Customer Reviews

Hydrology plus 1 + 2

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

 

 

This is radically different than his later works. The first three are ambient excursions. "1" is crazy mofo old school trance track that relies on Depeche Mode samples from all different songs. (Even a snippet of Martin saying "misery... remember" or something.) "2" is another long track that builds and crumbles. THE BEST!

I will keep this short and sweet -- Alan Wilder breaks the Depeche Mode barrier even while remaining a part of the band. Quite dissimilar to any of later works, each of the 5 tracks on this 'compilation' (I believe it's actually two EPs previously released, put on one LP) acts more of a 'piece' than a song, as one would expect from a musician whose origins are with classical piano, rather than Pop. Each one has a different mood, and will take you places if you let it. The [$$$] price tag is a steal.

I first bought this album in 1989 and have never stopped enjoying it. Although very different from his later productions, this album is a great ambient/electronic work, showing exactly where Depeche Mode got their talent.

If you are a big fan of Depeche Mode, then you will dig Recoil. What started out as a side project for Alan Wilder turned into a full time gig when he left the Depeche Mode. "Hydrology/1+2" combines the first two lps that Alan did as Recoil. "Hydrology" is an good piece consisting of three instrumental tracks. The tracks show just how much of a "studio rat" Alan likes to be. The gem of this cd is "1+2". First released on lp back in 1986, this two song set mostly consist of Depeche Mode samples. It is great to listen to these songs and figure out which DMode songs Alan lifted from. The album as a whole is great because it shows the kind of experimentaion that Alan likes to take. Even though the songs might sound a little too long, you begin to hear some of the sonic layering that is consistent with all Recoil albums. If you are really into groups like Moby or Orbital, then you should like this album.

I got into Recoil because I am a big fan of Alan Wilder's work for Depeche Mode. I find his Recoil project to have the same great sense of sound, samples, and just a perfect balance of creativity. There are no singers on this cd but what you will get is one of the best mood records of the 80s. This album is unforgettable like a secret you don't want to tell.....

I don't actually own this CD but I hear it's good to make love to! If you're into that kind of thing! Buy all the Recoil albums! I really recommend Unsound Methods.