Customer Reviews

Penguin Cafe Orchestra

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Penguin Cafe Orchestra's self-titled album is lush, ambient music which sometimes recalls the quieter tracks on, say, Brian Eno's Another Green World. But PCO's ambience, at least on this album, is brighter (bright, as in mood, not intelligence) and more soothing than the sombre Eno melodies.

Penguin Cafe Orchestra is, if not a true orchestra, a rather large group; but rest assured they don't violate or abandon their minimalist aesthetic. The core of most of these songs are quite simple actually. Telephone and Rubber band, perhaps the most minimal of the songs here, begins with a spliced tape loop of, yes, a telephone ring. Soon a guitar, bass and other intstruments join in around the telephone signal and create an irresistably engaging song. Air A Danser, likewise, is lush yet simple, but when all of the harmonies and instruments are in full swing, swirling in and among one another like small-winged insects fluttering near a porch light, believe me, you'll swear that this music is quite complex.

My favorite, however, is Cutting Branches For a Temporary Shelter, one of the longer cuts that--and, gosh, forgive me for being so sentimental--actually reminds me of raindrops falling.

I strongly recommend this disc for anyone who appreciates beautiful, simple and intelligent instrumental music.

The Penguin Café Orchestra's second album (released half a decade after 'Music from the Penguin Café'), this is much less experimental and odd, although it's not bad for all that. Not that anything here could pop up on a Shania Twain album, however. The key tracks are 'Air a Danser' ('Tubular Bells' with sunshine, a piece which evokes green summer lawns and tea parties but in a good way) and 'Telephone and Rubber Band', the latter of which has become the group's signature tune, blending a catchy, unusual tune with a quirky orchestration (DTMF tones and a twangy bass noise). It has since been used in a film soundtrack ('Malcolm') and a series of television adverts for mobile telephones, and, along with 'Music from a Found Harmonium' (a couple of albums later), is the piece you're most likely to recognise. Apart from that the album is gently disappointing - 'The Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas' is one of the greatest song names ever, but along with everything from the third track onwards it's undistinguished (for the PCO) folky world-music with quirky touches. This is all relative, of course. Even at their least interesting the PCO are still unique and strange.

Upon first listen of this disk I was amazed how utterly unique yet palatable the music is. Yes, the approach is strange but this disk is so affectionately addicting in its dreamy presentation one cannot stop listening. So smooth, each track blends with one another yet the styles covered here range from classical ("Numbers 1-4"), to experimental ("Telephone and Rubber Band" - excellent I might add); from light jazz (The Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas) to bluegrass (Yodel 2); and from Cajun-light (Salty Bean Fumble)to even a Penguin Cafe cover of the surf rock classic "Walk Don't Run"! Do not be fooled, ths is not your typical _New Age_ music. This is for those who are a bit adventurous and even admire a tad of humorous, elements in their listening experience.

This album should please anyone who likes quirky chamber music, and many of the PBS crowd. "Air A Danser" shows that fiddles can be fun. "Yodel 1" has rhythmic acoustic guitar and drum with some piano runs overlaid, very active yet quiet. "Telephone And Rubber Band" has what sounds like a repeating telephone tone sample combined with some violin full of tonalities. "Cutting Branches" has peaceful vibraphone/bell runs. "The Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas" has an upbeat rhythm suitable for dancing fleas or penguins or dancing anything, really quirky. "Flux" is a pulsating mood with plucking acoustic guitar strings and surging violin tones. Highly recommended, my favorite PCO album!

I heard Telephone and Rubber Band on Public Radio, and assiduously tracked down the album (on cassette, which I wore out.) There are still times when the music enters my mind again. Air a danser goes with a half-dozen extraordinarily lovely instrumental tunes: Last Song for Shelby Jean on Hillbilly Jazz is another. Highly recommended

This is a must have CD! Experimental? Get out of town! This is as much fun as Talking Heads. These are the kinds of "experiments" that only the highly skilled and inspired can pull off. FUN! Great repeat listening. After many years I am buying my second copy. Why? I can't get "Telephone and rubber band" out of my head. Excellent tunes!!!

Penguin cafe orchestra does it wonderfully and with style. Its like no other music you've ever heard before. Beautiful, rhythmic melodies beg for dancing, and make the listener feel great. "Air a Danser" is one of the most wonderful songs i've ever heard...like summer rain.

I always felt that Penguin was my own secret, but it's good to see that others have discovered them. This debut album is their best balanced album. "Air A Danser", "The Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas", and "Cutting Branches for a Temporary Shelter" are all outstanding. The "push-button phone" song is also a fine, artistic goof.

This debut release from Penguin Cafe Orchestra is by far the best of all their records, with "Music From" following.

Last song, side one, is stellar.

This is very odd music but its quite loveable in its seeming "innocence". Take most of the instruments from a music store, use them to play very simple tunes with careful arrangements and you would have something like what this record contains. I really enjoyed this record. Its just fun to listen to. There is a spirit of playful humor about the whole affair. I especially enjoyed "Cutting Branches", a tiny little tune, but very sweet.