Renaissance

Faun | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Noir
• ASIN: B000CCZQXM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,457 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Zillo Magazine, February 2004

“Unique, new and masterful, FAUN set themselves apart from the masses! Newcomer of the Month!"

Product Description

The four words on the cover of the stark, black-and-white cover of "Renaissance" are: pagan, medieval, folk, Renaissance. The last of these is the album title, but the preceding three, along with the photo, give listeners an idea of what they're in for. This is an album that could appeal equally to the Bellydance, Burning Man and Bookstore crowds as it is at turns beautiful, sensual, poignant, pretty, tempting, and flirtatious.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Light to Renaissance, June 1, 2006

By 

John R. Harford (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Renaissance (Audio CD)

I first saw Faun in 2004, at Germany's underground music festival: The Wave Gothic Treffen. I had only heard a bit about them in terms of being "folk" musicians. When they took the stage I found myself immersed in a world of ancient Bacchic rites.

The lights dimmed. Electronic bass and sampled woodland sounds slowly filled the vast darkness. Violet lights revealed a figure crouched ritualistically over an altar fit for any Bacchic rite. As the electronic atmospheres rose and finally broke in a crest of color and sound, the acoustic quartet were fey and ethereal. They wove a romantic, energetic, and lush sonic tapestry: dark yet warm - dreamy yet earthy. All the while an ambient soundtrack helped the group take us on a journey to a wild and powerful place.

The title of Faun's latest album, Renaissance, references revelation, rebirth, and coming into the light. And on this album, the band surely accomplishes this feat. While Licht (en: Light), their previous album, remains a masterpiece in its own right, there seemed to be a very conscious distinction between the electronic and the acoustic. Renaissance makes this blend nearly seamless. The timing and flow of the electronica plays with and enhances, not against the variety of ethnic and antique rhythms.

Satyros and Iyansa energize. They are proof that even without the amps and pedals of electric instruments, well performed music is no less driving. The beautiful vocals punctuate the carefully plotted percussion, woodwind and string melodies. You will want to get up and dance.

Konigen and Das Tor are moody and emotional ballads that lead the listener through a drifting maze of audible light, shadow and color. They are complex and sometimes sorrowful yet not at all depressing or maudilin.

Faun continues to lead us through their vision of an ancient world. But not only European melodies are present: we hear some amazing Caribbean influenced drumming as well as a very classic Celtic dance song in Rhiannon.

While I highly recommend all of Faun's music, Renaissance shines as perhaps their most complex and subtle album to date.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Folk-Rock-Goth-Medieval, November 3, 2006

By 

V Layne - See all my reviews

This review is from: Renaissance (Audio CD)

This album is stylistically a cross between the Medieval Baebes and Broadside Electric, but with more medieval instruments. Faun sings both historical works with a modern folk-rock edge and original works -- and hybrids.

Renaissance is an astonishing achievement in that it has no weak tracks. Faun manages the trick of being both moody and catchy. From the ecstatic "Satyros" to the mellow "Das Tor", each piece is presented with conviction and thoughtfulness. I'm particularly impressed with the rich and varying instrumentation; Faun uses texture very well.

All in all a very impressive, fun, and satisfying album.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faun is excellent, May 12, 2007

By 

Vox Mortem (Wichita, Kansas, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Renaissance (Audio CD)

Celtic / German blend. I like all kinds of music, from the Stones to classical. This has quickly become one of my favorite celtic-type albums. Beautiful and harmonic. Highly recommended!