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Enigma - The Cross of Changes Audio CD

A fair review of the Enigma "The Cross of Changes" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Enigma reviews here, or go back to the Enigma tabs.

Enigma Band: Enigma
Title: The Cross of Changes
Rating:
Release Date: 1994-02-08
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Second Chapter 2: Eyes of Truth 3: Return to Innocence 4: I Love You, I'll Kill You 5: Silent Warrior 6: Dream of the Dolphin 7: Age of Loneliness 8: Out from the Deep 9: Cross of Changes

The Cross of Changes
Singles released from this album where "Return to Innocence", "Age of Loneliness", "Out From The Deep" and "The Eyes of Truth". The Cross of Changes being Enigma's 2nd studio and 1993 release and can be said to be a mix between ambient and new age. The album received positive reviews and both Allmusic and Etertainment Weekly gave it high marks. The album also did very well with the public in general and peaked the charts in the UK and went into the top 10 in several European countries. 4/5.


New Age Brilliance!
Opening with the peaceful death of an elderly man beneath a tree, the video unfolds in reverse exposition (a la Coldplay's "The Scientist") to weave the tale of that man's life all the way back to birth - the literal return to innocence. In 1994 it was, perhaps, impossible to view VH1 at any given moment and miss the memorable clip for Enigma's "Return to Innocence".

Fronted primarily by the gifted Michael Cretu and an insanely awesome bamboo flute, Enigma burst onto the electronica/new age scene in the early nineties with impressive bravado. For a few precious years, they accomplished the improbable and made new age sound rather swell.

Then, as fate would have it, Yanni had his Acropolis deal in '94 and Enya released an album a year later. New age sunk back into its former state of what could be described as "cotton candy" music. Though it should be noted Enya did win a Grammy for her record, but a new age Grammy is pretty much a Gimme Grammy. Enya has racked up a win for nearly every album released. At last count, she is up to at least four or five.

You see, it's not exactly a hotly contested genre.

But I digress.

With the release of MCMXC a. D. in 1990, Enigma catapulted themselves to stardom with a brilliant cohesion of Gregorian chants, sweet synth beats, and the aforementioned insanely awesome bamboo flute. Their work would be drafted into dozens of films, trailers, and television ads and have the distinction of featuring on my fifth grade mix tape.

Their early albums, perhaps inevitably, sound a bit prosaic at present. It is probably difficult for first-time listeners to recognize that in 1990 the sound of Enigma was both edgy and stylistically nouveau.

Fourteen years after release, there is still something innately special about "Return to Innocence" - indeed, the whole of Cross of Changes is an impressive piece of work. Never, before or since, did Cretu and crew combine their stock of worldly chants and electronica beats with such pitch perfect effect.

That's why it will always remain a mainstay in my collection, and that's why it should remain in yours as well.
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Cross of Changes-Cretu's Most Stunning Music and Videos
"Cross of Changes" was antithesis of his first release. "Cross of Changes "proved to be Cretu's greatest achievement. The music theme was a far departure from his dark and sexual first recording. Cretu's mixing of Native American hymns, monk tunes, along with other worldwide chants made this music very unique.

Like others here, this release contained my favorite songs from Enigma the guitar laden "I love you, I'll kill you" and "The Eyes of Truth". Others, the ever popular "Return to Innocence", the mesmerizing "Carly Song" and the native American theme " Silent Warrior" proved to be his best.

Not only the music was spectacular but so were his music videos. The videos really enhanced his music. The best music video of all time, for me, is "Return To Innocence". The video wasn't direct rather it left the viewer to have his own interpretation. It was very thought provoking about life and death. "The Eyes of Truth" with its images from India and along with the music was absolutely stunning. "Carling Song" a floaty escape was another astonishing video. "Cross Of Changes" was Cretu's most spiritual and amazing work to date.
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Personal Favorite
It is just so different from all the others, especially the debut. Much as I love all the Enigma albums, this is my favorite. They went eastern with this. More Middle Easternish sounding, but we'll call it "eastern". Like the debut, a good album to relax to.


I love you...I'll kill you
This one contains a world renown classic "Return to Innocense". Another album of unique sounds. In addition to Return to Innocense, my personal favorite song contains the lyrics I love you I'll kill you. . . ouuuuu so dangerous.


You can see a complete list of all Enigma discography, or go back to the Enigma tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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