Customer Reviews

Life

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

 

 

I have been a big Stephan Micus fan for quite a few years, but I have to think that his last three CDs show signs his musical inventiveness is progressively slipping. This latest effort retains his honest, commercialism-be-damned approach--for which he should continue to be congratulated--but not very much in the way of listenable musicality. Honesty and spirit are one thing, but entertainment, even in honest and spiritual terms, is another. Here, the koan has taken center stage, in my opinion at the expense of the music(al entertainment). I hate to criticize the plan, but perhaps the first, rather long, narration should have been stretched longer yet to embrace the entire koan (to twenty plus minutes, that is), leaving the rest of the program open to material of greater accessibility. I'm afraid I can only take so much in the way of Zen chants, and I have never considered Micus' vocal powers one of his greatest assets to begin with.

Micus has always been a genre of his own, representing a unique way of musical expression in an otherwise musically dry 20th century. He dares to explore equipped with his vast knowledge of instruments and his never ending spiritual wandering. All these are more than enough to place him among the most important modern musical figures.

Nevertheless, I tend to believe that his last work crossed a certain threshold: The spirit dominated senses. He uses (or rather, exploits) music to convey his spiritual and rather esoteric message. It would have been quite acceptable should we were talking about a purely religious effort, or about something more inspired like his "Athos" work. But Micus stands for more than this.

I hope that soon we will be back experiencing the sheer magnificence of works like "Towards the Wind", "East of the Night" or "Wings over Water"

Not the best Micus album...hence the 4 stars, but let me say this...have you ever found yourself wandering aloft amongst the clouds wondering how you got there, wondering what happened to transport you through your own skin to something other than yourself? Well, if not, this album will get you there.

A very emotional journey, a nice blend of a variety of implements allows Micus to challenge us to break through our defenses. You will see that after listening to this album, like the man walking on the cover, you have been stripped of your past and your future, and are left with very little but a desire to warm up with your true self and the home you have been missing.

Micus gets "it", people. Thank God there are people like him to show us the way, at least musically....Peace.