Search - Robert Miles :: Organik

The album for a trip to the Middle East.

Distant Voyageur | Io | 04/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a surpirising change in style from Dreamland and 23 Am. Dreamland was like thunderstorm trance music and 23 AM was a blend of trance electronica and New Age. Organik on the other hand is very different from those two. In fact I had to check to be sure that this was Robert Miles. This album is like rock, classical, little of the Dreamland ambience and more buzz sound effects and some chill out beats. In fact this album is almost like a Real World release because it has a strong Middle Eastern sound. This album has kind of an atmosphere similer to Peter Gabriels' Passion' album even though that one is very different from Organik. I could play this album when traveling through Tajikistan or the Middle East. This album is incredible. It's almost like a Martian album. Tsbol is a disturbing opener with a mostly electronic classical sound. Separation is more space techno sounding with heavy rock guitars and almost robot voices. Paths is a more eerie song with female voices and a strong Middle Eastern violin and from what I guess are pizzacato strings. Wrong is a catchier song with classical orchestra, rock guitars and some almost old school hip-hop beats. It's All Coming Back is much darker and more eerie with a very catchy metallic beat along with electronic hums and a creepy melody. Definately one of the highlights. Pour De Parlor is less creepy and more similar to Wrong. I love the acoustic almost flamenco pause in the middle. Trance Shapes is very rock sounding with an almost Soundgarden like light guitar sound at the ending. Connections is a more Chemical Brothers sounding song. Realease Me is a very Asian/Middle-Eastern song with an Indian sitar and a jazzy urban beat. Improvisions Part one is a disturbing song that reminds me of the more ominous parts of Peter Gabriels 'Passion' CD from way back. Improvisions part one is mostly ambience and some record crackling sound that gives a feeling of the song being like the heat from an oven and sound effects and an Asian beat that build up. This song is like the quiet before the storm. I love how it becomes a buzz like sound effect at the ending. Improvisions Part 2 is a continuation of part one but this one has rhythm, something part one lacks. Part 2 is almost like a Chemical Brothers song. It's great. Endless is another Asian trance song with a strong Middle Eastern sound. It almost feels like an Afro Celt Sound System track although without the Celtic influence. Many artists sadly fall into the pit of sell-out commercialism after two or three albums( Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey come to mind). With Organik Robert Miles is not the case. Fans of Dreamland and 23 Am or going to be confused and dissapointed with this album as is evidenced with the 3.2 rating on this CD. Organik is an album that challenges the listener. Even if you like Miles' first two albums, Organik is worthy of checking out even if it has none of the ambience of those two albums. Definately one of the best CDs of 2001!"

A refreshing change of pace

sandwich | Victoria, Australia | 12/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is nothing like his last two albums and unlike a number of other reviewers, I personally feel that his style has evolved and improved tremendously. His 2nd album was boring as Hell! A little too reminiscent of the first only even cornier and with very subtle differences. When you think about it, if he had've made the third in a more consistant order it would've gotten old fast! This is something very diverse and unexpected! It's like when Massive Attack had become renowned for their style of toned-down housey trip-hop and out of nowhere comes the masterpiece "Mezzanine" which was an unconventional mix of their trip-hop roots, hard rock and gothic ambience. This is Miles' Mezzanine. It is dark, evocative, spiritual and sexy. There is so much emotion and soul here. It was a bold move. This album is his most rewarding work to date and I think he has stepped up to becomming a brilliant composer rather than just a washed-up late-night MTV DJ."

Toto we're not in Dreamland anymore

Karl E. Balsara | Columbia, MD USA | 07/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well if you've already gone ahead and taken a listen to the samples above, you've probably already figured out that this album has little in common with the Euro house music that brought Robert Miles to the forefront. Where Dreamland has a light, airy feel to it, like the clouds on the cover of the case, the first impression one gets listening to this album is dark. It would make an exceptionally good soundtrack for a post apocalyptic movie, like Spawn perhaps.The same progressive elements that have always been a feature of Miles' music are here, however, rather then move in the direction of progressive trance, this album almost goes the direction of progressive rock. The Liquid Tension Experiment meets the Future Sound of London, with just a little bit of Delirium thrown in for spice. Synth's are a big element of this album, but they are far from the only one. And I am not talking about crooning female vocals. An active bass player plays a big role in that progressive rock element I spoke of earlier. That delirious trance feel is obtained through a heavy use of traditional Asian instruments. So my overall review. There is little chance of hearing this one on a club's dance floor, at least with out massive remixing. If you are the sort that needs music you can hum during your day, then this album is not for you. This is the sort of music you just let go in the background until a facet catches your attention and pulls you in. It is to be listened to and enjoyed for its musical creativity and vision, both present in abundance. This album is an awesome piece of work by Robert Miles and a courageous move, stepping away from his house base to come out with this album. It is that sense of evolution that brings him to stand out from the crowd of trance DJ's."