|
|
|
|
|
|
A Strangely Isolated Place
Participated by Ulrich Schnauss
Studio : Domino
by Domino
Release Date : 2004-10-05
Publisher : Domino
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
EAN : 8013900032264
UPC : 801390003226
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 44 reviews)
List Price : $13.98
Our Price : $9.30
|
|
| |
|
Album Description |
|
The domestic version of Schnauss' second album, originally released by Berlin/Manchester's City Centre Offices in May '03. Fuses the ambient electronics of Eno & Boards of Canada with Slowdive & My Bloody Valentine, with an emphasis on melody. |
| |
|
Americancivilwar.com |
|
Ulrich Schnauss's A Strangely Isolated Place was released in Europe during May of 2003, but fans had to wait over a year for it to arrive on these shores. The Berliner's follow-up to Far Away Trains Passing By is another gentle and fascinating record, similarly drunk with melody. But Schnauss has augmented his electro-synth sound with tsunamis of huge, arching major chords that rival M83's over-the-top lushness. Shoegazer influences show up in the Slowdive-esque "Gone Forever," as well as the My Bloody Valentine buzz in "Clear Day". Despite Place's ethereal sheen, the bones of solid dance-ability are also here, as several clever DJs have already noted (see Sasha's use of "On My Own" for Involver). The record could use a few well-placed batches of noise to act as counterpoint, but long-suffering fans of early Cocteau Twins looking for a fix of dreamy songcraft should find much to love. --Matthew Cooke |
| |
|
| |
|
Schnauss Delivers ... again |
|
Schnauss fuses combinations of ethereal synth pads and overboosted electric guitar chords to deliver angelic yet funky and powerful compositions. Most of his tracks are what I like to call "Building" tracks. He'll begin with a minimalist beat, or no beat at all, and build his pieces to emotionally charged crescendos of bliss. Vocals, both male and female are limited, for the most part to roles of "effect" and "accent" to keep the listener grounded and connected to his work. I detect little evolution in the Ulrich Schnauss' style from one CD to the next. Whereas with other artist you might not get what you expected from one CD to the next, with A Strange Isolated Place, if you liked Goodbye, you'll like this collection of his music as well. Unlike on his followup CD, Goodbye, Schnauss has shown restraint with his upbeat pieces on A Strangely Isolated Place. These tracks on Goodbye make me feel as if, like with many great minds, he walks a fine line between genius, and just plane madness. His style is eccentric and whereas many of his experiments work beautifully some of them tend to be "too much of a good thing". I love my new Schnauss CD and will keep it in my collection and play it for years, I'm sure. |
| |
|
A fresh breath of electronica |
|
Ulirch Schnauss "A Strangely Isolated Place" is an outstanding work of electronica. It is really hard to put a finger on what you would call this type of electronica, as its a bit to soft to be classified as Trance or Techno, yet it has some pace and some movement to it so you really couldnt classfy it as lounge. I would almost say its a bit Ambient with a twist, with just the right amount of beats, that wont pound on our brain after a hard day, yet it still wont put you to sleep, as it is at times, very alive. What is so great about the album is that it has an incredable feel to it, something that is hard to achieve when you are taking about someone who is really creating music on a single synth or keyboard. The album comes alive like a 5 piece band, and it is a fresh breath of electronica, considering that the genere has seemed to fizzle a bit during the last ten years. I reccomend this to fans of all types of electronica, even to those that like hardcore, gabber, drum and bass, and Jungle. Even though its no where near as hard as those types, there are some fantasic beats and arrangements here. Enjoy the journey |
| |
|
Simply Superb |
This is a superb CD from beginning to end. Tracks are emotional, uplifting, calm when need be and energetic here and there. After the first listen of this you will hear and begin to understand the beauty behind this IDM masterpiece. As you listen to it more and more you will discover wonderful delicate play the different instruments have with one another and will fall in love with this more and more.
Its a melodic journey that tremendous acoustical depth and energy. |
| |
|
Ulrich Schnauss has a sound all his own |
|
While many people point to different influences in Ulrich Schnauss' music, and the Americancivilwar description calls it a fusion of 3 bands with a focus on melody, or something equally silly, they all miss the point. Ulrich Schnuass has such a unique sound and feel, that in transcends the "throw it in a blender" comparisons. If you REMOTELY like any electronic music that's in the ambient genre, you MUST get all of Ulrich Schnauss' albums. Period. |
| |
|
Electronica with a joyful soul and heart |
I just discovered this artist and was so enthralled that I bought all of his work. Schnauss combines all of the engineering know-how of the best electronica artists with an awesome ability to make his music express joy, longing, and happiness. This is not nihilistic electronica or mechanical, robotic music. Schnuass produces synth sounds to produce warm, utterly engaging, emotionally evocative watercolor sound tapestries. The melodoc elements are simple but the production and arrangements are thrilling. How good is this? I have already listened to it dozens of times because this is such a happy experience.
Schnauss is a unique artist. He's house music that doesn't overwhelm you. He's ambient with a hypnotic beat. He's trance with intelligent changes - not endless loops. He's new age that breaks new ground rather than relying on the old formulas. This guy is really talented. I love it! |
| |
|
|
|
