Play - Moby > Reviews > Relax With Richard

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it rate alongside the competition	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	A modern classic to rival Moby Dick
Disadvantages:	Pardon?

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Right, cards on the table. The contents of this universally acclaimed 1999 offering on the Mute label from Herman Melville’s most famous great-great-great-great-nephew surprise me – I had expected a cascade of top-notch up-tempo dance tunes when I recently lifted a copy from CD WOW’s bargain basement for a mere £6.99. However, Moby is one of dance music’s most eccentric artists, recording work as the mood takes him and not giving a monkey’s what anyone thinks of it. It’s not hard to see why this album has won him many friends though.

“Play” is a superb collection of eighteen mostly easy-paced ambient tracks, with the occasional faster beat for contrast, that blend together to form a cohesive relaxing whole. In fact, the album opens with one of the contrast pieces, “Honey”. The vocals on this track are typical of the type employed by the man when the mood takes him to use the human voice (which is often his own) – repetitive, slightly indistinct but utterly effective. After the similarly vocal-based but slower “Find My Baby”, Moby moves into an ambient groove with the first track that sparks recognition – the sampled reversed violin and soft vocals of “Porcelain”.

Now you’re dropping into that chill-out zone and the mood is perfect for the huge hit “Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?” Take my advice – just let the near-orchestral bass, piano and emotive vocal themes wash over you and realise that the question is rhetorical. We’ve only just begun the journey and there are many more highlights to come.

Sandwiched between two more contrast tracks is the deliciously named “Rushing”. Take in the chilled sound and draw your own conclusions as to what we’re talking about here. Of course, Moby can’t resist the temptation to throw in a Python-esque “and now for something completely different” along the way – and here it is the experimental sound of “7” followed immediately by the vocal track “Run On” that wouldn’t have sounded out of place were it backed by Glen Miller’s Big Band.

“Natural Blues” is perhaps my favourite track on this disc of many candidates. More of Moby’s favoured indistinct vocals create the impression that there are many variations being sung of the main line; don’t nobody know my troubles are gone? There’s also a track deeply reminiscent of Portishead’s “Sour Times” – “Down Slow” lacks only the harpsichord and Beth Gibbons’ vocals. And just to remind you that here is a man who can turn his musical hand to anything – Moby plays *all* the instruments on this work – a little classical guitar is included to introduce and then underlie “Everloving”.

A devout but not evangelical Christian and vegan, Moby has chosen to include examples of his literary skill with this musical offering, and this review would not be complete without at least a mention of the five essays written in January 1999 at home in New York. The first is particularly poignant as he talks of fundamentalism and how if “we base our belief systems on the humble assumption that the complexities of the world are ontologically beyond our understanding, then maybe our belief systems will make more sense and end up causing less suffering”. The others concern human rights, his vegan lifestyle, prejudice and his faith, and are all well written and thought-provoking.

“Play” is a true masterpiece that suits all occasions and can be appreciated by all; such is its appeal that even my mother-in-law likes it. Moby has created a modern classic to rival that of great-great-great-great-uncle Herman – if this disc does not already grace your music collection, give it some serious consideration.

Track listing: Honey, Find My Baby, Porcelain, Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?, South Side, Rushing, Bodyrock, Natural Blues, Machete, 7, Run On, Down Slow, If Things Were Perfect, Everloving, Inside, Guitar Flute & String, The Sky Is Broken, My Weakness