Customer Reviews

Za Bakdaz: Unfinished Opera

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

 

 

I received my copy months ago and I am still fascinated by Nomi's latest. It contains not only the haunting and beautiful voice of Nomi, captured by the remarkable talents of George Elliott and Page Wood, but a sleeve full of mysterious short stories about Nomi that will draw you in, reading over and over, trying to find their meanings. Behind this entire album I believe there is a deeper meaning. This post humous work left an emotional mark on me, the beautiful artwork, the music that also included Klaus's very rare "Silent Night" recording, and just the total mystery and talent that make this album is unlike anything else you will find in today's artists. It will continue to be one of my favorite albums, so creatively put together out of love for Klaus Nomi and his fans.

Regardless of the perception, by some, that this album is "picking over the bones" of the late, great Klaus Nomi - My opinion is that this is the TRIPPIEST album I've heard in a long time. Mr. Elliot and Mr. Wood have crafted an offering full of different textures and moods deserving of notice in it's own right. It reminds me of early Pink Floyd in it's approach and flow.

The fact that the CD is short (actually the "opera" is only 28 minutes long if you subtract the added tracks 'Rubberband Lazer' (demo) and 'Silent Night' (single)), does not matter. It's the content that counts. BTW - Slayer's "Reign In Blood" is 29 minutes long and it's considered by many to be the most important thrash/death metal album ever. Again ... it's about the content.

If you're looking for a long lost Klaus Nomi album with proper "songs": This isn't it. However, his spirit permeates all of the tracks. Give it a chance. It's an important recording (imho) and I could only hope that Wood and Elliot put out an album under their own banner (even if it's completely instrumental).

Well done, gentlemen!

I have mixed feelings about this album. On one hand, I think it was great to hear some of Klaus' music that was never heard before be released so long after he had passed on. And I was impressed with what was done with the scant vocals that had been collected prior to Klaus' death.

On the other hand, I thought the album just didn't seem like Klaus. In all his other works, his voice was the primary focus. Makes sense for a countertenor. But this album focused a lot more on the instrumentals rather than the voice, and I found myself thinking Klaus would have really hit the high notes in certain areas of certain songs, and the vocals in the song just didn't sound like him.

I commend Mr. Elliott and Mr. Wood for doing what they can to keep Klaus' spirit alive, but it sounded like a different artist due to the intense manipulations of Klaus' voice. I question if it was really that great of an idea to release the album with such limited vocals, but to each their own.

If you're new to Klaus Nomi's work, avoid this like the plague and buy the wonderful two original albums plus the excellent film 'Nomi. If you're a Nomi fan deciding whether to take the risk (as I did), then read on. . .

This album is under 32 minutes in length. It contains the theme tune from the 60s TV series Dangerman, called 'Highwire'. It contains one reasonable 'live' (ish') performance from Klaus Nomi of the title track. It contains a very poor quality version of Rubberband Laser, that sounds like an old tape demo. It contains a slightly better quality version of 'Silent Night' with what sounds like a backing track added afterwards.

The rest of the CD contains riffs, and jangly jams mixed in with Klaus Nomi's voice. Some of Nomi's voice has been sampled and played like an instrument so often feels odd and lacks continuity. Much of the original Nomi theme appears over and over again throughout the 'Opera'.

Music is credited to George Elliot and Page Wood (except 'Highwire', 'Rubberband Laser' and 'Silent Night'. Klaus Nomi is not credited with any writing.

Overall, it sounds very amateurish and there is not sufficient original material to justify the billing of Klaus Nomi. It's clear that it was just an embryo of an idea that Nomi may (or may not) have had for a third album. Anyone thinking about this should only do so out of a sense of completion, just because it offers a few snippets of Klaus Nomi.

And so to the artwork and design which are excellent. The CD offers a cryptic little booklet with little stories involving Klaus Nomi, but well produced as it is, it does have the effect of making the finished product feel far more significant than it is. It is not a Klaus Nomi album! It's a few crumbs served up on a nice plate.

It really is a case of style over content and a reminder of a much missed talent.

Well what can you say !This record is an amazing journey into the mind of Klaus Nomi.Of course he had some help but still..

Dear Mr. Wood and Mr. Elliott,

I received my Za Bakdaz CD two days ago and I am hypnotized, stunned, amazed...by the whole album, but in particular by Valentine's Day. It is not an exaggeration to say that the emotional impact of that song is profound.

I'm sure you are quite busy, but it would mean a lot and be tremendously appreciated if you could shed some light on that song--any details or history. It is one of the most graceful, delicate and moving pieces of music I have ever heard. This will sound sentimental, but when I played it for the first time two mornings ago as I was driving in my car, the song has barely gotten underway and I suddenly just burst into tears because it was so beautiful. I can say that I am not a big crier and that this was very unusual, even disturbing, but I suppose in a good way--to be able to be so moved by music.

Thank you for making this album available for us and letting us in on a little more Klaus.

Kind regards,
Ellen McCurtin

the musical equivalent of Campbell's soup- broth, noodles and a small abount of chicken. Should not have been labeled as a NOMI album

I do not recommend this CD. I like Klaus, but this CD is not representative of his work that is available. I think this is an attempt to make some money off his bones. This CD sadly disappointed me.

I have received Za Bakdaz... And I am terribly disappointed. In most of the tracks, Nomi's voice is hardly the emphasis. If you have to have everything Nomi-related, go for it. If you expect some kind of emotion... Well I did not experience any with this album. Stick to the "old" original albums. And do watch the movie "The Nomi Song" - so great to see Klaus Nomi on screen, the mystery still lives somewhere!