Fragments of Freedom

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Limited edition version of the long awaited third album forthe sublime UK trip hop trio. Enhanced CD features the video for the first single, 'Rome Wasn't Built In A Day' and a CD Rom short film of the 'Making Of Fragments Of Freedom'. 2000 release. Sta

Fragments of Freedom
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Awesome
  • An ode to the 90's
  • So bad... and not in a good way!
  • Just Incredibly Boring
  • An interesting pop/funk album
 Fragments of Freedom
Morcheeba
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Trip-HopTrip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Rhino RecordsRhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Who Can You Trust?
  2. Big Calm
  3. Charango
  4. Back to Mine
  5. The Antidote

ASIN: B00004VVZ4
Release Date: 2000-08-01

Tracks:

  1. World Looking In
  2. Rome Wasn't Built in a Day
  3. Love is Rare
  4. Let it Go
  5. A Well Deserved Break
  6. Love Sweet Love (feat Mr. Complex)
  7. In the Hands of the Godz (feat. Biz Markie)
  8. Shallow End
  9. Be Yourself
  10. Coming Down Gently
  11. Good Girl Down (feat. Bahamadia)
  12. Fragments of Freedom

Amazon.com

Morcheeba were once the dreamiest bass-heavy, slow funk-oriented group in all of trip-hopdom, as anyone who's spent time with their 1998 sophomore album, Big Calm, will attest. Fragments of Freedom begins interestingly enough, with the languorous, slide guitar-enhanced track "World Looking In." But things go awry from there; the lyrics are so daft and pale, and the R&B-lite arrangements so limp, that the listener keeps waiting for the group to bust out laughing, then introduce the real music. "Let It Go," with its faux-inspirational chorus and tepid keyboard runs, sounds like the Euro-club music they might play at Epcot Center. By the time Biz Markie shows up with a short, sweet track of old-school boasting halfway through, it's far too late to save this CD. Freedom sounds like a misdirected attempt to reach a larger audience; the result is as appealing as cotton candy that's been dipped in maple syrup, covered with vanilla frosting, and then dropped in the sand. Recommended only as a clear example of how not to make interesting dance-pop with wide appeal. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Awesome.......2006-04-12

I've got about 6000 tracks in my MP3 collection. Pretty much mostly I listen to is Mozart, sometimes Beethoven, Chopin, Metallica, and when I get bored of REAL music like that, I tend to go wandering through all the other stuff...

And Morcheeba is right up there. No doubt, beautiful, beautiful, gorgeous music. If you're open minded and love MUSIC (not genres or fashions), then listen to this...

1 out of 5 stars An ode to the 90's.......2006-01-17

How can a group fall as far as they did? "Who Can You Trust" and "Big Calm" were both classics (dispite the fact that they sounded totally different from one another). Now with "FoF" it just went down hill...and never came back!

2 out of 5 stars So bad... and not in a good way!.......2005-12-14

I want to respond to what a lot of other reviewers have said, here. I agree, the album is horribly boring. And it's absolutely fine to be a group that doesn't want to be labeled... genre-benders are the best in art, music, and literature. The issue I take with the album isn't simply that it's not trip hop, but that it's BAD. It's just poorly made music. Saying that "maybe they were purposefully trying to be corny with their lyrics" doesn't make the lyrics any less painful, nor does it save the poorly- and boringly-written tunes themselves. I'm simply not buying that this was some big experiment in sarcasm or irony. These are not "feel good" songs, they're "Ouch, are these really the same guys that did Trigger Hippie?" songs.

2 out of 5 stars Just Incredibly Boring.......2005-09-18

To my ears, the problem with "Fragments" isn't that Morcheeba is trying something new, the problem is that this effort fails so miserably at it. I like retro-funk-disco as much as anyone; I grew up with it, as a matter of fact (listen to Chris Joss or an Ursulla 1000 mix CD to see how much fun this genre can be). But this makes KC and the Sunshine Band sound inspired. It's not happy, it's not interesting rhythmically, and the melodies are about as memorable as a tone row in one of Arnold Schoenberg's later twelve tone compositions. Unlike most reviewers here, In my opionion WCYT and Big Calm are not all THAT great compared to the real classics of Trip Hop and Downtempo music (i.e Mezzanine and Mirror Conspiracy), but this is one of the blandest, most forgettable things I've had the misfortune to purchase in years. Maybe if it was entitled "music to wash dishes by"--its not overtly offensive like, for example, the new Brazilian Girls disc. But as a "major" work, by a "major" artist, forget it.

4 out of 5 stars An interesting pop/funk album.......2005-01-14

I recently purchased this album. I remember hearing "Rome Wasn't Build In A Day" and "World Looking In" when they were new, and really liked both of the songs, but never enough to get the album until now.

I wasn't familiar with Morcheeba until hearing these songs. As an outsider to their music, and as a person who enjoys 'popular' sounging music, I really enjoyed them and now the album overall. It has a very clear Motown/RnB/Funk flavor, mostly with Pop sensibility.

Overall, I have two minor disapointments. None of the songs on the album are as energetic as I expected after hearing Rome, but the album is still a nice listen, and borders in between good background music and something you really want to pay attention to. The other thing is, for some reasion I expected it to be a very cohesive concept album; something like Everything But the Girl's "Tempermental" where every song fits like pieces in a puzzle. The songs on Fragments don't fit together like that, but they do all sound like they belong on the same album, so that's good.

I can understand how some of Morcheeba's longtime fans may consider this album unrepresentative. But taken on it's own merit, it's a fun, modern interpretation of 60s/70s radio RnB, and worth a listen.
Freedom in Fragments
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Freedom in Fragments
    Fred Frith & Rova Saxophone Quartet
    Manufacturer: Tzadik
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    Progressive RockProgressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
    Indie & Lo FiIndie & Lo Fi | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    American AlternativeAmerican Alternative | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    ProgressiveProgressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B00005YDFO
    Release Date: 2002-02-26

    Tracks:

    1. Freedom Is Your Friends/Some Assembly Required
    2. Advertising
    3. Song And Dance
    4. Void Where Prohibited/The Up And Up
    5. Boyan's Problem
    6. Ikue's Song
    7. T Square Park Lark (For Frank Zappa)
    8. Significant Restrictions Apply
    9. Hey Rene
    10. Chained To The Skyway
    11. Batteries Not Included/Nostalgia
    12. Water Under The Bridge (For Jimmy Giuffre)
    13. Freedom Is Your Friends II
    Fragments of Freedom
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Fragments of Freedom
      Morcheeba
      Manufacturer: Indoc
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
      Trip-HopTrip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
      Alternative RockAlternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
      Dance & DJDance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
      ASIN: B00004UB98
      Release Date: 2000-07-17

      Tracks:

      1. World Looking In
      2. Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
      3. Love Is Rare
      4. Let It Go
      5. A Well Deserved Break
      6. Love Sweet Love
      7. In the Hands Of The Gods
      8. Shallow End
      9. Be Yourself
      10. Coming Down Gently
      11. Good Girl Down
      12. Fragments Of Freedom

      Album Description

      Limited edition version of the long awaited third album forthe sublime UK trip hop trio. Enhanced CD features the video for the first single, 'Rome Wasn't Built In A Day' and a CD Rom short film of the 'Making Of Fragments Of Freedom'. 2000 release. Sta

      Album Details

      Enhanced CD Includes Epk, Rome Wasn't Built in a Day Video and Mix Your Own Morcheeba Song.
      Fragments of Freedom
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Fragments of Freedom
        Morcheeba
        Manufacturer: Wea/East/West
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
        Trip-HopTrip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
        Alternative RockAlternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
        Dance & DJDance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
        ASIN: B00004VVI3
        Release Date: 2000-07-11

        Tracks:

        1. World Looking In
        2. Rome Wasn't Built in a Day
        3. Love Is Rare
        4. Let It Go
        5. Well Deserved Break
        6. Love Sweet Love - Morcheeba,
        7. In the Hands of the Gods - Biz Markie, Morcheeba
        8. Shallow End
        9. Be Yourself
        10. Coming Down Gently
        11. Good Girl Down - Bahamadia, Morcheeba
        12. Fragments of Freedom

        Album Description

        Limited edition version of the long awaited third album forthe sublime UK trip hop trio. Enhanced CD features the video for the first single, 'Rome Wasn't Built In A Day' and a CD Rom short film of the 'Making Of Fragments Of Freedom'. 2000 release. Sta

        Album Details

        Enhanced CD Includes Epk, Rome Wasn't Built in a Day Video and Mix Your Own Morcheeba Song.
        Fragments of Freedom
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Fragments of Freedom
          Morcheeba
          Manufacturer: Wea
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
          Trip-HopTrip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
          Alternative RockAlternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
          Dance & DJDance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
          ASIN: B00004Y54E
          Release Date: 2000-08-09

          Tracks:

          1. World Looking In
          2. Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
          3. Love Is Rare
          4. Let It Go
          5. A Well Deserved Break
          6. Love Sweet Love
          7. In The Hands Of The Gods
          8. Shallow End
          9. Be Yourself
          10. Coming Down Gently
          11. Good Girl Down
          12. Fragments Of Freedom
          13. Frogmarched To Freedom

          Album Description

          Japanese version of the long awaited follow up to the Brit trip hop trio's 1998, sophomore release 'Big Calm'. Includes the exclusive bonus track, 'Frogmarched To Freedom' and the first single 'Rome Wasn't Built In A Day'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.

          Album Details

          Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: Frogmarched to Freedom.
          Fragments of Freedom (Best Buy Exclusive Limited Edition)
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Fragments of Freedom (Best Buy Exclusive Limited Edition)

            Manufacturer: Sire Records
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
            ASIN: B0002FQD1S

            Product Description

            Exclusive Limited Edition 2 disc version sold only at Best Buy. Bonus disc contains 3 extra songs - "In the Hand of Gods (Tumbleweed Gunslinger Mix)", "Frogmarched to Freedom", and "Crystal Blue Persuasion (Cheeba Blue Persuasion Mix)".
            Fragments of Freedom
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              		Fragments of Freedom
              Morcheeba
              Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD

              GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
              ASIN: B000BRHROO
              Release Date: 2000-11-21

              Music:

              1. Fragments of Freedom [Import]
              2. Haari Om: Anient Egypt Meets India in Music
              3. Hard Lessons
              4. Hello Nasty
              5. Honey Tongue
              6. horchata biomass - necromass remixes
              7. How Does Your Garden Grow?
              8. Hunter [CD-single]
              9. Hyperplush
              10. Isolation Overtone

              Music

              music

              Music

              Trapeze: The Collection [Import]

              Canteloube-Bailly: Chants d'Auvergne

              Cavalli: Requiem (Missa Pro Defunctis); Motets

              Country Memory

              Fix You [CD-single] [Import]

              Celtic Heartbeat Christmas

              Ask a Woman Who Knows

              Cathedral Anthems By SS Wesley-1

              Discoradio Compilation [Import]

              Beethoven-Two Quartets - String Quartet, Op. 95, & Op. 59, #3

              Compact Jazz: Clifford Brown

              Bluiett's Barbeque Band

              Baladas del Rock

              Gold Award Edition: Horowitz/Chopin: Favorite Piano

              Pieces