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Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out Of Balance (1983 Film)
 
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Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out Of Balance (1983 Film) [SOUNDTRACK] [IMPORT]

Philip Glass (Composer)
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews) More about this product


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Product Details

  • Composer: Philip Glass
  • Audio CD (April 17, 1995)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: Soundtrack, Import
  • Label: Island UK
  • ASIN: B000001F4L
  • Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #148,924 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Listen to Samples

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1. Koyaanisqatsi
2. Vessels
3. Cloudscape
4. Pruit Igoe
5. Grid
6. Prophecies


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The striking time-lapse imagery of Godfrey Reggio's Koyaanisquatsi was really an accompaniment to Philip Glass's music, rather than the other way around. Think of it this way: You can listen to the music without the film, but you'd never watch the film without the music. OK, maybe you didn't leave the theater humming the tunes (although I do remember going around chanting that thrillingly deep-throated "Koyaanisqatsi" for a while); this is some of Glass's most dramatic and powerful music-- essential for anybody interested in modern film music, or just modern music in general. --Jim Emerson

Product Description
Koyaanisqatsi - Life out of Balance - music by Phillip Glass.

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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews
5 star:
 (13)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A teaser at best..., October 30, 2002
By A. Ort "aorto" (Youngstown, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I've had the VHS for a number of years and watched it several times through a low end audio/video setup. It was satisfactory. This CD gave me the highlights I missed on the low end VHS tape.

I bought the DVD but haven't watched it yet because I was saving it to see the movie on the big screen. This past weekend I got to see the movie on the big screen but, to my surprise and profound glory, I got to see it not only on the big screen but I got to see it live with Philip Glass and company performing the soundtrack in person. Oh my what I've been missing.

I have since recorded the DVD onto tape and never realized just how much I missed and how profound the recording is. Of course I may be biased having seen it live and the images of the movie emblazened into my brain when I hear the score but I absolutely love this composition.

The reason it only gets four stars is that you must get the DVD; you must have the entire score. Anything less is to your loss. It's as if I never heard it before.

My recommendation is to see it with the film but the soundtrack stands on its own as an amazing piece of music. The score for Powaqqatsi is also brilliant but perhaps because, as noted on the 'extras' on the DVD, no one was waiting for this movie, this stands out as an inspired piece, moreso than Powaqqatsi (which is also brilliant but in a different way).

Invest in the DVD and don't tease yourself with this album alone. As an independent piece of music or as accompaniment to a brilliant piece of filmmaking, it's awesome.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Enigma, Deep Forest and 90's Trance but 10 years earlier, August 25, 1999
By A Customer
What can be said about Phillip Glass and his foreboding soundscapes? Innovative, thought provoking albeit repetitive. Having owned the soundtrack for 5 years but not having seen the movie certainly allowed me to form an opinion solely on the musical merits. I just wish I had heard the music in the early 80's when it was released. It must have been truly groundbreaking. For all its repetition the soundtrack combines an ancient religious musical experience colliding with modern technology and symbolism. Granted it is not an album for weddings and parties but nevertheless the soundtrack is a brilliant chill out, stop and think piece. Most importantly the album delivered the movies message to me before I even saw Koyaansqatsi. Now I have seen the movie and the message contained within, the music has all the more value. Good buying for a Trance, Deep Forest or Enigma music lover. Bad buying for the Top 40 narrow minded commercialist. By the way, do yourself a favour, get hold of a subwoofer, crank the volume and lie back with your eyes closed. Then I guarantee you will be blown away!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Grid was better in this recording, March 11, 2005
By Christopher K. Koenigsberg (Norman, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)      
The Koyaanisqatsi music is simply fantastic.

Both the original soundtrack recording, and the newer re-recording, are very good, but they are different, each with its own strengths and relative weaknesses compared to the other.

I think The Grid was much more exciting and intense, in this original version. Especially the bass; I miss the driving throbbing power of the basslines in this version, when I listen to the re-recording, where the bass is laid back in the background, in comparison.
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Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars music intended to portray spiritual death
I saw KOYAANISQATSI when it was first released in 1983 at a special showing outdoors at the Petrillo Bandshell in Grant Park in Chicago. Read more
Published 18 days ago by R. Hutchinson

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking!
Parodied more than once, derided, blessed, hailed as a wonder, and decried as a travesty, this (abbreviated) soundtrack is capable of generating fascination and annoyance, often... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Patricia Hennessy

5.0 out of 5 stars You have to see it live!!!
This CD was my introduction to Philip Glass since then it has been a long down hill slide to poverty by feeding my addiction for more Glass. Read more
Published on October 29, 2005 by T. Treibel

5.0 out of 5 stars Leaves out one of the best pieces
This is powerful music if you like Philip Glass, but this compilation lacks what I consider the most moving track. Read more
Published on February 19, 2005 by A.J.

1.0 out of 5 stars Get the Re-Recording!!!!
Although any album by Philip Glass is worth the money, honestly, if you are craving the music from the movie "Koyaanisqatsi", then the 1998 re-Recording will please you a... Read more
Published on January 26, 2002 by Chuck Adams

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
This is, to me, one of the most moving pieces of music that I have ever heard. I first heard this soundtrack years ago and I immediately wanted to hear more of Philip Glass' work... Read more
Published on June 18, 2001 by H. A Huffman

3.0 out of 5 stars Balance is in the eye/ear of the beholder?
While I am fascinated with the combined visuals/music of the film Koyaanisqatsi, I find its message to be profoundly disturbing. Read more
Published on December 23, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
amazing. powerful. incredibly meaningful. koyaanisqatsi
Published on September 19, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars The music and the film complement each other...
I like classical music, but I don't' think I would listen to this album on a regular basis without having with it the images of the film. Read more
Published on August 30, 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Glass, P. : Koya....i.
The film was moving, the music superb. I especially like his organ style. I am a fan of Bach's Organ Works, so naturally it follows I like Glass's Organ. Read more
Published on June 18, 1999

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Koyaanisqatsi opens new browser window by Philip Glass opens new browser window is mainly Techno, quite Classical, with hints of Dance”

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out Of Balance (1983 Film)
46% buy the item featured on this page:
Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out Of Balance (1983 Film) 4.3 out of 5 stars (19)
Koyaanisqatsi - Life Out of Balance
21% buy
Koyaanisqatsi - Life Out of Balance 4.7 out of 5 stars (182)
$9.99
Koyaanisqatsi (1998 Re-recording)
15% buy
Koyaanisqatsi (1998 Re-recording) 4.1 out of 5 stars (57)
$18.98
KOYAANISQATSI (Complete Original Soundtrack Version)
11% buy
KOYAANISQATSI (Complete Original Soundtrack Version) 4.0 out of 5 stars (3)
$14.99



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