Fretplay.com Enigma CD reviews Enigma guitar tabs Enigma CD reviews Enigma tabs MCMXC A.D.


Enigma - MCMXC A.D. Audio CD

A fair review of the Enigma "MCMXC A.D." 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: MCMXC A.D.
Rating:
Release Date: 1991-02-12
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Voice of Enigma 2: Principles of Lust: Sadeness/Find Love/Sadeness (Reprise) 3: Callas Went Away 4: Mea Culpa 5: Voice & the Snake 6: Knocking on Forbidden Doors 7: Back to the Rivers of Belief: Way to Eternity/Hallelujah/The Rivers of

Good Quality
I would buy from them again. Bought this cd for my girlfriend as a gift. cd had a light scratch and a crack in the case, but can i really complain for ninety cents?.


New Age
But then again, I rarely pay attention to what anyone says about music, because as an art form it is highly personal and each of us will have likes and dislikes, and regardless of whether the music has minimal originality or is repetitive, as some reviewers seem to think, I enjoy this music. I must have been living under a rock, because I was unaware of any controversy surrounding this CD.

I enjoy the pretentious opening, "The Voice of Enigma. " Sultry, sexy Sandra entices you to let yourself fall into the music, to give yourself over to the rhythm and the feeling. The result of this music is a bit more basic than what Jon Anderson attempted in some of his music where words became part of the music, but it is effective. This music is best listened to when you want to feel the music and prefer to immerse yourself in the emotions of the music. One minor complaint, the version I have is about 40 minutes long, and the introduction references "the next hour. "

The transition from "The Voice of Enigma" to the multi-part "Principles of Lust" is accompanied by Gregorian chants that provide an interesting enhancement to the feeling of Michael Cretu's music. The beat is repetitive and provides a framework for counterpoints throughout. The repetition allows exploration of a theme in multiple facets, much like a quilt has a pattern, but the choices made for each element in the pattern provides variety within the pattern. "Sadeness," which has enjoyed air play, is but one part of this interesting composition. "Find Love," the second part, has a much different theme and framework as compared to "Sadeness. " The tapestry closes with a reprise to "Sadeness" that combines elements of the first part and the second part to generate yet more variety to the tapestry.

The third selection, "Callas Went Away," opens with electronic birds accompanied by other pseudo natural noises. The music is soothingly mellow and pleasant, but the pretentiousness that accompanied the introduction and to a certain extent the "Principles of Lust" does not filter into this selection. This selection, while great music to fall asleep by or to contemplate the stars, has much less power than some of the other selections.

The following track, "Mea Culpa," opens with Gregorian chants and drums transitioning into much more power than the previous track. The beat is much faster and the counterpoint much more pronounced than in any of the previous tracks. Sandra's French(?) vocals intermixed with Gregorian chants and new age electronica is an interesting mix that works, and makes this song one of the highlights of the CD, even better than "Sadeness. "

"The Voice and the Snake" is a short, experimental number that may vaguely remind you of disturbing chants in horror movies. While the initial concept is intriguing, the track's only salvation is its brevity, because I find the result disturbing and a touch unpleasant.

The previous track has a smooth transition into "Knocking on Forbidden Doors," which is reminiscent of the second and third track, yet with some differences. Perhaps the biggest problem with this track is that it adds little to what was done earlier and starts to sound somewhat repetitive if you listen too closely.

I like the introduction to "Back to the Rivers of Belief," which has the same tones used in the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind. " The tones are coupled with electronic sound effects and then Gregorian chants in an interesting way that is consistent with the movie "Close Encounters. " The overlong introduction, "Way to Eternity," yields to the faster-paced second part, "Hallelujah. " The third and final part, "The Rivers of Belief" is powerful and provides relief to the too long "Hallelujah. " The third part of this song could have been longer and the first two parts shorter to have created a stronger composition.

This music is interesting and enjoyable, but Cretu sometimes explores ideas too long. When I am focused on the music I start to wonder why he waited so long to advance the theme. Regardless of my complaints, it is the novelty of the music and its high moments that make this a good selection for people with eclectic tastes that include progressive rock and new age. Even with the occasional weak point, this music is great background music for the office, and perhaps when you are out contemplating the stars.
.


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.

Search guitar tabs

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
[ Search tabs | Guitar tabs | Bass tabs |
Easy guitar tabs | Guitar solo tabs |
Acoustic guitar tabs | Guitar chords |
How to read guitar tabs ]
Forum topics
Music forums
- Bands and artists - Songwriting and lyrics - Tablature talk - Promote your band
Instrument forums
- Guitar basics - Gear & accessories - Bass guitar
Community
- The pit - Site Feedback - Reviews
[ User survey | About us | Privacy statement ]