If_Then_Else

If_Then_Else

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Brilliant Symphonic Black Metal from the Holland outfit, originally released in 2000. 11 tracks. Century Media. 2003.

Tracks:

Rollercoaster
Shot To Pieces
Amity
Bad Movie Scene
Colorado Incident
Beautiful War
Analog Park
Herbal Movement
Saturnine
Morphia's Waltz
Pathfinder

Album Description

Brilliant Symphonic Black Metal from the Holland outfit, originally released in 2000. 11 tracks. Century Media. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

It's just a frame of mind.......2007-05-21

If_Then_Else is widely considered The Gathering's finest work to date, and I'm not in disagreement with that statement either. There's enough semblance to earlier works which keep things from getting dull but there's also huge growth and sure signs of The Gathering spreading their wings musically as well. With three albums under Anneke's belt at the release of this, she's never sounded better or stronger. As for the rest of the guys, if you've heard any previous record you kind of know what to expect. However, If_Then_Else is truly where they really start experimenting and tweaking their sound.

New to The Gathering? You just found your starting place. While Mandylion is by my definition a classic, and Nighttime Birds is an excellent listen as well, nothing will prepare you more for what they sound like nowadays than this CD right here. It's no secret Anneke isn't afraid to let the guys take over a song and I think If_Then_Else is where that really became apparent. How To Measure A Planet? is chock full of songs containing NO vocals and Souvenirs, while being more to the point, is just as adventurous as well.

Looking for that harder-edged version of The Gathering? Songs like Rollercoaster, Shot To Pieces, and Colorado Incident are all right up your alley. On the other side of the coin though, songs like Bad Movie Scene, Analog Park, Herbal Movement, and Saturnine are tell-tale signs of growth on everyone's behalf. Oh, and it happens in every CD they've released with Anneke at the helm, that one part in that one song where her voice just raises every hair on your body because of its beauty. What's the song? Bad Movie Scene.

My favorite songs are Rollercoaster, Bad Movie Scene, Colorado Incident, Saturnine, and Pathfinder. With each further CD The Gathering releases it seems they're competing with no one other than themselves. They're clearly in a league of their own and they have a fanbase that is only growing, knowing that alone should at least pique your interest enough to check them out. Starting here wouldn't be a bad idea either. Happy listening!

Forget a Best Of Album...Just Get This.......2007-04-16

This album is a must have for any Gathering fan, or any fan of progressive metal/rock for that matter. While not their quintessential release (that title belongs to Mandylion), this album sounds like they took the best sounds from their previous hits and meshed them together into a seemless cascade of songs. If you like every era of the Gathering, then this album is for you. It synthesizes their heavier sound with their more experimental/prog style nicely.

This is my favorite album from The Gathering in terms of the overall feel of it. If you are new to The Gathering, I recommend this album along with Mandylion and/or Nighttime Birds. The good thing about this album is it showcases everything the band has done. If you like the proggier songs, then you might want to try out How To Measure A Planet. I prefer the heavier, hence I also recommend Nighttime Birds and Mandylion.

Above average.......2006-11-10

We usually buy most of our cds for one or two songs.The rest is very often quite indifferent.This is not the case in this cd. All the songs are good and you can play the cd many times from the first to the last song without feeling the urge to change it.
In my opinion the best song is No.9 "Saturnine" which I rate with a 5, but all the other songs do not fall below 4.
If you are familiar with the music of the Gathering, it is certain that you will enjoy "If_Then_Else". If you are not familiar with their music, this is the best choise to start.

Their most rewarding album .......2006-02-13

I remember being not too impressed with If_Then_Else when I first heard it back in 2000. After their wildly successful (both musically and commercially) albums Mandylion and Nighttime Birds, The Gathering certainly hinted that they were on the verge of starting a new chapter in their career, which was signalled with the release of How to Measure a Planet.

If_Then_Else came across as a confusing album at first, but each passing year has attested to the depth and richness it actually has to offer. This might quite possibly be one of their most mature and melodically powerful releases in their history. The songs are captured with deep wall-of-sound production that recalls Radiohead's OK Computer. Anneke van Giersbergen's beautiful and irresistible voice is delicately doubled in some pieces, such as the poignant "Rollercoaster", a song with thick guitar textures and slightly electronic keyboards. Anneke's voice comes at you from all different directions, overlapping and harmonising with itself and creating a dreamy atmosphere. The same technique is utilised on the minimalist "Analog Park"; clever doubling is added to the piano-driven piece to help build sections amidst throbbing bass and guitar feedback. It took me several years to see how complex some of these songs actually are -- far more complex and thought-out than the albums preceding it (speaking of this, you must give Souvenirs another careful listen if you thought it wasn't as strong as their mid-90's stuff). The band explores the parameters of post-rock combined with exceptional vocals and acoustic guitars on "Bad Movie Scene" and the more sampled, somewhat industrial "Herbal Movement", where waves of distorted synth sounds marry soaring vocals and serene atmospheres.

"Shot to Pieces" and "Colorado Incident" are more upbeat tracks with heavier rhythm guitars playing a bigger role. The string arrangements and lush organ sounds serve to thicken the infinitely layered soundscapes, while "Saturnine" is the ear-candy pop lament where Anneke's voice is worth dying for. Actually her control and pitch on this album quite possibly surpass anything she did before, if listened with an open mind. Another incredible tune is "Amity", highlighted by great percussion work, intense synth blanketing, sad violin melodies, and deep, Ulverian guitars. The band's short instrumental piece "Beautiful War" is a hybrid of rocking guitar and bass, cello, trombon, and French horn. How all these instruments come together and form such a cohesive piece in only 2:31 is beyond me.

Zlaya Hadzich deserves a medal for his production on this disc. I've always been fond of the sonic quality of The Gathering's music, but Hadzich truly outdid himself with If_Then_Else reaching his peak with the much overlooked Souvenirs. Not only did he help The Gathering find their new, fresh sound, but he also rendered the songs impeccably transparent and fluid during the recording process.

At any rate, this is very highly recommended and one of their most rewarding albums in the long run.

The Gathering : "If_Then_Else".......2005-11-19

***** - FIVE STARS
===================

My personal favorite Gathering release. Very cooooooool. This is without question one of the most unique Gathering offerings to date. I simply can't get enough of this, it's better than "Mandylion" in my opinion too. I'm blown away. Some of the coooooolest sounding music I've ever heard. The Gathering are incredible when it comes to inovating fresh sounds and new directions. "If_Then_Else" is proof of that without question. Have I said how cooooool this release is???....

Buy it with the upmost confidence....

Average customer rating:

Ethno-Fusion
Techno World Groove
Soothing like Seattle rain
Soothing like Seattle rain
Soothing like Seattle rain

If Then...Else
Candice Pacheco
Manufacturer: Rgb/Hos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music
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Vortex - Quantum Gate II: Original Soundtrack, From The Virtual Cinema Interactive Movie

ASIN: B000003Z8O
Release Date: 1996-08-06

Tracks:

If Then...
Sola Ban
Inside The Oval
Jagabadai
In The Never Rose
Habitat 13
In Two & Then
...Else
Rest Ego
With The Light Still On
Yin Yang

Product Description

1. If Then...
2. Sola Ban
3. Inside The Oval
4. Jagabadai
5. In The Never Rose
6. Habitat
7. In Two & Then
8. Else...
9. Rest Ego
10. With The Light Still On
11. Yin Yang

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Ethno-Fusion.......2006-01-31

I was quite surprised by this CD. I found it here for pennies in the Amazon used section. From all appearances of the cover art, it looks like something from an 80's girl-pop group. The graphic-artist responsible for this mistake clearly never listened to the music! Thank God I was familiar enough with the band D'Cuckoo to recognize Candace Pacheco's name. Her "percussive" vocalizing is ever-present in this solo album.

This CD is an excellent blend of organic beats and tribal vocals sampled with electronic studio production. For those fond of the world electro beats found in Brainscape, Tulku, James Asher, and CyberTribe, imagine overlaying these sounds with native-influenced feminine vocals, especially African.

The album works as a whole and should be listened as such, but standouts are Jägabadai, In Two & Then, Inside The Oval, and a most curious lyrical mantra, Rest Ego. As it is, there isn't a cut that I ever skip. It's surprising for a 10 year old album to hold my interest like this. Upbeat and a pleasure.

Techno World Groove.......2001-11-08

Candice Pacheco, one of the co-founders of the all woman techno/art/music ensemble D'Cuckoo, turns in a solid disc of techno world groove music.

I am not overly fond of the basic genre to which this type of music belongs - i.e. rave/techno. But Ms. Pacheco's use of cross cultural rhythms and vocals, and her interesting transformations through digital sampling of instruments such as the flute and the oud create a post-modern, cool and sometimes bubbly, global silicon groove that simply works for me.

And, in case you were wondering, the liner notes explain that the title of this disc ("if then. . .else") is taken from some programming code originally used in a D'Cuckoo track.

Soothing like Seattle rain.......2000-10-09

I bought this in Seattle at a little place downtown. I also bought Deseo Remixes. They were both extremely good with the Seattle rain soothing my soul. That was four years ago. I still love the Seattle rain and both of these CD's.

Get em...you'll love it

Soothing like Seattle rain.......2000-10-09

Get em...you'll love it

Soothing like Seattle rain.......2000-10-09

Tracks:

Fever/Caught a Touch of Your Love
Never-Never Land
Every Night I Sleep with an Angel
The Way You Look Tonight
Boom Boom
Petite Southern Woman
I Cover the Waterfront
I'm Only Sleeping
Everything
Me and Mrs. Jones
Twisted
Bird on the Wire
Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuss

Product Description

Joan Crowes debut album Bird on a Wire walks an electrifying line, fusing jazz with a nest of musical styles. Whether putting a gospe l groove to Leonard Cohens song for the title track or a Reggae beat to the obscure Beatles tune, Im Only Sleeping; this album exemplifies her creative flights of fancy. She puts her sensual, soldering iron to work when she melds Peggy Lees Fever with Diane Shures I Caught a Touch of your Love. Her jazzy renditions of Never Never Land and Everything will make you believe that this lullaby and pop tune were always meant to swing. She will seduce you with her sexy, soulful voice on the country ballad Every Night I Sleep with an Angel, then have you tapping your feet to her original tune, Petite Southern Woman. Her smokey voice feels almost translucent on the sentimental The Way You Look Tonight and aches with longing on the haunting I Cover the Waterfront. This MAC award winner for comedy allows her wry sense of humor to enchant you throughout, but it comes through particularly strong on the whimsical Boom Boom, and Twisted. Joan weaves a unique artistic home by building her musical nest with a little jazz, a little country and a dose of whimsy all held together with an honest voice, and a genuine joy of singing. This lovely Crowe walks a fine line indeed balancing on this wire!

Customer Reviews:

New Voice.......2007-07-17

I heard about this singer while in New York City recently. They told me she was a hit at Birdland.Listened to a pod cast and now bought the CD. Keep your eye on this talent.

Average customer rating:

Private Times in Public Places
Slow Six
Manufacturer: If Then Else Records
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
ASIN: B00066FOHW
Release Date: 2004-05-15

Tracks:

This Is Your Last Chance (Before I Sleep)
Evening Without Atonement
The Lines We Walked When We Walked Once Together

Average customer rating:

Good Stuff!
Most Groovy
Put it on and get it on!

Snowflakes
Cobalt Minor
Manufacturer: Brownlee Boogie Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005UPJ7
Release Date: 2001-12-10

Tracks:

anytime soon
lucky
valentine
wakin' up
lesser than
you're so different
never any trouble
3 words away
skinny
change
no lullaby
how can you love me?

Album Description

If you only buy one album this year, don't do it. Use the money for more important things, like food, shelter, etc. If you plan to buy two, make this one of them. The music is infectious and clever. The lyrics deal with cheerful subjects like despair, aging, loneliness, pop life shallowness, and lust. Buy it for the cut "valentine". A dark brooding song that deals with your first realization that love really is cruel. This is the album that you will want to turn your friends onto. It's also the one that you'll deny digging if they tell you first.

Customer Reviews:

Good Stuff!.......2002-10-25

I picked this CD up on a whim (a really cool cover) and I've not been disapointed. This CD is retro enough (2 guitars, bass, drums, occasional piano) for an old fart liked me but updated enough to be played on modern rock radio stations. If other influential musical groups seem similar, I would say T. Rex, Donovan, and the Wallflowers. Lyrics are highly insightful and interesting. A great CD to turn your friend onto.

Most Groovy.......2002-01-17

Finally a moody introspective record with lyrics that make you truly think about love or the lack of it without pandering to the bubblegum crowd. "Anytime Soon" is a great rave up rock tune. My favorite is "Valentine" a timeless tune about a first crush and proof that nothing really changes after the 5th grade. "Skinny" is a cool tune that reveals the sinister side of america's obsession with beauty. Overall a very hip first effort by these multitalented slightly cynical songsters. This cd has a very cinematic feel to it and i wouldn't be at all surprised to hear "Valentine" in a film someday.

Put it on and get it on!.......2002-01-17

I really dig this CD. It has some hip riffs that reverberate Beatle flare with the groovy sounds of today.

If you're into some cool tunes, put this one in your shopping basket today.

Acapulco Orange
Average customer rating:
Acapulco Orange
Infinite Helix
Manufacturer: Automatic Consumption Machine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAH5HY
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

I Am the Data
Escape Is Possible
Acapulco Orange
Just Because...
Ally
She's a Bit Neurotic
Silhouette
Industrial Dream
Child of the Bomb
Berlin Firewall
Melt Under the Sun
Irate Primate
I Think I've Been Deceived
We Are Building a God
Fashism
Murder!

Average customer rating:

If_Then_Else
The Gathering
Manufacturer: EMI/Century Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000AAVF1S
Release Date: 2006-07-17

Tracks:

Rollercoaster
Shot to Pieces
Amity
Bad Movie Scene
Colorado Incident
Beautiful War
Analog Park
Herbal Movement
Saturnine
Morphia's Waltz
Pathfinder

Average customer rating:

This is what I want
Excellent Album

If_Then_Else
The Gathering
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004U56F
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

Rollercoaster
Shot to Pieces
Amity
Bad Movie Scene
Colorado Incident
Beautiful War
Analog Park
Herbal Movement
Saturnine
Morphia's Waltz
Pathfinder

Album Description

Limited edition box-set version of the Dutch rock act's sixth album. Box features exclusive artwork, digipak version of 'If Then Else', a free poster and sticker. 11 future hard rock classics featuring the talented and charismatic vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen. Includes the first single 'Rollercoaster'. 2000 release. 5 1/2' X 5' box.

Album Details

Strictly Limited Edition Packaged in a Digipak (Cardboard Box). Includes a Poster with Exclusive Motiv.

Customer Reviews:

This is what I want.......2000-07-19

After their previous album (How to measure a planet) I thought The Gathering had had their best days. But when I heard the first song of this album (for download on their website) I could'nt wait for the album to be released. And it is good, the nice heavy guitars are back and I really like it this way. Keep up the good work!

Excellent Album.......2000-07-15

The Gathering have come a long way. But I think this is their best album to date. In being an artist myself I can see and enjoy the changes they have gone through to reach this point. I like this album very much and I hope they get the distribution and air play that they rightfully deserve.

Average customer rating:

If_Then_Else
Gathering , and The
Manufacturer: Century Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000LX1RJY

Average customer rating:

If Then Else
Gathering
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000BRHRV2
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Music Track: