Customer Reviews

Nothing Changes Under the Sun

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album was close to 5 stars. Finally, a chill out album with "real instrument" sound to it. I am not a music producer but I can for sure attest to the authenticity of their sound. It took a couple of listenings, but after a while each track stood out. The first three tracks are incredible. My favorite is song 2, which has a mysterious beat, that makes you want to disconnect the phone, turn off the TV, and just chill with your favorite drink. Although I don't think everything from the ESL label is great, this album, along with Thievery Corps latest release, are the best ear candy out there right now.

Whenever I listen to any of the Blue States albums I feel like I am traveling... Traveling away from my worries, leaving them behind to new beginnings. If you love the open road you must buy this album... Very liberating. It has a vintage 70's classic rock music made for film vibe. 10.

This disc is very hard to classify. Judging by some of the other reviews, you wonder if it should be an instrumental, jazz, chill-out or just downtempo/lounge cd. I think if you put all of that together, mix in a healthy filling of electronica and you have Nothing Changes Under the Sun.

I love this CD. It's light and airy, artistic and just a total change of pace from what I was expecting - maybe because I didn't know what to expect. It's heavy instrumentation, and each song sounds like it could have been in a movie soundtrack from - but which time frame? I still haven't figured it out.

If you've listened to Kinobe's Skyscraper, some of the tracks by Blue States' remind me of that style, but are more polished than Kinobe's sound in general IMO. Of course teh most popular song on this CD is "Your Girl", which is fantastic. But Diamente, The Trainer Shuffle, The Golden Touch and Elios Therapia are stunning tracks to me as well.

Definitely Pick this up! IF you're a fan of schema styles, you'd probably like this change of pace. IF you've heard ESL's Modular Systems, you can sample one of Blue State's tracks as well. Enjloy.

There's some serious buzz hauled on the back of Blue States (Andy Dragazis) and his debut release, which finally sees domestic distribution from ESL Music, label of Thievery Corporation - who know a thing or two about sublime bar grooves.

Chill seekers received a hint of possibility from Dragazis when his oddly disturbing 60's jewel "Your Girl" surfaced on OM Lounge 2, appearing here in a more organic mix. That in fact mirrors the approach of the album, with textured string samples ("The Trainer Shuffle") live percussion ("Diamente") and solid doses of guitar ("Arion") fluidly melding into full orchestrations.

More so than the instrumentation, Blue States takes his melancholy very seriously, standing out from the wave of current chill-kitsch peddlers (Bent, Lemon Jelly, etc) by leaving the cheeky samples on the dilapidated vinyl they came from, instead evoking the memories of cloudy coastal drives. Factor in the spy shuffler "Golden Touch" and twamgy western "Elios Therepia" for a dash of punch along the way.

Now whether your tastes will accommodate mood and grand vistas over singles and variety (essentially an album vs soundtrack debate) ultimately determines the reaction to Nothing Changes Over the Sun. In a world of MP3's, DJ mixes, and mega-comps, quite possibly this broader approach to music plays alien to the ears. Listeners who find imagery frequently drifting through minds, however, have the score they've been looking for.

Blues State's Nothing Changes Under the Sun is perhaps one of the best CDs to be released on the ESL label. Easy to say that because his music is inventive and lacks the one dimensional feel of conventional lounge music. Indeed, Blues State's Nothing Changes Under the Sun is "complex" lounge music with passion and emotion. And although it takes a few listens to appreciate it, you will, my friend! This is lounge music for those who are tired of recycled basslines under over-sampled sirens. Blue State's music is beautiful and organic and could easily be the soundtrack for some Western or Oliver Stone flick. "Nothing Changes Under the Sun" is a true classic!

buying music as i do, this album is one that i've bought twice (after being stolen) and it's fully worth it. what strikes me most about it is the range of styles and genres he's able to cover while interpreting as his own. of course my favorite is "the trainer shuffle," (which kicks some serious booty while descending in an airplane) but i am also particulary impressed by "elios therepia." buy it. i did twice.

Found out about this one man phenomena Andy Dragazis aka Blue States from a magazine. Sounds like those old soundtracks with Morricone, John Barry etc2...very organice sounding despite the "chill out" label given to him...in fact he sounds WAYYY better than most"downtempo" bands out there who rely on kitschy elements and studio gimmicks..due to the fact that he actually uses real instruments...just take a listen to the first track Arion and you 'll see what i mean. A definite must buy for downtempo fans.

This is an album that will captivate you from the beginning to the end, I wouldn't say that it is an all-time classic however there is a sense of originality. If you are a dedicated Air fan then I would recomend this album because it will expand your breadth in downtempo music.

One of the stengths of this album is its ability to bring in subtle unexpected surprises that will grab your attention. On a positive note this album has given me a flavour of different beats that normally I would dislike and has actually helped me to appreciate these new flavours.

this is the album downtempo has been crying out for sublime tunes with a hint of john barry roy budd et all,elios therepia blows the sox off any other summer tune and should explode when its released here in the uk later summer early ep's and tunes dirty deeds being among them showed early promise my the boy has delivered the goodz now, live they rock the most five piece live ensemble truely awe inspiring catch em when ya can!!! there is as they say only one paolo wanchope!!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this album but let me assure you that its now one of my all time favourite chill albums along with 'Premiers Symptomes' and 'Talkie Walkie' from AIR. The live instrumentation really adds a beautiful and layered texture to the electronic production. I like almost all of the tracks except for maybe Elios Therepia and Cherio Manou which I think take away a certain flow from the album. Although its hard to just pick a couple of my favourite tracks i'd say Diamente , The Trainer Shuffle , Your Girl and Heroes Elegy are the ones I constantly put on repeat. Get this album if you're looking for under appreciated talent thats better than 90% of what you hear on the radio.