Euphoria are pioneers of the unique sound dubbed 'guitronica.' Euphoria's new album Beautiful My Child, features the group's signature combination of acoustic slide guitar and propulsive beats. Their latest single, "Sweet... more » Rain," builds upon their success at radio (and the impressive retail response generated by "Delirium," last year's breakout instrumental from Euphoria), with sustained airplay in Denver, Boulder, San Francisco, Seattle and Minnesota yielding strong sales in those markets. Euphoria comprises Toronto-based composer/instrumentalist Ken Ramm, as produced by Garry Hughes (producer of Vitamin C, who's also worked with Art Of Noise, Garbage, and Sly & Robbie); the group's profile was recently enhanced by the use of their music in the Infiniti SUV ad campaign.« less
Euphoria are pioneers of the unique sound dubbed 'guitronica.' Euphoria's new album Beautiful My Child, features the group's signature combination of acoustic slide guitar and propulsive beats. Their latest single, "Sweet Rain," builds upon their success at radio (and the impressive retail response generated by "Delirium," last year's breakout instrumental from Euphoria), with sustained airplay in Denver, Boulder, San Francisco, Seattle and Minnesota yielding strong sales in those markets. Euphoria comprises Toronto-based composer/instrumentalist Ken Ramm, as produced by Garry Hughes (producer of Vitamin C, who's also worked with Art Of Noise, Garbage, and Sly & Robbie); the group's profile was recently enhanced by the use of their music in the Infiniti SUV ad campaign.
"What snared me on Euphoria was the 'slide guitar meets beats' blurb, plus this Six Degrees label. What keeps me coming back is how darn smooooooth this CD is. It's background music without being dull. Chilled without being asleep. It's hard to draw any particular comparison to other groups, as certain songs call to mind (for me) anything from Forest For The Trees to Sneaker Pimps to Sixteen Horsepower or Calexico. Calling it techno country & western doesn't do the music justice, but the slide guitar really does carry the focus of the melody, and gives something of a rural, western feel to the music.It certainly is not a CD to make you want to get up and shake your tookas, but there is a diffuse energy that courses through the CD ('sweet rain' for example jumps with a nice skitter step). I'm more partial to the insturmental tracks over the ones with (admittedly soft) female vocals, but others probably prefer the vocal tracks. The beats and drums have a bit of a global feel to them on occasion, with what sounds like dumbeks or bongos on certain tracks replacing the typical pre-programmed rhythm section.This would be one heck of a CD for a warm and rainy summer day, sitting on the covered porch with a cool drink, watching the rain splash off the dust-cleaned cacti."
Wonderful blend of guitar & techno/trance
Nowhereman | 08/13/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD after a brief listen at a book store; i was hooked immediately. I agree w/ what most other reviewers have to say, so i'll only add one additional thought: for any of you who like Acoustic Alchemy (earlier CDs, before one of the guitarists died), you should try this CD; it takes a variety of guitar styles and blends them nicely w/ a driving techno beat. Conversely, those who like the guitar styling of Euphoria might want to try AA, as you will hear a wonderful range of influences. Warning: Acoustic Alchemy is not 'trance or electronica."
Sweet, sweet music
Erica Anderson | Minneapolis, MN | 08/04/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Everytime I have seen "Beautiful My Child" on record shelves, I have been awfully curious according to the description on the album. "Guitaronica"? Eh, the label is awfully silly to call this lovely collection of trip hop, ambient, world music with acoustic guitar thrown in for good measure. Label or no label, the music I heard was music to my ears. I found songs like "Sweet Rain" and "1001 Dreams" soothing to listen to. The entire mood of this album is very gentle and relaxing. Most of the songs are instrumentals but there are a couple of tracks on the album with vocals. I did find the album albeit too short but otherwise the album is flawless."
Take a listen
chuminana | SAN DIEGO, CA United States | 02/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great Cd. Check out the standouts, "Sweet Rain," "Desert Drive" and "Devil May Care." Beautiful Atmospheric sounds."