Rounds

From URB Magazine
(Domino) After first introducing Four Tet on the album Dialogue, it was with the stunning follow-up Pause that Kieran Hebden really turned discerning electronic music heads all the way on. A lovely amalgamation of gentle hip-hop beats, obscure folk influences and music-making software found on the net, the album elicited endless accolades and even generated cheeky new genre tags like "folktronic." The resulting trajectory sent Hebden everywhere from tours with Radiohead and Madlib to remixes for the likes of Aphex Twin and Beth Orton (who’s recruited him to produce her next album). Somewhere in all of that sonic madness he found time to conjure up Rounds, which simultaneously builds and deconstructs the strides made with Pause, resulting in an even more organic blend of quiet but muscular compositions. Opening with the woozily beautiful warm-up "Hands," the album sounds like it was composed by a man in love, especially considering song titles like "She Moves Me" (an Asian-influenced plucked groove augmented by jagged guitar bursts and distant bells) and the sweet, heartfelt harp tones of "My Angel Rocks Back and Forth." Hebden’s sense of humor emerges on "Spirit Fingers" (possibly an homage to teen cheerleading flick Bring It On?), sounding like an army of sped-up mandolins madly carousing with a kinky sampler. This whimsical approach also lightens up "As Serious As Your Life," which dances on a funky guitar melody and a stilted jazz back beat. Closing on the peacefully epic "Slow Jam," Rounds proves that quiet is indeed the new loud.

Permanent Ink

Product Description
Four Tet is Kieran Hebden, and he has released eight albums between his solo Four Tet work and band efforts as Fridge. Rounds is a beautiful montage of shuffling percussion, piano, guitar and folktronic excursions. 10 tracks. Domino. 2003.

Rounds,Four Tet,Domino,Experimental Techno,IDM,Indie Electronic,Pop,Post-Rock/Experimental,Rock,Rock/Pop,Trip-Hop

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Rounds

Average customer rating: A Milestone explores the possibilities of what music can be Fantastic album with benefits Electronic music is folk music in response to "stevemncoug1

Rounds Four Tet Manufacturer: Domino ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Electronic Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music IDM | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Campfire Headphase Geogaddi Music Has The Right To Children Up in Flames Takk... ASIN: B000092Q6L Release Date: 2003-05-06

Tracks:

1. Hands
2. She Moves She
3. First Thing
4. My Angel Rocks Back and Forth
5. Spirit Fingers
6. Unspoken
7. Chia
8. As Serious As Your Life
9. And They All Look Broken Hearted
10. Slow Jam

Album Description

Four Tet is Kieran Hebden, and he has released eight albums between his solo Four Tet work and band efforts as Fridge. Rounds is a beautiful montage of shuffling percussion, piano, guitar and folktronic excursions. 10 tracks. Domino. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

A Milestone.......2007-01-16

Rounds changed my life and the course of my musical maturation. It is profound in its minimalism. Its rhythms play out like jazz, its composition like hip-hop, and its sentiments read like ethnic and folk music in a combination I couldn't have imagined before hearing. Caught between electronica, jazz, hip-hop, and rock, when I came across "Rounds" it was exactly what I wanted to hear in music at that given time. Infinitely creative and approachable in its humble presentation, this album should be in every modern music lover's collection.

explores the possibilities of what music can be.......2006-03-29

Rounds is a work of sonic bricolage. Unlike lesser artists, Four Tet manages to combine a jumble of sounds into beautifully-interlocking, natural, immediately comprehensible music, without any kitsch or clubby insipidness. Rounds is amazing. Buy it.

Fantastic album with benefits.......2005-06-16

Hmm, not sure if this will get posted, but:

I really enjoyed this album when I first came across it. I was into very close listening at the time, and was rewarded for my efforts. "And they all look broken hearted" is particularly rewarding for someone paying too much attention, the melodies of the strings mesh and slip in and out of synch with some jazzy improvised sounding drums. Still sends shivers down my spine when I listen to it under the influence.

On a related note, many songs on this album have turned out to be absolutely outstanding as background music for an indulgently long/sensual session of love making. Particularly hands, she moves she, my angel rocks back and forth, unspoken, and and they all look broken hearted. the music has excellent rhythms, is not too intense/grating, and flows through tantalizing progressions with ease. Incidentally it's all quite beautiful as well.

With the exception of maybe "Great Day" off the madvillain remixes, this is four tet at his greatest.

Electronic music is folk music.......2005-01-09

This album uses extensive samples of traditional/folk music and jazz, creating an intimate sound that swings back and forth between lush and sparse. There is a lot of abstraction and a lot of meandering, testing the patience of those looking for some sort of dramatic resolution in everything they hear. I find even these moments rewarding (they are reminiscent Boards of Canada). However, this does not describe the entire cd. Some tracks even qualify as "funky". I actually like these the least, but these songs ("She Moves She" and "As Serious as Your Life") have rated high on the include-on-a-magazine-compilation-o-meter, so draw your own conclusion. I highly recommend the very first track, "Hands", something I was totally unprepared for when i bought this cd. In addition, if you like the abstraction present here, definitely check out "Happiness" by Fridge.

in response to "stevemncoug1.......2004-12-17

I normally don't bother with reviews (who reads em anyways, besides you) but his bothered me. I have listened to four tet for a while, thinking their remixes of beth orton and radiohead are some of my favs. I have also listened to tortoise for a while too. While they are similar to the unlistened ear he seems to have missed the point about four tet altogether.While Four tet is jazzy-ish, tortoise is jazzy-ful, and four tet have much more groundbreaking electronica credit, which is a hard thing to accomplish this day full of electrosounds. Rounds should probably get a five star it really is incredible, full of emotion and genius. Not to make light of tortoise, they are in my heavy rotation just four tet, but four tet is a different ocean, very swimmable and very unique.

Average customer rating: vampire pop Halloween trip-hop Haunted House Trip Hop New Heroes Darkness and its Soothing Vocal Embrace

My Big Hero 12 Rounds Manufacturer: Interscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Pleasant Smell Error reminder. The Attraction to All Things Uncertain Sinsation ASIN: B000009CRT Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks:

1. Come On In Out Of The Rain
2. Pleasant Smell
3. Sunshine
4. My Big Hero
5. Something's Burning
6. Where Fools Go
7. 2 Miles
8. Bovine
9. Me Again
10. Mr. Johnson Take A Bow

Customer Reviews:

vampire pop.......2005-10-20

if i was asked to describe this band's peticular sound, i'd simply have two words- vampire pop. this album is a beautiful spin on the trip hop sound. the vocalist has and amazingly original rhaspy, almost drugged vocal style that slowly sucks one in and never quite lets go.

this album and this band are one of those rare gems one comes across...unfortunately the future of the band and the possibility of album number 3 look quite grim.

Halloween trip-hop.......2004-09-17

There's something creepy about 12 Rounds' "My Big Hero," which sounds like what would happen if Stereolab suddenly started making Halloween soundtracks. The music itself is a mix of eerie acoustics and ghostly trip-hop, but the nasal vocals leave a bad taste in the... well, the ear.

A heartbeat opens the album, followed by metallic twangs, before blossoming into the eerie "Come On In Out of the Rain." After a screeching electric opener, 12 Rounds switches to ballads with "Pleasant Smell," and the ethereal "My Big Hero." At the midway point, things switch gears.

After that, there's also swirling dancepop that retains the haunted feel, like "Sunshine" and the bouncy "Where Fools Go." Not to mention the metal-edged rock of "Something's Burning." And in the second half, there's a handful of indescribable songs like the weirdly eerie "2 Miles" or the sinister "Bovine," where vocalist Claudia Sarne lets rip with some howls, followed by an operatic soprano wail.

12 Rounds is a bit hard to categorize -- there are elements of pop, rock, metal, and electronica all woven together. Sure, there's a cute tinkly little piano, but there are also those searing guitar riffs in the very same song. It gives it all a very gothic, twisted feeling, like a haunted house that manages to be both beautiful and evil.

The music has a deceptively raw quality, with distortion and wavers mixed in, like the earsplitting feedback that rips out in "Pleasant Smell." The electric guitar work is quite solid, turning into a frenzied dance one moment and then a dark, steady trudge. The piano is the best of all, a faint tinkly presence that reminded me of the Dresden Dolls.

Sarne's voice is one of the drawbacks. It tends to be rather nasal at times, which is less noticeable in the heavier tracks, but in the lighter ones it's painfully obvious. But the songwriting is excellent -- it's ghastly, grisly and strangely humorous. It's pop for vampires, about blood and pain.

The horrific lyrics and solid musicianship make this an amusing listen, but Sarne's nasal vocals take some getting used to. An interesting listen, but very flawed.

Haunted House Trip Hop.......2004-06-27

This is the kind of music your grandmother would make if she was evil... evil in that kind-of-smiley way... extremely pale blue eyes,.... her clothes are old victorian lacework outfits, dusty and spiderweb ridden... and she's always hanging around up in her pitch-black attic with her victrola, sharpening her vintage silverware knives and talking/cackling to herself about manners... she also loves to dance, drink absynth, and sing in a raspy way that you could swear was sexy if you closed your eyes. Spppoooooky... good stuff, this is the kind of moody music that captures the way that I used to feel around Halloween when I was a little kid. Sorely underrated. Check it out.

New Heroes.......2004-04-03

An underrated yet very solid debut, "My Big Hero" is a delicious dark album that manages to be hypnotic, gripping and somewhat unique. This strangely captivating group of songs carry a claustrophobic and deep atmosphere, combining risky electronic soundscapes with an haunting yet addictive female voice. Released under Trent Reznor`s (Nine Inch Nails) label Nothing Records, this album is an enticing and interesting effort. Almost scary at parts due to its somewhat depressing mood (the unusual and memorable lyrics help a bit), "My Big Hero" is a record that recalls bands like Garbage (even if 12 Rounds are far darker), Curve, Lamb, Cranes, Sneaker Pimps or even some Marilyn Manson material. Unfortunately, this peculiar debut is terribly overlooked, even if it provides an absorbing meld of goth/trip-hop/industrial/rock/electronica that deserves a listen.

An unnoticed gem worth discovering.

Darkness and its Soothing Vocal Embrace.......2003-01-10

Sometimes something is released that is so utterly intoxicating in its ability to captivate and yet it is so utterly ignored that a listener finds themselves incapable of understanding the exact nature of the industry. Be it a trend spun from the straw of bad marketing campaigns (or the lack of them), or simply a lack of connection with the consumer, these little gems are treasure destined to be lost and forgotten by all save those lucky enough to find them, much to the chagrin of those wishing for a lot more. Such is the case with 12 rounds, an unfortunate victim of Nothing Record's veritable lack of remorse when it comes to any of the label's understudy acts, as can be seen with so many of their signed bands. Still, does this truly measure the worth of the performer and the wonders they generate?

To say that 12 rounds has a style all their own is an understatement inside and understatement and, in some respects, doesn't go far enough into the realms of the descriptive. Here we find a combination of genres and subclassifications, going from hellbilly and blues to more solidified versions of carnival music on psychotropics. These blend with lyrics ranging from the entrancingly bizarre to the utterly sadistic that are hidden behind the mask of Claudia Sarne's extremely intoxicating voice, managing to crisscross through the sometimes beautiful and sometimes brutal while proclaiming a vast array of things that seem almost frightening to hear from such an invigorating spring. To me that is one of the perpetual beauties of this work; its ability to grant its audience servings of something that strays beyond the realm of the mundaneness often plaguing music, and one of the reasons I recommend it highly. Personally, I like to find myself enamored and shocked at the same time.

If nothing else, I would suggest that a person go and look for something to listen to from this album and, if they don't like what they hear, go and ingest something else from the same work because of the complexity of it all. Also, if one can find it, I would further recommend they check out "Jitter Juice," a release that seems buried in the past and is actually hard to locate, as well as looking into their website for new releases (such as some soundtrack work) that they have planned.

Average customer rating: My favorite Libana CD... A Little Better Than A Circle Is Cast Uplifting, singable music Fire Within Libana is a fantastic all women vocal group

Fire Within Libana Manufacturer: Ladyslipper ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: A Circle Is Cast Night Passage Let It Begin Now She Changes Goddess Chant ASIN: B0000000A2 Release Date: 1994-07-26

Tracks:

1. Fire Within
2. Hotaru Koi
3. Treeplanter's Round
4. Con El Viento
5. Good Friends
6. Kona Kai Opua I Ka Lai
7. O Virgo Splendens
8. Rise Up O Flame
9. Neesa
10. Lullaby
11. Clear Horizon
12. OdeTo Contentment
13. I Will Be Gentle With Myself
14. Now I Walk In Beauty
15. Be Like A Bird
16. Lo Yisa Goy
17. Kwaheri
18. And She Will Rise

Customer Reviews:

My favorite Libana CD..........2002-07-09

I've been into Libana for over 10 years, and this is by far my favorite, even surpassing "A Circle is Cast." The songs are easy to chant/sing along to and are life/earth affirming, rhythmic and soothing. I particularly am fond of Treeplanter's Round, Con el Viento, Lullaby, Ode to Contentment, Now I Walk in Beauty, and most especially, Be Like a Bird. Even my husband has begun to appreciate Libana through this CD, which is a real breakthrough.

A Little Better Than A Circle Is Cast.......2002-06-05

Just like their other album, it includes songs about the Judeo-Christian Deity. If I wanted that I'd buy one of the countless albums about Jesus! And like A Circle Is Cast the songs are too short and somewhat hard to understand.

To be honest, Libana kind of reminds me of Enya who I'm also not crazy about.

Uplifting, singable music.......2002-03-12

I bought the cassette maybe ten years ago and fell in love. There is a guided meditation, some great circle chants and even a girl scout campfire song! Feminine without being offensively feminist, and somehow delivering the feeling of being very personal. I wish I understood the Spanish: Con El Viento is lovely. Music translates well into other philosophies (some come from other philosophies). Buy it, you'll like it!

Fire Within.......2001-11-24

Some of the songs are great for meditatng

Libana is a fantastic all women vocal group.......1999-01-10

First buy A Circle is Cast, then buy this, if for no other reason than for the Swedish Lulliby.

Average customer rating: Pulling out all the emotional stops . . . Keeping it Country Better than the last! The Best CD of Tracy Byrd's Career.....So Far COUNTRY'S STILL ALIVE!!!

Ten Rounds Tracy Byrd Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Truth About Men It's About Time I'm From The Country Big Love Tracy Byrd ASIN: B00005LZR1 Release Date: 2001-07-24

Tracks:

1. Somebody's Dream
2. Just Let Me Be In Love
3. Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo
4. Wildfire
5. How Much Does the World Weigh
6. Summertime Fever
7. Crazy Every Time
8. A Good Way To Get On My Bad Sige (with Mark Chesnutt)
9. Needed
10. Tryin' Not To Love You
11. Never Gonna Break Again
12. Keeper Of The Stars

Amazon.com

East Texas traditionalist Tracy Byrd's beefy, muscular voice had the goods and could deliver them. Everyone knew it and that's still true. That said, the faint whiff of compromise has always dogged his records. The need to satisfy marketing concerns with generic songs and arrangements consistently nudges out the edgier fare Byrd is and has always been capable of. Here, that whiff becomes a full-fledged scent. While "Somebody's Dream" succeeds as social commentary, "Ten Rounds with José Cuervo" is yet another predictable Buffettesque sing-along drinking ditty. Byrd himself chose to revive Michael Martin Murphy's 1970s whiny hippie wussfest "Wildfire," but it doesn't fit his style. He recovers with a strong performance of "Never Gonna Break Again" and an enjoyable duet with Mark Chesnutt on "A Good Way to Get on My Bad Side," with the piquant line "A little sissy in a cowboy hat ain't country." True. By the same token, a great country singer in a cowboy hat ain't well served by so much throwaway material. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews:

Pulling out all the emotional stops . . ........2006-04-10

It's hard to characterize this CD because it touches so many different bases and extremes of emotions. After the stereotype-breaking lyrics of social consciousness in "Somebody's Dream," there's the poignant anthem of the aching heart, "Just Let Me Be In Love," followed by the rollicking "Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo." The unexpected cover of the old pop hit "Wildfire" just about makes sense in this company as it embraces both folk-myth and magical realism.

And the CD just goes on like that, like a symphony orchestra hitting one big emotional chord after another until after a fed-up outlaw harange with Mark Chestnutt ("A Good Way to Get On My Bad Side"), we end on a note that mixes true love and a nod to the Higher Power ("Keeper of the Stars"). This is pull-out-all-the-stops sentiment, not for the faint-hearted, and Bryd sings it for all it's worth.

Keeping it Country.......2002-10-17

Tracy Byrd has yet another hit album, Ten Rounds. As your driving in your car listening to this CD there won't be a single track that you want to skip over. Ten Rounds has the perfect the perfect blend of Byrd's soft and sweet ballads; in addition to, toe-tapping country bogie. Tracy Byrd recreates such classics as "Wildfire" and "Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo" with superior musical abilities. This CD is most definatley made for the working class and those who aren't ashamed to be country. With songs such as "How Much Does the World Weigh" and "Somebody's Dream" you are reminded that life is a precious thing and to carpe diem. The CD also celebrates love with songs like "Just Let Me Be In Love." and "Needed." To remind all of his fans of how great he is, released "Keeper of the Stars." for this album. This hit single was his claim to fame and paved his way to his very triumphant career. You can feel the emotion of his words as he eloquently sings in his strong voice. Mark Chesnutt joined Byrd on the album for the duet "A Good Way to Get On My Bad Side." In this sizzling single Byrd and Chesnutt show their distain toward [dishonest] politicians, boy bands, and country [imitator]. This CD is a sure hit for all those who appreciate true country.

Better than the last!.......2002-08-20

I love Tracy Byrds music and have from 1993's self titled album. He's got a real western swing/cowboy/traditional country sound.

I love Somebodys's Dream it's a Chris LeDoux kind of Cowboy Rock swing song.
Ten Rounds is the Jimmy Buffet-esque party song you have to dance to.
His rendition Michael Martin Murphys wildfire is better than the original, and manlier too!
Summertime Fever is Watermelon Crawl-esque and I am not crazy about it.
A good Way to get on my Badside is a great in your face manly song to sing with your buddies.
The way I see it youve got 11 new songs and a better Keeper of the Stars.
I like 10 of the new songs and just bought his first album to get the Keeper of the Stars. So I am estatic about it all.
The only song I can't get excited about is Summertime Fever.

The Best CD of Tracy Byrd's Career.....So Far.......2002-08-06

Tracy Byrd has recorded and released the best CD of his career. "Ten Rounds" is both musically and lyrically the most consistent album Tracy has produced. There is not a single song that is not likeable and listenable.

I started listening to this CD ... when it was first released. It is perfect for driving because it just flows perfectly from country rockers to slow romantic ballads to fun party songs.

The best single release off this CD is "Just Let Me Be In Love" which was a top 10 ten hit last winter for Tracy. He produced a cool video which took off immediately on CMT. This song returned Tracy to the radio playlists and rejuvinated his career. The latest hit song is "Ten Rounds of Jose Cuervo" which has just reached the top ten also. This song is a real crowd pleaser and perfect in a bar or concert setting.

My other favorites from this release are "Tryin' Not to Love You", "Somebody's Dream" and "Crazy Every Time". This CD "Ten Rounds" is Tracy Byrd's second RCA Records release and it has brought back this wonderful musician and vocalist to the spotlight in which he belongs in. Tracy is one of the best performers in country music today.

Trust me, buy yourself a copy of "Ten Rounds" put it in the player, kick back and enjoy!

COUNTRY'S STILL ALIVE!!!.......2002-07-18

There are a few still around trying to keep the country sound from being merged with pop pap, and Tracy Byrd's one of them. This is a really strong album. "Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo" is a natural party song, one ranks with Tom T Hall's "I Like Beer".

Then at the other end of the stick, there's "Somebody's Dream", a truly serious type song that definitely works here.

Then there's the duet with Mark Chesnutt, "A Good Way To Get On My Bad Side". Definitely enjoyable.

I think I'd pick "Never Gonna Break Again" as my favorite here, but really, they're all good...well, maybe "Wildfire" was unnecessary, but other than that, there's hardly a song you'd want to skip here.

Average customer rating: 35 unmistakable tracks Wonderful The Different Drummer We Once Were For those who love the music Moondog

Moondog Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Madrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | New Age General | New Age | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | New Age General | New Age | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000026QJ Release Date: 1989-07-20

Tracks:

1. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 12-Nero's Expedition
2. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 13-No, The Wheel Was Never Invented
3. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 14-With My Wealth
4. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 15-This Student Of Life
5. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 16-Some Trust All
6. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 17-Wine, Woman And Song
7. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 18-Sadness
8. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 19-Maybe
9. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 20-Each Today Is Yesterday's Tomorrow
10. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 21-Imagine
11. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 22-You The Vandal
12. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 23-Trees Against The Sky
13. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 24-Behold
14. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 25-Sparrow
15. Madrigals: Rounds And Canons: No. 26-Pastoral

Customer Reviews:

35 unmistakable tracks.......2005-02-24

You don't need to buy the double-disc "Moondog 1 & 2" to hear the two albums - all that music can also be heard on this (75 minute) single disc.
Even though the only cover art of this edition is the original front cover of the 1969 "Moondog" (no original back-cover thereof nor any art from the 1971 "Moondog II",) all 35 tracks are nicely crammed in here.
What's listed under "Listen to samples" on the amazon page are only the last 20 tracks of this CD and all titles are linked to the wrong tracks.

"Moondog I" (tracks 1-9) opens with "Theme" and "Stomping Ground" - two somewhat coherent pieces which a few years ago were made quite famous through the soundtrack of Coen Brothers' wonderful movie "The Big Lebowski." The album features a 50+ piece orchestra, which, among other greats, includes jazz veterans Don Butterfield (tuba) and Ron Carter (double bass.) In the list of personnel, Moondog is not credited for playing percussion, but the bass, which I assume is a misprint.
The beautiful Charlie Parker homage "Lament I: Bird's Lament" is here performed in its original form, but can also be found on the 1994 Moondog recording "Sax Pax For a Sax" on only saxes and percussion.
The orchestral performances on "Moondog I" aren't flawless, but should not be judged harshly because of the very personal, highly individual, and wonderfully eccentric form of compositions that they are. Budget, which is a very common issue when it comes to orchestral recordings, is another element that probably has not allowed much rehersing or many (if any) re-takes.

Before ordering this disc I knew that I'd love "Moondog I" since I'd heard most of it previously, but I was skeptical towards "Moondog II" because of some reviews I'd read of it. I was however curious, and listening to it when it had arrived was a very nice surprise.
Aside from performances by Louis "Moondog" Hardin (percussion, piano, vocals) and his daughter June (vocals,) "Moondog II" features 6 other musicians who, at different points throughout the album, play virginals, recorders, harpsichords, ancient organs, guitars, schom, viola de gamba, and troubadour harp. These instruments alone make a very individual sound, but the compositions (many of which are in 5/4 and 5/8) and the poetry make this the most wonderful group of rounds (short vocal canons) you've ever heard.

In my 700+ CD collection, this is among my favorites.

Wonderful.......2004-01-26

Beautiful, quirky, fascinating. A combination of classical, jazz, and improv, this collection made me close my eyes and just feel the music. Interspersed with several of Hardin's two-line poems as punctuation, the musical pieces are truly a wonder.

The Different Drummer We Once Were.......2004-01-05

I bought this album because of a memory, but the music stands up remarkably well to a more objective listening.

It was my first trip to New York City, and my father approached the wildly-dressed, tall and intiimidating figure standing on the corner of 56th St. and 7th Ave. They conversed in Norwegian long enough for me to draw nearer and realize the stranger represented no threat. In fact, I left with a book of hs canons, which remains in my collection of piano literature to this day.

I met Moondog once again--serendipitously, on Milwaukee's Wisconsin Avenue one day in the seventies. I have no idea how he got there or how he left, but this time I wanted to protect him from the insensitive pedestrians swirling around us and threatening our shared moment.

Moondog's music is as singular as he is, and offers a glimpse into his creative spirit. It begins with an idea and a form, not with an emotion or sentiment. Each piece is simple and brief, but not simplistic or fragmentary. He avoids any form of dissonance, even seventh chords and "blue" notes (flatted thirds). Music, like life, he seems to be saying, can be a straightforward, delighting adventure, providing one cherishes the quest itself above its so-called object and maintains a focused attention on the wonders of the present moment.

My only slight disappointment with this recording is that the madrigals, sung by Moondog and his daughter, are subjected to some studio effects that make them sound more artificial and commercial than they deserve to be.

For those who love the music.......2003-11-29

It is simple, it is clear, it is wonderful! I don`t know what style is this. Some people call it `jazz`, but second disc is strongly attached to european madrigal canons. I think, if we listen really good music, we never asked about styles. I heard familiar tunes from Tchaikovsky to Resident`s Duck Stab. You must have this if you`re music lover. If you`re musician (who plays music, dont `have a job`) you must have it too. Listen once or twise, if you don`t like it, simply put it on the shelf. Properly time will come.
P.S. My favorite `I love you` and `Nero`s Expedition`

Moondog.......2002-05-16

I was in the St. Thomas Boys Choir in the early 70's. We would walk to church for rehearsal, and pass Moondog, standing on the corner, usually by the ABC building. A couple of us would talk to him in our free time...he knew our names by our voices. We would listen to his poetry, and he seemed intigued by our choir, although he never heard us, I think. I got his album around this time, and have had it ever since. Fascinating pieces, very intricate, but also with "a hook"...that you find yourself humming along with. I heard he moved to Germany, where he wrote a nine hour canon. Overall, an amazing life story, and an incredible talent.

Average customer rating: ROCK AND ROLL IS ALIVE AND WELL!!! Have some gritty rock chop with your pop! More generic mediocrity Martians Rock!! CRANK IT UP, baby!!!!!

Making the Rounds Boss Martians Manufacturer: Musick Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Surf Rock | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music Surf Guitar | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Oldies & Retro | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Rock Guitarists | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Set-Up High Life High Volume Fight Dirty Harder and Harder Too Much Guitar ASIN: B000065AOQ Release Date: 2002-05-07

Tracks:

1. Making The Rounds
2. She Moves Me
3. Feel It Like Everyone
4. She Was The One
5. Something's There
6. Dreaming In Stereo
7. Put Some Hurt On You
8. Heard What You Said
9. AMX
10. My Love Ain't Free
11. Gold Diggin'
12. Every Girl In Town

Album Description

One of the most exciting American rock n roll bands to come along in years. 'Making the Rounds' was produced by Seattle pop wiz Johnny Sangster (Supersuckers). The band has an admiration for British blue-eyed soul ala Small Faces and the American power pop sound of bands like Cheap Trick. This is the band's fourth album. 12 tracks. Musick Recordings.

Customer Reviews:

ROCK AND ROLL IS ALIVE AND WELL!!!.......2004-06-16

This isn't punk, it isn't MTV bloat rock, and the songs are contagious as all criminy. Hey... wait a minute... this must be ROCK AND ROLL!!! Very, very "garage" with noticeable hard rock influence, Boss Martians are currently one of my great rock hopes after seeing them tear it up twice in Austin, TX at this year's SXSW conference! Garage rockers 'She Was the One' and 'My Love Ain't Free' are standout killers on this offering, a vital rock and roll album all in all. Here's hoping they make it up to Vanc. soon!!!

Have some gritty rock chop with your pop!.......2004-06-15

WARNING: Once you get any number of this CD's infectious tracks stuck in your head you've had it (especially anthem "Feel It Like Everyone" and heartbreak rocker "Put Some Hurt On You")! "Making the Rounds" has everything I look for in a new band: exceptional songwriting, enormous hooks, tough-luck melodies, sweat-soaked guitar bravado, bash-it-up rock 'n' roll drums, and most importantly, FUN! Very raw production makes this effort lean but very, very mean. First heard this band on Little Steven's Underground Garage radio show & immmediately was hooked by the hard rock meets punk meets classic power pop penmanship. Although slightly inferior to their current effort "The Set-Up" (a modern day classic that you just need to hear to believe!), "Making the Rounds" is an excellent starting point. Very highly recommended for those of you that would have liked to hear Elvis Costello sing songs by original Seattle grit-rockers The Sonics with Rick Neilson guesting on lead guitar. Boss Martians are my new favorite band.

More generic mediocrity.......2004-05-26

The more things change, the more things stay the same: These guys started out as a cookie-cutter surf revival band, now they're a standard-issue power-pop-punky-garage outfit. Whatever. The improvement is marginal, and the bottom line is the same: No songs. Some fanzines have compared this to Cheap Trick, the Sonics, and the Stooges -- an absurd comparison by any measure. Those bands were innovative and, in the case of the Stooges, reshaped the face of music. These songs would barely make good outtakes for Cheap Trick. Power pop is supposed to be memorable, and this isn't.

Martians Rock!!.......2002-05-13

It's wild to see how a band evolves, especially one of my favorite bands: the Boss Martians. This record is a good example of what a great band does to stay fresh and ahead of the game. If you own some of their old records or singles, you might be in for a shock. By exploring new musical territory, in this case hard-hitting pop rock 'n' roll (think Cheap Trick meets Elvis Costello with some 70's proto-punk), the Boss Martians leave behind the increasingly stale garage/surf music scene and make a mark with MAKING THE ROUNDS. This CD rocks! I'm not surprised since I've never been let down by these guys, but I gotta say that this time, the Boss Martians have outdone themselves. Now instead of having Boss Martians records next to my Sonics and Trashmen LP's, I can put them alongside my Dead Boys, Stooges and early Elvis Costello albums. That's cool!

CRANK IT UP, baby!!!!!.......2002-05-08

On their 7th album (8 if you count Mystery Action's HERE'S TO ANOTHER YEAR) Seattle's Boss Martians toss aside the instros and focus entirely on loud, blaring, exciting late 60's-early 70's garage-style ROCK & ROLL!! Their previous album (which had been delayed for nearly 2 years) only hinted at the new sound on a couple of songs-- here it's POWER-POP all the way!!! 11 new songs (and 1 remake) fill out a disc so energized it's hard to believe it's the same band from 10 YEARS ago! I have to admit, at the moment I prefer the original version of "She Moves Me" to the new one, but I've had years to get used to the 45. (It's kinda like when Chicago did their 1986 remake of "25 Or 6 To 4", which I'm sure some thought was outright blasphemous!)

As usual, even with the sound cranked up to the max, Evan Foster manages to display just enough "polish" to raise his band above the pack (loud & raw has its merits, but loud & refined just adds to the appeal for me). They now sound more like Philly's Mondo Topless than ever-- WHO'D have believed it possible? Does this album mean that Evan's "other" band, Mystery Action, is now redundant? Time will tell.

Average customer rating: y-y-yawwwn! Some people just don't like modern music Technically Brilliant... the piano?not where Berio's imagination bears fruit.

Luciano Berio: The Complete Works for Solo Piano - David Arden Manufacturer: New Albion Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Berio, Luciano | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Luciano Berio: Corale (Sequenza VIII), for Violin, 2 Horns & Strings / Chemins II (Sequenza VI) / Chemins IV (Sequenza VII) / Ritorno degli Snovidenia, for Cello & Small Orchestra / "Points on the Curve to Find...", for Piano & 22 Instrumentalists - Pierre Boulez 20/21 - Berio: Sequenzas / Ensemble InterContemporain Luciano Berio: Laborintus 2 Pierre Boulez: Pli selon pli; Livre pour cordes Berio: Voci ASIN: B000000R4D Release Date: 1996-11-08

Tracks:

1. Cinque Variazioni
2. Wasserklavier
3. Sequenza IV
4. Rounds
5. Erdenklavier
6. Luftklavier
7. Feuerklavier
8. Brin
9. Leaf
10. Pettite Suite: Prelude
11. Pettite Suite: Petite Air
12. Pettite Suite: Gavotte
13. Pettite Suite: Petite Air II
14. Pettite Suite: Gigue

Amazon.com

Though Italian composer Luciano Berio is best known for his Sinfonia, this collection of his solo piano compositions is a decisive overview of his musical achievements. The centerpiece is the fourth of Berio's Sequenzas, a series of virtuoso-level compositions written for solo performers. Pianist David Arden takes one of Berio's most gently clustered works to new levels, making the long, sustained note shine while fast, bolting notes leap around the resonant echoes. Arden's execution presages Berio's long-form compositions, especially the numerous juxtapositions that Arden presents so beautifully. Jumps in dynamics from quiet to loud and light to heavy occur in all of Berio's shorter compositions. And for those who like a bit of tradition, Berio's first solo piano composition, Petite Suite (1947), closes this recording. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

y-y-yawwwn!.......2005-06-25

This music i cannot hear it is boring unlike cage or stockhausen or ligeti ok? My parents are entrepeneurs musicales bassoon and dulcimers

oh i'm jeannette i am 6

Some people just don't like modern music.......2003-06-11

The last reviewer gave this CD one star, complained of Arden's repertoire choice, and, I assume, would be equally unhappy if Arden played Ligeti or Stockhausen or even Stravinsky. Some people just don't like modern music. Too bad. This recording is great if you've got ears.

Technically Brilliant..........2002-01-06

David Arden is a world class musician from San Diego, California. His keyboard mastery is evident throughout the entire CD. Arden's choice to record Berio compositions, however, is unfortunate.

the piano?not where Berio's imagination bears fruit........2000-04-22

Luciano Berio's imagination for music expression was uncontestably the human voice, and he has contributed greatly and profoundly in that genre, not only Sinfonia, which really is not a work for the singing virtuoso voice, but his Epifanie Coro, the Sequenza #3, Circles,FolkSong arrangements,Calmo,Canticum Novissimi Testamenti, as well as two Operas,In Re Ascolto, the early tape works Visage, Omaggio a Joyce,for which his wife(now deceased) Cathy Berberian played such a collaborative role. Adorno once said somewhere that a creator pays a price to attenuate their creativity,and I believe Berio paid that price in not writing interesting piano music. The early Five Variations actually for my money is his best piece here in this fine collection. And there we find expressionist designs from the early 1950s,with bare,raw lines,usually two voices pitted against each other. His music then still revealed his immaturity, but that perhaps renderes these Variations all the more interesting in this sonic exposure by happenstance rather than vision, or some call it intuition. The Piano Sequenza he wrote after having experienced Stockhausen's impressive Klavierstuck, and Berio's piano hasn't nearly the sonic scope,shape, nor textural or structural design of complexity of the Stockhausen. I am keeping well in front of me the Berio aesthetic when I'm comparing with Herr Stockhausen. The other piano works were dedications Erdenklavier,Leaf to professors who he got to know during his numerous residencies at universities across the United States,so this music is like birthday celebration,token gifts and conversational pieces,goodbye pieces, thanks for the memeory pieces. The Piano Sequenza however has fascinating features with its dialectic of dialogue between two sonic opposites the struck chord to the arpeggiated one. And the fact that Berio knew how to pace his materials, foreshadowing, and short changing his phrases saving the musical argument for downstream. This Sequenza admirably does that.

Average customer rating:

Classics Explained: Rite of Spring Stravinsky , Rahbari , and Brt Po Brussels Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Classics Explained: Pastoral Symphony An Introduction to Ravel's "Boléro" and "Ma mère l'oye" Classics Explained: Brandenburg Concertos 4 & 5 An Introduction to Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 Symphony 9: Introduction to Dvorak ASIN: B00007FPFN Release Date: 2003-07-15

Average customer rating: Stravinski done right

Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; Fireworks; Circus Polka; Greeting Prelude "Happy Birthday" Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ballet of the Elephants ASIN: B000026BTT Release Date: 2004-04-06

Tracks:

1. Introduction
2. The Augurs Of Spring - Dance Of The Maidens
3. Ritual Of Abduction
4. Spring Of Rounds
5. Ritual Of The Rival Tribes
6. Procession Of The Sage
7. Adoration Of The Earth
8. Dance Of The Earth
9. Introduction
10. Mystic Circles Of The Maidens
11. Glorification Of The Chosen One
12. Evocation Of The Ancestors
13. Ritual Of The Ancestors
14. Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen One)
15. Fireworks, Op.4
16. Circus Polka
17. Greeting Prelude 'Happy Birthday'

Customer Reviews:

Stravinski done right.......2006-07-07

I have owned this CD (but issued as EMI Eminence) for many years and was surprised to see no reviews. Mackerras is not the name that pops to mind when someone says "Stravinski"; it is either Monteux or Stravinski himself. This is Mackerras and the London SO from 1987. Monteux was principal conductor at London 1961-64. This CD shows that 20 years later the London SO had not forgot how it was done. I prefer this to Stravinki's Columbia recordings and to Monteux's mono recording for Philips. I know you are skeptical; all I can say is that it will not cost you much to prove me wrong! What a pity it cannot be re-released on SACD (EMI has still not licensed DSD). For your trouble, you will also get the fabulous "fireworks" that Stravinski wrote for his teacher Rimski. Not enough? Mackerras ends the CD with two of the best things Stravinski wrote: "circus polka" (the ballet for a young elephant) and "greeting prelude" (Stravinski's serial take on happy birthday to you for the 80-year-old Monteux). OK, I admit that 40 minutes is kind of slim for a CD these days, but you will not be short-changed. For once, EMI actually gets the sound right.

Average customer rating:

Spring Classics Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music 1990-1999 | Decades | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Summer Classics Autumn Classics ASIN: B0000064XN Release Date: 1998-03-10

Tracks:

1. Allegro from 'Spring' concerto NO.1 in E - Moscow Virtuosi/Vladimir Spivakov
2. May - 'White Nights' from the seasons - Xiang-dong Kong
3. 'The Last Spring' from Two Elegiac Melodies - Guildhall String Ensemble/Salter
4. Spring from Four Seasons - Richard Stoltzman/Guildhall String Ensemble/Salter
5. Movement I from Symphony No. 1 'Spring' - Levine/Philadelphia Orch
6. Simple gifts from Appalachian Spring - Kapp/Phil Virtuosi
7. 'The Adoration of the Earth' from The Rite of Spring - Slatkin/Saint Louis SO
8. Spring Song - Fiedler/Boston Pops Orch
9. Largo e pianissimo sempre from 'Spring' - Moscow Virtuosi/Vladimir Spivakov
10. Rondo from Violin Sonata No.5 'Spring' - Pinchas Zukerman/Marc Neikrug
11. Rondes de printemps from Images - Munch/Boston Sym
12. 'Spring' from 'Les Quatres Saisons' - Abbado/Munich RO
13. Allegro from 'Spring' - Moscow Virtuosi/Vladimir Spivakov

Rap Music:

1. Still Waters
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3. Thank You for Being a Friend: Best of
4. Thanks I'll Eat It Here
5. The Anthology 1967-1971
6. The Best of Friends
7. The Definitive Collection
8. The Freedom Sessions [EP] [ENHANCED CD]
9. The Madding Crowd
10. This Is Where I Came In [Enhanced]

Rap Music

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