Structures from Silence [Enhanced, Original recording remastered]

Steve Roach | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 10, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1984
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Original recording remastered
• Label: Projekt Records
• ASIN: B00005M94W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,524 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > American Alternative
  • #14 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo Fi
  • #36 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

Remastered, with beautiful new cover artwork by Steve Roach | While the term "classic" is used freely these days, Structures from Silence has earned the "classic" status in the years following its release in 1984. The breathing suspended embrace of atmospheres and serene melodies on this breakthrough release introduced a new sound for its time, generating an abundance of feedback via cards and letters from listeners long before the dawn of email. Structures from Silence is a living example of the true healing quality that music can hold. Now Projekt gives you the chance to rediscover this timeless music... "Structures from Silence is like riding the perfect wave in slow motion . . . as if sculpting liquid, Roach carefully shapes his sounds into a stately crescendo for an eternal dawn." - ECHOES radio show producer John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just like floating on a cloud, July 11, 2001

By 

Heather Walton (Chico, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Structures from Silence (Audio CD)

I thought Steve Roach's Quiet Music could never be topped for the best soothing music to calm the soul, but Structures From Silence is equally as excellent! I love this CD! This is just a re-release of the 1984 Structures From Silence album, and no changes were made except for the albums cover. I suffer from anxiety symptoms and when I listen to this album is calms me right down, my blood pressure and heart rate both drop significantly, and I can even fall fast asleep to it! Normally it is very difficult for me to fall asleep. I love all three songs and they blend together is a sea of peace and calm. The song "Structures From Silence" is particularly soothing. This album is so beautiful it can almost make me cry. I have most of the Steve Roach albums, and this is his finest work. Buy this if your aim is to sooth your soul and quiet your mind- You can not go wrong! Way beyond a 5 star rating, and priceless in it's ability to heal.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Music of Life - Ambient at its Finest, July 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Structures Silence (Audio CD)

Decades ago there was a program on KCRW (NPR affiliate in Santa Monica, CA) called "Discrete Music" (yes, named after Eno) that was broadcast at 5:00 am Sundays. I believe the DJ was Dean Suzuki. I would set the clock radio next to my bed to activate at 5:00 am on very low volume and the ambient tunes would flow in and out of my conscieousness and inevidibly set a mood of serenity for the rest of the day. Dean's impeccable selections introduced me to many pieces of music that have become life-long favorites. Among those near the top -- this album.

In "Reflections in Suspension," the discrete tones fall gently into the pool of ambience as do the beginning drops of rain into a mountain stream. The sequence of tones is very teasing. The mix of anticipation and surrender is thrillingly sublime.

This entire album always evokes a quote from Brian Eno which I will paraphrase as "The more something stays the same, the more it changes," meaning that the listener is drawn into a heightened sensativity where even the smallest variations become momentous.

An example of this acuity was demonstrated to me on a race from San Diego to Manzanillo, Mexico, in the mid 80's as several of us were languishing through a night of very light wind. I slipped "Structures From Silence" into the cassette player and was intrigued to observe everyone becomming more alert. Sails were adjusted in and out a centimeter at a time, the course adjusted by a degree or two, and the speed increased. People were not nodding as they vainly tried to thwart tedium and fatigue; instead, heads were up, looking around, discerning changes, feeling wind.

The next morning one of the crew that was off-watch while we had been sailing and listening to this album complained that they couldn't sleep with this music on! This particular person's favorite music was Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffet and "Structures From Silence" had kept them from sleeping. The specific complaint was something like, "There's no beginning! There's no end! And there's nothing much in the middle either!!" Sorry, the people on watch LOVED it...

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stress Relieving, October 20, 2002

By 

Bananahead (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Structures Silence (Audio CD)

I bought the original 1984 release of Structures from Silence, but I don't think there is a noticeable difference between that and the 2001 release. This is Steve Roach's first true atmospheric release (He had two less atmospheric albums before that). It may sound a little outdated and simple compared to newer ambient albums, but within its simplicity is a calming beauty that can relax every muscle in your body. It can transport you to a surreal dream world filled with a relaxing warmth. After you finished listening to this recording, you will feel refreshed and reenergized. Do yourself a favor and buy this album.