority. The fraility of human emotion and the sheer stupidity aof the human species are themes that Sawhney also continues to explore.

The spare artwork (photo of human face and body parts pressed against thin white plastic sheet) is stunning and a bit of a giveaway as to the rawness of emotion on the album. In many ways it is similar to the artwork of the the breakthrough (and Mercury award winning) 'Beyond Skin' and similar themes are contained within.

The album is based on a mixture of Indian musical styles and instruments blended with trip-hop and electronica. In most ways it is gentle listening but lyrically challenging. If you are not familiar with some Indian styles it might take some getting used to but you'll find it well worth the effort. As with previous albums, Sawhney uses the vocal talents of an eclectic blend of MC's, vocalists and Indian/Asian voices to deliver his message. Whilst Natacha Atlas is the best known of those present in this album the other relative unknowns also deliver the goods.

The single 'Falling' is a ripper but perhaps the most straight forward of all the tracks. 'Say Hello' is a sleeping stunner - gets better and better. The latter half of the album is dominated by instrumentals blended with Indian vocals, radio samples and voal themes in English that is at time mezmerising. In all it's a seamless blend of work from front to back and well worth a listen. In fact you should own this despite the expense.

All in all this is a masterpiece of emotion and involves like few other albums this year. Id expect that this album should be well in the running for the Mercury Prize for 2003 too.

This album, as all Nitin's albums starts with a theme. Trust and the essence of being human today is the general theme with references to current world situations follows in his usual album markings and choice of tracks.
As in previous albums (such as Beyond Skin and Prophesy), a comtemporary blend of fusion of Eastern and Western melodies resonate through this album. Unlike the earleir albums, this has a good deal of vocals of different textures and less beats or dance music, and more songs. Raag and Chetan Jeevan and the Boatman resonates the usual Nitin Sawney charm in being totally Indian inflenced, yet appealing to a wide audience. And also keeps in tune with the theme of Trust. The other tracks are extremely melodious with different voices that lullabye you into the Sawhney trance. Songs about yearning for change that we cannot define yet trying to find meaning to life and being human in this world rings out in all the tracks. Listen to the words but feel the music....You'll understand.
A must have for all fans and new listeners on the true sound of fusion.

I can't understand why this album is not in stock on Amazon. It is sensational! Many artists now combine Indian musical elements with western arrangements, but none that I have heard come close to Sawhneys musical sophistication. Almost all the songs on this album are very strong - they are all beautifully arranged. They are easy to groove or cruise to, but they are also wonderfully put together.

I've just purchased a bunch of albums - Air, Morcheeba, Hotel Costes 6, Chill Out in Paris, Zero 7, 1 Giant Leap. Human is stronger than all of them. 1 Giant Leap is the next best. More melodic and involving than Thievery Corporation.

This album is not as compelling and passionate as Beyond Skin or Displacing the Priest. Some of the tracks have really cheesy lyrics, for example, "Trip no further little sweetie..." made me wince. And one of the female vocalists has a spaced-out, irritating quality to her voice. Most of the songs are limp, which is surprising because based on Nitin Sawhney's earlier works you wouldn't expect that. I would stick to his earlier works.

I like this album I think all the songs are great, the song 'heer' sounds like indian music mixed with electronica. Also the song 'Raag' is awesome I listen to it every time when I got out for a jog. Those are are jus' two songs amongst other awesome ones that come included in 'Human'.

Nitin Sawhney takes his Indian-fusion one step further with HUMAN, infusion copious amounts of British pop-soul with the Eastern vocals. And it's semi-successful, even if it does get a slightly self-indulgent at times ("Eastern Eyes," "Falling," "Rainfall" -- what's up with all the tracks with "fall" in the title?). But there are also moments of sublime beauty, like on "Say Hello." The more "authentic" Indo-electric compositions like "Heer" work better, in my opinion, than the other hybrids... the Indo-blues of "The River," for instance. Compare that to the blues-inflections on "Chetan Jeevan." Still, you can't blame Sawhney for trying... after all, he's only human.

If you here the track "Heer" from this CD you will buy the disk, if you hear any of the others you wont. Each track is quite different from the next, almost like a different product.
Suggest you buy this as 'used' then it will temper your dissapointment. OR buy the one excellent track on iTunes for 99cents.
The others have voted this 5stars - cant think why, but we all like diffent things. It is possible it might grow on me. I bought his other CD rates 5 stars as a joint deal. Who knows if that will be good or a waste of money.
Think they will both end up in someones Xmas stocking in a few months...