Customer Reviews

My Oracle Lives Uptown

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

 

 

Although he ended his Strange Cargo series a few years ago, this new William Orbit collection could fit into that series pretty easily. It's a very nice set of mostly instrumental, mostly electronic themes, often with a steady dance beat and always with an intriguing melody. What you expect from Orbit are interesting sounds, and Oracle does not disappoint. Take the jazzy keyboard riff that opens and anchors "Neutron Star," for instance. It's a perfect counterpoint to the light, wordless female vocal that floats above the song, and fits in well with the echoing "guitar" line that pops up periodically in the song. (I put guitar in quotes, 'cause who knows if it's an actual guitar being played there or another keyboard effect?) Although most of the themes are basically electronic dance tracks, he does vary the content somewhat. For instance, after a spacey into, "Hydrajacked" gets mildly funky with its sharp bass line and psuedo-Chic guitar sound. The very next cut, the hoppy, finger-snappin' title track, has a mild Cornershop vibe. It always comes back to the shimmering synth textures, though, which for me is a very good thing.

My God, how does he do it? This Man's releases are just about flawless. I have been enjoying his work for close to two decades now; he just can not put out a lousy CD. On this most recent one, I can't get past the first three or four tunes - it is all so captivating.

Another great CD by William Orbit.If you like deep electronica music,this CD is for you.

Just want to make a few comments on the limited vinyl version of this album.

The first thing you probably notice is the price. Yes, it is expensive. Is it worth it? Well, I guess that depends on how you look at things. I will say it is a very good quality pressing on two heavyweight vinyl discs. My copy is clean, and I didn't notice any discernible noise. The packaging is very good, with a 12 x 12 booklet inside with lots of photos, etc. It is a gatefold sleeve, and there is really nothing to quibble with here.

If you're a collector, then this may be worth your money. I suspect that one day it will be worth more than it's current selling price. It is on Linn Records, known for high quality audio gear, and, primarily, classical recordings.

What stops me from giving it 5 stars is the music. Most of it is good, some of it very good, but it's nothing spectacular. Most of the record is instrumental, though there are a number of vocal tracks, with the sound reminding me somewhat of the collaboration Orbit did with Madonna on "Beautiful Stranger"; a sort of 60s psychedelia with modern production.

Some songs may improve with additional listening.

I have a couple of William Orbit's albums and this is right up there with the best of them! This is really enjoyable electronic music. You may not know of him by name, but perhaps you've unknowingly heard his stuff before e.g. he was responsible for most of the back ground music on Madonna's Ray of Light album.

Although I haven't got this CD yet, (I am ordering it today) based on listening samples I can say that at least 6 tracks could be OK with me.
Based on Torch Song which I purchased a while ago, his style is "moody" to say the least. His compositions are none alike each other, styles are blended.. I would say upon the moods of the moment. Which I find it very OK. I only picked 6 tracks from that album as they are "in touch" with me: my favorite one: Toward the Unknown Region.
First time you listen to his type of music, without paying attention you might be pleasant or unpleasant surprised. Depending on what you are expecting to hear. I learned to let the CD play over and over for a day, to accomodate to the sounds. When I am ready, I lay down, close my eyes and absorb the music trying to get its message. Then I only pick the tracks that "talk to me". The rest, I ignore. Be it ambient, techno, chill or whatever you call the styles, for me "sound messaging" is what it matters.
Whenever voices are present in this style of music, if they don't blend with the instrumental sounds properly, they ruin the entire composition.
William Orbit: great and moody. Some might love his music, others might highly dislike it. De Gustibus.