The Altogether

Amazon.com
Premier British trancemeisters Orbital have often threatened to make a consistently great album. Their Diversions remix EP remains a genuine classic in trance-techno music, but more often than not they miss the mark of greatness by a whisper. The Altogether starts strongly; "Tension" is a true Orbitalian head-twister, all loops and sounds mangled to create a regulated flow of energy before falling into the almost orchestral techno of "Funny Break (One Is Enough)." "Oi!" sniffs again at classic Orbital, with its spongy keyboard textures and slow ease into ambient territory. The band bravely dives head first into some interesting creative waters, as "Waving Not Drowning" brushes by folk and nods toward Pink Floyd, while "Meltdown" puts a hand firmly in breakbeat's back pocket. But once again, Orbital's greatness is isolated to certain tracks, and the pervading feeling is that half the album is a grand experiment that either went too far or not far enough. Unlike the Orb, the KLF, or even Underworld, Orbital are still searching for their first truly consistent studio masterpiece. --Steffan Chirazi

Product Description
Special U.S. limited edition 2 CD set includes a bonus disc of remixes, B-sides and unreleased tracks. The Altogether is made up of eleven very distinct pieces of music. Stand-out tracks include the first UK single, Funky Break and Illuminate, the collaboration with David Gray.

Tracks:

Tension
Funny Break (One Is Enough)
Oi!
Pay Per View
Tootled
Last Thing
Doctor?
Shadows
Waving Not Drowning
Illuminate
Meltdown

Tracks:

Bigpipe Style
Monorail
Much Ado About Nothing Left
An Fhomhair
Doctor Look Out
Beelzebeat
Nothing Left Out
Old Style
Funny Break (Weekend Ravers Mix)
Mock Tudor
New Style

Amazon.com

Premier British trancemeisters Orbital have often threatened to make a consistently great album. Their Diversions remix EP remains a genuine classic in trance-techno music, but more often than not they miss the mark of greatness by a whisper. The Altogether starts strongly; "Tension" is a true Orbitalian head-twister, all loops and sounds mangled to create a regulated flow of energy before falling into the almost orchestral techno of "Funny Break (One Is Enough)." "Oi!" sniffs again at classic Orbital, with its spongy keyboard textures and slow ease into ambient territory. The band bravely dives head first into some interesting creative waters, as "Waving Not Drowning" brushes by folk and nods toward Pink Floyd, while "Meltdown" puts a hand firmly in breakbeat's back pocket. But once again, Orbital's greatness is isolated to certain tracks, and the pervading feeling is that half the album is a grand experiment that either went too far or not far enough. Unlike the Orb, the KLF, or even Underworld, Orbital are still searching for their first truly consistent studio masterpiece. --Steffan Chirazi

Album Description

Special U.S. limited edition 2 CD set includes a bonus disc of remixes, B-sides and unreleased tracks. The Altogether is made up of eleven very distinct pieces of music. Stand-out tracks include the first UK single, Funky Break and Illuminate, the collaboration with David Gray.

Customer Reviews:

Poorly defined songs.......2007-03-08

I really liked "Funny Break" and "Illuminate", lovely synth melodies and vocals. But didn't quite understand the rest of the album, and eventually got tired of it. The final impression I got is that the two brothers felt the same while recording most of it.
I strongly recommend the pre-middle of nowhere work (including it): Featuring Alison Goldfrapp on vocals.

What can I say its Orbital outstanding.......2007-01-11

I bought this for the Dr Who But I found the whole thing to be great

the best album.......2007-01-10

this album is the best in my collection and the best orbital have released. the layered sound , the enegy and the feeling you get from listening to this album is amazing. totally recommend to fans of trance, electronic and other dance music

Listen for Yourself.......2006-03-28

And you will find a unique album that honors what orbital once was and what it has morphed into. Orbital has always been about experimentation, and everyone who complains about this album should remember that. I (being an American) didn't know who David Gray was until I heard "Illuminate". That song in particular comes out of nowhere and hits like a ton of bricks. It is truly unique, an 80s movie soundtrack sound with Gray's rock solid vocals, the result is amazing.

Listen for yourself. I give them credit for experimenting, and I think they pulled it off.

fall of the king.......2004-05-26

how could one of the most innovative groups in modern electronic music make such a dissapointing album. How can this be the two brothers who gave us the amazing InSides and Brown Album. they are either rehashing the past on this album with sounds and rhythms we've already heard out of them, or they are taking tragic missteps. If it wasnt for Funny Break and Illuminate I would never listen to this album... well in the MP3 age, I actually don't have to anymore...

Tracks:

Tension
Funny Break (One Is Enough)
Oi!
Pay Per View
Tootled
Last Thing
Doctor?
Shadows
Waving Not Drowning
Illuminate
Meltdown

Album Description

UK edition of the British dance act's long waited sixth album. $6 less expensive than the Japanese, it omits their bonus track, 'Funny Break' (One is Enough-Beelzebeat). No U.S. release is currently scheduled. 2001 release.

Customer Reviews:

Solid Orbital, but not as good as In Sides of M. of Nowhere.......2001-08-30

If you consider Snivilization to be the ultimate Orbital album, then you probably disagree with me. However, I find In Sides and Middle of Nowhere to be two of the best Orbital albums currently in existence. Why? Simple: They're not just a disjoint set of tracks; they tell a unified story, they blend themes and passages, they share keys, phrases, transitions, progressions, and rhythms and combine the songs in such a way to make a whole.
Snivilization, like Altogether, has some excellent tracks. However, both albums don't feel like much more than a collection of tracks; they don't have the unity that the aforementioned two albums do. They don't paint an entire musical thought, opting rather to give you bits and pieces of musical ideas.
Altogether is, overall, an interesting collection of Orbital songs. Most are interesting, a few are quite inventive, but the album as a whole is not groundbreaking. It's worth a listen and a buy, but I predict that those who love In Sides and Middle of Nowhere will not replace either with Altogether in their CD changers.

Very strange...but give it a little time.......2001-08-10

This is one of those albums that you pick up, listen to quickly, and think "why the #@#(! did I shell out 20 bucks for this?" Then one day you let it play through and listen to it some more and suddenly it starts to grow on you.

I bought this out of sheer loyality to the group, I admit, but I was not sure if it was really for me. However, the Orbital roots shine through the strange new ideas and once you can sense the familiar territory you can appreciate what the Hartnolls are doing here.

Sure, there are a few mistakes on this album. Tootled is an annoying odd five minutes. Oi gets obnoxious too, and Illuminate which has a very beautiful melodic progressive line is ruined as its turned into a pop song with David Grey's vocals and it never goes anywhere because of them. It's a shame, really...that could've been a really nice song!

Mistakes aside, there are quite a few gems worthy of the distinguished orbital fan's collection. Funny Break is a nice tune, using the typical whooshy female vocals, Pay Per View morphs from a slow lounge groove into something completely different, there is of course a recorded version of the Doctor Who theme, and the shortened version of Meltdown with it's crazy combinations of brown noise, phone dial tones, typing, taiko drumming, and god knows what else is simply genius.

Let this thing bake in your stereo awhile before you pass it off as a halfhearted attempt from an old tired band. You'll start to like it, and before long, you won't be able to take it off repeat!

Trust me on this, and just listen to the album!!

Hey, the brothers should be able to make money too.......2001-07-30

Well, it was only a matter of time.

With "Altogether", the Hartnolls have abandoned the experimental approach that was their signature from the very beginning. The Orbital machine steamed through several albums, all the way up to their most release, the disappointing "Middle of Nowhere", making innovative yet brilliant *musical* tunes that showed the world that techno was, in fact, MUSIC and not a bunch of bleeps.

Enter "Altogther".

Orbital, like nearly all great artists, have eventually run dry of their creative talent. Realizing (probably during their early studio sessions) that it was virtually impossible to make music that was both listenable and progressive, Orbital has decided to capitalize upon artistry already developed long ago (this album has more than a few tunes that borrow sounds from their earliest albums) and to reap the benefits.

Legions of new fans, most of whom have only recently discovered the brilliance of Orbital's masterpieces (In Sides, Snivilisation) will be very pleased to find further, familiar Orbital music in "Altogether".

To the rabid Orbital fan, this is also sweetness. They would rate this album 5 stars regardless of what their ears hear. To the TRUE Orbital fans who recognized Phil and Paul Hartnoll's brilliance but at the same time saw the end was near with "Middle of Nowhere" this is our proof. ...

Yes, there are flashes of inspiration, but they are nothing that can help this boat float.

If you are an Orbital fan who is dying for new music to listen to, I highly recommend looking back in time at their Times Fly EP, a somewhat rare find for American fans. The Times Fly EP is a collection of 4 songs recorded during the most fertile period of Orbital's works (1993-1996), in between the Snivilisation and In Sides albums. Go find this EP and forget about the dreadful mess that is "Altogether".

very good.......2001-07-24

as a long time orbital disciple, I was thrilled to see orbital follow up their worst album ("middle of nowhere") with one of their best (as far as I'm concerned they have never topped "snivilisation"). the songs are shorter, yes, but that doesn't make them any less creative or captivating. many people seem to dislike the David Grey collaboration, but I find it to be a fabulously catchy & sweet track. the only misstep (in my opinion) is track 5 ("tootled"), which is immediately followed by the best track (#6, "last thing"). it's a great disc, but i dont think that its going to win over any person who wasn't already a fan.

i'd also suggest picking up the "funny break" import single for the non-album track "beezlebeat."

Listen to it people, listen to it.......2001-07-21

Orbital has something new to tell us. Can you hear them - they are trying something different. But how many people are prepared to listen? Not many, to bad. Well, got some news for you. This isn't bad. It's actually good, very good. Sure, some people are dissapointed, i know i was when i first heard it. It doesn't have the strenght like the "Brown", or the emotions that "In-Sides" had. What it does have is the experimental approach like no other Orbital album (well maybe "Snivilisation") and song structures first heard here, on the "Altogether". The songs are short, the brothers are using more samples than usual and a lot vocal inputs. All in all, not a bad move. A very brave one, and i'm sure it will pay off. Like i said, the first time i heard it i was dissapointed. But as i continued to listen to it i started to like it more and more. I suggest you do the same thing. Give it a little time,have an open mind, be patient and soon you'll see that this is another good Orbital album. Not a classic, but good everyday electronic music.

Average customer rating:

I Hope U Melt

Manufacturer: Gametime
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAH1E6
Release Date: 2003-06-17

Tracks:

Intro
Introducing The Killa Korpse Gangstaz
Them
Run and Hyde
The Killa Korpse Walk
I Hope U Melt
Fear of 8's
Because We Thugz
Moon Men
Livin' Life
Let There Be Rock
Got Stabbed (skit)
Get Stabbed
Broken Shoes
Enjoy The Silence
Crawlin' On All Fives
Who Got The Motherfuckin Crack Rocks
Bitch (skit)
Faces of Siberia (Mail Order Brides)
Thugz Spittin'
One More (skit)
Keep It Gangsta

Average customer rating:

Atlantean Sparrows

Manufacturer: Atlantean Sparrows
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA9FRW
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Average customer rating:

Altogether Elsewhere

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000AL7FQG

Average customer rating:

Altogether Universal

Manufacturer: FTM Studios
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000GXYM0A

Product Description

Recorded at FTM Studios, Lakewood, CO and Pavilion West, Littleton, Co. Produced by Brian Wills and The Empties. Mixed at Pavilion West and mastered by Matt Sandosky at Airshow, Boulder, Co.

Average customer rating:

Birth of a Revolutionary
Versatile
Manufacturer: Neighborhood Hustle Inc.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

West Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Southern Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA98T2
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

Versatile Freestyle
Ghetto Judgement Day
War Feat. C-Loc
How We Roll (SC to TX)
Gone Make It (Dedication)
Hustle Feat. D-Wildz
Reppin SC
Locest Feat. Lil Sin & C-Loc
Bacc in Charge
Life's a Bitch

Average customer rating:

Stinky Rips One: A Classic!

The Age of Asparagus
Mad Daddys
Manufacturer: R.a.F.R. ( Rarf )
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005NKIM
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Tracks:

Daddy Needs A Mamma
Blonde On A Bum Trip
Every Time I Lose My Mind
Good N' Stoopit
Shake It Like Ya Mean It
Cochring 3:16
King Of The Wild Frontier
I'm Mad
I Gottcha
(I'm Gonna) Die Of Rock N' Roll

Customer Reviews:

Stinky Rips One: A Classic!.......2002-10-24

This may very well be the greatest CD of all time. Sgt. Pepper, The White Album, Revolver? Hogwash! Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street, Let It Bleed? Overrated! Layla, Electric Ladyland, Physical Grafitti, anything by Beck? Phooey! This is the Zeus of all records. Mad Daddys sit atop the Pantheon of Rock 'n' Roll Greatness! Buy this record! It will pay for Stinky's next beer!