Customer Reviews

Odyssey-The Remix Collection

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Delerium is one of those rare bands that succeed in getting me hipped for a new release. Ever since I bought KARMA two years ago, followed by their 2000 release, POEM, I have become an official fan of their synthy pop fusion with gregorian chantings and world infections. So once I found out about a forthcoming remixed album I nearly sky-rocketed through the roof of my house. I love Delerium yet I also thrive on the pulsating beats of techno and electronica so the exploration of this ODYSSEY was highly anticipated, and nay was I once disappointed or left feeling empty upon questing. It wasn't until a couple weeks after I purchased this, though, that I began to worry if it had really been worth my money. I searched everywhere for a playlist yet it was nowhere to be found. And then when it did appear it only had songs from their more recent albums SEMNATIC SPACES, KARMA, and POEM, which was sort of a letdown. I'd been expecting remixes dating all the way back to their darker more industrial days as well as their newer more lighter material. Instead they've chosen 8 different songs to be remix by professionals such as DJ Tiesto and Matt Darey, including Silence (3xs), Underwater (2xs), Heaven's Earth (2xs), Innocente (2xs), Euphoria Firefly (1x), Duende (2xs), Flowers Become Screens (2xs), and Incantation (1x).

In the beggining I completely agreed with many other reviewers that thought it ridiculous having remixed two, sometimes three versions of the same song but after hearing this CD several times through I couldn't disagree anymore. No one song sounds alike to another for (whether it be techno, disco, electronica, or heavy dubbing) they're all in their own varied styles; nor do any of the rhythms linger on one continous vibe. It's everchanging so you don't have to worry about it being dull or redundant, despite the constant "re"mixing... I actually prefer some of the remixes over the originals, such as Innocente which tends to get annoying. My absolute favorite song on here is probably a tie between Incantation and Flowers Become Screens (the frequency modulation mix), which both come from their SEMNATIC SPACES cd. So I suppose the overall feel of this Odyssey would have to be overwhelming, which in this case is a positive thing.

NOTE: The development of ex-delerium Rhys Fulber is a very ethereal mixing of Sarah Brightman's A Whiter Shade Of Pale. He (as well as Kristy Thirsk) are also working with a group called Balligomingo - which is similar to Delerium - so look out for it. ...

I was rather disappointed that this remix collection consists of the songs that Delerium released as singles. The remixes in general are good. I love the remixes to "Innocente", one of my favorite songs off the group's recent album "Poem". The song itself sounds better than the original. Hearing the remixes for "Flowers Become Screens", "Underwater", "Duende", "Incantation", and "Euphoria (Firefly)" was new to me. What really resonated with me (and I don't mean that in a good way either) was the repetiveness of this compilation. Was it really necessary to listen to the same songs but remixed differently for almost two hours? Frankly I could have lived without two different versions of every song on this cd. Delerium should have chosen their best remixes of each song and put that particular remix on the cd. Having two cds was just ridiculous and pointless. I love Delerium but I fail to see why I had to listen to two different versions of "Silence", "Duende", "Innocente", "Heaven's Earth", "Flowers Become Screens", and "Underwater". The second disc should have been remixes of songs that weren't released as singles. I was terribly disappointed that all this wait for this cd to be released was a moot point.

I admit that I'm no authority on Trance music. I do know what I like and don't like. This CD I LOVE, but let me tell you why. OK first off, listening to CD1 I wasn't all too impressed, but still entertained. I then popped in CD2 with lowered expectations and WOW was I IMPRESSED!!! To me, this is Trance music at it's best... a beautiful adrenaline journey of high energy mixed with layers of gorgeous, dreamy vocals. I'm no Sarah McLachlan fan and am actually sick of her over-played songs but these mixes work with her vocals wonderfully. If you are a big fan of Sarah M then you will for sure want this CD set. This set is an audible journey I will gladly take over and over.

It's quite interesting that the world's most popular ethno-electronica groups, Enigma and Delerium, decided to release remix albums within the same timeframes. That said, the two albums make excellent comparisons.

While the selection of remixes on Enigma's remix album (Love, Sensuality, Devotion) is varied and diverse, ranging from hard techno to softer, more relaxing drum n' bass, Delerium's similar two-disc effort (Odyssey) is somewhat bland and repetitive. Not only do many of the remixes on the album sound the same, there are three different remixes of THE SAME SONG on the album. Not to say that the remixes themselves aren't excellent, but some diversity in the genres of music represented on the album would have been much appreciated.

I'm not saying at all that Odyssey is a bad album - on the contrary, for Delerium fans and dance fans, this album is a must. But some varied selections would have been a good idea to keep the general populous enthralled throughout the entire thing.

The album contains songs from Delerium's three latest albums, 'Semantic Spaces' (1994), 'Karma' (1997), and 'Poem' (2000). There's a nice representation from each album here - each single from each album seems to be represented equally, which is a good thing. Too often remix albums turn into promotion tools to help sell the "real" album of an artist. Not so here.

Overall, this is a solid effort. A little more diversity would have been appreciated, but the remixes themselves are solid. I'm definitely not disappointed.

I am not really a fan of remixing great songs and so I purchased this CD with great trepidation. I saw the Compilation Listings for both CD's and wondered like many reviewers before me why Delerium would remix two or three copies of the same song. So with bated breath I listened to the CD for the first time expecting really nothing at all.
I was shocked and surprised, shocked because the mixed songs sounded better than the originals and surprised that they didnt mix some of the early songs from other albums like Drama or Embodyment.
The remixed versions of Silence and Euphoria work well and I can see and understand why they are hits on many night-club dance floors. If you are having a party or simply chilling out at home, this CD with 12 great remixed versions of songs that any Delerium fan would know and love is the best way to enjoy yourselves.
Get this CD if you are having a party - trust me the guests would be grooving to the early hours of the morning.

I love Delerium through all it's incarnations, especially Kharma and Poem. Here you have dance remixes of that style music. The music is good, but there is nothing essential here unless you are a rabid fan. The content can get repetitive but that is the nature of the beast.

I enjoyed it the few times I listed to it, but I have no great desire to put it in my regular play pile. The standard Delerium LPs get much more play. They could have made this better with a bit more variety, but all in all, it's not bad. Just not great.

For something similar, yet infinitely better (in my opinion) get the Sarah McLaughlin Remixed album. THAT gets a lot of play.

Look for their new album, Chimera, to be released 6/24/03.
Thanks for reading.

The cover says Delerium: Odyssey, the Remix Collection. It does not say Delerium: Odyssey, the Album. Most Delerium fans will not like this double CD set as evidenced by the other reviews listed.

However, if you enjoy electronica and dance as I do, then this is just what you're looking for. One of the most popular tracks, DJ Tiesto's version of Silence, starts it off. Both Heaven's Earth remixes are noteworthy, as are the two Innocentes. Not every song is perfect, mind you, but considering there are two discs here, there is more than enough to make it a must buy. I wish they had released this sooner instead than forcing me to scavenge for their past singles which only had one or two good songs on each.

Be sure to pick this up if you like Tiesto, bt, Chicane, or Ferry Corsten.

As an avid Delerium fan, especially Karma and Semantic Spaces, I opened this CD with MUCH excitement. Sadly, the remixes are not near enough to the original to make it worthwhile, and are much more energetic than I had hoped. There was a time when "Remix" did NOT mean "techno". There are a few gems, however, but only the remixes of Silence I've heard before on other compilation CDs. I'll keep this, but not treasure it as much as the rest of my collection.

I was suprised with some of the poor reviews! I recently purchased this CD and was thrilled with the remixes. I actually already have some Delerium remixes through Paul Oakenfold CDs and such and thought I would be buying duplicate material but was thrilled with the new stuff! I love track 2 side 1 especially but they are all excellent. I am also a music producer with picky ears and I highly recommend this double CD set! Of course I love Delerium's material over the past 4-5 years and think they are one of the best artists I have heard in years!

I am a huge fan of the "new" Delerium that touches upon a musical spirituality and depth rarely met by other groups of this genre (like Enigma). Albums like "Poem" and "Semantic Spaces" touch my soul and have me reaching out for harmony and happiness. While I have rarely been into straight-ahead, repetitive techno, this album combines the spirituality of the original music while also taking me into another space with throbbing bass beats and wandering synths. This CD actually reminds me of older BT or Robert Miles. If you are a fan of the "new" Delerium, if you are a fan of techno, or if you are searching for something magnificent, pick up this CD.