Customer Reviews

Lost Art of the Idle Moment (IMPORT)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...creates background music for those 'down' times in your life that's still interesting enough to analyze and interpret. it's like a soundtrack to everyday life with watered down ideas and thoughts that don't pull you in too much but still make you think a little. you know, music that helps you zone out without putting you to sleep.

the collaborations are good. jem nails 'easy way out' and i love kate havnevik's voice although i think she could have a bit more of an edge with her lyrics. dierdre dubois channels the otherworld on 'farther' and grant lee phillips has one of those sexy male voices not unlike chris martin of coldplay - listen for yourself on 'snowflakes.'

i think it could've been better in places. the last track is uh, weird, and the instrumentals tend to lose me. there is a little bit of staleness but it's still very hip and fresh in other places - for example, 'indigo' has some intelligent rap that adds an urban flavor and esthero fills the soul quotient on 'too rude' without overdoing it (a.k.a. no christina aguilera wailing crap).

fans of balligomingo, delerium and conjure one should really take a liking to this one...

While strolling through a local record store, I discovered Carmen Rizzo. Always out looking for new and exciting artists and sounds, I sampled "The Lost Art of the Idle Moment"--very impressive! The sounds are pure, orchestral and hypnotic, not to mention the pulsating groove under each track that dares you not to bob your head from time to time. Carmen Rizzo has apparently been on the scene awhile--albeit behind it--and each song from beginning to end has been well produced and thought over. Well chosen guest stars include Alpha, Esthero, Jem, Kate Havnevik and Grant Lee Phillips, giving this piece of work an accessible quality. This is definitely a chill out album and shouldn't be overlooked by any means!!!

The multi-talented music producer, Carmen Rizzo, has finally taken a break from his busy schedule to make his debut album, titled the lost art of the idle moment. Mostly known for his work with artists such as Coldplay, Paul Oakenfold, Seal, Alanis Morissette, and The Who's very own Pete Townshend, he's a jack of all trades with the gift of mixing, remixing, co-writing, and producing. Now, he uses his experience and influences to create his calm and electronic musical styles. In this album, Rizzo collaborated with various artists such as Jem, and Kate Havnevik to provide the vocals for his melancholy tracks. With each song, he sets a relaxing mood for the listener, especially with his opening track, "Too Rude," featuring Esthero. "Travel in Time" also compliments the album with the soothing voice of Kate Havnevik and its rhythmic background. As his first solo debut, he masterfully combines the electronic beats and enchanting voices to form a dreamy atmosphere. However, the instrumental songs aren't as captivating as the vocal tracks and the song, "Farther," drifts away from the album's melancholy tempo and instead, sounds like a DJ track for a rave party. Also, "Next Life" with Thomas Hanreich seems like a good ending song, until a foreign artist ruins it with his bits of monologue. But, most of the songs have their distinguished traits that set them apart from each other, whether it's the lyrical flow of Ladybug Mecca in "Indigo" or the trumpet-like sound randomly mixed in "I'll Carry You." It's a good chill CD for down time, but there's probably better.

If you heard Carmen Rizzo for the first time and thought, "Wow, that reminds me of Conjure One" you're not the only one and you're not far off. He was the engineer on the Conjure One debut album and there are definitely similarities - the female voices over the same kind of chilled beats.

I wouldn't, however say the album is on par with Delerium ("Karma" or "Poem"), simply because the lyrics aren't as subtle or mysterious as Delerium and the voices on this album other than Kate Havnevik (Jem, Esthero...) hardly count as ethereal - I find they tend to dominate the music rather than blend and float on top of it.

Overall, the album is a good listen for those Sunday evenings at home.

This album reaches the peak of many stylistic mountains, ranging from an electronic lounge of sounds to the technical beats of hip hop and funk to the sultry sounds of soul and blues with a soothing touch of ambient. With the vocal talents of outstanding artists such as Kate Havnevik and Jem alongside Rizzo's outstanding compositions, the total experience becomes a blending of contemporary art with a classic orchestration that will blow your musical mind! A must have!!

The latest album by Carmen Rizzo "The Lost Art of the Idle Moment" is a terrific album for all fans of music to enjoy. Known for his amazing producing, co-writing, engineering, mixing, and musical skills for various artists, awarding him with two previous Grammy Nominations, Carmen Rizzo's work shines through the different tracks on his record. A musical style that can be known as electronic ambient pop, his music captures you in with his creativy to enjoy yourself and feel his work. It is an amazing album that deserves recognition.

If you are looking for the ultimate in Alternative Chillout you should start with this collection of noize.

The quality of the production, orchestration and remixing is above and beyond.
I'm thinking that Carmen Rizzo is the best kept secret in the music industry.

Overlooked Happiness - says it all
Bring It Back To Me
Travel In Time
I'll Carry You
Easy Way Out
Indigo

The Lost Art Of The Moment is his first solo album, followed by Ornament Of An Imposter and now Lal Meri.
Buy them all ... he is that good. Also, you will appreciate how the work evolves.

Quality Trumps Everything

Rizzo is a phenomenal producer, and on this debut release, it shows. I've listened to this over and over without tiring of it a bit. Wonderfully layered, gorgeous vocals, lush harmonies, and wonderfully catchy melodies. This is simply beautiful music.

My favorite tracks are Easy Way Out, Amborella, and Travel in Time. But every cut on this album is awesome.

Put it on a high quality, 2-channel rig. Preferably planar speakers with thousands of watts of power. And turn it up LOUD.

That's good music.

This CD is less interesting than I thought it would be, but it is a great collection of almost-ambient music that is well-produced, and the CD flows seamlessly.

I don't know of the connection, but I can remember some of the music in the game and his matches it.