Customer Reviews

Pure Moods, Vol. II

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It would be nearly impossible for Virgin to top the original Pure Moods. With this sequel album, they did not. Nevertheless, PM II is a very enjoyable album that features some of the best examples from the various musical styles that are generally lumped together as "New Age" music. This album is more eclectic than the first, and that leads to the weakness. Some of these songs just don't feel like they belong with the others. "Breezin'" is completely out of place and always makes me feel like I'm in the waiting room at the dentist. "Chariots of Fire" is a classic, and Vangelis one of the giants of this genre, but it doesn't really fit with the others, in my opinion. As in the original, this album features some songs you have probably heard before, like Loreena McKennitt's "The Mummer's Dance" and Clannad's "Theme from Harry's Game." The real joy of these albums, though, are the new finds that may have been below your radar before now. Thus we discover Yanni's "Nightingale," which I could listen to all day; "The Mystic's Dream," another gem from McKennitt; and the enthralling trip-hop masterpiece from Massive Attack, "Teardrop." For fans of Ambient music, this disc is a must, even if it is not the equal of its predecessor

This is quite different from the first by adding such euro-popped/electronic bands as Massive Attack's "Teardrop" and Delerium's "Euphoria (Firefly)," but I am hardly complaining. This album has elements that the first had but also takes a new direction by leaping further into the threshold of reinvention. They still keep in the mix older classics in the genre such as the ethereal "Theme From Harry's Game" by Clannad, "Weather Storm" by Craig Armstrong, and "Zarabanda (Sarabanda)" by Adiemus, but these new, fresh faces give this album an extra push towards higher greatness. Still, though, the queen of celtic music, Loreena McKennitt, lends Pure Moods 2 its durability to stay strong with the commonplace of "The Mumurs Dance" and also "The Mystic's Dream."

Favorites to me include Enigma's "Beyond The Invisible," which for some reason reminds me of the movie Legend, and Yanni's offering of "Nightingale" which is quite possibly the loveliest song I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. It starts out slow and then quickly builds momentum as the music rises higher and the singing grows more intent. It then slows down again, and just as you think that it's going to perish into the next it starts up again. I even enjoyed the jazzy "Emily" by David Coz and the steaming Flamenco sounds of Ottmar Liebert's "2 The Night." This could, however, do without the image of slow running that the song "Chariots Of Fire" conjures... Anyhow, let me grant you lost without this.

This is a beautifully intricate album.

Expand the possibilities....

Most of this CD is pretty good, with some pretty good choices. Loreena McKennitt's music fit well on this CD. There was also very beautiful music by Yanni, Cusco, Clannad, and "Chariots of Fire" were also pretty good. There was also more great music by Adiemus, Enigma, and Sacred Spirit.

However, there were also some not so great songs. "Euphoria" and "Teardrop" sounded too much like rock to be on this New Age compilation. "Breezin'" was okay, but "Emily" was too jazzy. "Life In A Northern Town" wasn't that great. Well, it had interesting lyrics, but the music was weak.

In the end, I'd say this CD ismostly pretty good. There was beautiful music, but there was also pop, jazz, and rock that did not belong here. This CD is actually a pretty worthy buy, but this is by no means better than the first Pure Moods.

WOW! While reading all of the reviews there is a wide variety. Personally, I love this CD. It's amazing! I love the songs "Life in a Northern Town," "The Mummmer's Dance", "Nightingale" and "Chairots Of Fire. I've only had it for a week and I know it's one of my favorites. It moves me to tears the songs are so beautiful. I have Pure Moods I and personally I do like that CD better. But, each one has different songs that effect me. Listen to the music links. It really helps. Thanks! KelseyA82@hotmail.com

I was skeptical of the CD at first, being that any television advertisement can be excessively exaggerated. However, I purchased Pure Moods and I must say, it was a great investment. On those stressful days, or nights, when you need to relax, this CD is absolutely perfect. I would reccomend it for anyone who enjoys songs of the soul and an alternative to certain types of modern music which are negative and unenjoyable. This collection brought together a blend of nature, soothing sounds, and relaxation...it's a must see.

I saw the back cover featuring Enigma, Yanni, Loreena McKennit, Delirium, and Cusco (some of my favorite New Age artists) so I was expecting a lot from the CD. It is praiseworthy! All the tracks are arranged splendidly like a journey of pleasant melodies through different instrumental echoes and fine voices. It is started with the Mummer's dance of Celtic sounds by Loreena McKennit, into an ancient beat by Cusco, following Oriental tones by Yanni, and then transcending into lively songs by Delerium and Dream Academy. There are two tracks that I got tired of after a while (13 and 14), but the concluding songs are exquisite and make up for them. The Spanish enticing song by Ottmar Leibert gets the spirit going, Enigma's ethereal and alluring song commences the brain for thought and relaxation, when finally Loreena McKennit's hymn empowers the listener with peace and exultation. Pure Moods, EnigmaTrilogy, Elevation 2, and this one are my favorite New Age compilations and highly recommended for listeners seeking a world of delightful music enjoyable any time.

Pure Moods 2 is a treasure to fit right in there next to Pure Moods (1). Once again we hear from Adiemus, Enigma, and Sacred Spirits, as well as a brand new batch of other masterful music. "Life In A Northern Town" was a big surprise for me. It was one of those "one hit wonder" tunes that ya hear on the radio when it's first released, but after a few months, the song slips away into the forgotten archives. I remember really liking this song, even tho' I had only heard it a few times. I didn't know the name of it, nor who the artist was. Now I know, and I'm glad to have it amongst my collection. The "Chariots Of Fire" theme doesn't really fit in with the rest of the tracks on this CD, but since I love the music of Vangelis, I'm biased when I say that I'm glad it's on there. If you enjoyed the first Pure Moods CD, please do yourself a favor and pick up this companion.

What a marvelous collection of mesmerizing music this is. I have been listening to this album all week, as I can't get it out of my head. Pure Moods are one my favorite collections as they bring awareness of similar music that goes together so well. The beauty of this album is the mix of music that evokes a certain mood, while not sounding all too similar.

Starting off with Loreena McKennitt's "The Mummers Dance" a hypnotic song from the first note that sounds like time travel from ancient Byzantium to the mystic Celtic seas followed by Montezuma, one of my favorite Cusco pieces. Cusco is a duet of two German keyboard players Michael Holm and Kristian Schultze who make their enigmatic music sound very original and South American. The music is not traditional; it's a mix of outer space, new age and pan flutes. Very interesting and incredibly likable.

"Nightingale" by Yanni is just incredible, every time I have it on I almost forget I am listening to music, I simply feel it and I am always amazed at how gorgeous it sounds and whenever I hear this song it feel like the first time I am hearing it as it stuns me.

Another favorite of mine, Adiemus makes an appearance, the interesting figment is that
the language is made up by Karl Jenkins, the sounds are not meant to distract the listener from the music. It is a mix of classical and world music with great freedom of movement and is the kind of music they use in breathtaking movie soundtracks.

Delerium's "Euphoria" almost sounds like a Madonna song, is lovely and spirited with a breath of enigma. There is also "The Weather Storm" by Craig Armstrong, another strong musical piece that does sound like an actual storm of music.

"Teardrop" by Massive Attack sounds like song everything knows they heard somewhere but they don't know what it is. My favorite part is the base beat, it sounds like the human heart.

The rest of the performers from Lovely and church like Clannad which make me feel like I am in an ancient monastery listening to the monks, to "Chariots of Fire" a classic from Vangelis to wonderful and earthy "Breezing" that sounds like the first day of spring to Enigma, to me the empress of New Age. This collection is stellar and each song is a 5 star to me.

This cd makes me happy; it's relaxing, lovely, and addictive and provides great inspiration when I need it to concentrate while I work on my art. Each song has been carefully hand picked to hit the listener with a magnitude of emotion and I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who needs to sit back and be transported. The songs feel like caresses of ancient wind on the face and make me feel like I have been meditating for hours. Pure Moods is an excellent cd to pick up by someone who needs an introduction to new Age and relaxing music. So far this has been my favorite disc, but they are all lovely.

- Kasia S.

This is a mix of different styles of music, with a slight emphasis on Celtic. Dream Academy is out of place in this, and the album get pretty sleepy towards the end of its gargantuan 77+ minute length. Overall a less inspired mix than Pure Moods I, rates about a 6 on the Kitaro scale, or the equivalent of taking an over-the-counter sleeping aid. If you want a similar concept done far better, check out Spirits of the World.

This is still a superlative CD, taking in the full spectrum of new age music. Yeah, I wish there could've been an Enya cut on it, but the beginning and ending contributions by Loreena McKennitt are very apt and among her best. The Sacred Spirit Cradlesong featuring Cherokee Rose certainly is beautiful, and Yanni's "Nightingale" is one of his most feeling numbers. However, it was the Adiemus cut, "Zarabanda" that reached deepest into my heart. The very familiar "Theme from Harry's Game" and "Chariots of Fire" are well known to all those really into the new age genre, but are welcome here, because familiar as they are, there is something about the cumulative effect of each selection that adds to one's appreciation and enjoyment. Ottmar Liebert in "2 the Night" is the greatest example of new flamenco, and the cut by Enigma really wraps up a tremendous sampling of the genre lof new age.