As influential as No New York...
C. Moon | Valley Village, CA | 12/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...and other legendary samplers which defined the scene and often outlived the scene itself. Harmony of the Spheres, when first released on vinyl only in a beautiful black box with substantial liner notes, was the hot item of 1996. Enamored does not even begin to describe how most of us felt about this collection--it was enough to make me pick up a new record player if that at all describes the excitement. Perhaps the album reaffirmed that after the wasteland of the 80's, the 90's really was a great time for music; not simply coincidence.With all of that said, Harmony of the Spheres is not a flawless collection. The Flying Saucer Attack material feels forced and WAY over extended--the one contribution I could do without, while Loren Mazzacane Connors seems somewhat out of place amongst the far more cosmic artists included here. Yet, when Harmony of the Spheres does work--notably the Bardo Pond, Roy Montgomery and Charalambides tracks--it ranks among the best material by those artists. Also, don't miss Jessamine's continued improv moog fest that seems to borrow a little from Can.Some have been dissapointed that Drunken Fish did not keep their promise, turning Harmony of the Spheres into a collectors item worth hundreds in the up and coming years, but I for one think this is music that needs to be heard not hoarded and applaud the Fish for putting it out. I should add, in the second act of 1999 that puts Darren Mock and his crew on my list for altruistic record label of the year (the first being the Roy Montgomery singles reissue disc), Drunken Fish will actually mail you the original book that came with the vinyl release (or perhaps just a transcript?) if you ask very nicely.The only other thing I could ask for this Christmas would be Siltbreeze's reissue of Charalambides' Market Square. Please?"
An entire music festival all in one place...
gratefulshrink | NY USA | 07/22/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Given the hype around the original OOP LP version of this, I was surprised to only find one review posted. I think this collection is so solid that -- as stated in the other review -- it needs to be heard by many, rather than cloistered by a few. I have been lately getting into Bardo Pond, FSA, and Roy Montgomery. I also just picked up some Charalambrides at Other Music in NYC. In addition to rounding out my collections of such artists, this collection introduced my ears to Loren Mazzacane Conners. I find all of the music represented here hard to categorize. Space rock, experimental rock, avant rock, etc. Whatever you wish to call it, this music is transcendental, transportive (if that's a word), and trance-inducing. It's also very challenging (at times) and very rewarding. This "sampler" is also an easy/efficent way to jump into this type of sound. BTW, it's a double CD priced about the same as most single discs."
'Harmony Of The Spheres'-Various Artists(Drunken Fish) 2-CD
Mike Reed | USA | 12/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"'Harmony...' apparently was originally released as a limited edition 3-lp vinyl package that reportedly became out of print over night.The whole idea behind the exclusive triple record set was to give the fans,six(6) eighteen-minute plus singles of bands that could be obtained no where else.So glad this was reissued on a 2-CD pressing,as such.I liked the four-part "Since When" by Flying Saucer Attack(as I welcome all cuts that come from any source by FSA)and the Jessamine tune "22:30" the best.As for the rest,there are tracks by New Zealand export guitarist Roy Montgomery,Loren Mazzacane Conners,Charalambides and Bardo Pond.A total time of 2 hours and 25 minutes.A most recommended collection of some over the top lo-fi space rock,trippy experimental,etc."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1