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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
you cant go wrong with what is essentially a greatest hits, August 14, 2000
It's an indicator of just how hot the Orb were back in the early 90's that they were able to release a live double album, still unheard of to this day for electronic acts. But it was an obvious step nonetheless, from the ambient-house wizards who's songs already had a naturally loose, organic flow to them. This set culls the material from their first two records, with a few exclusives, and allows it to breathe and shape into a freeform beauty. The effect is enchanting, as if you were on the grass yourself and listening to the vast collection of natural and otherworldly sound recordings tied to the intoxicating, mellow beat.We're not talking New Age goodvibes, but a dreamy sense of enjoyment. Snippets of humor underscore the notion of enjoying the moment over delivering a stadium-wide experience - as their frequent, cheeky nods to Pink Floyd show (undoubtedly a reviewer comparison at the time.) Snatches of documentaries, TV, televangelist sermons (the first three minutes of "Little Fluffy Clouds)", and other odd commentary further score the point. A song description would probably give the wrong impression- saying "Oobe" is a mixture of dissertation, roosters, flying jets, flutes, soundbites and a cascading beat implies a throw-it-in-the-blender approach lacking cohesion. Nor does it all work, at least as a chillout experience, unless three minutes of engine throttling is your thing (the start of the otherwise sublime "Star 6&7 8 9.") This pattern manifests throughout- minutes of recorded sample noodling before the next classic tune kicks in- enhancing the live experience despite the occasional missfire. Still, you can't go wrong with what is essentially a greatest hits album. For the un-Orbed this is an excellent starting point, as are their first two records. Fans already owning the early works will still enjoy the mixed revisions- witness the distorted reverbathon done to "Towers of Dub," or the echo acoustics of "Blue Room." And you can't go wrong with a 20-min version of "A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain that rules from the Centre of the Ultraworld" closing out the set. Classic. Grade: A-
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Orb Album..., August 1, 2002
I was kind of shocked that so many people gave this mediocre or poor reviews. I actually prefer this to the majority of their studio albums. Nothing compares to Orbus Terrarum, their crown jewel, but I would rather listen to this one before any of the others. '...Ultraworld' is great, but sounds a little dated now, same can be said for'UFOrb'. 'Pomme Fritz' shines, but only on a couple of tracks...same for 'Orblivion', and 'Cydonia' was a massive disapointment. So...this two disc live album, which might as well be a remix album, makes up for the others(In my humble opinion). The early versions of 'Plateau' and 'Valley' are great listening, as are the live versions of 'oobe' 'towers of dub' and of course 'blue room'. Every Orb fan should have this in their collection. Also, if you can find 'Orbscure Tracks'...don't pass it up. Peace...
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maturing brilliantly, December 14, 1999
By A Customer
When this set was first released, the media-led consensus was that it was sprawling, overlong and a stop-gap ripoff for the Orb's then-huge following. To which I say - cobblers! With time, this has become my favourite Orb set. Part of this is undoubtedly nostalgia - I was present at both the Copenhagen and Glastonbury shows, and remember them as two of the most incredible events I have ever attended. More than that, though, I now think they are essential documents of Alex and co. at the height of their powers. There has always been a tension between the dancefloor and the dreamscape in the Orb's music, and here it is perfectly reconciled. Nowhere is this better illustrated than in the absolutely _rocking_ version of "Huge Evergrowing Pulsating Brain" which closes the album, IMHO the best version on record. Elsewhere, the superphat "Valley" and "Plateau" marked a thrilling new direction for the band at the time. Sadly, I don't think it ever found its expression on subsequent albums - Pomme Fritz was tripped-out lunacy without a centre, and the versions of "Valley" and "Plateau" on Orbus Terrarum are lame by comparison. Essentially, this a fantastic remix album of the Orb's greatest hits, with a spontaneity and expansiveness which gets closer than the studio albums to conveying the true might of the Orb, which has always been as a live experience. Turn your lights down low, reconfigure your wetware and float into space, baby. The Orb - you've been waiting for music like this all your life...........;-)
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