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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most amazing album I can think of..., October 17, 2005
I say so because I can't think of any other album in which this quality of musicianship is submitted to the task of such inspired lunacy.
Steve Hillage rocketing into space on guitar; Pierre Moerlen's frantic jazz pummeling on drums, and magical tuned percussion; Mike Howlett's funky-smooth pursuit of the cosmic groove; and Didier Malherbe's tasty soprano sax and flute musings--a crack band as good as any that EVER played rock music--accompanied by Tim Blake's divinely inspired ambient synthesizer landscapes, Daevid Allen's equally ambient glissando guitar, and the space whispers and instrumental contributions of various women named Yoni.
It's a once-in-a-millenium musical mix that would be noteworthy in and of itself, but shoots into the stratosphere because of the spiritual depth of Daevid Allen's psychedelic whimsy. Allen has written many provocative and beautiful songs, but this album is in my opinion his magnum opus, or the whole tamale if you prefer--the climactic story of everyman Zero the Hero "going round the circle of births and deaths" struggling, and failing, and struggling again to attain/maintain spiritual awakening--it's the story of everybody who ever tried. Accompanied by the musical equivalent of nirvana. (Most succinctly demonstrated by "A Sprinkling of Clouds", which is my favorite instrumental rock piece of all time--a piece of terrifying beauty, like looking into the face of God him/herself...really.)
This release of the album is lovingly, perfectly remastered, and packaged with intriguing drawings and photos of the band that give us a window into the time and place. It is the definitive CD release, and the best this incredible album has ever sounded. It is, as space-rock should be, not of this world.
Many albums of the psychedelic and prog eras came from the stance of presumed enlightenment, with variable musical and lyrical success. However, "You" manages to make the leap from merely inspired to INSPIRING--an actual album-length primer for the pursuit of enlightenment. It's no wonder the band as it was broke up after this album, when Daevid Allen walked away. There was really nowhere else to go but down, after achieving this dizzying height.
If I had to pick one obscure album that I wish that others could hear for their own sake, this would be it. It is, as I said, amazing--and if you have ever wanted to hear how great space-rock could be, you should take a chance on this marvelous disc.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Incognito Return of the Octave Doctors..., June 28, 2007
When I first heard YOU, I thought it was the most odd and brilliant record I'd ever heard. It is the final act of a hippie-esque "smoke opera" that takes the now-venerable jam-band flights of trippy fantasy to new and dizzy heights. More akin to Ozric Tentacles than to the Grateful Dead, the tunes on this disc are challenging, mesemerising, and ultimately quite satisfying.
Steer clear if you're attached to traditional song dynamics, 2:45 bits of pop structure, or made nervous by music that carries you away.
Not a perfect album, but well worth the time and attention of the adventurous listener.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best, November 5, 2007
This is definitely the best of the three. The coming together of all the parts. It really stands the test of time even if obviously pyschedelic the musianship is surperb.
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