No Roots [Enhanced]

Faithless | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 20, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B0002I92J0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,614 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After a decade as one of the world's most successful dance acts, Faithless's distinct sound has put them at risk of becoming dinosaurs. Thankfully No Roots doesn't rest on the laurels of former glory and delivers something quite special. Sister Bliss's shrill, semi-hard-house synth stabs are all but gone, replaced by less dated sounds and more thoughtful use of them. Tempos are lower and song structure plays a more valuable part, for No Roots is in fact only two gigantic, epic songs, with each track a progression on the previous one and clever segues leading into the next. The only song that doesn't fall into "Parts 1 & 2" is the lead single version of "Mass Destruction" tacked on the end; it's a funky, breaks-based tune with Maxi Jazz's trademark vocal (used sparingly throughout the album) over live bass and guitars.

Anyone who's seen Faithless live knows how they can jam around their back catalog, making medleys and breakdowns of epic proportions: No Roots is a studio realization of that. Highlighted by "I Want More," downbeat tunes build until their climax when an uptempo number will kick in. "Sweep" is simply a 909 drum and percussion loop with synth flourishes that drops into "Miss U Less, See U More," a classic house tune that closes part one of the album. Something other than a collection of hands-in-the-air floor-fillers and downbeat songs to chill out to, No Roots should be listened to in its entirety. It's a cohesive body of work that builds and dips in all the right places. --David Trueman

Product Description

After a decade as one of the world's most successful dance acts, Faithless' distinct sound has put them at risk of becoming dinosaurs. Thankfully 'No Roots' doesn't rest on the laurels of former glory & delivers something quite special. Sister Bliss's shrill, semi-hard-house synth stabs are all but gone, replaced by less dated sounds & more thoughtful use of them. Tempos are lower & song structure plays a more valuable part, for 'No Roots' is in fact only two gigantic, epic songs, with each track a progression on the previous one & clever segues leading into the next. The only song that doesn't fall into 'Parts 1 & 2' is the lead single version of 'Mass Destruction' tacked on the end; it's a funky, breaks-based tune with Maxi Jazz's trademark vocal (used sparingly throughout the album) over live bass & guitars. 15-track album featuring guest vocals from Dido & LSK plus samples from David Bowie & soul legend Nina Simone - includes 'Mass Destruction' (P*Nut & Sister Bliss Mix). BMG. 2004. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Less easy, more engaging: good buy, June 11, 2004

By 

Bram Janssen (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Roots (Audio CD)

This new Faithless album distinguishes itself from the former three by being less dance-oriented. It looks as if they have decided that they've exploited the "Insomnia", "Salva Mea", and "God is a DJ" sound enough by now. Do not take this the wrong way, I love all of these tracks, but I think it is better this way.

The album "No Roots" is more intelligent, more message-driven and less varied, less up and down the wall. The main message is war, in its personal and sociological hue. There is a new vocalist, called LSK, and his voice fits the Faithless sounds. Maxi Jazz' lyrics are once again deeply inspiring, Dido makes another cameo. Rollo and Sister Bliss' efforts are less to the front, since none of the new songs seem to have that characteristic easy melody. Instead, the melodies arrive from orchestration and percussion.

All this makes this the easiest to listen to Faithless album, and the loungeiest. Yet, in a way, it seems the most coherent, developed and inspiring of them all, even when my premonitions tell me there will not be any great hits coming from this album. But isn't less presence in the hit parade more often the price for taking the long way home and abandoning easy tunes?

This one gets four stars,

Bram Janssen,
The Netherlands

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very excellent! With a twist!, December 29, 2004

By 

Steven Piek (Calgary, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: No Roots (Audio CD)

Well what can be said about Faithless? What indeed. They certainly have been around for a looong time now. Dating back to when dance/trance/club music was making huge waves over in the UK scene. But out of all of that, Faithless have grown, lost members and gained new ones. Throughout all of this, the sound of Faithless has remained for the most part constant. Until now. No Roots brings Faithless over the threshold into a new era. Gone now is the signature "trance/dance" stand out song we all expected to hear from their releases (IE, We Come One, God Is A DJ). We have instead, a more music and vocal driven selection. Added is a new frontline vocalist along side Maxi Jazz, who brings a soothing change to the group. There are also some really spectacular music only tracks here which can take you on quite the journey without the use of drugs. I highly recommend this cd even if you are not a true Faithless follower. Go for it, you won't regret it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hypnotic and Soul Cleansing, July 12, 2006

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: No Roots (Audio CD)

"More oneness, less categories,
Open hearts, no strategies.
Decisions based upon faith and not fear.
People who live right now and right here.
I want the wisdom that wise men revere."
~I Want More - Part 2

No Roots is filled with lyrics rooted in truth and "I Want More - Part 2" is especially meaningful in that regard. While Sweep knocks you off your feet and leaves you a little dazed, Miss U Less, See U More is surprisingly refreshing. "How could I continue to be the sky without my earth." So romantic...

Filled with social commentary and stories, this music is beautiful and meaningful. The wisdom reaches the heart of the matter and is very palatable in a variety of musical styles.

"You will always be a friend to me
My love persists over land and sea, through centuries"
~No Roots

No Roots slips and slides in musical waves that branch out into wide-open spaces of sound and becomes hypnotizing. You are not sure where one song ends and one begins as the song morphs into "Swingers" as the energy increases and the pace grows ever more rapid. Truly quite fascinating but very intense leading you into a dreamy "Pastoral." You can hardly believe the same band is producing such a variety of moods and musical places. One minute they are rapping, the next floating in dreamy soundscapes of ultimate piano perfection and then delving into club moods. This album is a much more intense album than Outrospective but has some interesting lyrics I enjoyed.

~The Rebecca Review