Enigma - Voyageur
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Free Music Notes for Voyageur
Free Music Review: A New Voyage With Enigma
Hit: 5 Stars
The ambient studio collective known as Enigma have returned with their fifth studio album, "Voyageur," and, in my opinion, this is their best album since their classic debut, "MCMXC A.D.", 13 years ago. For "Voyageur," group mastermind Michael Cretu said that he wanted Enigma to branch out a bit, so this is the first Enigma album to contain absolutely no samples, i.e. no gregorian chants, no Orff operas, etc., etc. (although Cretu does allow the group's signature horn intro that kicks off every Enigma album). This time, it's all original sounds, but if you think that Enigma have totally re-written their musical book with their 2003 offering, you needn't worry. Just like their first four albums, "Voyageur" is a glowing, hypnotic Enigma disc with great beats, lush keyboards & arrangements, seductive vocal performances (by Cretu, wife Sandra Cretu, Ruth-Ann from Olive, and Andru Donalds), and dreamy atmosphere. Great, catchy, luscious tracks from start to finish, including "Incognito," "Page Of Cups," "Boum-Boum," "Look Of Today" (with it's clever nod to the old ABC hit, "Look Of Love"), the awesome "In The Shadow, In The Light" (arguably the album's best track), the lovely "The Piano," and "Following The Sun." It's always a pleasure to hear new music from Michael Cretu & company---Enigma's "Voyageur" is simply fantastic.Free Music Review: Almost perfect
Hit: 5 Stars
I've always been a huge Enigma fan and have listened to every album countless times. But the criticism this piece of work has received baffles me. Yes, this album may journey down a different path, but it's a journey well worth taking.
Some Enigma fans may miss the Gregorian chants from past albums but I find this just as spiritual. Gregorian chants, as haunting and beautiful as they are, can become repetitious and may even alienate some listeners who may not relate to that type of sound or spirituality. With the exception of a few tracks that fall flat, this CD is amazing. Track 3 "Incognito" is richly dark and passionate but one of my favorite parts is the transition the music takes into track 4, "Page of Cups". I want to advise everyone that this CD was meant to be heard with headphones. Only then can you really experience it. "Boum-Boum" is the stand-out single and deserves more attention then it received. Track 7 "Look of Today" is an addictive dance song in dark Enigma style and is followed by the seductive "In the Shadow, In the Night", which is absolutely amazing. The CD closes with "Following the Sun", which to me must be what heaven sounds like. I'll never tire of that song and that alone is worth buying the album.
I challenge the critics to give this CD a second listen. When you are ready to relax and take an amazing journey down a beautiful seductive road, play this CD...and wear headphones!
Free Music Review: Obscurely notorious
Hit: 5 Stars
There's little sense in over-intellectualizing the work that is Enigma. This album presented a scaled down front as opposed to "Screen Behind the Mirror", which was, to say the least, uber-orchestrated. You'll find the occasional beat heavy pieces on "Voyageur"-- but nothing so ostentacious as to turn down your speakers for fear of blowing them out. In fact, there's a lighter, crisper feel to the music. Indeed, it's much like being on the outside, looking in on a voyage into places beyond.The theme here resides in a sense of vocals and beats as opposed to central samplings from whichever source is the flavor of the year. Note, in MCMXC A.D. the Gregorian chant was much the focal point; in Cross of Changes we heard something to the effect of aboriginal beats and intonations; Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi! put forth a wildly alluring focus on Southeastern Asian rhythms and chants-- and for some reason Screen Behind the Mirror delved into the realm of Opera, more specifically Orff's "Carmina Burana". The latter, of which, didn't seem to appeal, despite the addition of explosive percussion tracks to an already celebrated classic. Voyageur, while lacking in central theme, hardly lacks. The choices made in the album were quite so in accordance with the group's overall style, capturing an ambience lost in "Screen", more reminiscent of the voluptuous sound of "Le Roi..."
Free Music Review: OH COME ON!!! YOU DON'T WANT FIVE "SADENESS" REPLICAS DO U?!
Hit: 5 Stars
I don't understant these negative reviews I've been seeing on this product! "Voyageur" is an absolutely amazing experience and is by far their greatest album since their debut album from many years ago. In a lot of ways, Cretu made a very smart move by veering away from their trademark Gregorian chants and into a much more ethnic sound with some ambient techno-dance sounds in the arena of Eurodance.
The title track is a blissful experience with tight beats and mystifying ambient sounds. You will find yourself bobbing to the strong rhythm. The best song on here is the closing track "Following The Sun". This is a very powerful and edgy song that reminds me a lot of "Return To Innocence" with the production styles of "Silence Must Be Heard".
"Voyageur" is a spectacular album and is a brilliant achievement in taking on a totally new style while maintaining Enigma's personality. I am not dissapointed one bit with this album.
The album packaging is a bit odd, having a bizarre booklet shaped in a circular way, in the round case below where the CD itself would go when put away. The front cover has really cool artwork painting but there's no way to replace it should the CD cover break for any reason so I can't say it's the best packaging idea but it's at least original in style.
"Voyageur" is a must-own and tell these negative reviewers to shove it!!
Free Music Review: Wonderful journey for open-minded people.
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been a fan of Enigma since its very beginning, and I always try to be totally unbiased in my opinions. I respect everybody's opinions although some of them are completely missing any significant reasons as to why they hate the album.Of course, it took time for me as well to like the album. But I love it, this is not a commercial album. What did you expect ? I prefer artists who try to evolve to "artists" always making the same music. Why don't you listen to "Voyageur", "Look of Today", "shadows and light", "Page of Cups" a couple of times before criticizing it? Apparently the ones who criticized it have the right not to like it, but pleeeeaaaase, stop asking for the same atmosphere, the same lyrics, the same music : artists change. Michael Cretu is so gifted, nobody can have doubts about it. Now give it a try and then, give a significant opinion with, possibly, justifications : I would like to know the real motivations behind every criticism, the real reasons why some of you don't like the album, artistic reasons, not criticisms about the timing : 47 minutes ? So what !! Listen to Madonna's latest effort, this is not worth the money. But of course, some of you are probably going to but Britney's next record and will like it. God !
Anyway, thank you Michael for sharing your gift with us. This album is great. Follow your instinct and please, don't stop.