Customer Reviews

Myth Of Red, The

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sasha Lazard's debut album was inspired by the story of Ishtar - the Sumerian Goddess who descended from heaven to the underworld. The Myth of Red tells a story of a woman who has grown restless with her pedestrian life. She was lured down to the underworld by the dark charms of the Incubus, the infernal lord. She succumbs to the seduction and is lost in his terrifying embrace. Annihilated and left for dead, she is awakened by the plaintive cry of her earthly love. Only after struggling to find her way out of the dark does she emerge and recognize for the first time the true beauty of light [taken from inside the booklet].

I, for one, have always been drawn to concept albums that come to reveal a story because, if done right, they contain such mystery and intrigue and with classical-crossover spreading as fast as it is, Sasha Lazard seems to standout among the other acts surfacing and I am very pleased with what I've heard so far and can only hope that she continues to follow the path she's currently taking and grow as an artist for she shows a lot of promise here.

Sasha was first heard with the haunting theme song to the popular anime "Princess Mononoke". She then put the wheels in motion for this captivating synthesis of styles. Her operatic voice is set to fresh, hip music with special guests DJ Spooky on "Battle of Erishkigal" and violinist Lili Hayden on "Tell Me Why" and "Awakening", which Delerium (Bill Leeb) remixes on the second take/closing track. The songs are mostly upbeat for she draws her influences from today's more modern sounds, including Reggae and dance, fusing contemporary electronic rhythms with Russian folk tunes and classical arias.

This isn't exactly new or groundbreaking and I wouldn't dare compare her to the amazing talents of Emma Shapplin and Sarah Brightman but she's got a gorgeous voice and the albums appealing nonetheless so I definitely recommend it to fans of this genre.

In the realm of today's classical/pop fusion, where does Russian soprano Sasha Lazard fit in? Her voice is splendid enough, similar to one of the Opera Babes, but the majority of songs contain a beat more at home on a Massive Attack album, i.e. industrial trip-hop, or on lighter moments, on Dido's No Angel. To prove it, there's also a techno DJ and a Delerium remix to enhance a techno side, but not as excessive as Bond, so classical purists will want to eschew this. The Myth Of Red is a concept album inspired by the story of Ishtar (q.v. Gilgamesh) about a woman's journey to the underworld and the process of finding and recognizing beauty on her way out.

The medieval sounding Latin-sung "Stabat Mater" is derived from 18th century composer Giovanni Pergolesi's religious composition of the same name. This track like others features keyboards and programmed drums familiar on Dido's No Angel. It is briefly reprised later.

Taken from the "Georgian Song" by Sergei Rachmaninoff, and featuring a melodic and melancholy violin solo by Lili Hayden, the trip-hoppy "Awakening" details the woman's flight to the underworld and the song sung by her earthly lover to bring her back. The Delerium remix for this stretches it an extra two and a half minutes, including thumping oontsa oontsa beats and bass which depending on one's mood, makes it cool or intrusive.

A medieval-like chorus permeates the religiously atmospheric "Ode To Innocence", taken in part from Giulio Caccini's "Ave Maria." The pulsing Massive Attack-like bass synth and a reggaeish rap by E-Day are prominent here. Definitely not as pure as Charlotte Church's rendition on Voice Of An Angel, but different.

Lili Hayden joins Sasha for "Tell Me Why" inspired by a section of La Traviata. Then, a French spoken word intro taken from Baudelaire's "Le Revenant" by Charles Fathy leads into the techno beat of "Forbidden Dance" also sung in French.

No backbeat is present in the quiet and haunting piano number "Romance," which highlights Sasha's lovely soaring voice, and a melancholy violin. My second favourite song.

The Massive Attack-like backbeat returns in "Temptation", adapted from Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov's "Charmed By A Rose", and sings of her seduction by the underworld's Incubus. The light techno and rap scratching by DJ Spooky characterizes the exotic Middle-Eastern/Russian sounding "Battle of Erishkigal." Sasha just vocalizes here, adding to the siren-like atmosphere.

My favourite song here is the lovely and haunting theme song to Princess Mononoke, alas all too brief. The description of the person matches that of the movie's title character: "when the sun has gone I see you/beautiful and haunting but cold/like the blade of a knief so sharp so sweet. nobody knows your heart."

If you can appreciate Sasha's voice enough without being too distracted by the constant drum and synth programming, this album is quite the ticket. The songs sung in Latin or French may lose the storyline of the concept, but Sasha includes a nice written bit detailing the conflict felt by the heroine:

"I live in shades of black and white. I am drawn to the dark... I rise to the lure of the lights. I am seduced by the pulsating, pounding sounds that spell danger. I am in constant conflict. I am touched by the sweet, the good, the kind. I am passionate about the dark, the tumultuous. I am ripped apart... torn in two by the battles I fight within my heart."

As for the album title, it's based on what red symbolizes according to text from Stephanie Busuttil's Red, be it seduction, life, death, euphoria, but most important of all, "red is the key and when applied to lips, will open all doors."

Most people, myself included, know Sasha Lazard as the voice behind the English version of the love theme for the film "Princess Mononoke." I'd been trying to find more of her music ever since then, and I was quite excited when I came across her CD "The Myth of Red" at a local record store.

Loosely based on the Sumerian myth of Inanna/Ishtar descending to the underworld, "Red" is a collection of tracks fusing opera vocal with electronic beats and arrangements. Lazard employs a number of collaborators, including violinist Lily Hayden, singer E-Day, and techno maestro DJ Spooky to deliver a hypnotic debut full of potential. The songs are all gorgeously arranged and delivered with standouts including the seductive "Awakening", the crystalline "Angeli", and the kinetic and rousing "Battle Of Erishkigal".

"Red" is a phenomenal debut album and speaks highly of Lazard's promise as a singer and arranger. Fans of Emma Shapplin and Sarah Brightman's more pop-leaning CDs will find much to enjoy here, while fans of Trance Opera and similar groups may find the tracks -- while beautiful -- lacking in kinetic potential. The CD also includes the aforementioned theme to "Princess Mononoke" and a remix of "Awakening" by Delerium which, while interesting, fails to improve on the original but could give Lazard access to a club audience.

All in all, a great album with much to like. Highly recommended for opera fans and electronica fans alike.

There are an awful lot of superlatives being thrown at this album by the reviewers; I'm sure for some people this is an epiphany. I enjoyed it on first listen, but it doesn't really hold up. Think of the music that accompanies Cirque du Soleil's performances; if that appeals to you, run -- don't walk -- to your nearest CD store. Otherwise, approach this with guarded optimism. The entire package, from the cryptic album title to the world-beat smorgasbord of musical styles to the provocative photos of Ms. Lazard on the jewel case, is supposed to evoke some mysterious and tres meaningful message, but I suspect it's only discernible to new age types who secretly think John Tesh is some kind of god. I suggest that unless you're one who really likes to wallow in swirling Enya-esque aural environments for hours on end sipping on chamomile tea and thinking deep thoughts, this might wear thin on you very quickly. That being said, Ms. Lazard is a truly gifted singer, and if she ever releases an album that features her voice in a more unadorned, less contrived setting, I'll be the first one in line to buy it.

Lovely voice. Excellent music. The drums, electronic or otherwise, are unnessesary. Drums are often just a glorified click track left in, in many recordings for the more rhythmically challenged listeners - my opinion. The vocals and musical instrumentations stand alone just fine by themselves. I wish I could edit out some of the overused drum tracks found in many examples of modern popular music, maybe recordings could become more interactive someday. Anybody listening?

Both my parents were avid opera and classical music fans, and my home was always filled with the sounds. I loved many of the vocals, but found some to be opera-erattic sometimes. Trying to squeeze dozens of different notes into a few clicks of the metronome sometimes was way bizarre. Although, when Miles or Jimi did it with jazz & rock on their instruments it worked.

Sasha's smooth vocal release evokes a primordeal sensation. From her vocal chords to my eardrums sparks a bold spiritual sweetness I've experianced by only a few female singers. Diana Ross, a young Madonna, and early Alison Krause provide the same chemistry. Maybe it's a male/female thing.

Sasha Lazard and Emma Shapplin have created an appreciation in me for the more classical styles of contemporary vocalists.

Remember that weirdly wonderful techno-aria sung by the character Plavalaguna in "The Fifth Element"? Well, here's an entire CD of opera/tek grooves like that one. But unlike the blue diva in "Element," Sasha Lazard doesn't need to synthetically enhance her soaring soprano pipes. Here she mixes her classical background with Electronica, overdubs, plus some funky World beats, to a surprisingly successful end. Such hybrid music isn't for everyone: if you don't believe in messing with sainted Old Masters (Rachmaninoff and Rimsky-Korsakov; Ave Maria), steer clear. But if you're open to some audio fun that marries old and new (Princess Mononoke's Theme Song, DJ Spooky), go for it. These tracks are light clean fun guaranteed to evoke smiles at your next cocktail party.

Remember those ancient Greek myths and legends about beautiful sea sirens with voices so pure and enchanting they could lure unwary seafarers to their doom on the rocks? Well, if those stories were true I guarantee Sasha Lazard would be one of those mythic creatures.

'The Myth of Red' is an ingenious blending of mood and emotion all perfectly complimented by one of the most beautiful voices you'll ever hear. Some tracks are deeply romantic, others darkly spiritual and some medieval or Gothic. All are excellent!

This is a first rate production in every way; song selection, lush musical accompaniment and of course the amazing Sasha. If you're already a fan of Lisa Gerrard or Lorenna McKennit get ready to add Sasha Lazard to your list!

Up until now, I haven't heard of Sasha Lazard. I was just at my favorite record store when I came across "The Myth of Red" in the used cd bins. Intrigued, I checked the back of the cd and saw that Delerium does a remix of "Awakening". Being a massive fan of Delerium, I bought the cd without listening to the cd first. This was how it was when I discovered Mediaeval Baebes with their 2000 album "Undrentide". Instincts told me that the music on "The Myth of Red" would fall under the techno category. The cover of the album is a bit too polished and makes the album looks like a Trisha Yearwood cover.

Musically, the fusion of opera and techno is nothing new. Here on "The Myth of Red", Sasha throws in a dash of Russian folk music with the combination of opera and techno. I couldn't help but notice how much "Ode to Innocence" sounded like Operatica's "Melancholy Rose". It is a beautiful song but at the same time sounded too much like "Melancholy Rose". "Awakenings" and "Angeli" is the standout tracks on this album. The remix to "Awakenings" picks up the pace. It is a good remix but nothing to write home about. Still there really isn't much for me to complain about "The Myth of Red". Sasha has proven to me that she can sing (unlike a lot of today's artists). She definitely has a lot of potential. I sure hope to hear a lot more music from her.

I am jealous of the reviewers who saw the live performance. I bought this CD by accident (like all other reviewers) and was shocked and stunned after listening. If you enjoy what Sarah Brightman, Emma Shapplin and Filippa Giordano do..you MUST have this CD. Simply outstanding.

I had the pleasure of watching Sasha prepare her voice and practice before a show.It was only me and another girl in the room.At the time I had no idea who she was but after hearing her strong vocals and the wonderfull music behind it I was hooked.I only wish I got up the nerve to introduce myself. She realy is very statuesque and intimidating in person...and yes it is her voice purely throughout the entire album. No tricks. simply amazing.