Scale (Dig) [Import]

Herbert | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 30, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: !K7
• ASIN: B000EXZIGO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #118,189 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Given Scale's use of sounds that come from associable objects like fuel pumps and coffins, as well as its maker's unflagging devotion to recording methods of greater (and almost Jackass-like) extremes, it would be easy to prejudge the album as dry and joyless. One poor drummer was recorded under water, in a hot air balloon, and in a car driving 100 miles an hour -- hey, for kicks next time, why not record his finger cymbals as he grapples a shark wearing a Dick Cheney mask? Thankfully, if all you care about is the listenability of the results, all the contextual and conceptual stuff matters not a lick. Herbert is more upset about the state of the planet than ever, especially when it comes to the actions and inactions of Bush and Blair, but he has also made it known that he aimed to make an enjoyable, richly musical album full of melodies and multi-part harmonies. If the occasionally overcooked Goodbye Swingtime and the thoroughly constricted Plat du Jour were necessary phases to reach this place, so be it -- each of Scale's first four songs rival anything in his past, whether it's "Going Round," "Suddenly," his best remix work, or his productions on Dani Siciliano's Likes... and Roisin Murphy's Ruby Blue. It's not difficult to forget about Herbert's motives and issues and take full delight in the shapely sounds, whether they're coming from a drum recorded in a cave, an orchestra recorded at Abbey Road, or vocalists recorded in Herbert and Siciliano's home. Though Herbert has outdone himself and matches his ambitions with his achievements, the songs are unmistakably his and Siciliano's, sounding like no one else, twisting and swinging and drifting with optimum vibrancy. Some of them are big and bold enough to be used in a stage production. All of them are 100 percent heavenly, even when they're dealing with loss. -All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, May 31, 2006

By 

Kurt Lennon (Calgary) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scale (Dig) (Audio CD)

Matthew Herbert is a classical piano trained musician, but he has made a better name for himself in the field of electronic music. His recent efforts have been composed almost entirely from unusual sources: coffins, people vomiting, kitchen sinks, punching bags and various machinery. After all, the liner notes mention 635 separate items used for this album's creation, while the packaging cleverly gives us pictures of all of them (49 items per page).

If all this unbridled and eccentric sampling would throw you off, it won't once the record begins: it is unfettered and bouncy electronic music, albeit balanced with jagged political lyrics. However, these are sung by the lovely voice of Dani Siciliano (mainly), and make for a terrific listen. If you are only used to the smooth jazzy quietness of "Around the House" from Herbert(as I am), this will be a pleasant change, and a perfect summer record. One of the year's strongest albums.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PURE GOLD! GLORIOUS SINGING, GLORIOUS MUSIC!, June 13, 2001

By 

Karl Hess (Sandy, Utah United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Treasures of Operetta (Audio CD)

I first fell in love with this collection when I checked it out at the library as "Treasures of the Operetta". Two more CDs followed--"Treasures of the Operetta II and III." I was not prepared for the impact these exquisitely crafted recordings would have on me.

I have long had a love of operetta but found that there were not a large number of recordings to be found in that genre. So much the happier was I for discovering this diverse collection of operetta standards. True serendipity!

Marilyn Hill Smith and Peter Morrison deliver thrilling renditions of the operetta masters. We hear selections from Johann Strauss, Lehar, Kalman, Herbert, Oscar Straus, Millocker, Messager, Stolz and Tauber, to name a few. There are the often sung showpieces and lesser known songs which are blended well and add diversity. One glorious song sets the stage for the next.

With Miss Smith's crystal, velvety soprano and Mr. Morrison's rich, romantic baritone, the production leaves nothing left to be desired--except for more of the same musical charm.

The current offering is a serendipity in itself. It has the three original CDs delivered in one package as a two CD set. I have a modest collection of operetta recordings but I would be hard pressed to name one more satisfying than this generous 36 track package.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2, June 22, 2006

By 

t-diggs "blend77" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scale (Dig) (Audio CD)

for a field of music that is based on repetitive structures and 4/4 beats, this album is a bright ray of sunshine...

it is sunny, sexy, pop-perfect danceable music. it is essentially house, though i heard it referred to as "left-field house" and i think that is a perfect description. lots of movie style string swells, a nice dose of big band steez, jazzy and funky dollops of happiness and a great female singer enhance this cd from being house music to, well, left field house....house that comes at you from your peripheral vision, that becomes part of the environment around you....it is very organic, very danceable (i said that already) and very very fun....

i didnt give it a 5 cuz the first half contains most of the power, but i labeled it 5 because of the amount of boring tepid dance music that exists these days, and herbert seems to be ahead of the curve on creativity in such a stagnant dance music scene and deserves to be recognized for such. the whole thing is growing on me like moss. fuzzy, green moss

this is a great album to have drop right at the beginning of summer. so you can be sure to listen to it with the windows open, with the top down, on the grass, smokin grass, in da club (haha! just kiddin, but not really) and you will boogie, boogie, boogie, til you just cant boogie no more...

EDIT: I have to add, because it is not apparent in the review above...The second half of this album is really not house at all. It is very dowtempo, some of the songs contain very nice arrangments, but ultimately lack the dancy punch of the first four tracks, which are great for any late night...