Customer Reviews

Temple

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an excellent new release from Hearts of Space (you are sure to hear this CD soon on your local Public Radio Station). My advice is to not wait, and buy it now. Thomas Barquee has a very compelling masculine voice which he uses as a musical instrument on this release. The vocals are not "words" but more along the lines of Lisa Gerrard (late of Dead Can Dance) and Thomas Otten. The backing music consists of full, rich synthesizers which are not overdone. This leaves the vocals to carry the mood. The stylings range from ambient to Gregorian-type chants. Altogether fulfilling music.

If you're looking for something etheral and you're tired of only the female voice capturing the wisty sounds of your mind, then this album is a breath of fresh air. I came across it by chance and like everyone else I never heard of the guy. The artwork is what grabbed me. Then I saw that it is on the Hearts of Space label (I love "space music"), so I took the chance and bought it. I'm glad that I did. It flows like the subconcious and I cannot compare its likeness to anything. Other reviews say that his music is likened to Lisa Gerrard and I hate Lisa Gerrard but like this guy. So if you are a fan of Dead Can Dance and like Brendan Perry's voice and skip over Lisa's songs then Thomas Barquee is the next new artist for you.

I have just ordered the last cd of Thomas Barquee: The Sound Of Om and I am expecting that it would be as interesting as this and of Missa. The tracks in this cd takes you to heaven as you experience the difference between a normal state and a transe state, almost like exctasy. It has wonderfull words of power and you have to let yourself go with the music and the words. Do not refrain yourself...let yourself go...and enjoy the power that Thomas Barquee has input in every second of this cd.

It's always hard to find a C.D that you can just play in the back ground and not be intrusive my work is Psychotherapy and I would say everyone of my patients has been relaxed and at ease while going through therapy
with great thanks

A most wonderful musical experience. It took my breath away and moved me through many emotions. I can only wait and hope to hear more from him in the future

La Buddha, La Bugba, or La Guddah, who cares, as long as I can hear it as I go into that light.

I am a first time buyer of "New Age" music and am not well schooled in musical arts. All I can speak of is what I feel when I hear the album.

I love the concept, and everything is almost perfect; however, I find the piano a rude interruption into what would otherwise be a very soothing composition. The soft percussion is an asset, however the heavy notes of a piano, in this genre, in my opinion are likened to an accordian playing jingle bells durring a funeral gathering. It just doesn't fit. But I will give any artist allowance to do as they please.

I also have to say that I was a little annoyed, too, at the choice of vocal sounds he chose for some of the songs. The album's back cover talks about how he uses his voice as an instrument for soul travel. Perhaps, but I felt myself struggling, or perhaps preoccupied trying to make words out of his chosen phonemes. (I think a true vocal instrument would be likened closer to that of one of the TITANIC tracks where none of the vocals would even remotely be construed as a possible word.)

As far as his music sounding like a "choir boy in ecstasy", It really sounds like anything you want it to. I relate it closest to the dream/deathscape that Maximus had in the movie Gladiator. Which was a positive experience, so I denote no morbidity there.

I would recommend this album to anyone. I'm sure most people would find it very relaxing. I did, and still do. But when you listen to it over and over, you begin to see it's faults. And they are so few and far between that they're hardly worth mentioning, but I just wanted to add to the whole picture so that future buyers could gain an all-around perspective.

This recording should not be offered together with Thomas Otten's brilliant work of art (Close to Silence). And, Lisa Girard should sue. Thomas Barquee displays very limited vocal talents, and perhaps even more limited imagination ... This is the sort of mediocrity that gives the New Age genre a bad name. I wish I could get my money back.