The Magic Place

Julianna Barwick | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Label: Asthmatic Kitty
• Copyright: 2010 Asthmatic Kitty
• Total Length: 43:44
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B004MB1PZC
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,121 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album October 9, 2011

By Manny Ramirez

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I hadn't heard of this artist until I read that this album was considered one of the best new albums by pitchfork. Regardless of your feelings towards that website, you have to give this album a chance if you enjoy the places that music can take you. Somewhat unfairly labelled as an "indie Enya", Barwick has a sound that is unique; there is no one else that sounds like her. Maybe the closest is Sigur Ros's most ethereal stuff and Liz Fraser of the Cocteau Twins but this music is not a carbon copy of that sound, although it does owe a huge debt to them. Barwick just simply sings vocals that are impossible to understand and loops her vocals to create a devastatingly understated sound that at times sounds like a choir of angels are singing. No guitars or drums, just her voice along with some piano. This is an album that you can listen to as background (somewhat like Brian Eno) but also really concentrate on (also like Eno). Buy this - you won't regret it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Different, lovely December 29, 2011

By Rushmore TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Julianna Barwick loops and layers her lovely voice into a lush sonic landscape. The only instrument is a piano, used sparingly.

At times I am reminded of Sigur Ros, whom I adore, because there are no words nor much of a melody that one could hum. However, the music stays inside my head after the album is over. Unlike Sigur Ros, Julianna Barwick creates harmonies using only her own voice.

I would not characterize this as background music. The sound is too compelling, it grabs your attention. It is a good accompaniment to driving, cooking or knitting, or a similar activity where you can share your concentration. I haven't heard anything else quite like this. It's not for everyone. It might make you crazy. But you might love it. Definitely worth a try.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Same-y, but a beautiful sameness July 8, 2012

By John B.

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Take a woman with a beautiful voice and a love of tape loops, very light instrumentation, and a church with big, echo-y acoustics, and the result is this gorgeous album. Its acoustics and wordless vocals are a kind of postmodern Gregorian chant: Though not religious--that is, the absence of text means there's no dogma or even theology in these pieces--one can certainly, easily, find oneself contemplating spiritual and even divine matters as one listens.

A reviewer here dismissed other people's comparing Barwick's record to Enya's music; I'd argue, though, that they're each working different sides of the same sonic territory. Another connection that may be helpful: Much of this music--the title track in particular--would be right at home during certain scenes in The Tree of Life (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy).

Docked one star solely because I wish there were just a little more variety in these pieces. I understand that they are not supposed to have a great sense of movement to them, that they're supposed to be "places" and, thus, destinations in their own right (like much of Arvo Part's instrumental music) but I do get the feeling that the "places" themselves could have been more varied. That (personal) misgiving aside, I highly recommend this beautiful record to lovers of atmosphere in their ambient music.