The long awaited, once delayed, new release from The Orb is days about two weeks away from release.  Titled after the archaeological find believed to be the 1st ever batteries, “Baghdad Batteries” sees Alex Paterson and Thomas Felhmann join efforts once again.

The two teamed up last in 2005 for “Okie Dokie it’s the Orb on Kompakt” with a minimalist ambient effort that surprised a number of fans.  Gone were the intricate blending of layered samples and long pulsating tracks The Orb was known for, replaced with minimalistic – almost eerie – dub and techno that took the project known as The Orb in a whole new direction.

With my headphones on, the room dark, and Baghdad Batteries playing on I CD player I’ve found that The Orb revisits that truly unique creative place that only Paterson and Felhmann seem to know of in order to produce both beautiful, as well as disjointed, minimalistic music.

I find the first four tracks to be simply some of the most relaxing and beautiful pieces of ambient I’ve experienced in years. The soundscapes and textures created by the duo simply awe inspiring – and most of it accomplished without any recognizable samples. I’m sure samples were stretched, editable and tweaked in order to add to the experience but the listener wouldn’t even know it.  The standing out of the first four tracks is “Chocolate Fingers”.  The entire set is almost… well… almost very Eno/Fripp esque.

Suddenly, starting with  track 5, Dolly Unit, things change…  the atmospheric feel of the previous tracks is still present; however, minimalistic techno / dubby beats are introduced to the album.  Not only that, the team adds a seemingly random and unpredictable key changing to the songs. The method adds a slightly disturbing listening experience – one second you are lulled into a sense of what to expect, the next who knows what is coming.  This behavior and mix of minimalist beats makes tracks 5 through 8… well.. a distraction from the rest of the album.

Just as quickly the organized chaos was added to the album it disappears with track 9, Pebbles, and remains missing for the rest of the album.  We are once again treated to an atmospheric ambient experience that graced the first half of the album.

Putting Paterson and Felhmann into a studio produces some really unique, really adventurous work.  I have to say that, while I enjoy the album, I find tracks 5 to 8 misplaced.  It’s almost as if they belong on another album  All said and done, I cannot wait to see what the next outing between the duo can bring.

Tracklisting
01. Styrofoam Meltdown
02. Chocolate Fingers
03. Baghdad Batteries
04. Raven’s Reprise
05. Dolly Unit
06. Super Soakers
07. Suburban Smog
08. Orban Tumbleweed
09. Pebbles
10. Woodlarking
11. OOPA

Happy May to everyone.  Once again, time seems to be whipping by as the month of May just seemed to pop up on me.  Ok, time for some random thoughts.  

Trying to get back into the swing

For about a week now I’ve been trying to get back into the swing of things, but I’ve had a little – if any – luck with this.  I’m massively behind on my RSS reading (yes, I hate that), I haven’t had any energy to cook (I’m so sorry, yeswecook.com) and there is plenty I have to take care of at the office.  Basically, I feel a bit behind.

I’m going to try to use this weekend, once again, to get back into a pattern of reading/posting/cooking.  I hope to be successful at this one.

The Orb’s New Album

A few months back I posted a bit of exciting news about The Orb, they have a new album coming out this July title “Baghdad Batteries”.  Well, thanks to Resident Advisor we now have access to the tracklisting:

1. Styrofoam Meltdown
2. Chocolate Fingers
3. Baghdad Batteries
4. Raven’s Reprise
5. Dolly Unit
6. Super Soakers
7. Suburban Smog
8. Orban Tumbleweed
9. Pebbles
10. Woodlarking
11. OOPA

What I really like about this album is the Thomas Fehlmann addition.  I really like the minimal aspect he adds to Orb work. 

The Prodigy Tours North America

For you North American Prodigy fans, you’ll have a chance to see them once again.  The Prodigy will be stateside in the month of May on a mini-tour in order to promote “Invaders Must Die”

Let me just say this… DON’T GO.  The Prodigy, by far, is the worst live performance I’ve ever had the chance to see stateside.  Sure, they pack every venue in the rest of the world – I’m sure they will do so here – but their show is surprisingly uninspiring.  They have the whole “rock star” mentality just doesn’t seem to fit here any longer and cannot be justified by their work (any longer).

Let’s face it, they are a shell of who they used to be. Unless you have a desire to relive the old days, I strongly suggest you pass on the show.

The Rookie

I’m sitting here typing with “The Rookie” on in the background.  The feel good story about a man who makes it to the majors as a 38 year old relief pitcher.  I don’t have a review to write… just impressed how strong the emotion in the movie is.

Fiat is the new Chrysler

As I am sure you know by this point, Chrysler is now in bankruptcy.  Funny thing is you wouldn’t know that from reading their press release. They decied to focus the first portion of their “news” on a partnership with Fiat.

By partnership I mean that Fiat will buy the majority of Chrysler assets.  Oh, yea, that and the company gets an additional 8 Billion from the government to go into bankruptcy.  Funny how that works, isn’t it?

Here is what I would like to know, it’s the two questions that I’ve consistently asked:

1)If Cerberus, Chrysler’s parent company, is not willing to put any more money into the company why – WHY – should the the government?  The parent company obviously sees no value in the Chrysler brand(s), why should anyone continue to support it?

2)The second Daimler Group saw how bad the brand was they ditched, took a loss, and went on with life. What is Fiat thinking?  Are they looking at this as an opportunity to gain a foothold in the U.S. market?  Are they looking for the intellectual property the company has?  Are looking to suffer like those that came before them?

I don’t care what anyone says, this will not end well.  People must adjust to the fact that this brand (except for the Jeep assets) need to fade into history.

Ok, I’m off…