The Wow Signal

Pat Ortman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 17, 2010)
• Original Release Date: February 11, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Empty Street Music
• ASIN: B00008IP0S
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,721,661 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Rant N Rave

An impressive sounding collection of tunes, smartly sequenced for maximum impact.

Product Description

The Wow Signal by Pat Ortman

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After listening to "MORE" and "Learning to Forgive", January 18, 2003

By 

The Critics (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wow Signal (Audio CD)

We were left with the impression that:

If ever an angelic voice could manifest itself in male form,
then that voice could probably be Pat's.
Not quite perfect, and not always eloquent,
most certainly human.

This entire multi-genre album is a work of art!
Oh yeah and:
"I bet you thought" really ROCKS!!

In Summary:
This is "Hauntingly beautiful with kick!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Originality Rears It's Beautiful Head, January 20, 2003

By 

"cranberry77y" (The United States of America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wow Signal (Audio CD)

I got this CD from another retailer (who shall remain nameless) because I thought, "anyone who gets their CD filed under 'Progressive Rock' AND 'Americana' has to at least be interesting and worth a listen". I was not disappointed. This CD reminds me, not stylistically but more in feel, of the kinds of albums we used to get with The Beatles. You have several songs that remind you of space rock bands like Coldplay and Supergrass, a good hint of Peter Gabriel, the wall of noise electronica enhanced mental and aural breakdown of 'the wow signal' itself, and even a touch of Wilco with the old timey album closer 'Grape Jelly'. All well-crafted, too. Will this CD confuse the casual listener? Nah. It all hangs together really well. Definitely worth a lot of spins in your CD player.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "The Wow Signal" Wowed Me!, March 27, 2003

By 

Christine Bode (Scarborough, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wow Signal (Audio CD)

"The Wow Signal" is Pat Ortman's first foray into a concept album as it explores the acrid desert in which our souls are now starving for communication in the 21st century. It's about reaching out, beyond this familiar plane of existence for life, intelligence and love in the universe. I won't explain the Wow Signal's inspiration or genesis because other reviews have already done that. I will say that this CD is to me, obviously influenced by the late, great George Harrison and also has a distinctive California flavor. The ear appreciates it more and more upon repeated listening. Pat plays guitars, bass, drums, and piano on this recording as well as vocals and he has a very strong, clear and pleasant voice that will only garner more passion and strength from performing live. He received assistance with drums and spoken word from Mick Fleetwood; George Pendergast contributed drums and trumpets and Bill Whitehouse created and performed noise collage.

My favourite tracks include the gorgeously ethereal "More", the redemptive "Learning To Forgive" and the passionately political "Selling Hate". I've also found that I like the song "Victim" more every time I hear it. I enjoy all of the songs on "The Wow Signal" but if I had to pick one throw away track, it would be "Grape Jelly", as I don't feel it fits with the overall theme.

Pat Ortman is what is real and relevant about music in the 2000's and he is blazing the trail for other independent artists by his example. With passion, ambition and commitment, anyone who has talent on this level WILL succeed as long as you don't ever lose sight of what matters most, and that's being true to yourself and the music.