Customer Reviews

Ineffable Mysteries From Shpongleland

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Thank goodness Simon Posford and Raja Ram bowed to the pressure and decided to make another album after their supposedly last outing, Nothing Lasts But Nothing Is Lost. While that third album with its series of short songs that all flowed together was a bit of a departure from their first two epics, 'Ineffable Mysteries From Shpongleland' (IMFS) is more of a return to form. It consists of eight tracks ranging in length from six and a half minutes to eleven and a half minutes. As longtime fan, this is the type of album I had been hoping for. The flow of NLANIL is still there but this is more of a chillout disc and the songs exist unto themselves, taking you on that cerebral journey that Shpongle does so well.

Those purchasing the physical album will be rewarded with a gorgeous booklet designed by album cover master Storm Thorgerson (Pink Floyd, Muse). Simon also does a play-by-play for each track, which I found particularly enlightening. It is truly amazing the journey the tracks took to become final songs. His stories make the listening to the album even more enjoyable.

The album itself is a sonic masterpiece. To be anything but that would have been unthinkable. The listener is most definitely rewarded by playing this loud on a quality sounds system or using good headphones. However, it works just as well, though differently, played softly while sipping some tea in a dark room. I'm really happy to say that Raja's flute playing is more prominent here than on the previous release. There are a plethora of sonic treats that reveal themselves upon repeat listens, but they enhance what is already good music, not just fill the space between beats.

1) Eletroplasm: What a fun way to start up this trip! We are eased into the track, then the drums grab us, the guitar pulls us along, and the synth takes us away! You can hear what an influence Shpongle's trip to India had on them creatively, and this continues throughout the album. It's much more eastern sounding and less Latin based than their last two releases. And it is in 7/8! :) A great blend of elements that never ceases to offer up some new gem upon repeat listens. (9)

2) Shponglese Spoken Here: What!?! This is freaky stuff (even for Shpongle)! The glitchy, robo-dance intro you will either love or hate. It works for me, and at 1:30 into the track it ends and becomes a really groovy Sphongleriffic dub.
Good, but not by favorite - yet. (7.5)

3) Nothing Is Something Worth Doing: This track reminds me a lot of the more breezy stuff you might hear on a Mike Oldfield album. The neat metal drum and other elements cement it as a Shpongle track however. While enjoyable, it seems just slightly out of place, but perhaps is just the breather needed before the epic tracks to follow. (7)

4) Ineffable Mysteries: Okay we're deep into India now. This track really puts the listener there, yet at that more spiritual and surreal level that Shpongle has mastered. There is lot to explore here, and I suggest you do. (9.5)

5) I Am You: So much to love in this track, just experience all 11:36 minutes of it for yourself. It is the core of the album and pure Shpongle goodness. (10)

6) Invisible Man In A Fluorescent Suit: Originally intended to start off the album and initially conceived as a remix for fan favorite 'And The Day Turned To Night', how could this not be amazing? Answer - no freakin' way! One of my favorites from this outing. (9)

7) No Turn Un-Stoned: Great title and a lovely mellow track to follow 6, sang mostly by one of my favorite Shpongle vocal contributors, Michele Adamson. Reminiscent of 'Once Upon The Sea Of Blissful Awareness'. (8.5)

8) Walking Backwards Through The Cosmic Mirror: The final track announces itself with a reverberating boom. It didn't initially grab me but after a few listens I started to feel the soul in this track. The first one created for the album, I think it could have been better placed before 6; leaving No Turn Un-Stoned to close out the album. But it is what it is, and it is good. Raja's magic flute floats you on out... (7.5)

My final take? I've been listing to IMFS for almost a month and believe it is a solid addition to the Shpongle canon. Fans will find a lot to love here. I think Tales of the Inexpressible will always be my favorite of their albums, but this latest is certainly coming in a close second. It is a good place for newcomers to the wacky world of Shpongle to start, though I highly recommend getting all of the albums and listening to them in order to truly appreciate the aural journey that is Shpongle.

This album may not be for everybody as is evidenced by the differing reviews, but once again Shpongle have put forth an amazing effort. I think people were expecting this album to be revolutionary for electronic music again, but they were disappointed when it was not. But that's not to say that Ineffable Mysteries is just a rehash of everything they did in the past because it definitely is not. For example, "Shpongolese Spoken Here" is truly unique for the group as the first 1:30 sounds like something from Squarepusher, albeit a little more cohesive and with Shpongle's own touch. When I first listened through the album I thought there were some really neat and interesting parts, but like others, it didn't grab me as much the first time around (perhaps because we have such a high standard for them). However, like every Shpongle album, the more you listen to it the more you will love it and pick out fascinating nuances that you didn't catch the first few listens.

The reviewers that suggested this album is too radio friendly or commercialized are extremely laughable. There is nothing mainstream about these songs and you will find plenty of new sounds and musical journeys just like before. Additionally, I am confused why someone thinks there is too much acoustic guitar used. There are maybe a few songs where it is used and it always flows well and never sounds out of place. Comparing Shpongle's use of acoustic guitar with Dave Matthews is also very puzzling since the two sound nothing alike, nor does any part of the music sound remotely similar. One thing I would like say is that overall it seemed that Simon Posford and Raja Ram were aiming more for an album that was more uptempo. The majority of the songs seem to be driven, which is not a complaint, just an observation. I actually enjoy every song on the album--some more than others--particularly "Nothing is Something Worth Doing" currently. The song is just so relaxing and upbeat I can't help but be happy.

If you happen to not like the entire album, one thing for certain is that you will find some great pieces that you really love. Ineffable Mysteries is definitely worth picking up and hopefully you enjoy it like the rest of us 5 "starers."

There is a very fine parity of convention and artistic expression that must be created to render an electronic composition unique, yet listenable. The artists known as Shpongle do not know of this balance nor do they care, and judging by the quality of their fourth album, neither should we. To prove how much Raja Ram and Simon Posford could care less about convention, the first track on 'Ineffable' is the most impressive and naturally flowing 7/8 signature I may have ever heard, never once feeling awkward or forced. The entire album shows astounding detail applied to every factor. Every texture is just as immensely complex as the next, yet never showing signs of insipidity. The percussion, even in moments of intentional tranquility, is always flowing and never giving the listener the instinct of a synthetic performance. Shpongle has transcended the need to be applied into any category. There is nothing else like this album or this artist and it should be experienced by all musical enthusiasts.

This latest (and presumably last) album from Shpongle is a mandatory buy for anybody who considers themselves a Shpongle fan. If Simon Posford and Raja Ram have made one album that absolutely cannot be missed, this is it. This is not something I say lightly, because I cherish every Shpongle album I own (which is all of them). But if I was forced to choose between giving up this album and relinquishing the rest of my collection, I believe I'd hold on to this singular masterpiece. With the genre of ambient/psy seemingly on a decline nowadays, in terms of both volume and quality, IMFS is a glimmer of hope. We're all lucky that Simon and Raja decided to get together once more to produce this piece of utter brilliance. It's a rare thing that I ever purchase an album on which I can safely say there isn't a single track which I find disappointing, and try as I might I can't find any faults anywhere within this one. Only about half of the music I own ever makes it onto my Zune, and this is one of only a handful of albums which I've transferred in full. I almost feel bad for saying this because I feel like on some level, I'm taking credit away from earlier genius, but this is in my opinion the best album in Shpongle's stellar collection.

Over the last year or two, I have started collecting, and listening to, the entire library of Shpongle CD's and other Simon Posford projects. After listening to this new project multiple times, I can say that is every bit as good as most of the previous Simon Posford projects. "Tales of the Inexpressable" is an all-time classic by which all other psy-trance albums are compared, and perhaps this album is not quite up to that very high standard. but it is still of high quality. Ineffable Mysteries is my favorite cut on the new album. There are a couple slower tempo songs that are a bit of a departure from the typical Shpongle sound, but no true Shpongle fan should be dissapointed.

If you thought the previous Shpongle albums were some of the best music you've ever heard, then you're in for a real treat when you hear "Ineffable Mysteries From Shpongleland". Each track is one dose of ear candy after another, with the kind of hauntingly familiar melodies, exemplary musicianship, and incomparable sound engineering experiments that we've heard in the past from Shpongle. Take some time to listen to every song in succession... and you're sure to enjoy your vacation to the land where they speak Shpongolese. Recommended to EVERYONE!

Wow, where to begin? A lot has already been covered in detail by other reviewers, so my reason for writing this review is to bring in the perspective of a Sphongle neophyte. This is my first Sphongle, and it is the music I have been searching for for 20+ years. From top to bottom and back to front it is pure brilliance. The first time I heard it (in my car) I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Incredible, layered, textured, aesthetic, melodic, cutting-edge, seamless, daring, creative technical musicianship. Adjectives do not do it justice. It's THAT good. Every piece is transcendent. You can hear influences from such diverse sources as Steve Reich, Planet Drum, Sarah McGlachlan, Yo Yo Ma, Ozric Tentacles, Mystical Sun, Homayun Sakhi, Tabla Beat Science, and just about anyone else you'd care to name. But this music is so much richer than any of those, because it'll blend 4, 5 ... 12 derivatives into a single layered but seamlessly integrated piece of modern music. The music is never repetitive... it develops and unfolds, and then folds back in, or not. Just amazing!

This is as cutting edge as you can get in 2010 (let alone 2009, when it came out). I was thinking it could be the sonic equivalent of (8) 3D Imax Avatar movies, but it's even more daring and psychedelic than that. Don't let those words scare you... it's not "square" or traditionally composed music, but it is [mostly] melodic and eminently listenable. (If you're averse to a bit of "weirdness," then this is not your cup of tea.) Your volume knob will beg to be turned clockwise... a sure sign of great music. It's hard to believe that Sphongle has other work(s) that may be even better than this one (according to knowledgeable reviewers). I am going to buy their entire catalog, and will be very pleased if even 25% of it is anywhere near as good as this!

UPDATE: I now own most everything Simon Posford has recorded (I think), and this one still ranks as the best. His music has progressed chronologically, and there have been no missteps. Thus, the one before this one "Nothing Lasts..." is almost as good as this one, etc. This one is a bit more international, with the use of more exotic instruments such as the hang drum. Also, the liner notes give a fascinating background to this music. I agree with other reviewers that Simon Posford is clearly a pre-eminent musical genius. Raja Ram with his flute is a wonderful accompanist too.

Not much to say that anyone hasn't said all ready. If you like Shpongle you'll love this. If you don't like Shpongle you need your head examined. Whoever called this commercial or corporate took way too much acid (or needs to).

Possibly sphongles best you must give it a listen. Probably my favorite album of an electronic nature, although analogue instruments are used as well.

I'd agree with the reviewer that said it's the most accessible and best Shpongle yet. Another headphone classic. I think the increased accessibility helps in the usual ways while not really sacrificing anything. My only problem with the disc is with the female vocal tracks. They're Shpongle-like but sound cheesy and get a skip from me. But the rest of the album is so good and the vocal tracks so few that this still gets 5 stars.