Customer Reviews

The Storm

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

 

 

I like this CD very much although it certainly lacks the spirit and consistency of "Planetary Unfolding" (which seems to be easily available from Amazon and other retailers). It is relaxing and serves its purpose as ambient "background" music (for working etc) very well. However, it also attracts active listening with some great Stearnsesque chords and nice samples. Overall four stars.

Unlike the two previous reviewers, I found this CD to be mesmerizing and one of my favorite ambient CD's. It is a great one for doing quiet meditation in the dark, or just as background "sound" while creating. I highly recommend it, especially to other artists who need inspiration.

I cannot express enough my adoration and appreciation of Stearns. I love how he can transport the listener into new worlds. I love how alive and deep and rich his music is. His stuff is really experiential and I invite everyone to try it out. This CD is one of my favorites too. Totally worth purchasing.

I'd like to mention that of all the tracks on this album, track 12 is the most amazing. It is an ambient Sitar piece that has the most soulful female Indian vocalist I have ever heard. She is absolutely wonderful. Brings tears of joy to hear her expression. The preview is to short to even let you hear her voice but trust me this track is one of the most spiritually moving pieces of music I have ever heard. Incredible. If anyone has more information on who this women singer is please share so I can find and support her other works.

"The Storm" was disappointing to me, and I am indeed a long time Michael Stearns fan. This recording felt disjointed to me from the very first listen, and never really got better. Ambient albums work best (and are the most impressive) when the entire recording is successful in building intricate layers of sound texture, and maintain complimentary dynamics from one piece to the next. "The Storm" failed to take me anywhere, and from Stearns I have come to expect a nice sound journey!

The best Michael Stearns album is unfortunately also one that I cannot find anymore! It is called "Planetary Unfolding" and it is also one of the best ambient recordings in history, up there with the very best of Rich, Eno, Roach, etc. Each movement of music builds upon the previous one to create amazing layers of passionate and warm sound, and the synthesized choral textures are amazing. If you find "Planetary Unfolding". . . BUY IT!!!

It is not clear where M.S. wanted to go with "The Storm", but he failed to create any blissful, relaxing, or engaging responses from this listener, and it now sets on the bottom of my ambient collection. : (