Otherworld

Otherworld

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Taking their name from an ancient Celtic harvest festival, Lúnasa are a veritable dream team of Irish musicians whose thrilling groove is found courtesy of former members of the Waterboys and Sharon Shannon's band, on cello, bowed upright bass, and acoustic guitar. Melodies, both poignant and frolicsome, soar on the exceptional wings of fiddle, flute, whistles, and Uilleann pipes. From the warm belly of Celtic tradition, the quartet (rounded out by guest players and piper-whistler Cillian Vallely, a touring member) radiates outward, incorporating elements of jazz improvisation as it swings low and wide, high and tight, delving wholeheartedly into each piece's unique rhythmic pulse. Otherworld, in the unprecedented vernacular of Lúnasa, is nothing short of astonishing. --Paige La Grone

Tracks:

Goodbye Miss Goodavich/Rosie's Reel
The Floating Crowbar/McGlinchey's/The Almost Reel
The Butlers Of Glen Avenue/Sliabh Russell/Cathal McConnell's
January Snows/Laura Lynn Cunningham
The Miller Of Drohan
Dr. Gilbert/Devils Of Dublin/Black Pat's
Autumn Child/Heaton Chapel
Stolen Apples
Taylor Bar, 4am/Ceol Na Mara
Lafferty's/Crock Of Gold/Lady Birr/Abbey Reel
O' Caralon's Welcome/Rolling In The Barrel

Amazon.com

Taking their name from an ancient Celtic harvest festival, Lúnasa are a veritable dream team of Irish musicians whose thrilling groove is found courtesy of former members of the Waterboys and Sharon Shannon's band, on cello, bowed upright bass, and acoustic guitar. Melodies, both poignant and frolicsome, soar on the exceptional wings of fiddle, flute, whistles, and Uilleann pipes. From the warm belly of Celtic tradition, the quartet (rounded out by guest players and piper-whistler Cillian Vallely, a touring member) radiates outward, incorporating elements of jazz improvisation as it swings low and wide, high and tight, delving wholeheartedly into each piece's unique rhythmic pulse. Otherworld, in the unprecedented vernacular of Lúnasa, is nothing short of astonishing. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

A perfect album from start to finish.......2006-08-09

I think you'd be hard pressed to find an album with fewer flaws than Otherworld. Lunasa really delivers on this album and, with the addition of the flute playing Kevin Crawford, really define a modern sound that takes Irish traditional music into the next century.

Traditionalists might gripe about the use of the bass, but I think it really adds depth to the tunes.

If you're either a seasoned veteran or a new fan of Irish traditional music, you'd be doing yourself a huge favor by picking up this album.

Electrifying Not Electric.......2006-05-15

Attempts to drag Irish music into the modern world have regularly involved the welding of heavily-amplified instruments and punk sensibilities onto traditional songs and tunes. The results have often been irksome. In saying that Lunasa play Irish music in a contemporary style, it shouldn't be feared that here is another "weld job".

For a start this Irish quintet boasts some award winning traditional musicians, including fiddler Sean Smyth and flute player Kevin Crawford. Yes there is bass, but it comes in the form of upright (double) bass from former Waterboys member Trevor Hutchinson. His thrumming, highly syncopated style adds a unique flavour to the band. But rhythm seems to exude from them all, whether the percussive acoustic guitar of Donogh Hennessy, the flitting flute of Kevin Crawford or the driving uilleann pipes and whistles of guests John McSherry or Mike McGoldrick.

While fast jigs, reels and hornpipes predominate, contrast is provided by some sweet slow airs and the occasional clever tempo variation within tunes. "Otherworld" offers an outstanding selection of instrumental Irish music that pulsates with life - electrifying without being electric.

Enjoyable and Listenable.......2005-09-30

Two summers ago, my wife and I rented a summer house in County Kerry, along the shore of the Iveragh peninsula. Of course, that meant that we had to eat many meals and drink many glasses of stout (my wife) and shots of Jameson's (me) in the local bars while we listened to local musicians and danced to them as well.

Neither of us were aficionados of Irish music until then. Coming from California, I equated 'Irish' music with the local "Celtic" groups at home that played a limpid New Age/folk pap --short on substance and no muscle at all --Ireland via Windham Hill, if you were.

A month in Ireland changed all that. In the pubs, we heard live, muscular music --it was energizing and great fun. We began experimenting with contemporary Irish recorded music --Christie Moore first, Hammy Hamilton, Con O'Drisceoll and Seamus Creigh, Mary Black (whom we heard live on our last night in Ireland), and, my favorite, KILA.

I left Ireland hooked on the music. Recently, I ordered three more albums by contemporary Irish groups: KILA: Lemonade and Buns --out of circulation, alas!; Lunasa: Otherworlds; and Sharon Shannon: Live in Galway.

In both Sharon Shannon's album and this one by Lunasa, I appreciate the verve that the musicians bring to the songs as well as the exceptionally high level of musical talent.

Lunasa is more adventurous and musically more diverse than Sharon Shannon, blending wood flute, guitar, bass or strings, and (occasionally) pipes. The best of the songs on this album--'Goodbye Miss Goodovich,' 'The Floating Crowbar'-- are exceptional music and every cut on this fine album pleases the ear. Sharon Shannon and her colleagues are more traditional but equally virtuosic. They provide first-rate foot-tapping versions of traditional Irish music.

If I were to differentiate among them, I would say that Lunasa and KILA are the groups I would most like to listen to on my iPod, and Sharon Shannon's is the group I'd hire if I were hosting a dance or party.

Lunasa is outstanding music. It satisfied me both intellectually and viscerally. Why isn't most American pop music as satisfying?

David Keymer
Modesto CA

I cant believe my ears.......2005-03-18

omg. I love all styles of music. Especially screamo and hardcore. But wow. This music
It touches you. I am going to get all the hardcore kids at my school hooked on this music. wow.

Hands-down Lunasa's best.......2005-01-07

Though the first album of theirs I actually purchased was their brilliant debut, the first taste of this incredible group I ever had was the tenth track of this album, the explosive "Lafferty's/Crock of Gold/Lady Birr/Abbey Reel". Years after that first sampling of their outstanding musicianship and innovative arrangements, I now own all their albums save "Kinnitty Sessions", and "Otherworld" outshines them all. While all of Lunasa's arrangements are great fun to listen to, I find they are truly spectacular when it comes to faster pieces: jigs, reels, etc. "Otherworld" has no shortage of these. The group has great talent for beginning with slow airs and building the music up to driving finishes, as seen in tracks 4 and 11. You really can't go wrong with this band if you prefer instrumental music with a traditional Irish flavor, but "Otherworld" clearly demonstrates the pinnacle of their talent and musicianship. Bravo to Lunasa!

Average customer rating:

metallians get ready. eidolon is back and ready to blast you a new one. simply awesome
exceptional "straight for your throat" prog.power metal finally gets a worthy singer
Must-Own Epic Metal Brilliance...
The Parallel Otherworld is Awesome!!!!!!!
Fair enough.

The Parallel Otherworld
Eidolon
Manufacturer: Escapi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Waves of Visual Decay
Nightmare World
Paradise Lost
Beyond Fear
Redivivus

ASIN: B000FIGGIW
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Tracks:

Parallel Otherworld
Areturus #9
External Call
Ghost World
Thousand Winters Old
Spirit Sanctuary
Order of the White Light
Astral Flight
Shadowanderer (Ferdamannen)
Oath

Customer Reviews:

metallians get ready. eidolon is back and ready to blast you a new one. simply awesome.......2006-11-26

metallians i just have got to say that this album clearly shows that eidolon are ready for the future and are continuing to release top notch power metal albums. glen drover has allways been one of my favorite guitarist. his style is pure no holds barred metal, the sound of his distortion is so distinct and sets him apart from others to give him a unique trademark style all his own. the power of his mellodies is unreal.
i love all of eidolons cd's. i was at first angry because former singer brian soulard is no longer with the band. his singing along with glen's guitar was a perfect team and i truly loved his singing. when i heard they had a new singer i was mad but also curious. once i recieved this cd i first played it and i was amazed that they still sound like they should only a little more practiced and in sync. i first heard track# 8 astral flight and i knew right away that the new singer was none other than pagans mind vocalist NILS K RUE. i was blown away. i have allways been a fan of pagans mind. nils brings something new to eidolon. the old singer was great but i must say that nils k rue has really brought out the true potential of this band. nils has a vocal style that is second to none. he is simply one of the most amazing singers in the power metal world. he could turn any band into a master act. metal fans listen to song # 8, astral flight. it sounds so much like pagans mind. glen has created one of the most amazing guitar mellodies of all time for this song. the mellody and the sheer power of this song is worth the price of this cd alone. listen to the main chorus in the middle of the song, it will take your breath away. metallians dont hesitate to buy this and all eidolons cd's, this is a serious band that is not to be overlooked. if you like me love all types of true metal, may it be symphonic, thrashy, speed, mellodic, epic, folk,traditional, or classic power metal i love it all and have since i was 6-7 years old. eidolon take the sounds of king diamond and leige lord, megadeth and metal church, and give it a more modern aggresiveness and more power and push the accellerator to the floor to create a full throttle crunchy mellodic power metal style all their own. and now with the addition of pagans mind vocalist nils k rue they are at the top of their game, all other metal bands take note, eidolon are back and are sure to give you plenty of competition. also if you truly love power metal check out silent force, grave digger, arwen,freternia,cryonic temple,dream evil, rhapsody, running wild, pink cream 69, wolf,paragon,rob rock, and well there are hundreds more i could list. and absolutely don't forget the classics like sacred oath, manilla road, attacker, tyran pace,and well you get the picture. metallians, brothers and sisters in metal, this is brandon whitson of north carolina saying goodbye and keep the flame burning. also crank some hammerfall for me and no matter what, don't over look eidolon or you will regret it.

exceptional "straight for your throat" prog.power metal finally gets a worthy singer.......2006-10-03

Owning three previous Eidolon records in the recent years since Nightmare World, i never really questioned the band's exceptionalism in power and thrash metal capability.Glen Drover's use of keyboards and synthesizers added a refreshing bit of prog metal virtuosity to technical songs in the nature of Nevermore, Evergrey, and to an extent Dream Theater.The Drover brothers hit hard and Eidolon is balls to the wall heavy music, bottom line.But the one thing i always had a peave about was the band's choice of vocalist, Brian Soulard, on those records.It is clear to even an occasional rock, non-metal listener that this guy had weak vocal rage and virtually no "balls"(voice presence) to fit the heaviness of Eidolon's music.The guy sounded feeble and out of place (imagine today's Roger Daltrey or Davide Coverdale trying to fit the vocal demands of a modern day power metal crusher like Susperia or Iced Earth...doesnt happen!).So I often wondered why the Drover brothers kept Soulard around for more than one or two records.Anyway that being said, i was extremely happy that a new vocalist, Nils K. Rue of Pagans Mind, was chosen for singing tasks of The Parallel Otherword.In contrast to Soulard, Nils is completely able to cut thru with his voice presence, accenting Glen Drover's riffing and Shawn Drover's pounding double bass perfectly. Nil's voice rings similair to that of Warrell Dane of Nevermore, a hint of Ronnie James Dio, and of the current singer of Astral Doors, Patrick Nils. Worthy tracks on this CD include the epic 7 minute opener,Parrallel Otherworld with a beautiful clean guitar and keyboard break midway,the piledriving heaviness of External Call and Thousand Winters Old, and the return of Glen Drover's "shake hands with Dave Mustaine" style phrasing on Order Of The White Light, Astral Flight, and Shadowanderer (Ferdamannen).I'd have to say that filling in for the lead guitar slot on Megadeth's last world tour quite obviously fed the man more than a few refreshing ideas of thrash metal fretwork...and you can definitely see these are put on the table spinning this CD.This is a good first record with a great singer if you are new to Eidolon.However if you are just one of those that doesnt buy the latest CD to get into a band, Apostles Of Defiance is a decent sampling of Brian Soulard era Eidolon.Do yourself a favor and go out and get The Parrallel Otherworld.No dissapointments there!

Must-Own Epic Metal Brilliance..........2006-09-26

I have been a giant progressive metal fan since early Metallica and the criminally underappreciated Death and Watchtower through Dream Theater to today, when a resurgence in metal's popularity has brought many talented bands out of the woodwork. Eidolon is one of the better new prog-metal bands out there....I would describe them as similiar to Nevermore in style, lyrical content and mood but with much more progressive songwriting elements and a more power-metal style singer(who is absolutely amazing, by the way). The dark, sci-fi/fantasy theme of the album is interesting and cool, and they write long, epic and progressive songs with many instrumental breaks and interludes. What really gets me by the throat on this disc, however, is the talent of both guitar players....they churn out precise, technical and super heavy riff after riff, seemingly without end- you could build three great metal albums off of the killer riffs in this one. They're spiraling, fluid playing style is similiar to Symphony X and (as mentioned) Nevermore. Very, very cool guitar work. I need to pick up some of this band's older releases. A must-own epic for fans of the prog-metal genre.

The Parallel Otherworld is Awesome!!!!!!!.......2006-07-14

If you want to hear some great heavy prog metal this album is for you. Acrobatic vocals, precise drumming, and awesome guitar playing. It has is all with some killer songs.

Fair enough........2006-06-26

Eidolon, great sound great music. I'm very satisfied with this album and would highly recommend it to anyone that likes any kind of rock music. Quality music for almost no money.

Average customer rating:

Root, Heart & Crown
Kristin Sweetland
Manufacturer: Arbora Vita Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00009LVY9
Release Date: 2003-12-30

Tracks:

O Quanta Qualia
Abbess
Copper Kettle
Battle Hymn
Above Hotevilla
Fall Down the Ground
O Leander
Ladybird
Hermetica
Black Lavender
Creeping Jenny
Clementine
Bright Morning Stars
Chaconne

Average customer rating:

Sonic Spirit
Otherworld
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000FSMSDO
Release Date: 2006-03-21

Tracks:

Blind Ambition
Automatic
Hold On
She's Got Me
We Are One
I Really Want to Know
Rock 'N Roll Machine
All I Need
My Eternity
Mr. Sun
Closer to You
Blind Ambition - Acoustic

Average customer rating:

Review by Scott of Morrigan Records
Progressive and Psychedelic - Summerland

Summerland
Polly Moller
Manufacturer: Silver Wheel Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Spoken Word | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Aurora
Don Dorcha's Revel
Io
Black Rock Desert Rain
One of Our Submarines
Gaoth Barra nDTonn
Blood Sugar
Arboretum
Pelen Tan
The Song of Coinchend Cennfada

Album Description

A complete otherworld experience of poetry, flutistry, and mystical avant-pop, drawing upon the avant-garde flute, electronic drums, intriguing spoken words, and ethereal songwriting.

Customer Reviews:

Review by Scott of Morrigan Records.......2000-08-03

If you couldn't handle Polly's debut album, you probably shouldn't bother with this one. Polly's soundscapes are as eerie, her playing as amazing (bordering on Hendrixian), and her poetic subjects as obscure. This time around, there are some slight nods at more "commercial" sounds, especially in her cover of Thomas Dolby's classic "One of Our Submarines", which Polly casts, after an unaccompanied vocal verse, in minimalist bass and drum backing with her flute handling the original synth lead lines. Summerland also dives deeper into the Celtic waters which were hinted at on her first album - not musically, but lyrically, with songs about the obscure Irish death god ("Don Dorcha's Revel") and the much-sought-after Deirdre ("Blood Sugar"), as well as a Gaelic tune by Diarmit MacDiarma ("Gaoth Barra ndTonn"). One of the most interesting tunes on the album is the opener "Aurora", which describes the return of the dawn goddess as a jet plane(!). Again, Polly does what only she can - or perhaps is willing to - do.

Scott's picks: "Don Dorcha's Revel", "Pelen Tan"

Progressive and Psychedelic - Summerland.......1999-11-25

Unique and uninhibited by the pop and main stream music industry, Polly Moller has released her second compact disk. As with her first album, she is blending progressive, psychedelic, Celtic, and ambient music with psychedelic and mythic lyrics to create an intriguing mental landscape. Each of Polly's CDs are abrupt introductions to a world of imagery, both surreal and thought provoking.

In her most recent CD, _Summerland_, the musical influences are more clear than on her previous album, _Taste_The_Wall_. Although I did enjoy the artistic cacophony of the earlier album, the new works are easier to relax with, listen to, and absorb on a mental level. The relationship of the bass (played by Jordan Avon of Oblivious Scientist), drums, and the lead flute complement the sung and spoken lyrics exquisitely, creating a fitting coating to help the listener ingest the story. The mood and tone of each song seems to fit the story associated with it.

There may not be any one track quite as harsh or as driving as "keeny zuke", "aerodynamic", or "taste the wall" on this new album, but the best stories from the last album are matched on almost every track of _Summerland_ as the listener is mesmerized by the overall theme. "Io" is the Greek tragedy of a maiden transformed into a cow who climbs Mount Olympus to seek help from Zeus and Hermes. "The Song of Coinchend Cennfada" is a tune with hard rhythms depicting the Celtic saga of Art McConn from the antagonist's point of view.

Music lovers who enjoy progressive rock and ambient techno are likely to enjoy the musical styling of _Summerland_. Those who appreciate avant-garde vocals will enjoy the vocal styling used on Polly Moller's albums. Fans of Miranda Sex Garden and His Name Is Alive are likely to enjoy the blend of instruments used for this new album, as well as the artistic cacophony of the first album.

Daniel Sanford -freelance reviewer

Chapter One
Average customer rating:

FANTASTIC NIGHT GOA TRANCE

Chapter One

Manufacturer: OtherWorld Transmission
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0002X6D38

Customer Reviews:

FANTASTIC NIGHT GOA TRANCE.......2006-05-19

This album is hard hitting Psychedelic Goa Trance. It reminds me of the Dragonfly Label releases !!

Really great!

Average customer rating:

Otherworld
Medium
Manufacturer: MEDIUM
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA8NPM
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Tracks:

Red Door
Mirror Mirror
Wisdom Bride
Vision of Home

Average customer rating:

Celtic Legends - Inspirations
Otherworld
Manufacturer: Box Tree Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000J400UC

Product Description

Tracks If You Believe, Light a Candle in Your Mind, Reach for Tomorrow,A Little Bit of Hope, Inner Peace, Wasted Years, Love Child, Eternal Dream, The Rugged Old Cross, It Would Be Good, Innocent Eyes, It Comes From within My Heart, Mu Visit to the Mountain, The Crossing

Average customer rating:

Otherworld Technologies
Yavin 4
Manufacturer: Negative Gain
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00085ETS6
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Tracks:

Republic of Voices
Soild Extension
Traveller
Dream Operator
Red5
Plasma Sleep
Alien Intruder
Liberate Tutemae (Ex Inferis)
Sacred Air (2004 A.D.)
We Have Electric Sheep
Yavin's Orbit
Soild Extension (Retro Mix by Pzychobitch)
Traveller (Virtual Server Mix by Dj Ram)
Alien Intruder (Onboard Mix by Crucifrom Injection)
Sacred Air (Future-pop Mix by Yavin 4)

Product Description

Hailing from Germany, Yavin 4 are the official side project of T.O.Y keyboardist Oliver Taranczewski and Stefan Voigt of future pop band PLASTIC. On "Otherworld Technologies" they deliver ambitious electronic soundscapes combined with modern D&B grooves and industrial edginess to create a unique electronic sound,similar to older Evils Toy and Haujobb. Overall "Otherworld Technologies" offers a synthetic landscape of tightly programmed beats, modern electronic influences and dancefloor industrial overtones - a great collaboration!