Customer Reviews

Tempting the Muse

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the highlights of my chill out listening of the late nineties was when I saw a very interesting cover on a CD in a used CD shop. I was then intrigued by the name of the artist and CD: The Spirit Level, "Of Earth and Sky". That began my journey into Mark Allison's creative, ethereal, beat-driven soundscapes. I continued this magical, musical journey with his masterpiece, Phobos. This is a classic and one every aficionado of great chill should own. Mr. Allison then ventured into the world of atmpospheric dance music with his gem,"Star Machine" which displayed his production prowess and gift for big beats. Now, our journey continues with Mysteria.
I have been patiently waiting for a new release from Mr. Allison, and the wait is finally over. The first thing I have to say is that this is an instant classic! He never disappoints. The best qualities of Spirit Level and Phobos make up this release. It is filled with layers upon layers of great atmospherics and laid back beats to take you away and transport you to other worlds. I will not review song by song because every single song is outstanding. Mr. Allison is known for his impeccable production skills and this one is one of the best produced releases I have heard all year. Canada has Rhys Fulber, but we are lucky to have Mark Allison producing such great music.
I would not do this review justice without mentioning one track on this CD which, to me, stands out the most. Again, every single note on this release is amazing, but song #10, Lovers Embrace has to be the most emotional songs I have heard in a while. The song title is perfect because the emotion coming from this song makes you just want to embrace your significant other and not let go. It is truly an awe-inspiring song among a collection of great ambience.
Do yourself a favor and purchase this as well as Spirit Level and Phobos. Put them all on, press shuffle, turn out the lights, light a candle and soak in Mr. Allison's world of beautiful sounds.

I didn't know what to expect when I got this album, although with a title like "Tempting The Muse" I definitely wanted to be taken on an exotic journey. I have to say I wasn't disappointed. I agree with everything the editorial review said about it. It is a journey. It is seamless. Just before my mind wanted to switch modes, it changed up and took me somewhere different. What the editor didn't mention, however, is the underlying heartbeat of the music. OK, I didn't hear any actual heartbeat (but I did pick up everything from an Indian sitar to a Blues slide guitar) but this album, in all its ethereal mystery, has soul.

thanks amazon, for recommendations and listen to samples, or I would never
have found and bought MYSTERIA. I enjoy Delerium & Enigma, and now Mysteria.
The Chants and Angelic Voices are very "moody". I espeically
get "tempted" by track #8. ALSO recommend - BLUE STONE.

Right off the start Tempting the Muse is a mighty big sounding record expanding musical horizons in the genres of chill out chant, electronica downtempo or enigmatic expressions. Great from start to finish, every track finds a way to build on the previous one as the musical prowess of M. Allison clearly has matured over the years. Being a fan of Enigma, Era and groups like Lesiem i found the music by Mysteria to be top notch right alongside the other artists mentioned. Almost like a passing of the torch from the those who came before. The overall feel captured on tempting the muse is a celestial vocal chilled mix of beats, electronica textures and late evening relaxing moods. A very enjoyable record overall. Great work!

If you are a fan of Enigma, Achillea, Ameythsium, Lesiem or Delerium (hmmm... that's a lot of "-ums" :) ) you will enjoy Mysteria's CD.
Otherworldly rythmns with haunting heavenly Gregorian chants and airy female vocals.
It's spiritual, sensual and superlative.

It's a good album. It was produced by Mark Adams Allison, who made an album in 1999 under the name Phobos that is even better than this one. This album sounds similar to that album, and even uses a melody from it in track 8. He also spoofs Moby in a few places, and does a blatant rip off of the Moby track "Porcelain" for track 6. There may be other spoofs that I'm not literate enough to get. This album is blissful in places, but it's not completely original.

I agree with another reviewer here.

There are several good songs on this album for those into the more new agey, ethereal type (meditative, relaxing, floating) music.

Unfortunately it's surprisingly disappointing and suspect as to why this artist ripped off Phobos and especially world-wide known Moby (and Enigma?) on several songs here. I own Phobos, Moby, and Enigma (several Moby and Enigma albums) and was surprised and unhappy to hear songs so close to copying effect to great, original ones I already have. There's something unattractive and annoying in hearing an artist do good music and then a song comes on which clearly reminds you of Enigma, Moby, or Phobos to the point where an actual leading melody or sound has been taken, sometimes cut up but too taken overall from the original hit source. Several tracks on this otherwise pretty good album sound like blatant rip-offs and whether that was the artists attempt here or not is beyond me but it doesn't look good. I don't care if he is friends with these guys. Be original. Focus on new ideas. For for heavens sake, create your own work!!

For teaching Yoga class this album has some very floating songs on it, but I'm afraid the students who are generally more aware of new age artists and music like myself will instantly recognize the several unoriginal songs. Either way, it isn't worth chancing in my opinion.

This artist got too inspired maybe but the overall effect is good mixed with disappointing. It's better to be and stay as far away from sounding similar to others even if you're inspired. As an artist you develop more praise and smiles that way. People spead your name around more if they're pleased and impressed with your work. I feel mixed with this album overall but there is some fresh, good work on it for those into New Age.


For those into this type of music and want some of the best , check out:

Phobos - Phobos ... (Great New Age albums)

Amethystium ... (several albums by this artist, they're all very good)

Nicola Hitchcock - Passive Aggressive ... (I just heard this the other day, very relaxing, beautiful female vioce, new agey)

Toss Enigma, Delerium, and Deep Forrest into a pot.... mix it up.... and what you get is Mysteria. Great New Age albumb for anyone who likes any of the bands previously mentioned. Peaceful, but has a beat. I love it to get me thru the work day. Pop it in, and just hit repeat-all for 8 hours. I don't get tired of it, and there is not a single song on here that I don't love.

Amazon originally recommended this CD to me.... and I must admit, this is probably the best recommendation I have every received!

I just want to point out to the reviewer James Liakos "James L" about how this album is a rip off of Phobos; this is the same artist who created Phobos; Mark Adams Allison is his name. He also has an album called Of Earth & Sky but goes by the name Spirit Level which is the same style of music.

For those of you who know what it's all about, this cd is actually good, even though there are "samples" from other musicians work, the music on this release is amusing.
Having been a Delerium fan since 1989, I have enjoyed the opportunity in listening to other musicians grow from Deleriums lead.
Once Enigma came along it has pretty much been this way. Even Delerium switched it up a bit when Enigma hit the circuit.
If you are debating on purchasing 'Mysteria', I say buy it, it is worth it and it will grow on you.