Past Is Prologue

Tycho | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Merck
• ASIN: B000J10G5Y
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,730 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful re-issue of an already amazing album, January 18, 2008

By 

Myxomatosis (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Past Is Prologue (Audio CD)

First and foremost, for the uninitiated, Tycho is an electronic / ambient project from the San Francisco based artist and producer Scott Hansen. "Known in the design world as ISO50, Hansen's bucolic, sun-drenched design style serves as a backdrop for the music which so closely echoes his visual sentiments."

-Now that you know who Tycho is, let me catch you up on the album in question "Past Is Prologue", which is a re-issue of the album Sunrise Projector that is nearly identical; expect for a few added tracks which add a nice touch.

I had been meaning to buy Sunrise Projector for some time after hearing it, and before I had the opportunity to, Past Is Prologue was released. The sound isn't so much like most down tempo electronic music, if done wrong this album could've very well ended up being just another overly synthetic electronic album. But the ambiance here is where the true beauty lies. Never before have I heard such a creative blend of nature mixed with personality to form a distinct sound. Think the Boards of Canada meets The Postal Service w/ out the singing of course (this is ambient music people).

The subliminal undertones that work their way into each song may only be recognized upon the third or fourth listen. Soft voices speaking about planting trees and world unity go further than one would think. As gimmicky as it may sound these voices add such a pleasant feel, something everyone can relate to. The swirling beats surrounding crackling melodramatic thumps feel like something from another world. Seriously, this album is alien & common at the same time. With voices being drawn into the equation the parameter of these songs could have been easily thrown off. Again, I feel like most electronic artists overuse the subtle sounds of the human voice. Unlike Björk, this isn't singing, the voices play as subliminal reminders of the human connection with the world. As cliché as that may sound that is almost what this album comes down to. For the full experience listen to it outdoors when you're by yourself, you'll end up appreciating it much more.

For the most part this is an incredible album in my opinion. What is truly done right here is the progression. Sounds don't abruptly end, they take there time to unwind. My only complaint is that I wish these songs where longer. As fleshed out as they are I could have used another minute or two on each song respectively. The remixes are incredible, electronic music is not remixed enough in my opinion, and when done right brings and old song back to life. Specifically, the song A Circular Reeducation - Dusty Brown Remix, which captures a whole new side of Tycho.

Don't fool yourself, this is an amazing album...

Track Listing

1. From Home
2. Sunrise Projector
3. Dictaphone's Lament
4. PBS
5. Send And Receive
6. Brother
7. A Circular Reeducation
8. Past Is Prologue
9. Cloud Generator
10. The Disconnect
11. A Circular Reeducation - Dusty Brown Remix
12. Send And Receive - Chachi Jones Remix
13. Sunrise Projector - Nautilis Remix

5.0 out of 5 stars Ambient/IDM masterpiece, October 11, 2010

By 

LightSnMusic - See all my reviews

This review is from: Past Is Prologue (Audio CD)

Amazing cd.. Every track is unique, but manages to keep its underwater-dream-like melodies, and never boring.
Some very nice, yet subtle beats. Lets you know Scott knows what he's doin, but rather not rub your face in it and never compromising his music. Truly genius work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection!!!, September 23, 2010

By 

Eric Fuentes "TheJester77" (Dana Point, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Past Is Prologue (Audio CD)

Perfection... Simply Perfection!!!

This album is what I call the perfect album. From the first track to the last, Perfection!!!

The other two reviews sum it up in physical words, and even spirtual. I literally have listened to this cd over 100 times and probably play it once a day.

This is more like a Life Soundtrack for me. No matter what mood I am in this album takes me to another place. I just came back from camping and this album was repeated numerous times by everyone there.

Truely amazing in every way, I hope everyone gets a chance to listen to it at least once. Or at least 3 or 4 times to truly enjoy all the other tunes you didn't catch the first time.

Crank it up, turn the terrible up and clean out the bass for the beautiful lows... And just enjoy LIFE!!!