Review 1 of 1

clarkiedude writes:

5of 5 Stars

Released in Japan about one year before making its debut stateside, the Orb's masterful "Bicycles and Tricycles" has woven a strange tapestry of controversy among fans and critics; there are those who were disappointed by seemingly out-of-place tracks ("Aftermath" is an example mentioned in some critiques); then there are those of us who believe "Bicycles and Tricycles"--though somewhat stylistically challenging--remains genius in its deliberately intentional departure from popular expectations.

MC Soom T's vocal contribution to "Aftermath" may constitute a microcosm for the Orb's "Bicycles and Tricycles". Nearly schizophrenic in delivery, one need only listen carefully enough to understand the madness behind the method. Remove MC Soom T from the equation and you peel back the clouds from an otherwise stormy night sky. Without the vocals, the Orb's intentions become incomplete.

But listen to beautiful, majestic tracks like "Abstractions (Trance Pennine Express)" and the subtle, darkly-breathing shadows bathing "Prime Evil" in disconnected soundscapes and you may begin to understand why the Orb took their sound into new, undiscovered territory.

Perhaps that is one reason why "Bicycles and Tricycles" remained in Japan a year before its release in the U.S.

The time had not yet arrived.

Apr 16, 2008 17:03:41