A Passage In Time

The Prom, Dead Can Dance | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 7, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: 4ad / Ada
• ASIN: B000007SPW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,382 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative
  • #58 in Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative > General
  • #79 in Music > Indie Music > Rock > Progressive

Editorial Reviews

Out of print in the U.S.! Import pressing of this classic 1991 compilation album from one of the 4AD label's most popular and influential bands. At the core of Dead Can Dance is guitarist Brendan Perry and vocalist Lisa Gerard, who created a body of work that remains invigorating and uniquely their own. 16 tracks. 4AD. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why does everyone assume a compilation is a "best of"?, May 13, 2002

By 

C. B. Newman "moodindigo2" (Brisbane, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Passage In Time (Audio CD)

I find it curious and ironic to see reviews of this album that focus and criticize on the aspect of the album missing "this track" or lacking "that transition" in the band's career. One reviewer even goes as far as giving this album a two-star rating, and I think to myself "Has he actually listened to the disc?". Allow me to explain. This album was in fact the first Dead Can Dance album I ever heard. It was recommended to me by a friend of a friend .... One's perspective can not be more unbiased than a first impression of an album and group. No previous albums to compare to, no chronology to gauge the music to.
On its own, A Passage In Time is exceptional. There is a stylistic theme to the album that eludes many compilations. For those who have yet to listen to Dead Can Dance, this album would almost give one the sensation of attending an ancient Byzantine court, or traversing the Aegean sea in a Phoenican trading ship. The music feels antiquital, but it is very refreshing. Classical, yet modern, New Age yet rooted in traditional styles of ancient music. In this era where so much music is repetitive, the DCD duo has been able to honor the past by giving rebirth to the old instead of mimicing it.
Two star rating? No. That comes from listeners not finding what they want and expect. What you will find in this album is an excellent sample of a moment in DCD's career. It is only a passage to explore, a glimpse, not the treasure chamber of DCD that comprises of their entire career.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before Enigma/Deep Forest/Delerium there was... DCD!!, December 15, 2003

By 

sandwich (Victoria, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Passage In Time (Audio CD)

Took me a while to really get into Dead Can Dance but now I can't imagine not having them in my CD collection. I've always loved exotic, ambient and meditative music and Dead Can Dance are unlike anything else I've heard. This compilation consists of a rich mixture of tribal, choir, medievil gothic, world and ambient soundscape. I don't feel it's fair to categorise DCD as merely 'new age' or 'gothic' when it is both and a whole lot more. I've hunted for music like this for so long before I was even aware of DCD and it's all here. Very raw, minimal, sensual and soothing without being ruined by added layered synths and electronica. Stripped down and peaceful. One of the best CDs I own.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unlike anything you've ever heard., July 8, 2003

By 

H3@+h "Over 1500 reviews!" (thanks for the helpful review votes) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Passage In Time (Audio CD)

Chances are, you don't have anything else like this in your cd collection. I've been listening for 13 years and still have no real comparisons. Only the "Cocteau Twins" or a darker "Enya" come to mind...but not really. Though some of their stuff has kind of a tribal sound to it, most of this collection is more gothic, more medieval. I always envision this music coming out of some cathedral, in a far away and mysterious place, hundreds of years ago. That's what's so wonderful about "Dead Can Dance". They can transport you to places other music cannot. I also enjoy both the male, and female vocals, on the tracks that have them. I honestly think that someone would enjoy most of their albums equally, but this does give you a taste of many of them. This is a good place to expand your knowledge of music through time.