Customer Reviews

Rejoice Rejoice

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

 

 

Transglobal Underground isn't the kind of band you're likely to hear on the radio, and that's fine, because if you're tuned in to the local FM station, this probably isn't what you were looking for.

The music will probably sound exotic to most US fans, and that's also logical, because Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley weren't the primary inspirations for Transglobal Underground's music. Their sound comes primarily from the Middle East and relies on pounding drums and sparse but hypnotizing string arrangements.

I bought Rejoice Rejoice after I saw Transglobal Underground perform in Fall 1998 (they were amazing, and I suggest you see them if you ever get the chance). The album doesn't have the same power they generated on stage, but it's a nice change of pace and still gets time in my CD player.

My list of favorite songs on the album is constantly shifting, but "Ali Mullah" and "City of Gold" are both sure bets. I'd love to hear more percussion on the album, and the songs that emphasize it tend to be the best, but the album has forced me to focus on the way the vocals relate to the music, rather than just swaying with the drums as I did at the concert.

My uninformed advice -- I own no other Transglobal Underground albums -- is to buy one of the earlier albums before you get this one.

Speaking as someone who simply cannot get enough of TGU's "Psychic Karaoke," it is a given that "Rejoice, Rejoice" doesn't reach the transcendental heights of that effort--few recordings do. In fact, it wouldn't be hyperbole to suggest that "Psychic Karaoke" is one of the top 1000 recordings of all time. That said, "Rejoice, Rejoice" would have been a 5-star album if it didn't have such a shining act to follow. Earthy, rhythmic tech/trance built upon flowing Middle Eastern undercurrents takes me away to exotic locales that are by turns serene and peaceful, or energetic and uplifting. House music for when the house is the entire globe.

If you heard Transglobal Underground somewhere, or heard OF them, and want to try out their music to see if you like it, my advice to you is this: rush out and get "Psychic Karaoke." Then get "International Times." Both are exciting, exotic, multifaceted and over all thrilling albums that will make you dance, trance, whatever. Two examples of the TU folks at their best.

"Rejoice, Rejoice" is not such an album. The other reviews here pretty much sum it up: there are a couple of strong tracks, but most of the music is uninspired, sophomoric, even irritating - especially when compared to the towering strength of the aforementioned two releases. You'd have to pry my copies of "Psychic Karaoke" and "International Times" out of my cold, dead hands before I'll give them up. As for "Rejoice, Rejoice"? After a few listens, I sold it on eBay.

After discovering TGU and Natacha Atlas in Istanbul in 1996,I knew that these guys were great. They have not disappointed me so far. And I am pretty sure they never will.Whichever genre of music they use( Indian, Middle-Eastern or Gypsy, qawwali,ambient, drum'n'bass, hip-hop),they always come up with great songs.In this CD, my favorites are Rude Buddah, Ali Mullah, Air Giant and Sky Giant.The only problem is that I am hearing Natacha Atlas less in every new album.Anyway,if you like this CD, check out Talvin Singh, Natacha Atlas, and other TGU stuff.

Having high expectations, anticipating something new and something that would blow me away, I was a little dissapointed in this CD. What could have been a sensual and mood-inducing dance album is totally ruined by annoying rapping thrown in every now and then. "Shining Iron Face" is really good though. But either than that, I would classify this with c+c music factory or 2 unlimited...dance music cheese

First, the album could use another ten minutes to be really good. Second, there is a definite cheese factor at work here. That one sass-talkin', vaguely ethnic guy who spouts non-sequitors (like this review's title) for half the song and then chuckles about them for the second half can really get on one's nerves if not in the mood. Add in some oddly placed rapping, and I think it's safe to say TU is at their best when they're not speaking English. I'd say the instrumentals are better yet--quite a lot of neat instruments are used (start with a sitar and get gradually more culturally obscure) to create simple, groovy melodies that are danceable at best and nauseating at worst. A fine but flawed album.

With instruments like dhols, sitar, tabla, and milk churn (!), it is immediately clear that TGUG means business in an international way. Samples and synthesized beats abound, pushing certain tracks on this album -- including Thousand Year Heat and Sky Giant -- wonderfully into the adrenalin zone. Some tracks fall flat: their treatment of Ali Mullah which, though dedicated to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, is not a patch on his classic song, even as an interpretation. Pieces like Air Giant reveal TGUG's ability to create elegant soundscapes, reminiscent of Deep Forest. All in all, a solid world dance album with moments of pure gold and surprisingly engaging energy.

An extraordinary mix of eastern percussion, rap, killer dance beats and the shudder-inducingly grgeous voice of Natacha Atlas. Where previous CDs had some weak spots, this just goes from strength to strength. World Techno indeed!

This album is creative, exuberant, joyful. . . It just makes me happy to hear it. What more could you ask for?

A mix between Euro-disco, rap and calls to prayer. Like chant, at times; is it transgloabal or desecration for commercial ends? It will make you move, but so will alot of other things. Over all, enjoyable, makes you want to break out those old posionous Clove cigarettes and get down.