The Sea and the Bells

Rachel's | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 1996)
• Original Release Date: October 22, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Quarterstick
• ASIN: B0000037O7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,317 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Instrumental Musings, August 20, 2004

By 

A.L. (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sea and the Bells (Audio CD)

This is my favorite album by Rachel's.

The only part I dislike is the pause and churning noise as my discman readies itself to repeat the whole thing.

"Rhine & Courtesan" is my favorite track. In it, emotionally charged stretches of music fade into quiet; with nothing but the sounds of sailboats.

The use of volume is very important. The lapses into quiet encourage the listener to think of the record as a whole instead of a collection of tracks; to submerge her or himself into the brilliant, quirky world that narrates without words.

The album is seamlessly put together. Each musician gives a peak performance, no shortcomings rupture the beautiful feel that it creates.

I agree with the bands other viewers have referenced especially Tristeza, and also find this akin to Bright's quieter tracks.

A Side Note:

Also, check out one disc by ShiFt (not shift, nor Shift). Otherwise a terrible hardrock band, ShiFt put out one EP "A Folding Sieve", that starts of with a song "Rolling."

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent indie-classical!, August 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sea and the Bells (Audio CD)

This is a great accomplishment for this band. Though "Handwriting" had some good moments, this CD really proves that Rachel's have a lot of talent. Whereas their first was very simple (and sometimes out of tune), this release incorporates elements of Gorecki, as well as the chiming vibraphone of Steve Reich's "Music For 18 Musicians", the arpeggios of Michael Nyman's soundtrack to "the Piano", as well as some neat early Hafler Trio sounding collage elements. There are also kit-drums to give it rock affiliations. This is a very interesting blend reminiscent of minimalist classical as well as 4AD bands simultaneously. A must for eclectic, emotional, and somewhat ethereal tastes.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Spellbinding, February 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sea and the Bells (Audio CD)

After hearing Music For Egon Shiele, I knew I had to get this album but I had no idea that it would be so incredible. This cd takes you on a surreal journey to places you never thought you were capable of dreaming of. It's uplifting and tragic all at the same time. The exquisite sounds of bells and ships captures your soul so that you really feel as if you were there. I don't know how else to describe it, it just makes you want to float away.