Blue Man Group - The Complex
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Free Music Notes for The Complex
Free Music Review: Very Unique
Hit: 5 Stars
I had never listened to Blue Man Group before I got this cd. I was thinking about seeing their concert at the Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios, so I wanted to hear some of their music first. I ended up being busy that night, so I didn't go to the concert, but after hearing the music, I would have gone without a doubt if I wasn't busy.Here's what I think about some of the songs...
1. Above (5/5)- This is a great introduction to the cd. I doesn't have any words. It's all instremental with Blue Man Group's unique sound on their unique instrements.
2. Time To Start (5/5)- I had no idea Blue Man group sung this song. I had heard it before on the radio, and was very suprized when it was on this cd. The song explains what to do at a rock concert.
3. Sing Along - featuring Dave Matthews (4/5)- This is the reason I chose this BMG cd over others. I'm also a fan of DMB, but I didn't think this song was as good as all of the rest (even though I did get it stuck in my head!).
4. Up To The Roof - faturing Tracy Bonham (2/5)- This was my least favorite song on the cd. Just wasn't anything special or fun about it.
5. Your Attention (5/5)- Execelent song! I love the part when someone starts talking telling you to keep your attention on the sound of her voice, then someone else starts at the same time telling you to ignore all distractions and only focus on him, and then more and more voices add in.
6. Persona - featuring Josh Haden (3/5)
7. Piano Smasher (3/5)- A blue man group song not featuring anyone.
8. White Rabbit - featuring Esthero (4/5)- About alice in wonderland... I think!
9. The Current - featuring Avram Gleitsman (4/5)
10. I Feel Love - featuring Venus Hum (2/5)
11. Shadows Part 2 - featuring Tracy Bonham & Rob Swift (3/5)- I don't know what happened to part one of the shadows song. Why is it part 2 with out a part one???
12. What is Rock - featuring Arone Dyer & Peter Moore (5/5)- a continuation of track 2.
13. The Complex - featuring Peter Moore (4/5)
14. Exhibit 13 (4/5)
And watch out for the hidden track too! This is one cd that I truely enjoyed. I normally don't go for music with this type of sound, but Blue Man Group is the exception!
Free Music Review: The Next Step for Blue Man Group
Hit: 5 Stars
While I would not consider myself an expert on the subject of BMG (Blue Man Group), I would say that, as an observer, The Complex is just the next step for Blue Man Group. I never found that the inclusion of vocals on this recording denotes a yielding of artistic control of BMG in any way to the mainstream. BMG is a solid enough group to know what they want, no matter what current trends exist in popular culture. That said, Complex is in many ways a more accessible album, and just about anyone would enjoy at least one song off of it. As for reports that Your Attention was simply a remix of Synaesthetic, I suspect that this is more of a tribute to Audio (BMG's first album) than anything else. One more word on the presence of vocals on a BMG album: BMG has always, in its own way, had an edge of social commentary to its music, and in many ways the vocals have allowed them to, well, vocalize this commentary, making it clearer to a wider audience.
As an album, Complex holds together very well, with the message of one song flowing fairly solidly into the message of the next.
And, from a technical standpoint, I did not have any problems retrieving the tracks off of this CD for use in an MP3 player, as the Audio is still recorded on the disc in Compact Disc Audio format, you just have to be sure to use the right software, although I'm fairly positive both Windows Media Player and RealPlayer will do the job. If you get the chance though, track down the DVD version of the album, which incorporates a 5.1 Surround Sound mix; perfect for home theatres.
Oh, just as a side note, I Feel Love is one of the better tracks on the album, and Annette, the lead singer for Venus Hum, has an absolutely glorious voice. And, for anyone who thinks that this number in particular proves that BMG has started slipping down the slope of popularity, just think of it as their own way of respectfully poking fun at pop-culture, in the same style as the Rock and Roll warm-up scene from the tour, and from the resulting DVD (which is also one of the best concert DVDs ever produced).
Free Music Review: Big rock sound from the men in Blue
Hit: 5 Stars
Until recently, all I knew about the Blue Man Group was based on their series of odd commercials for Intel. I didn't know anything about their music. "The Complex" blew me away. This is a rock album, make no mistake. BMG's debut album, "Audio," is more true to their live show that's played in venues like The Luxor in Las Vegas, and is primarily a showcase for the BMG's trademark percussion.
"The Complex" couples BMG's percussion and homemade instruments to a traditional song format, with soaring guitars, a pounding rhythm section, and a big percussive sound.
Along for the ride are guest vocalists such as Tracy Bonham, Dave Matthews, Annette Stream of Venus Hum, and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale.
Lyrically, the songs of "The Complex" explore themes of alienation and the dis-connect from society that is so common to the cubicle-dweller society that is the norm of corporate America. There are a few cover tunes here, with the best being a rocking cover of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love," sung by Venus Hum's Annette Stream. It's a brilliant rendition, full of soaring guitars, amazing percussion (the synthesizer sound at the beginning of the song is actually PVC tubing, an instrument the Blue Man Group call 'The Tubulum') and energy.
The album concludes with the haunting instrumental "Exhibit 13." If you've seen "The Complex" tour DVD or have gone to BMG's web site, you'll know that "Exhibit 13" is about the Sept. 11 attacks on New York City and some random pieces of paper that blew into a nearby neighborhood.
About "The Complex" tour DVD...buy it! It's amazing to watch everyone involved in creating the show, and to see and hear the Blue Man Group's various homemade instruments.
Free Music Review: 21st century Spinal Tap for Dilbert
Hit: 5 Stars
As with Spinal Tap back in the day, Blue Man Group have approached a musical style and satirized it heavily, then surrounded it with such a perfect musical setting that it fits. You can chuckle while you rock.
I admit I'm mostly entertained by music created and recorded before 1990, and most of what's come since then has left me cold. Once in awhile, however, something like this excellent CD comes along and warms me up. The multiple layered rhythms performed here by BMG are laced with dynamite crunching guitar and piercing keyboard work, overlaid with cool vocals and produced with clarity, filled with musical and lyrical hooks, plus other memorable moments.
But it's not a mindless headbanging theme here. BMG uses the setting of stadium rock as an allegory for the oft-used theme of the faceless corporate mentality. Especially on tunes like Sing Along, The Current, and the title cut, BMG's lyrics are all about the lost humanity of the Dilbert principle. Music for the cubicle dwellers and those who love them.
There is a DVD of live performance that can also be obtained, and another reviewer here seems to have gotten these mixed up. One of the downsides of this CD is that one does not get the unforgettable visual effects accompanying the right-on remake of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love," as the listener cannot enjoy the incredible costume/stage light display that accompanies this number on stage. I also miss the vocalist's dazzling smile, but that's just me. At least this CD does not include the wrong-headed, passionless version of "Baba O'Riley" that is performed on the DVD; Tracy Bonham just doesn't have Roger Daltrey's chops, and it kills an otherwise clever rendition of a Who classic.
Free Music Review: blue mans complex
Hit: 5 Stars
Above:(8/10)A good instrementel to start off the album.Time to start:(10/10)a fun song that teaches you 4 of the basic movements you use at a rock concert(well 3 out of 4). Great backround music!!!
Sing along:(9/10)the first single off the cd.A soft and dark song that is easy to get stuck in your head. After a few times you hear this song you will sing along. Plus Dave Matthews sings!!!.
Up to the roof:(9/10)The first of two songs sung by Tracy Bonham. The lyrics have nothing to do with anything but her voice goes perfect with the music so it sounds really good.
Your attention:(8/10)Another great Instramentel.
Persona:(8 and a half/10)A very soft song that is easy to listen to. Josh Haden sings.
Piano smasher:(6/10) an ok instramentel but nothing special.
White rabbit:(8/10)A very good song by Esthero. And it is sort of about alice in wonderland.
The current:(10/10)easily the best song on the cd.An awesome heavy meatel song that is sung by Gavin Rossdale.
Shadows part 2: (4/10)The worst song on the album. A half effort by Tracy Bonham and Rob Swift. Great backround music though.
What is rock:(10/10) The secound best song of the cd. An awesome punk rock song that is sung by Arone Dyer & Peter Moore.
The complex:(10/10) Another great song sung by Peter Moore. Its alot softer then what is rock but still an awesome song.
I feel love: (9/10) A great song that almost sounds like a hard rock modonna song. Sung by Venus Hum.
Exhibit 13: (4/10) Not a very good instramentel.
Bonus track:(7/10) A great instramentel to end the album.