Customer Reviews

Macbeth

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

 

 

This is Laibach's "Tubular Bells." It is much more entertaining than its other soundtrack, Baptism, because the music provides its own visuals and changes scenery more often and quite dramatically. The first passage is a crushing march that ranks among Liabach's angriest output. If only the group had more exposure in the U.S., this would surely become a familiar anthem, perhaps part of a war movie soundtrack. Macbeth is Liabach's most organic piece to date. It is industrial, yes, but the steel girders that form its backbone (and grace the inside cover art) somehow sway to the sound of birds chirping and children giggling. Rain falls. Thunder claps. Choruses flutter. It is a strange brew, but Laibach makes it taste right because the group has a musical sophistication that younger bands sorely lack. What "Jesus Christ Superstars" is to heavy metal, Macbeth is to classical. Listen to this when you are home, bored, on a rainy day. Sublime.

This is Laibach when they were still having the industrial music sound, but were mixing it with more melodius harmonies. I say that this might well be their best cd! It is themed on Shakespear's Macbeth, so expect it to be haunting and dark - it chills me to the bones at the same time as it enthralls me with its dramatic melodies.

I usually stick to book reviews, as I find it difficult to explain what I find appealing in music. However, this album literally changed the course of my life in a way that very few others have. Today, Laibach is one of my favorite bands. I own 8 of their CDs and plan to buy more and I listen to them quite a bit. None of this would have ever been possible had a guy I barely knew at the time (1990) down at UCSD not played this incredible album for me. I am usually very closed-minded to new types of music (I'd never even HEARD of "industrial" and I still don't listen to any other bands described as being part of that genre) and I very rarely like any album the first time I hear it. But the first time I heard Laibach's MacBeth, I was truly in love! It is just such a magnificent album that I'm often shocked to think that almost no one is familiar with what ought to be one of the recognized classics of our era. I can hardly recommend this album strongly enough. I should mention, however, that other than for some guttural howling, this album has no vocals. If (an admittedly somewhat repetitive) instrumental album is not your cup of tea, then might I recommend their NATO album? Laibach is a smashing band and MacBeth is one of their all-time greats!

I use this creepy soundtrack-like CD every Halloween. I put the speakers in the window, turn down the lights, and put it on repeat. There is wind, rain, creepy voices, organ music, etc. But don't think it's all special effects, like those [less expensive]CDs available at discount stores. It's a true piece of art that cannot be fully described with words.

The MacBeth album is haunting... the rain, the whimpering, the music... it all flows as if from another time. I can almost promise you that whether or not you've ever read MacBeth, you will start to create your own story to follow the music. It can't really be helped, the music encourouges (and seems to enjoy) that you do.

Unlike their other works, this is really a soundtrack for a theatre production. Has extended moments of grunting, wailing and banging away that you would expect from a sonic interpretation of Macbeth. Interspersed are some nice pieces, some suggestive of dank depression and Smetana's rousing Ma Vlast.

I would also suggest Laibach's Baptism (a paraphrase of a much longer title in another language). It is from another theatre/dance production which is much more varied than Macbeth. It deals with the Laibach's perennial issues of Europe and nationhood, and it's quite good. It reminds me a little of the movie Europa in a sense. (It doesn't seem to be listed here)