Search - Shpongle :: Are You Shpongled

The call of the jungle to the lost tribes...

David G | Tasmania, Australia | 07/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The call of the jungle to the lost tribes...



In their first venture as Shpongle, Simon Posford (aka Hallucinogen) combines with 70-year old flautist Raja Ram to blend a unique range of genres ranging from Middle-Eastern, Latin, Celtic, African, tribal, drum n bass, psychedelic trance, dub, and ambient into a lush psychedelic jungle soundscape.



This is my favourite Shpongle album, and I own all of them including the 2005 release Nothing Lasts...But Nothing is lost (which is not yet listed on Amazon), and the Shpongle Remixed compilation. For those who have listened to Shpongle, this is not the club killer "Nothing Lasts...But Nothing is Lost", nor is it the round-the-world epic of "Tales of the Inexpressible", but more of an ambient soundscape. Think of voyaging though an unknown alien rainforest.



Those new to Shpongle or the ambient genre may prefer their later, more upbeat albums;

I'd strongly recommend "Tales of the Inexpressible" as the first place to start with Shpongle unless you are specifically looking for an under-the-stars, feet up experience. Those looking for a dance/club experience would be better directed to buy "Nothing Lasts...But Nothing is Lost", or "Shpongle Remixed". Those who are already shplongled (you know who you are!) will be able to fully appreciate this work to its extent.



As pre-mentioned, this is Shpongle's first, rawest, and most ambient work. From the first track we are in "a circular vortex...spinning...spinning...", then into the jungle with "Monster Hit", which goes from drum n bass into trance and dub, with beautiful vocals and a magical flute solo played by Raja Ram. More upbeat, "Vapour Rumours" starts off with samples about UFOs before a 3-and-a-half-minute long flute solo launches the track into a Celtic/dub/psytrance hybrid with even more flute riffs and trippy UFO sighting samples. "Shpongle Spores" is back to chilled-out dub, this time with middle-eastern sitars in the background. The last three tracks are the best on the album. "Behind Closed Eyelids" launches the dub into goa/psytrance, which just builds and builds in to a trip-out fest by the end and features more flute melodies. The horse "neighing" sample in this song is awesome and makes me think of "The Lone Deranger".



My favourite track "Divine Moments of Truths" starts off with tribal vocals and what sounds like a digareedoo followed by hypnotic melody which magically appears to change (but doesn't!) as the 4/4 kick changes to breaks. Then a funky baseline surfaces with sounds a bit like turntable scratching before Mayan/Amazonian-sounding vocals come in followed by African vocals, then the tribal chanting of "DMT". The track then builds itself into a tribal frenzy of such intensity that makes you yearn for an open campfire on a beach, or a jungle or desert or mountain rave with multitudes of deliriously dancing bodies. Owning all the Shpongle albums this is without a doubt my favourite of their songs (imagine an African/Mayan tribal version of "Dorset Perception" for those who have their second album).



The album closes with the 20-minute epic "...And the Day Turned to Night", a soundscape of middle-eastern, tribal, trance, and drum n bass, which is arguably Shpongle's greatest work.



Throughout the album, which is really more like one giant track, Simon Posford's godlike production and songwriting allows for the multiple genres to seamlessly blend together: for example, at any one time you might have drum n bass beats, dub bass, middle-eastern guitar, goa melodies, accompanied by tribal/shamanistic vocals and psychedelic sound samples. However never once does the mix feel cluttered, on the contrary, the way the sounds are layered so intricately to sound so clean is a credit to Simon Posford's masterful production skills. This has to be some of the best production I've heard.



What's really interesting about Shpongle's music is the organic vibe from use of live (or live sounding) instruments (most notably Raja Ram's flute and the KILLER bass that works its way through the whole album), and the tribal vocals. Special mention should also go to the percussion section. The beats are all tribal sounding and Simon is not afraid to make use of exciting time signatures such as 5/4 and 6/8, 11/8; the 4/4 kick which psytrance/goa usual employs is all but non-existent for the majority of the album.



Overall this album is a genre-defying debut classic that will be enjoyed by many generations to come. I would dub it the modern-day "Dark Side of the Moon" from the way it incorporates a range of sounds to form a psychedelic experience in one solid movement. All of my friends, who are into a range of music including psytrance, trance, reggae, metal, rock, and hip-hop, as well as my mum who listens to world music, have thoroughly enjoyed the Shpongle experience.



I would recommend "Are You Shpongled" to anyone with taste in non-mainstream music, especially world music, tribal, ambient, psytrance/goa, dub, who wants to listen to a unique music that effortlessly bridges genres and has the power to change how you think of and appreciate both music and life.



One more thing.



I strongly OBJECT to the reviewer who states that this album can only be fully enjoyed under the influence of drugs. I can believe that this album WAS intended for listening under the influence of psychedelic drugs: with the Terence McKenna quotes, trippy effects/vocals, the cover art, references in songs like "Behind Closed Eyelids" and "Divine Moments of Truth" ( DMT is a highly potent hallucinogenic drug), and of course the fact that it was written by Simon Posford (aka the psytrance godfather "Hallucinogen" whose most known song is titled "LSD"). However, it is such a masterpiece that when listened to in the right circumstances it takes you out of your body even when you're sober. Of course for psychedelics this is ESSENTIAL trip-out stuff and Shpongle's most psychedelic album (although you need to get "Tales of the Inexpressible" to hear the gnomes' new way to say "Hooray!").



PS. Sorry for the long review but I really wanted to do this CD justice.











"

Reviews are like opinions...

N. Fisher | East Coast United States | 07/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everyone involved has one, and only 2% of them are educated. From listening to and researching a large base of abstract and accessible artists, you get a feel for what the normal level of production, creativity, etc. is out there.



This CD strikes an AMAZING balance between excellent (not just excellent, some of the best I have ever heard) production, accessibly songs and complete creativity.



Every sound is incredibly detailed, tailored to the track and on point. The rhythms are intricate, solid and executed with perfection. Every track sounds as though every recorded instrument and synthesizer is under more control than I can fathom.



The review on here where the person says you need to be high is a blatant example of a completely uneducated review. Just because someone did a load of drugs and now can not enjoy something sobre does not mean it is unenjoyable - it means the person has issues with drugs. I mean this is the same person that tried to say that a ditzy girl is 'normal' on a couple beers or an angry person is like a calm person on PCP. That is some of the most unintelligent, non thought provoking, shallow and utterly ignorant observations I have heard.



My point is to listen to this CD and decide for yourself, I can assure you that if you have a QUASI open mind and appreciate music, you will be impressed. Whether you download a couple albums a week or go to used cd shops and scour for hundreds of hour collecting rare gems, this CD has something to provide you.



Even with the thirty-dollar US price tag, I am going to buy this CD. It is NOT around in used shops on the east coast. If you like this, check out other work under hallucinogen on the twisted records label.



And remember - crack is wack."