Poem

Delerium | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 2004)
• Original Release Date: November 21, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nettwerk Int'l
• ASIN: B00005176L
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (156 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,031 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

B IEW: Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber have been perfecting their Enigma-esque form of pseudospirtual, vaguely gothic dance pop since they began collaborating in the mid-1980s. Whether working as Delerium, or under their better-known name Front Line Assembly (among others), their music, which is airy and laden with reverb, usually features guest contributions from a rolling ensemble of female vocalists. Occasionally, the formula yields a worthy hit, like "Silence," the twosome's transcendent collaboration with Sarah McLachlan on Karma (1997). On this effort, a guest turn from Matthew Sweet livens up "Daylight," and The Mediaeval Baebes (fronted by ex-Miranda Sex Garden vocalist Katharine Blake) lend their silky pipes to the lovely "Aria." Too often, however, the unvarying tempos, synthesizer washes, and predictable minor chord progressions become numbingly repetitive, only sporadically coming together to create something distinctive. Diehards of the genre will enjoy it, but others may be better advised to check out the band's earlier work or to explore the similar but often more inventive music of bands like Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil, and Vas. --Matthew Cooke

Product Description

German limited edition reissue of the dark-ambient/dance act's 2000 release includes a bonus disc with 5 tracks, 'Silence' feat. Sarah McLachlan (Airscape remix edit), 'Innocente' (Lost Witness remix edit), 'Heaven's Earth' (Matt Darey remix), 'Silence' ( --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Didn't know what to expect., June 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Poem (Audio CD)

I bought this album in order to check out some of the guest vocalists. Other than the bonus track 'Silence', as heard on the radio, this was uncharted territory for me. Overall I was quite pleased with this album.

The first thing I noticed was the production quality. Those of you with above average sound systems will be impressed by how well everything comes across; from the seriously deep bass to the airy vocals. Great ambience with lots of subtle sounds that fade in and out from side to side as well. This album sounds good at any volume level.

Next, I really enjoyed the combination of traditional instruments and techno-alternative beats. Strings, various guitars, and even a harp! But my favorite feature is the variety of female vocals. Leigh Nash does an impressive job on the opening track 'Innocente', which is my favorite. Hardly sounds like the same person from Sixpence None The Richer that sings that luke warm song 'Kiss me'. Other great tracks are 'Myth' and 'A Poem for Byzantium' featuring Joanna Stevens; along with 'Natures Kingdom' and 'Inner Sanctum' fearuring Kirsty Hawkshaw. Sweet vocalists, both of them.

The only songs I don't care for are 'Daylight' with Matthew Sweet, and 'Under Water' with Rani Kamal. Daylight just doesn't blend in for the simple fact that this is the only song with male vocals. I know I'm splitting hairs here. Uderwater is o.k., but I find myself skipping over it more often than not.

I think most people will find something to like on this album. It is good relaxing and recharging music...you should feel better after hearing it. Workout music it is not.

On a related note: Those who enjoy traditional instruments and quality vocals should really check out the band Blackmores Night. This is guitarist extraordinaire Richie Blackmore from Deep Purple and Rainbow along with his wife Candice Night who supplies the vocals. Old English minstrels and other traditional songs are the theme. The album 'Under a Violet Moon' is well worth the investment.

Hope this was helpful.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Poem' by Delerium (songBYsong inc. review), July 22, 2001

By 

Beeble Bop (Whitby, ON Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poem (Audio CD)

'Poem' is Delerium's newest release. It follows up on their ever popular album 'Karma', released in 1997. Even after the departure of Delerium co-founder Rhys Fulber, Bill Leeb still leaves us with a feeling of utter amazement.

Terra Firma (Featuring Aude) - The intro track to 'Poem', this track flows with the sounds of female voice, and gregorian chants. Around 1:10, bass and drums kick in. The harpsichord in the chorus is a beautifully evil sounding addition to this wonderful piece. Lyrics could have been an even better addition to this song. RATING: 8/10

Innocente (Featuring Leigh Nash) - This track begins similarly to 'Terra Firma', but around 0:20, hip-hop like drums kick in. WOW! This is an exquisite piece of music. Leigh Nash's vocals add an eerie loveliness to the background guitars, and the live drums that appear later on in the song. Yet another accomplishment under Bill Leeb's belt! RATING: 9.5/10

Aria (Featuring the Mediaeval Baebes) - Taking a step away from Delerium's traditional 'world electronic' style, Bill Leeb and the Mediaeval Baebes bring us a pure dance track, full of life and beautiful melodies. Begining slowly, the pace picks up at around 1:50, and the real dance melody kicks in at around 2:05. The Baebes bring the song to life with their haunting 'olde english' vocals. Overall, one of the best tracks on the album. RATING: 9.75/10

Fallen Icons (Featuring Jenifer McLaren) - Beginning with the hounting sound of a classical guitar, and with strings starting at 0:25, Fallen Icons starts off as something entirely not Delerium. When Ms. McLaren's vocals begin, the more familiar Delerium sound kicks in. A great track to play in the background, this is a very relaxed, laid-back track, and certainly up to the standards of Delerium's previous attempts. RATING: 7.5/10

Underwater (featuring Rani Kamal) - Starting us off with the beautiful tone of a boy's chant, this track is true Delerium. When the world-beat drums start, at 0:20, you get the feeling that this will be an epic track. Well, you're right. This is one of the most memorable tracks on the entire album. Rani Kamals's vocals add a interestingly 'faded' effect to the track, and the chorus is the work a genius. Beautiful work. RATING: 9.5/10

Myth (Featuring Joanna Stevens) - Beginning with a very 'Duende' esque sound, quiet background electronic drums begin at 0:20, with gregorian chants beginning at 1:00. At 1:40, the drums quit, leaving us with the sound of a classical guitar, and strings. The drums start again at 2:00, only this time with a more pronounced presence. Joanna Stevens vocals have a somewhat less noticed presence, but still echo in your heart, by the time of the chorus. The lyrics to this song are incredible. RATING: 8.5/10

Nature's Kingdom (Featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw) - One of Delerium's more "pop" sounding tracks, it begins with an acoustic guitar, with Kirsty Hawkshaw's vocals kicking in at 0:25. Wait until you hear the chorus. Simply put, this is Delerium's most well done chorus, and the song itself ranks up there with Euphoria and Silence, although with less of an electronic edge. RATING: 10/10

Daylight (Featuring Matthew Sweet) - A complete departure from the Delerium you've come to expect in the past, Bill Leeb delivers to us a pop tune that's not really a pop tune. Beginning with a haunting electronic piano intro, the actual song doesn't commense until 1:00, when the live drums kick in. At 1:15, we are treated to a spectacular little riff. At 2:00, Matthew Sweet's vocals begin. Mr. Sweet's voice is showcased very will in this song. Although a bit "poppier" than some of Delerium's other works, this is a memorable song. RATING: 8.5/10

Temptation - The first instrument track on the album, this goes back to the days of 'Semantic Spaces' and 'Karma'. Trulay a memorable track, it takes us back to the earlier days of Delerium.

A Poem for Byzantium (Featuring Joanna Stevens) - Starting us off with some beatuful gregorian chants, strings kick in at around 0:10. The one reason why many people bought this album is this track. The second Joanna Stevens track on the album, this slower, flowing track is truly one of Delerium's best works. The dual or triple layered vocals in the chorus are an enlightening touch. Probably the best track on the album. RATING: 10/10

Amongst the Ruins - The last track on the album, and probably the slowest moving track on the album, Amongst the Ruins is a fitting end to 'Poem'. Very slow, with little or no percussion, this track sounds like original Delerium, going back to 1987, before Rhys Fulber and Bill Leeb signed with Nettwerk, Canada's finest record company. RATING: 7/10

This is, by far, Delerium's best work. Combining all of the things we come to expect from Delerium, and adding in more ideas, 'Poem' is a huge breakthrough in electronic music, and should be respeced and loved for that reason. Well done!

Poem - RATING - 9/10

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars polished + poppy, December 2, 2000

By 

Lisa - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poem (Audio CD)

Delerium minus Rhys Fulber has gone with the more commercial sound similar to the hits "Silence" and "Firefly" from their previous album 'Karma'. Still present in Delerium's newest effort are the rolling synths beneath the songs and stylised ethnic sound samples. The darker ominous drone of the band's earlier work is almost totally gone, replaced by a much airier and poppier feel. What's new on this album is a leaning toward a more middle eastern sound and live instrumentation such as violin, piano and classical guitar.

Those who like 'Semantic Spaces' and 'Karma' will love 'Poem', but fans of Delerium's older non-vocal albums probably won't. Nearly each track has a female guest vocalist, a pop song structure, and the famous danceable Enigma beat. Unfortunately 'Poem' suffers from using too much of a good thing so all the songs seem somewhat alike. The similarity between singers is the biggest contributor to the uniform sound, with even Matthew Sweet managing to sound like the others!

Personally my favourite Delerium material is that which combines their older sinister sound with their more recent use of female vocalists. That is why I prefer the ambience and variety of 'Semantic Spaces' and 'Karma' better than 'Poem'. My favourite tracks off the new album are "Terra Firma" (a lovely female ahhing song) and "Among the Ruins" (an classic Delerium style ambient track). The rest of 'Poem' is a bit too light for my tastes, and I would have appreciated a few darker tunes thrown into the mix. Still, all the tracks are very well written, highly polished and way better than 99% of the crap being played on the radio.

I give 'Poem' 4 stars, using their last two albums as a gage. It's musically better and more polished than 'Semantic Spaces', and about the same in quality as 'Karma'. Some will like 'Karma' better, some will like 'Poem' better - it's a matter of taste!