Life in Volcanoes

Povi

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 24, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nettwerk Records
• ASIN: B00000JYQV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #136,978 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for trip-hop lovers, September 6, 2001

By	"ende" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I just bought this CD after hearing it first in a coffee shop. I immediately fell in love with its subtle lyrics and fujon arrangements. This is a must for all trip-hop lovers who are a little tired of listening to the old (yet still awesome) massive attack and portishead. Povi, however greatly influenced by the latter two, manage to brew their own distinctive sound, stirring in a bit of pop without losing their integrity and uniqueness. I hope that this is not a one-album-stand, and that the Povi duo will keep on feeding us with their vibes.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Atmospheric gem, October 21, 2003

By	liberty janus (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Unless you had your antenna up you were apt to miss this little known gem. Though clearly a first effort, for a first effort it's quite an accomplishment.

Povi is a band in firm control of dynamics and atmosphere. The majority of the music here takes the listener on an almost seamless journey through these interconnected songs. For those who can't resist atmospheric, occasionally even breathy, female vocals laid over a smooth, varied, dynamic, landscape of sometimes dreamy, sometimes propulsive, background and foreground textures and rhythms, then this might embrace you like a warm, humid summer night. On the one hand, the descriptions of this recording as a combination of trip-hop, pop, and electronics, are right on the mark. On the other hand they just don't hint at the diversity or the unforced smoothness of the techniques at work here. There's nothing heavy handed or overworked here, despite the extensive layering of multiple effects coming clearly and steadily out of the mix - just a smooth accumulation of atmospheres enveloping you. There's a good deal of just slightly quirky articulation happening here, with rich washes of various sounds moving in and out, smoothly, ever so smoothly, and the unique character that results lifts these songs out of the ordinary. There's also a kind of sophisticated sweetness and innocence about this music, present even during the more cynical moments, that's distinctive and engaging.

It's all some kind of lovely, pulsing, shimmering fog flowing in and around to embrace you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very good CD. Dragonflies should be top 10!, April 20, 2000

By	The Pete (Illinois) - See all my reviews

Povi is a lot like Portishead and Massive Attack, if those bands weren't so downbeat. There's much more of a pop sound here, although not schlocky. Like an artier Morcheeba.

I can't understand why "Dragonflies" isn't on the charts! It's an incredible song! Most of the rest of the CD can't match it, but it doesn't pale by comparison either. There are lots of styles (pop, trip-hop, instrumental) merged into a unique sound that flows through all the tracks, marking them as Povi. The lyrics are very well-written, and I hope their future CDs reprint them in the jewel case.

Even though the last couple of tracks veer off into self-indulgent and self-pitying goo, the majority of this CD is really intriguing. I will definitely keep my ears open for more.