Customer Reviews

Serpent's Lair

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I never cease to be amazed by the many ways Steve Roach can weave a web. I mean, in how many different directions can one man go with long, ambient, atmospheric pieces almost totally devoid of melody? Evidently, in more ways than I can count.

In collaboration with Byron Metcalf and a host of others, the list of which reads like a veritable Who's Who of prominent ambient musicians, Roach provides a sense of tribal mysticism with those long ethereal passages we've come to associate with his work. THE SERPENT'S LAIR is a rich blend of soothing tones, hypnotic tribal beats and some lovely vocal passages (a rarity in Roach compositions).

Although I am a huge Steve Roach fan, owning most of his CD's -I was hesitant to purchase this Disc; now I'm sorry I waited so long to buy it. My fear was an overemphasis of the percussion aspects of the compositions over the soothing atmospherics and the sense of exploration I associate with his music. (I've been disappointed with these collaborations before, namely with DUST TO DUST, an album that I've never really liked.) I need not have worried - this double CD is rich and complex, and is a brilliant example of Steve Roach's ever evolving talent. In some ways, it reminds me a bit of Michael Stearns THE LOST WORLD, another brilliant work and artist that I highly recommend.

Yet, I for one am a little tired of the continued use of long synthesizer washes that go on and on and sound, after a while, a bit like almost every other album this wonderful artist has created. Without a doubt, Steve Roach is one of my favorites and I always find myself willing to spend the money on one of his CDs. But, again, I do wish he would head in a different direction for awhile and show us his chops in new and more lyrical ways. For me the best Steve Roach album is "Strata" which he did with Robert Rich whose keyboard skills added a lot of energy to that album. Steve's catalog is significant and one can be hard pressed to choose from such a vast body of work. For me, "The Serpent's Lair" does remind me of "Dreamtime Revisited" and of the two CDs in this collection, I prefer the second one titled "Offerings from the Underworld". There is more much more of interest here with vocal tracks adding a lot of "presence" to the percussive and synth washes. The contributing musicians are very much attuned to the spirit of this music, especially Jorge Reyes. As a psychologist myself, I respect Dr. Metcalf's research in the Shamanic historical use of trance inducing percussion to facilitate the process of guiding a person toward deeper inner awareness and, hopefully, the exquisite beauty of personal transformation into a more balanced being. This album certainly is perfect for those types of inner explorations. Personally, as a musician (my other hat)I did not find his drumming "processed" although I can bet it was edited and looped. But then, I could be wrong and Steve may have quantized during mixdown for he is so great at the mixing board. He never overdoes reverb and yet there is such depth to his music in this collection that one can imagine being in a huge cavern with others dancing around a firepit and casting shadow pictures onto the cave walls for that is how visual these songs actually are while being driven by percussive repetition that is so important in maintaining consistent trance levels to reach the height of the transformative experience. This body of work is so hypnotic that I really wouldn't mind what Steve did while mastering this CD. The sounds are crystal clear and one suspects he recorded directly to hard disc for there is zero tape noise or other distracting artifacts. All in all I like this album and enjoy playing it before bedtime to relax and mellow out.

Absolutely beautiful.I discover new things,new sounds every time I listen to this CD.It's so deep and touches a chord within my soul.It has so many layers; textures.I love it!!

Being a longtime Steve Roach fan and owning all his releases I must say this is one of the best of the recent releases. I find this Cd being listened to over and over and it creates a great trance. Each track is differnt and exciting

I bought this after reading some positive reviews on Amazon from reviewers I liked. Before buying I was a bit put off by the self-congratulatory reviews on the CD jackets; whenever someone proclaims themselve or allows someone else to proclaim them "genius" you have to wonder if they're more form over function (like Yanni, for example.)

I'm glad I went ahead and purchased this album anyway. This guy Roach is good, real good. He knows how to play with your emotions. CD #1 has more of a rhythmic trance feel (appropriate for entertaining) whereas CD #2 is far more ambient in nature (and downright spooky at times.) It's true what other reviewers write: this is the most evocative music I've ever listened to. Images and scenes will emerge in your mind. In my case, it was the wonderful scene from the movie "All the Right Stuff" where flying ambers from an Aboriginal fire floated upwards and merged with stars an astronuat in space was observing. Don't believe me about the images? Try this: close your eyes and listen to an entire song. When you open them you'll see that you need some time to adjust to your current surroundings because while your eyes were closed you were transported to an entirely different place in your mind's eye.

It wouldn't surprise me if classical minimalist composer Philip Glass has some Roach in his CD rotation. I know I'll definitely be purchasing some more of his music. I'd recommend sticking with Amazon when buying his CD's, because given the large number and differing variety he has out (I understand 3 new ones are planned for this year) you'll be disappointed by the lack of selection at record stores.

I have been a fan of Roach's for some time now, but I have to say this may be one of his best works (up there with Origins and Artifacts). This shamanic experiment may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is a powerful sonic presence that shows the ability of music of alter consciousness and shift reality.

This work has to be experienced to really appreciate it. The samples here are limited and the full scope of the work only becomes obvious when listening to the entire CD in person.

I love this work and consider it a favorite in my collection.

Steve Roach has a gift for creating compelling tribal and ambient spaces. Here he collaborates with Byron Metcalf, with good results. There is good variety here, and the music is emotive and intense at times but also relaxing. If you are receptive to this type of music you will really enjoy it, for it is the best of it's kind. I am happy with all of the Steve Roach in my collection, and some of his many collaborations. It is just a matter of choosing your favorites, and he has many albums to choose from. Enjoy!

+1 for superb production quality and presentation case
+1 hybrid groove is extraordinary
+1 variety of tribal beat and deep space sound
+1 Steve works best with masters such as Metcalf, Obmana, Unis and Rich
+1 unique, illuminating - been looking for this sound since...

Bottom line: a better hybrid groove than Fever Dreams I & II...I reserve judgment on Fever Dreams III

I've always been a fan of Steve's music, choosing to air it often when I had a spacemusic radio show. I am always glad to choose a couple of hours to set aside just for sitting inside the music and drift. Mike Smith, another user reviewer of this set, mentions the condition of (the listener's) receptivity, and yes, that's a key to finding this set valuable; I would have to say that this music IS receptive, itself.. or rather, it creates an open space for the listener to inhabit from his/her inside out.
I have often thought that one kind of "best" art is an open structure on which the experiencer can hang his own meaning and imaginings; I always count on Steve Roach's collaboration to be such, and I very much appreciate that about his explorations.
In simpler terms, I just like it.

Frankly, I'm disappointed. Byron Metcalf's percussion is too mathematical, too methodical, too deliberately precise. Where's the sense of space, the feeling of exploration, any hint of improvisation? It's almost drum-machine-like, robotic. I understand that he's going for hypnotic and ritualistic, but he comes off sounding just plain overprocessed to me. As far as techno-tribal percussion goes, I much prefer the sounds invoked by Jorge Reyes, Steve Roach himself, and numerous other artists to that which is presented here. Although this is hardly a "bad" album, I certainly don't put it on the same level as some of Steve's other recent CDs, such as "Vine, Bark & Spore". Some people have been comparing this to his classic "Dreamtime Return"; sorry, but I sure don't see it... The feeling isn't there! As a polished professional thesis, I'm sure this is a masterful work, but where is the sense of being transported somewhere, transformed somehow, that entering-another-world experience that you listen to Steve Roach for in the first place? Yo, guys, having Steve play second fiddle to a percussion line is a mistake!