Oblivion - Maya Beiser

Advantages: Beautiful, haunting music for cello; enough to convert me to a Beiser's fan!
Disadvantages: Not that I can recognise

...I stumbled across Maya Beiser quite my accident. A day out at the Barbican to enjoy music free and ticketed in honour of composer Steve Reich's seventieth birthday. As we entered the building, good and early, a rather attractive woman with a cello and detachable sleeves was soundchecking and I think recording parts for her later multitracked performance in the foyer. Just those twenty minutes as she prepared were magnificent… normally I'm not one for solo cello - at least, it wouldn't really occur to me to listen. The day began with Balinese Gamelan; a group loose attached to the London Symphony Orchestra entertained greatly, all the more so for Gamelan being an unknown musical form to me. Immediately following was Maya Beiser. Sitting alone with cello, the composer of the piece stood forward and explained Maya Beiser had asked... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Rhythmically Fantastic!!
Disadvantages: None

...'Maya ' was my first introduction to the wonderful music of ' Banco De Gaia ' who is by the way ,one ' Toby Marks ' .from the UK. Although initially releasing several casettes this was his debut CD. It's a really excellent electonic music you have here. Absolutely filled with flowing rich spacey rhythms / melodies and cross cultural influences with ethnic embellishments. Basslines and synth arpeggios play an important part in his music and they are fantastic on ' Maya ' particularly on tracks like ' Heliopolis' and ' Sunspots ' .Trance and Psy styled ...yes! But definitely done with great style. A supremely enjoyable CD then and still probably my favourite next to his ' Last train To Lhasa '. Every song here is really spectacular and if you don't know his music this is the one to start with. Nice colorful artwork too to match... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average not helpful

Advantages: Great unique sound, a powerful album
Disadvantages: None

...'Sweet Oblivion' is an excellent alternative rock album. The Screaming Trees were formed from the same grunge scene as bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and therefore this album will appeal to fans of that style of music. Their heavy guitar-driven sound, complemented by Mark Lanegan's unique vocals make for very enjoyable listening. This CD has its own style, and all the songs are memorable. The album starts off strongly with the single 'Shadow of the Season', and this sets the tone for a brilliant record which remains interesting throughout. Other songs which particularly stand out are 'More or Less' and 'Troubled Times'. The lyrics are superb and use of guitars is skillful. In my opinion 'Sweet Oblivion' is their best album, and I would definitely recommend it.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful