Search - Alan Stivell :: Explore

Alan Stivell's "Explore"

R. L. Tompkins | Albuquerque, New Mexico United States | 08/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great CD, but for many the first listening might be a shock. Stivell has continued to "explore" and experiment, never being satisfied with standing still. Some people find the incredible variety of styles and experimentation he has pursued over the years disconcerting. I do not, and I always am suspicious of anyone who does NOT enjoy a wide variety of musical styles coming from one artist. Just not my kind of people.

On this CD Stivell explores a much more bare bones, stark, electronic approach to his sound. Much of the instrumentation consists of programmed percussion and various electronic effects often employed in some rap music. When I first listened to this CD I was disappointed and taken aback, it is just so different from anything else he has done. But on the second listening I found myself unconciously tapping out the rhythms to the songs. By the third and fourth listening I really started to appreciate what he was doing on this CD, and I wound up really liking it. But that is Stivell. He will sometimes leave you with your head turned on a first listening to a new album, but I find that the second and third listenings leave me shouting "YESSSS" (or YA in breton)! This is definitely one of those albums.

If you are willing to open up and not categorize artists/people into neat little (read silly, straightjacketed) categories and allow them to take you somewhere different than they have before, then you will really enjoy this CD. I love it, and it is completely different from his previous CD which I also love. Alan Stivell has a unique ability to utilize all kinds of influences, styles and instruments in this music, yet it is always HIS music, not him putting himself into someone else's style. A true musical genius. Definitely recommended."