Customer Reviews

Seduction of Claude Debussy

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

First, let me state that this album is, in my ever-so-humble opinion, the best album of 1999, and ranks in my Top 10 albums of the 1990s.

I was aware of the Art Of Noise for some time, but never actually listened to one of their recordings until this one. It blends their rhythmic synth-beats with the classical undertones of composer Claude Debussy.

Never before has an album been so melodic, so wonderful, so complete. The songs flow from one into the next, sounding similar, but never the same. The continuity of Debussy's compositions is readily evident, yet the Art Of Noise has not held-back showcasing their own talents. The sound of the album is exquisite. Actor John Hurt narrarates throughout (odd, I know, but it works), and the voices of the female singers used are near-perfect. Music and voice blend together wonderfully.

Only one song, "Metaforce", jarred me at first, for its style is markedly different from the rest of the CD. But even that track eventually sounds as though it fits in, a weird sort of way. It simply adds to the diverse, yet cohesive tone of the CD.

It is important that this work be listened to as a 'complete album'. It is not of the typical 'pop/single market' today, where one can skip to any track they choose. Do that, and this album will lose much of its beauty.

"The Seduction of Claude Debussy" is, quite simply, a complete, modern masterpiece. You will not find another one like it.

"The Seduction of Claude Debussy" is not just a remarkable musical triumph, it is doubly so given how easily the whole thing could have collapsed under the weight of its considerable hubris. The Art of Noise are not exactly bashful, and here they are even less so than usual as they attempt what amounts to an electronica Debussy cover album. On top of it all, John Hurt provides highly stylized narration interspersed in the lulls and even sometimes during the most heightened drama of the album, describing Debussy's life and artistic brilliance, referencing half-known poets and the like. This project could have been totally dire in less capable hands, but fortunately AON knows what they're doing.

The source of strength of this release is that it is an album, not a collection of weak Debussy remixes. No techno-ridden piano-and-string loops here. Instead we have luscious piano cascades and classical guitar and mighty string crescendos flowing beautifully over ambience, dub beats and jackhammer drillnbass alike. After all, it wouldn't be enough for Art of Noise to put new beats to old music. After declaring at the end of "Il Pleure" that Debussy "was the revolutionary that set 20th century music on its way," they could do nothing less than give us a full and rich sampling of the entire palette of 20th century music, from jazz to bubblegum pop to dub and drum and bass to hip hop. Anything less would be an insult their chosen subject and hero. For the most part, they succeed, although I personally found the rapper Rakim's surprising arrival in the middle of Track 6 to be a little jarring.

Most importantly, though, is that "Seduction" doesn't just work as an artistic concept, it works as music. It is a beautiful composition, with rich arrangements and terrific mixing, and covering an impressive degree of ground, never growing repetitive, always original and filled with aggressive experimentation and originality. I can't imagine whether Debussy himself would have liked or hated it, but what is probably certain is that he would not have been bored by it.

Brilliant.

A clever meat cleaver that chops up the past, present and future of musical styles, influences and desires.

Too often musical artists borrow from the somewhat small room of musical ideas and influences to produce things that sound an awful lot like "the latest thing" or themselves, ending up with a product that is completely uninspired and weak.

Tha Art of Noise however with this CD realized that sounding like themselves in a previous life or like the new "big thing"(?) was ridiculous were they to keep with the ideals of their name.

This CD is an extraordinary mix of stylistic touches, from Debussy's groundbreaking breaks, to Trevor Horn's perfect studio manipulation, Anne Dudley's magnificent ivory manipulation to Paul Morley's witty wonderful word manipulation.

Many songs that equal a whole. A painting of notes and words.

Try it.

The Art Of Noise reaches into the mind of classical composer Claude Debussy and extracts their vision of what most listeners will find to be an eccentric blending of innovative sound.

This long awaited release has expanded the traditional ambient sound of The Art Of Noise by introducing a diverse range of musical styles and textures. Unique blends of opera, jazz, hard rock, opera and even rap, make this extraordinary recording a must for the distinguished ambient listener. Unlike many ambient artists, the Art Of Noise offers the listener true melodic substance and does not leave you feeling like you have just subjected yourself to an hours worth of experimental digital sound effects.

For those who are expecting a 'new age remix' of Debussy's classical style, you will find only vague musical similarities. The recording is more an experimental visitation of creative expression with odd and very inappropriate biographical undertones. The entire project has scattered tidbits of narrated 'facts' that are sometimes surreal and innovative, but more often annoying and repetitious. The use of narration is interesting, but leaves you feeling as though you are being read to from a music history book. Fortunately, these segments are short and non-obtrusive and lead up to a layered blend of beautiful ethereal passages of mystical sound.

This particular recording is not for everyone, but for those of us who are musically connected with the spirituality of ambient sound, this recording will bring you on an amazing journey.

Without a doubt, this is one of my personal favorites. I've played this to a cross-section of friends and co-workers over the past few years. Not deliberately sitting anyone in front of it, mind you, just letting it seep in subtly in the background. Interestingly, it has always received positive comments, no matter how loud or quiet the volume.

Perhaps the most amazing aspect behind The Seduction of Claude Debussy is the way AON produced not only an homage to Debussy himself (using his own classical works), but also produced a fitting example of his pervasive influence on modern music. Negative comments I've read usually comment about this album being too diverse. Yet, the reason for the sonic amalgamation is to show how far modern music has come, how varied the approach to the craft has become, thanks to Debussy's bold lead so many years ago. In other words, this disc is like an auditory history on music theory that still makes you want to shake your rump.

Admittedly, such a concept doesn't immediately adhere to the AON back-catalog, at least in technique or bombast. However, I think if you listen deeply, you will still find that the same adventurous spirit still pulses through this one like a current of electricity.

BTW, I love the tongue-in-cheek introduction to John Hurt's narration. Great way to set the tone.

I wrote a review for this album back in 1999 for Amazon, but for whatever reason, when they revamped their site, it was lost. I can't remember everything that I wrote, but I can remember how I feel everytime that I hear this album...uplifted.

On another note, I do a lot of audio-visual work at different venues and I DJ and do some concert work as well. Whenever I set up my systems for a sound check, I put on "Il Pleure: At the Turn of the Century" and turn the system up...way up.

Whenever people who happen to be in the room or hall hear this, I get droves of people asking me the name of the song and who made it. And most of them, if they know me personally, will go and get the album and then contact me and thank me for pulling their coat about it.

There is one thing that I remember that I wrote in that review:
"While this album may not have been the best album of 1999, it is among the best of the 20th century and it is a fitting work to end the 20th century with, considering that its subject matter is based at it's beginning. All things move in cycles...."

I have followed the Art of Noise's career since the early 80's when I was given a cassette of their first album "into Battle." There have been so many fantastic evolutions from that point to the present.

"The Seduction of Claude Debussy" is not a comback album, it's a reincarnation of a concept. Many people are expecting the album to be made of samples and literal noises as was the case when the band started their career. Well, expect something new and refreshingly different.

As a fan of electronic music I have seen several artists attempt the techno-classical fusion idea and it always seems to fall a little short. After the last Art Of Noise album that contained original material (Below the Waste) there has been a virtual explosion in the electronic music field.

This album takes the idea of techno-classical fusion and achieves it in such a subtle manner that it is difficult at times to decide where one style starts and the other begins. Congratualtions to the Art of Noise for having the guts to create this album and show the world that you don't have to be a 20-something spinmeister to create techno music that can bring the roof down.

Many people consider the Art Of Noise to be the grandparents of electronic music and I think there are a lot of techno musicians who need to listen to this album and see how it's done by the folks who wrote the book!

I definitely recommend this album to anyone who loves electronic music. The elements are expertly interwoven and it really IS like a dream in the form of music.

I have been involved in a "musical love affair" with The Art of Noise since their first album, "Into Battle With...." Their music has always held a place somewhere or in some form within my musical environment. The first three albums were staples in my record crate as a club DJ. Then I heard "Below The Waste" and I was moved in a different level. From that point, they became regular listening in my lounge or work area, their sound inspiring my writing or sketches or impressing a date with "...such worldly taste in music..." (actual quote, honest...). I lost touch for a time, then I heard "The Holy Egoism of Genius" from this album. I lost my head with it and rushed out of the office to get a copy. The rest of the album had a similar effect of me. With this work, they have taken all the elements that they have developed in their music and combined them into what I could easily call their consumate album. From the clubhouse sounds of "Dreaming in Colour" to Rakim (a sorely missed performer...)setting up the flow on "Metaforce," they have blended a classical flavor with a modern sound to create a dynamic testament to successful experiment! "The Seduction of Claude Debussy" may not be the "greatest" album of the decade, but it is surely the last "great" album of the century.

Pay no mind to the purveyors of this latest opus who use the words "dated". This is a near perfect acheivement; fueled by Trevor Horn's flawless production. I like the rap tracks (I really can't imagine how "rap" could be considered dated given the current music industry), and the opera WOULD sound a bit cheeky if it were not supported by Anne Dudley's lavish string arrangements. The pieces all fit nicely, and after one listen, you feel as though John Hurt was born to do voiceovers. Maybe I'm spoiled, listening to this in a house on the gulf coast, with the moon cascading off the shore. But a large part of how music affects you is association, and i suppose everyone will make their own with this music. The TRUE TEST: The first time I listened to the album, I was chatting with a friend, so I wasn't listening intently. The next morning,though, I woke up and I had "Il Pleure" playing over and over in my head and could not get it out.... ....An ART OF NOISE album affecting me subliminally? What are the odds? ... <wink>

This album provides new sensations, believed lost, to everyone, since the first listening. It's an album based in the life and art of Debussy (and it is delicately narrated by John Hurt). It starts with a piano tune, beautifully soft composed, and it repeats before in other songs intros, but if you close your eyes, you'll can feel all the impressionism load! the same that grew inside of the Debussy's mind.

Yes, it is fulfilled with drum & bass rhythms, but don't let this patterns make you believe that is a work similar to their 'The drum & bass collection...' , no, this goes beyond, this one is totally different. Since the first track you can easily hear all the great production and composition that Art of Noise has gave us through all these years. There is 'Born on a sunday' that is a complete masterpiece in d&b, mixed with this great opera and soft voices, good sharped beats. In 'The holy egoism of genius' also you can hear their great taste for the d&b, an acoustic guitar, a drived crazy bass solo...who could ask for more?

There are the dancefloor moments, like in 'Dreaming in colour' that starts with a cliché sax but after that, in mid tempo and with delicate chorus, it grows until it surrounds you completely, immediately after, you are falling in their tecno euro-house, to again, take your breath pacifically in 'On being blue'. In 'Metaphor on the floor' Rakim's voice is sampled in an unleashed form just to make your hips and shoulders give the best you can.

Of course, the atmospheric and ambient moments also are there: 'On being blue', 'Rapt: in the evening air', 'La flùte de pan', 'Approximate mood swing no:2' [that is in the most classic AON mood], 'Pause'[this one reminds me a little the sounds made by the japanese synthesiser maestro, Tomita]. And my favorite: 'Out of this world [version 138]' [a real great ambient-atmosphere, a little melancholic, but it works like a good epilogue for the album].

It's funny read all that negative reviews, really they listen the same album that I'm giving five stars?

So, if you are a open minded AON fan, you won't miss this one, and if you are a enthusiast d&b, atmosphere fan, also this one is for you.