The Seduction of Claude Debussy

Amazon.com
Seminal mid-'80s electro-pop players (their hit "Close to the Edit" recently provided sample fodder for Prodigy's "Firestarter"), Trevor Horn, Paul Morley, Anne Dudley, and new addition Lol Creme (of 10cc), have regrouped as Art of Noise just in time to introduce classical-jungle fusion to the world. Using revered composer Debussy's melodic blueprint to build its elaborate, velvety drum & bass compositions, the group manages to make what initially seems like a dodgy idea sound somewhat viable, particularly on dreamy, atmospheric tracks like "Out of This World." Vocal contributions come from Sally Bradshaw, Donna Lewis, Rakim, and even actor John Hurt. --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description
Asia reissue of the experimental techno pop/rock group's 1999 album features 13 tracks organized around the work of French modernist composer showcasing what made the group so great. ZTT. 2004. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

The Seduction of Claude Debussy,The Art of Noise,Universal,Ambient,Dance Music,Electronic,Electronica,Experimental,Pop

Average customer rating: Intellectually and sonically excellent sound and perfume swirl in the evening air Nothing short of a fantastic album. A Seminal Work of Musical Art and Culture for All Time High Hopes.....

The Seduction of Claude Debussy The Art of Noise Manufacturer: Umvd Labels ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ambient Collection The Drum and Bass Collection Daft Into Battle with the Art of Noise In No Sense? Nonsense! ASIN: B00000JHCT Release Date: 1999-06-29

Tracks:

1. Il Pleure (At The Turn Of The Century)
2. Born On A Sunday
3. Dreaming In Colour
4. On Being Blue
5. Continued In Colour
6. Rapt: In The Evening Air
7. Metaforce
8. The Holy Egoism Of Genius
9. La Flute De Pan
10. Metaphor On The Floor
11. Approximate Mood Swing No. 2
12. Pause
13. Out Of This World (Version 138)

Amazon.com

Seminal mid-'80s electro-pop players (their hit "Close to the Edit" recently provided sample fodder for Prodigy's "Firestarter"), Trevor Horn, Paul Morley, Anne Dudley, and new addition Lol Creme (of 10cc), have regrouped as Art of Noise just in time to introduce classical-jungle fusion to the world. Using revered composer Debussy's melodic blueprint to build its elaborate, velvety drum & bass compositions, the group manages to make what initially seems like a dodgy idea sound somewhat viable, particularly on dreamy, atmospheric tracks like "Out of This World." Vocal contributions come from Sally Bradshaw, Donna Lewis, Rakim, and even actor John Hurt. --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

Asia reissue of the experimental techno pop/rock group's 1999 album features 13 tracks organized around the work of French modernist composer showcasing what made the group so great. ZTT. 2004.

Customer Reviews:

Intellectually and sonically excellent.......2006-09-29

I am an old school Noise fan, have been since their first video on Mtv in the early 80's. My fave to date was the Max Headroom era Noise with the Paranoimia vid, and the great tunes on the album. YES album, as in vinyl.

DO NOT MISS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS WORK. IT IS UNEQUALLED. Give this work some room to breath! Listen with a quality system.

To all you 'fans' of AoN that have panned this disc, you need to give this some more time in your list, straight thru, without ceasing nor shuffling. Close your eyes, and let the magic take you...and get a better sound system, from some of your comments I wonder if you are listening thru some cheapo mp3 player with cheaper earbuds! I have audiophile quality earbuds with dual drivers, cost me close to $1000, AND a Diamond Audio Hex system in my car. This work deserves a quality system, and I wish I could afford better to really hear this piece.

To anyone else that likes classical music a little, and techno music a little, this will open your mind to new possibilities of music recombining you never thought possible. Who would have thought one could combine rap and opera on the same disc? AND IT WORKS!

Some have pointed to an artist by the name of Malcolm McLaren, and claiming (shallowly in this writer's humble opinion) that AoN have ripped him off from an earlier effort. I do not know this artist nor do I own any of his music, but to compare this disc to what samples I have listened to on Amazon, I have this to say; Are you kidding me?!? You are comparing that pop tripe to this intellectual masterpiece by AoN? If you only listen to the surface of the music you buy, then I pity you, for you are missing the point, and it isn't a small one, either.

I am a drummer by long experience, and my rhythmic awareness is at the highest level, and the programming on this piece is unbeleivable! It strains my abilities to keep up so I can imagine some with less rhythmic awareness can find some of the drum and bass sections a bit fast and overwhelming. Give it time. You will hear, with some training and time, what gems this masterpiece has to offer you.

sound and perfume swirl in the evening air.......2006-05-16

"The Seduction of Claude Debussy" is not just a remarkable musical triumph, it is doubly so given how easily the whole thing could have collapsed under the weight of its considerable hubris. The Art of Noise are not exactly bashful, and here they are even less so than usual as they attempt what amounts to an electronica Debussy cover album. On top of it all, John Hurt provides highly stylized narration interspersed in the lulls and even sometimes during the most heightened drama of the album, describing Debussy's life and artistic brilliance, referencing half-known poets and the like. This project could have been totally dire in less capable hands, but fortunately AON knows what they're doing.

The source of strength of this release is that it is an album, not a collection of weak Debussy remixes. No techno-ridden piano-and-string loops here. Instead we have luscious piano cascades and classical guitar and mighty string crescendos flowing beautifully over ambience, dub beats and jackhammer drillnbass alike. After all, it wouldn't be enough for Art of Noise to put new beats to old music. After declaring at the end of "Il Pleure" that Debussy "was the revolutionary that set 20th century music on its way," they could do nothing less than give us a full and rich sampling of the entire palette of 20th century music, from jazz to bubblegum pop to dub and drum and bass to hip hop. Anything less would be an insult their chosen subject and hero. For the most part, they succeed, although I personally found the rapper Rakim's surprising arrival in the middle of Track 6 to be a little jarring.

Most importantly, though, is that "Seduction" doesn't just work as an artistic concept, it works as music. It is a beautiful composition, with rich arrangements and terrific mixing, and covering an impressive degree of ground, never growing repetitive, always original and filled with aggressive experimentation and originality. I can't imagine whether Debussy himself would have liked or hated it, but what is probably certain is that he would not have been bored by it.

Nothing short of a fantastic album........2006-04-06

This album can only be described with one, simple word: beautiful. The integration of Debussy's work with the Art of Noise's musical prowess is nothing short of genius in and of itself. The Seduction, in every sense of the word, illustrates a colorful, brilliant picture of various moments in Debussy's life, accentuated with almost every imaginable classical instrument The Art can muster.

With John Hurt's warm narraration dotting various points of the music, the listener is eased through clouds of lush composition and back into reality through the beautiful, rainy painting of Il Pleure, escorted through wave after wave of operatic bliss, backgrounded with acid-orchestral beats in Dreaming in Color, and guided through the gardens of blossoming rhymes in the enchanting Evening Air. The the song that stands out the most, if a listener does not mind the interceding narraration, is The Holy Egoism of Genius. One is confronted with the various aspects of the artist's mind, and possibly given insight into the head of Debussy. The Holy Egoism of Genius, as with the rest of the album, is not an album that is to be listened to lightly or casually, despite the levity of the music itself.

In order to truly experience The Seduction of Claude Debussy, one must be isolated, so that every second of wonderful, orchestrated, and frequently blissful song can send chill after chill through one's spine. I have yet to find an album that is this consistent, beautiful, and to put it as simply as possible, great.

A Seminal Work of Musical Art and Culture for All Time.......2005-08-17

I wrote a review for this album back in 1999 for Amazon, but for whatever reason, when they revamped their site, it was lost. I can't remember everything that I wrote, but I can remember how I feel everytime that I hear this album...uplifted.

On another note, I do a lot of audio-visual work at different venues and I DJ and do some concert work as well. Whenever I set up my systems for a sound check, I put on "Il Pleure: At the Turn of the Century" and turn the system up...way up.

Whenever people who happen to be in the room or hall hear this, I get droves of people asking me the name of the song and who made it. And most of them, if they know me personally, will go and get the album and then contact me and thank me for pulling their coat about it.

There is one thing that I remember that I wrote in that review:
"While this album may not have been the best album of 1999, it is among the best of the 20th century and it is a fitting work to end the 20th century with, considering that its subject matter is based at it's beginning. All things move in cycles...."

High Hopes............2005-06-27

Huge fan of the Art of Noise first album "Who's Afraid...?", the "original" lineup and all that. Not at all happy with what came next( the novelty covers and duets with Maxx Headroom, Tom Jones, Duane Eddy, et al) after Morley and Horn left. I had very high hopes for this highly hyped "reunion" cd, but I'm just not feeling it. The idea is very lazy creatively , rather Malcolm McLaren-ish ( it reminds me of his "Fans" album from the mid-eighties )and the execution is not up to par with their work together on "Who's Afraid...?" Had this album been approached in a more staightforward way, like the William Orbit collection Pieces in a Modern Style, or even like some of Wendy Carlos' work as an interpreter of classical music using synthetic devices, it might be more inspiring or engaging. But as it is, this is for me a big letdown.

Average customer rating: stunning and beautiful!!!!!!!!

Seduction of Claude Debussy Art of Noise Manufacturer: Ztt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music ASIN: B000042O6X Release Date: 1999-12-01

Tracks:

1. Il Pleur (At The Turn Of
2. Born On A Sunday
3. Dreaming In Colour
4. On Being Blue
5. Continued In Color
6. Rapt: In Tyhe Evening Air
7. Metaforce
8. Holy Egoism Of Genius
9. La Flute De Pan
10. Metaphor On The Floor
11. Approximate Mood Swing No
12. Pause
13. Metaforce (Roni Size Mix)
14. Dreaming: Colour Green (B
15. Out Of This World (Versio

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Two Bonus Tracks: Metaforce (Roni Size Mix), and Dreaming in Colour (Brothers in Rhythm Mix).

Customer Reviews:

stunning and beautiful!!!!!!!!.......2004-05-03

stunning and beautiful!!!!!!!! an amazing concept album from art of noise circa 1999 a very nice evolution of sound,with ann dudley and trevor horn on board - highly recommended

Average customer rating: Intellectually and sonically excellent sound and perfume swirl in the evening air Nothing short of a fantastic album. A Seminal Work of Musical Art and Culture for All Time High Hopes.....

The Seduction of Claude Debussy The Art of Noise Manufacturer: Ztt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ambient Collection The Drum and Bass Collection Daft Into Battle with the Art of Noise In No Sense? Nonsense! ASIN: B0000258S2 Release Date: 2004-05-24

Tracks:

1. Il Pleure (At the Turn of the Century)
2. Born on a Sunday
3. Dreaming in Colour
4. On Being Blue
5. Continued in Colour
6. Rapt: In the Evening Air
7. Metaforce
8. Holy Egoism of Genius
9. Fle Pan
10. Metaphor on the Floor
11. Approximate Mood Swing No. 2
12. Pause
13. Out of This World [Version 138]

Amazon.com

Seminal mid-'80s electro-pop players (their hit "Close to the Edit" recently provided sample fodder for Prodigy's "Firestarter"), Trevor Horn, Paul Morley, Anne Dudley, and new addition Lol Creme (of 10cc), have regrouped as Art of Noise just in time to introduce classical-jungle fusion to the world. Using revered composer Debussy's melodic blueprint to build its elaborate, velvety drum & bass compositions, the group manages to make what initially seems like a dodgy idea sound somewhat viable, particularly on dreamy, atmospheric tracks like "Out of This World." Vocal contributions come from Sally Bradshaw, Donna Lewis, Rakim, and even actor John Hurt. --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

Asia reissue of the experimental techno pop/rock group's 1999 album features 13 tracks organized around the work of French modernist composer showcasing what made the group so great. ZTT. 2004.

Customer Reviews:

Intellectually and sonically excellent.......2006-09-29

I am an old school Noise fan, have been since their first video on Mtv in the early 80's. My fave to date was the Max Headroom era Noise with the Paranoimia vid, and the great tunes on the album. YES album, as in vinyl.

DO NOT MISS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS WORK. IT IS UNEQUALLED. Give this work some room to breath! Listen with a quality system.

To all you 'fans' of AoN that have panned this disc, you need to give this some more time in your list, straight thru, without ceasing nor shuffling. Close your eyes, and let the magic take you...and get a better sound system, from some of your comments I wonder if you are listening thru some cheapo mp3 player with cheaper earbuds! I have audiophile quality earbuds with dual drivers, cost me close to $1000, AND a Diamond Audio Hex system in my car. This work deserves a quality system, and I wish I could afford better to really hear this piece.

To anyone else that likes classical music a little, and techno music a little, this will open your mind to new possibilities of music recombining you never thought possible. Who would have thought one could combine rap and opera on the same disc? AND IT WORKS!

Some have pointed to an artist by the name of Malcolm McLaren, and claiming (shallowly in this writer's humble opinion) that AoN have ripped him off from an earlier effort. I do not know this artist nor do I own any of his music, but to compare this disc to what samples I have listened to on Amazon, I have this to say; Are you kidding me?!? You are comparing that pop tripe to this intellectual masterpiece by AoN? If you only listen to the surface of the music you buy, then I pity you, for you are missing the point, and it isn't a small one, either.

I am a drummer by long experience, and my rhythmic awareness is at the highest level, and the programming on this piece is unbeleivable! It strains my abilities to keep up so I can imagine some with less rhythmic awareness can find some of the drum and bass sections a bit fast and overwhelming. Give it time. You will hear, with some training and time, what gems this masterpiece has to offer you.

sound and perfume swirl in the evening air.......2006-05-16

"The Seduction of Claude Debussy" is not just a remarkable musical triumph, it is doubly so given how easily the whole thing could have collapsed under the weight of its considerable hubris. The Art of Noise are not exactly bashful, and here they are even less so than usual as they attempt what amounts to an electronica Debussy cover album. On top of it all, John Hurt provides highly stylized narration interspersed in the lulls and even sometimes during the most heightened drama of the album, describing Debussy's life and artistic brilliance, referencing half-known poets and the like. This project could have been totally dire in less capable hands, but fortunately AON knows what they're doing.

The source of strength of this release is that it is an album, not a collection of weak Debussy remixes. No techno-ridden piano-and-string loops here. Instead we have luscious piano cascades and classical guitar and mighty string crescendos flowing beautifully over ambience, dub beats and jackhammer drillnbass alike. After all, it wouldn't be enough for Art of Noise to put new beats to old music. After declaring at the end of "Il Pleure" that Debussy "was the revolutionary that set 20th century music on its way," they could do nothing less than give us a full and rich sampling of the entire palette of 20th century music, from jazz to bubblegum pop to dub and drum and bass to hip hop. Anything less would be an insult their chosen subject and hero. For the most part, they succeed, although I personally found the rapper Rakim's surprising arrival in the middle of Track 6 to be a little jarring.

Most importantly, though, is that "Seduction" doesn't just work as an artistic concept, it works as music. It is a beautiful composition, with rich arrangements and terrific mixing, and covering an impressive degree of ground, never growing repetitive, always original and filled with aggressive experimentation and originality. I can't imagine whether Debussy himself would have liked or hated it, but what is probably certain is that he would not have been bored by it.

Nothing short of a fantastic album........2006-04-06

This album can only be described with one, simple word: beautiful. The integration of Debussy's work with the Art of Noise's musical prowess is nothing short of genius in and of itself. The Seduction, in every sense of the word, illustrates a colorful, brilliant picture of various moments in Debussy's life, accentuated with almost every imaginable classical instrument The Art can muster.

With John Hurt's warm narraration dotting various points of the music, the listener is eased through clouds of lush composition and back into reality through the beautiful, rainy painting of Il Pleure, escorted through wave after wave of operatic bliss, backgrounded with acid-orchestral beats in Dreaming in Color, and guided through the gardens of blossoming rhymes in the enchanting Evening Air. The the song that stands out the most, if a listener does not mind the interceding narraration, is The Holy Egoism of Genius. One is confronted with the various aspects of the artist's mind, and possibly given insight into the head of Debussy. The Holy Egoism of Genius, as with the rest of the album, is not an album that is to be listened to lightly or casually, despite the levity of the music itself.

In order to truly experience The Seduction of Claude Debussy, one must be isolated, so that every second of wonderful, orchestrated, and frequently blissful song can send chill after chill through one's spine. I have yet to find an album that is this consistent, beautiful, and to put it as simply as possible, great.

A Seminal Work of Musical Art and Culture for All Time.......2005-08-17

I wrote a review for this album back in 1999 for Amazon, but for whatever reason, when they revamped their site, it was lost. I can't remember everything that I wrote, but I can remember how I feel everytime that I hear this album...uplifted.

On another note, I do a lot of audio-visual work at different venues and I DJ and do some concert work as well. Whenever I set up my systems for a sound check, I put on "Il Pleure: At the Turn of the Century" and turn the system up...way up.

Whenever people who happen to be in the room or hall hear this, I get droves of people asking me the name of the song and who made it. And most of them, if they know me personally, will go and get the album and then contact me and thank me for pulling their coat about it.

There is one thing that I remember that I wrote in that review:
"While this album may not have been the best album of 1999, it is among the best of the 20th century and it is a fitting work to end the 20th century with, considering that its subject matter is based at it's beginning. All things move in cycles...."

High Hopes............2005-06-27

Huge fan of the Art of Noise first album "Who's Afraid...?", the "original" lineup and all that. Not at all happy with what came next( the novelty covers and duets with Maxx Headroom, Tom Jones, Duane Eddy, et al) after Morley and Horn left. I had very high hopes for this highly hyped "reunion" cd, but I'm just not feeling it. The idea is very lazy creatively , rather Malcolm McLaren-ish ( it reminds me of his "Fans" album from the mid-eighties )and the execution is not up to par with their work together on "Who's Afraid...?" Had this album been approached in a more staightforward way, like the William Orbit collection Pieces in a Modern Style, or even like some of Wendy Carlos' work as an interpreter of classical music using synthetic devices, it might be more inspiring or engaging. But as it is, this is for me a big letdown.

Average customer rating:

The Seduction of Claude Debussy The Art of Noise Manufacturer: Repertoire ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004UFNE Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

1. Il Pleure (At the Turn of the Century)
2. Born on a Sunday
3. Dreaming in Colour
4. On Being Blue
5. Continued in Colour
6. Rapt: In the Evening Air
7. Metaforce
8. Holy Egoism of Genius
9. Fle Pan
10. Metaphor on the Floor
11. Approximate Mood Swing No. 2
12. Pause
13. Out of This World [Version 138]

Average customer rating: Intellectually and sonically excellent sound and perfume swirl in the evening air Nothing short of a fantastic album. A Seminal Work of Musical Art and Culture for All Time High Hopes.....

The Seduction of Claude Debussy The Art of Noise Manufacturer: Ztt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ambient Collection The Drum and Bass Collection Daft Into Battle with the Art of Noise In No Sense? Nonsense! ASIN: B0000258S1 Release Date: 2006-04-07

Tracks:

1. Il Pleure (At the Turn of the Century)
2. Born on a Sunday
3. Dreaming in Colour
4. On Being Blue
5. Continued in Colour
6. Rapt: In the Evening Air
7. Metaforce
8. Holy Egoism of Genius
9. Fle Pan
10. Metaphor on the Floor
11. Approximate Mood Swing No. 2
12. Pause
13. Out of This World [Version 138]

Amazon.com

Seminal mid-'80s electro-pop players (their hit "Close to the Edit" recently provided sample fodder for Prodigy's "Firestarter"), Trevor Horn, Paul Morley, Anne Dudley, and new addition Lol Creme (of 10cc), have regrouped as Art of Noise just in time to introduce classical-jungle fusion to the world. Using revered composer Debussy's melodic blueprint to build its elaborate, velvety drum & bass compositions, the group manages to make what initially seems like a dodgy idea sound somewhat viable, particularly on dreamy, atmospheric tracks like "Out of This World." Vocal contributions come from Sally Bradshaw, Donna Lewis, Rakim, and even actor John Hurt. --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

Asia reissue of the experimental techno pop/rock group's 1999 album features 13 tracks organized around the work of French modernist composer showcasing what made the group so great. ZTT. 2004.

Customer Reviews:

Intellectually and sonically excellent.......2006-09-29

I am an old school Noise fan, have been since their first video on Mtv in the early 80's. My fave to date was the Max Headroom era Noise with the Paranoimia vid, and the great tunes on the album. YES album, as in vinyl.

DO NOT MISS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS WORK. IT IS UNEQUALLED. Give this work some room to breath! Listen with a quality system.

To all you 'fans' of AoN that have panned this disc, you need to give this some more time in your list, straight thru, without ceasing nor shuffling. Close your eyes, and let the magic take you...and get a better sound system, from some of your comments I wonder if you are listening thru some cheapo mp3 player with cheaper earbuds! I have audiophile quality earbuds with dual drivers, cost me close to $1000, AND a Diamond Audio Hex system in my car. This work deserves a quality system, and I wish I could afford better to really hear this piece.

To anyone else that likes classical music a little, and techno music a little, this will open your mind to new possibilities of music recombining you never thought possible. Who would have thought one could combine rap and opera on the same disc? AND IT WORKS!

Some have pointed to an artist by the name of Malcolm McLaren, and claiming (shallowly in this writer's humble opinion) that AoN have ripped him off from an earlier effort. I do not know this artist nor do I own any of his music, but to compare this disc to what samples I have listened to on Amazon, I have this to say; Are you kidding me?!? You are comparing that pop tripe to this intellectual masterpiece by AoN? If you only listen to the surface of the music you buy, then I pity you, for you are missing the point, and it isn't a small one, either.

I am a drummer by long experience, and my rhythmic awareness is at the highest level, and the programming on this piece is unbeleivable! It strains my abilities to keep up so I can imagine some with less rhythmic awareness can find some of the drum and bass sections a bit fast and overwhelming. Give it time. You will hear, with some training and time, what gems this masterpiece has to offer you.

sound and perfume swirl in the evening air.......2006-05-16

"The Seduction of Claude Debussy" is not just a remarkable musical triumph, it is doubly so given how easily the whole thing could have collapsed under the weight of its considerable hubris. The Art of Noise are not exactly bashful, and here they are even less so than usual as they attempt what amounts to an electronica Debussy cover album. On top of it all, John Hurt provides highly stylized narration interspersed in the lulls and even sometimes during the most heightened drama of the album, describing Debussy's life and artistic brilliance, referencing half-known poets and the like. This project could have been totally dire in less capable hands, but fortunately AON knows what they're doing.

The source of strength of this release is that it is an album, not a collection of weak Debussy remixes. No techno-ridden piano-and-string loops here. Instead we have luscious piano cascades and classical guitar and mighty string crescendos flowing beautifully over ambience, dub beats and jackhammer drillnbass alike. After all, it wouldn't be enough for Art of Noise to put new beats to old music. After declaring at the end of "Il Pleure" that Debussy "was the revolutionary that set 20th century music on its way," they could do nothing less than give us a full and rich sampling of the entire palette of 20th century music, from jazz to bubblegum pop to dub and drum and bass to hip hop. Anything less would be an insult their chosen subject and hero. For the most part, they succeed, although I personally found the rapper Rakim's surprising arrival in the middle of Track 6 to be a little jarring.

Most importantly, though, is that "Seduction" doesn't just work as an artistic concept, it works as music. It is a beautiful composition, with rich arrangements and terrific mixing, and covering an impressive degree of ground, never growing repetitive, always original and filled with aggressive experimentation and originality. I can't imagine whether Debussy himself would have liked or hated it, but what is probably certain is that he would not have been bored by it.

Nothing short of a fantastic album........2006-04-06

This album can only be described with one, simple word: beautiful. The integration of Debussy's work with the Art of Noise's musical prowess is nothing short of genius in and of itself. The Seduction, in every sense of the word, illustrates a colorful, brilliant picture of various moments in Debussy's life, accentuated with almost every imaginable classical instrument The Art can muster.

With John Hurt's warm narraration dotting various points of the music, the listener is eased through clouds of lush composition and back into reality through the beautiful, rainy painting of Il Pleure, escorted through wave after wave of operatic bliss, backgrounded with acid-orchestral beats in Dreaming in Color, and guided through the gardens of blossoming rhymes in the enchanting Evening Air. The the song that stands out the most, if a listener does not mind the interceding narraration, is The Holy Egoism of Genius. One is confronted with the various aspects of the artist's mind, and possibly given insight into the head of Debussy. The Holy Egoism of Genius, as with the rest of the album, is not an album that is to be listened to lightly or casually, despite the levity of the music itself.

In order to truly experience The Seduction of Claude Debussy, one must be isolated, so that every second of wonderful, orchestrated, and frequently blissful song can send chill after chill through one's spine. I have yet to find an album that is this consistent, beautiful, and to put it as simply as possible, great.

A Seminal Work of Musical Art and Culture for All Time.......2005-08-17

I wrote a review for this album back in 1999 for Amazon, but for whatever reason, when they revamped their site, it was lost. I can't remember everything that I wrote, but I can remember how I feel everytime that I hear this album...uplifted.

On another note, I do a lot of audio-visual work at different venues and I DJ and do some concert work as well. Whenever I set up my systems for a sound check, I put on "Il Pleure: At the Turn of the Century" and turn the system up...way up.

Whenever people who happen to be in the room or hall hear this, I get droves of people asking me the name of the song and who made it. And most of them, if they know me personally, will go and get the album and then contact me and thank me for pulling their coat about it.

There is one thing that I remember that I wrote in that review:
"While this album may not have been the best album of 1999, it is among the best of the 20th century and it is a fitting work to end the 20th century with, considering that its subject matter is based at it's beginning. All things move in cycles...."

High Hopes............2005-06-27

Huge fan of the Art of Noise first album "Who's Afraid...?", the "original" lineup and all that. Not at all happy with what came next( the novelty covers and duets with Maxx Headroom, Tom Jones, Duane Eddy, et al) after Morley and Horn left. I had very high hopes for this highly hyped "reunion" cd, but I'm just not feeling it. The idea is very lazy creatively , rather Malcolm McLaren-ish ( it reminds me of his "Fans" album from the mid-eighties )and the execution is not up to par with their work together on "Who's Afraid...?" Had this album been approached in a more staightforward way, like the William Orbit collection Pieces in a Modern Style, or even like some of Wendy Carlos' work as an interpreter of classical music using synthetic devices, it might be more inspiring or engaging. But as it is, this is for me a big letdown.

Average customer rating:

Seduction Of Violin Manufacturer: Denon Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music General | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Godowsky | Godowsky, Leopold | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000034UZ Release Date: 1993-08-31

Average customer rating:

Seduction Of Violin Manufacturer: Denon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music General | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Godowsky | Godowsky, Leopold | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000DT1T Release Date: 1991-04-09

Tracks:

1. Roumanian Folk Dances: I. Allegro Moderato
2. Roumanian Folk Dances: II. Allegro
3. Roumanian Folk Dances: III. Andante
4. Roumanian Folk Dances: IV. Molto Moderato
5. Roumanian Folk Dances: V. Allegro
6. Roumanian Folk Dances: VI. Allegro
7. Ste Populaire Espagnole: I. El Pano Moruno
8. Ste Populaire Espagnole: II. Nana (Berceuse)
9. Ste Populaire Espagnole: III. Cancion
10. Ste Populaire Espagnole: IV. Polo
11. Ste Populaire Espagnole: V. Asturiana
12. Ste Populaire Espagnole: VI. Jota
13. Dance Espagnole
14. La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
15. Reverie
16. Valse Romantique
17. En Bateau
18. Liebesfreud
19. Liebesleid
20. Schon Rosmarin
21. Alte-Wien
22. Prld
23. Banjo And Fld
24. Lieder Ohne Worte, Op.19b-1: Sweet Rememberance: Andante Con Moto
25. Lieder Ohne Worte, Op.19b-3: Jagerlied: Molto Allegro E Vivace
26. Lieder Ohne Worte, Op.30-6: Venetianisches Gondellied: Allegro Tranquillo
27. Lieder Ohne Worte, Op.62-1: May Breeses: Andante Espressivo
28. Lieder Ohne Worte, Op.62-6: Fruhlingslied: Allegretto Grazioso
29. Dance Macabre

Average customer rating: Reduction makes good bonus

Reduction/The Seduction of Claude Debussy The Art of Noise Manufacturer: Import [Generic] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Below the Waste ASIN: B00004RJL1 Release Date: 2000-04-25

Tracks:

1. Identity Crisis
2. Motive
3. (new York London Paris) Spleen
4. Saluting The Point Of No Return
5. Man And Boy
6. Information
7. And I Placed My Fingers On Her Eyes As Though I
8. Il Pleure (At The Turn Of Teh Century)
9. Born On Sunday
10. Dreaming In Colour
11. On Being Blue
12. Continued In Colour
13. Rapt: In The Evening Air
14. Metaforce
15. The Holy Egoism Of Genius
16. La Flute De Pan
17. Metaphor On The Floor
18. Approximate Mood Swing Number 2
19. Pause
20. Out Of This World (Version 138)

Album Description

UK edition of new wave/experimental rock act's 1999 album 'The Seduction of Claude Debussy' along with the new title 'Reduction'. Standard jewel case & digipak.

Album Details

'seduction' Full Length plus a 35 Min Bonus Disc of Completely New Arrangements and Versions of Tracks from 'Seduction of Claude Debussy'. Three Virtually New Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

Reduction makes good bonus.......2000-05-05

Anyone who knows the Art of Noise always holds their breath after a new album comes out, waiting for the best tracks to be repurposed and remixed into something else. After a lengthy hiatus, and with new bandmate Lol Creme, AON released 'the Seduction of Claude Debussy,' my pick for the best album of 1999. It combines slick beats and melodies with layers of interesting vocals from such divergent artists as rapper Rakim, BBC announcer John Hurt and opera singer Sally Bradshaw. This melange produced a densely layered look at the rise of Debussy and a less than subtle parallel to their own work.

'Reduction' is a new EP that is being packaged with 'Seduction' in the UK. It contains 7 tracks, and a similar feel to 'Seduction.' Many of the themes are similar to counterparts on 'Seduction,' while being radically remixed and restructured. Other parts of 'Reduction' sound like they incorporate parts of songs not used on the full LP, including new rapping by Rakim. One track even incorporates a sample from their early 80's track 'Moments in Love.' The liner notes indicate whether the song is an extension or remix of existing materials or, in the case of 2 tracks, completely new.

The tracks are dense- more noise than melody ... but that's not to say this ep is grating-- It's a disc that is made more accessible knowing other AON work. Whereas 'Seduction' is very carfully crafted and deserves to be called elegant, 'Reduction' is much more raw, avant-garde and challenging. But there are some clever turns and ideas evident on the disc.

I like this disc a lot and it's seen a lot of time on my cd player since I got it, but I have been a fan of AON since 'Beat Box?' and 'Close (to the Edit).' This disc isn't for everyone, but if you got as much pleasure out of 'The Seduction of Claude Debussy' as I did, then you will also enjoy this EP. However, I was left wishing that this disc contained a little more new material, or something more different. I suppose this is why it is packaged with the 'Seduction' cd and not on its own. Those of you who don't know AON all that well would be well served by starting with copies of 'Seduction' and 'Daft.'

Average customer rating:

Seduction of Claude Debussy Art of Noise Manufacturer: Pid ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music ASIN: B00003CLSU Release Date: 1999-12-07

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