TheMann
Group: Members
Posts: 103
Joined: June 2004 |
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Posted: Oct. 22 2009, 07:07 |
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I can't stand some of the other posts found here, and starts a new more appropriate one (in case Mike sneaks in to have a look).
I think we should focus on the best parts of TSODE.
They are severely underestimated, and belong to the History of music. The intro with Bill Anders from Apollo 8, then Let There Be Light, and the first say 2 minutes of track 3... WONDERFUL!!!
To me, an absolute magnificent contribution by Mike; such a feeling, spirit, such a balance in fine details. Billion times more interesting than 99.999% of the music produced in the 20th century.
Then, Mike adds something highly innovative in the transition between track 6 and 7. The pretty simplistic track 6 becomes in the end very telling: we hear Life in form of birds etc, overlaid with the monotone computer sound; we understand that it is in the spirit of Clarkes book, the Life is extinct on Earth and must artificially be carried for 1000s of years to other stars; this is the sound between tracks 6 and 7. Then when 7 starts, it is the attempt to 'unzip' the Life again in another part of the galaxy. And musically, I think track 7 is as rythmical, hyphnotical, as the final of Ommadawn. Although not so aggressive, of course, but of similar great quality. A true MASTERPIECE MIKE!
And the first 2.5 minutes of Track 16 is again one of the finest moments in the history of music. Mike paints a picture of these newly created civilisations attempting to communicate through the vast universe; his guitar sends messages out in the void, "WE ARE HERE! WE SURVIVED!! WE DID IT! ANYBODY OUT THERE?"
Play that part loud 1000 times !
MY GOD, how strong the best parts are. Let us focus on this and forget some less inspired parts. I LOVE MIKE for TSODE.
I remember how I actually didn't understand any of it when it came out in 94'... I hated it for some time. Typical of Mike, breaking new ground, forcing us to reconsider. By 95' I was completely lost in TSODE, played it 1000 times. I consider the parts described here as the absolute highlight of Mikes entire output, together with some other moments on e.g., MOTS (I DIE everytime Shabda is introduced. best theme I heard IN MY LIFE). Actually I like all of MOTS, to me it is the most successful work seen all-in-all. But there are incredable material on most other releases of Mike.
Some parts are never discussed at all; how about the lonely guitar the first slow minutes on Track 4 of "Light" (2005)? How great is this!
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Actually, NASA is putting a lot of effort into getting solar sails to work. What is not well known is that while plans to get to Mars have been put on hold, there are serious plans to get to Phobos, which would cost far less money.