18 tracks on one album, not bad. 18 unique, clever, diverse, uplifting, soulful, mellow pieces of great music.
I bought this album because I saw Moby in a TV concert and was very impressed by his musical talent, previously he was just another DJ who made records, well I was wrong, the guy plays most instruments well., a strange thing to write having seen him once on TV and listened to one album, but this guy seems to have a brilliant image, charisma, whatever you want to call it, some of the tracks are almost spiritual in their delivery.
What I love about Play, is that there are so many moods from track to track, even within the same tracks, some tracks run on to the next in a completely different style, but could be the same, it’s almost like an opera comprising movements rather than 18 different works, that is another credit to Moby and his producers.
The CD cover is worth a mention too, no track listing and fan club info or the like, instead you get a series of ‘thoughts’ from chairman Moby, which I have to say lifted him higher in
my estimation. Thoughts of his beliefs, likes, dislikes, inspirations, explanation of why he’s a vegan (I’m not, but live and let live eh.), and some of his chosen quotes.
Honey – simple production with a honky tonk like piano that really hooks you.
Find My Baby – driving bass line, guitars everywhere, a really full sound, lots of great vocal effects, great for winding up real loud.
Porcelain – Strings, more piano and a really melodic sound you can lose yourself in – nice lyrics too.
Why does My Heart Feel So Bad? – starts with a piano solo with vocal and builds using a basic lyric and a brilliant female backing vocal to another really uplifting sound with all the bells and whistles that make the Moby sound.
South Side – half spoken, half sung number with an almost sinister lyric, a few more guitar solos and a good beat.
Rushing – A mellow, piano,drum mix with more haunting female voice, no real lyric, this song is one of my favourite – if you’re old enough there’s a hint of Great Gig In The Sky here.
Bodyrock – will shake you out of the good feeling induced by Rushing, almost a rap but better, a good driving beat to p*ss off the neighbours
Natural Blues – Another favourite, a unique track, a funky soundtrack with an almost bluesy delivery. It blends seamlessly into Machete.
Machete – A driving techno beat to which Moby still manages to attach a melody, a real fusion.
7 – We return to that mellow with a very short musical track that only just belongs here. Run On – Starts with an almost comic piano riff that soon moves on to a kind of mock preachy lyric,weird track, but another good one.
Down Slow – Mega mellow, another short musical which blends in to possibly the best track on the album…
If Things Were Perfect – Another talky almost poetic song set in a beautifully melodic tune with a subtle, if this track doesn’t move you you’re already dead.
Everloving – Stop listening for a second and you won’t notice the blend in to Everloving, best played in the car, damn loud with the roof down, puts a smile on my face the way it builds to a crescendo of keyboard, guitar and snare – this track possibly needs to go on for another hour or two!!
Inside – If I smoked, I’d light up to this very moody relaxing instrumental, guess I’ll have to settle for a glass of scotch, damn.
Guitar Flute & String – Semi – Classical, Tales of the RiverBank guitar and flute as per the title – keep the scotch coming love. Too short by far.
The Sky Is Broken – Another poetic brooding piece full of symbolism and pillow talk
My Weakness – I’ve no idea what Moby’s weakness is as this is another instrumental, full of soul possibly a bit sad and more than a bit spiritual.
In writing about Play, I felt the need to list the tracks and listen to the album piece by piece like never before. Something I have never done for an album review before, not because other albums are inferior, there are better in my view, but because of the diversity of styles on offer from Moby. It leaves me wanting to know more about the artist and hear more of his work, what more can an album offer.
Play hasn’t left my CD player or car since the day I bought it. It even gets the thumbs up from my Top of the Pops watching 9 & 11 year olds who don’t tolerate my choice of music that easily.
I’m sorry if my descriptions don’t make sense, I’ve tried to be honest and give you MY interpretation of a great album – if you are in any doubt BUY IT ALRIGHT
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I am not a big Moby fan but great opinion anyway... :)
samredmore 03.09.2001 14:07
Excellent opinion. Although I think a few of the songs on this album are a little boring, "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad" is one of my favourite tracks. Ever. Sam
Connoisseur_Haggler 02.09.2001 22:43
I have this!! and it's just as you say very original and Moby is surely a super musician! I bought it at the same time as the Daft Punk album! very interesting read, cheers -CH
The great iconoclast of techno returns with a smooth, sacred and exhilarating ... more
record.Play's concoction of breakbeat rhythms, ambient mixology and inspired blues and gospel samples cry out across musical genres and histories, imparting a time-tested wis...
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The great iconoclast of techno returns with a smooth, sacred and exhilarating record. ... more
Play's concoction of breakbeat rhythms, ambient mixology and inspired blues and gospel samples cry out across musical genres and histories, imparting a time-tested wi...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Aug 31st, 2001
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