Orblivion
| Orblivion | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by The Orb | ||||
| Released | 24 February 1997 | |||
| Recorded | May 1996 | |||
| Genre | Electronica, dub | |||
| Length | 72:00 | |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Producer | Alex Paterson, Thomas Fehlmann | |||
| The Orb chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Chicago Tribune | [2] |
| Down Beat |  [3] |
| Muzik | 8/10[4] |
| Pitchfork | 9.3/10[5] |
| Rolling Stone | [6] |
| Select | 4/5[7] |
| Spin | 8/10[8] |
Orblivion is the fourth studio album by English electronic music group The Orb, released on 24 February 1997 by Island Records. With the album, The Orb, reunited with Andy Hughes and Steve Hillage, returned to their spacy sounds typical of U.F.Orb.
Though Orblivion was recorded in May 1996, it was not released until almost a year later, due to Island Records' desire to promote it as a follow up to U2's techno-rock album Pop.[9] Orblivion sold very well in Europe as well as the United States, reaching number 19 on the UK Albums Chart and number 174 on the Billboard 200,[10] while the first Orblivion single, "Toxygene", became the highest charting single by The Orb, reaching number 4 in the UK on 8 February 1997.
Orblivion received a lukewarm reception from British music critics despite high sales,[11] but similarly to the case of Orbus Terrarum, it received better praise from American critics, including Rolling Stone, who called it a "scintillating contrast of chaos and euphony".[6] To support the album, The Orb embarked on the Organic Tour with Orbital, Meat Beat Manifesto, Underworld, Zion Train, and The Chemical Brothers. The Village Voice described The Orb as "on its way down" and the stresses of touring sat heavily on member Alex Paterson, but The Orb decided not to "pack it in" and instead continued touring and producing.[12] The Orb then released the second Orblivion single, "Asylum".
Orblivion features many samples, including "72", which features a clip from Hair proclaiming "the youth of America on LSD!". The track "S.A.L.T." is based on samples taken from Mike Leigh's film Naked,[13] which features rantings from the main character's apocalyptic preaching.[14]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Delta MKII" | 7:00 |
| 2. | "Ubiquity" | 6:13 |
| 3. | "Asylum" | 5:19 |
| 4. | "Bedouin" | 4:31 |
| 5. | "Molten Love" | 6:39 |
| 6. | "Pi" | 1:05 |
| 7. | "S.A.L.T." | 7:54 |
| 8. | "Toxygene" | 5:19 |
| 9. | "Log of Deadwood" | 1:13 |
| 10. | "Secrets" | 5:32 |
| 11. | "Passing of Time" | 9:27 |
| 12. | "72" (ends at 0:06; starting at 5:06 is a hidden track which runs for 6:37) | 11:43 |
| 2008 expanded edition bonus disc | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Delta MK II" (Love Bites Mix) | 14:20 |
| 2. | "Bedouin" (The Sheik's Film Mix) | 10:04 |
| 3. | "Log of Deadwood" (Implanting Machines Mix) | 1:24 |
| 4. | "Secrets" (I Love a Woman in Uniform Mix) | 8:25 |
| 5. | "Passing of Time" (Ambient Mix) | 9:03 |
| 6. | "Molten Love" (Orbits of Venus Mix) | 12:24 |
| 7. | "S.A.L.T." (Snow Mix) | 9:19 |
| 8. | "Toxygene" (Kris Needs Up for a Fortnight Mix) | 7:14 |
| 9. | "Asylum" (Soul Catcher Mix) | 7:29 |
References
- ↑ Cooper, Sean. "Orblivion – The Orb". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- ↑ Kot, Greg (18 April 1997). "The Orb: Orblivion (Island)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- ↑ "The Orb: Orblivion". Down Beat: 64. July 1997.
Orblivion focuses on what they do best: the elaborate construction and deconstruction of grooves.... sophisticated and inventive, but also playful.
- ↑ Push (March 1997). "The Orb: Orblivion (Island)". Muzik (22): 109.
- ↑ Schreiber, Ryan. "The Orb: Orblivion". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 7 March 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- 1 2 Wiederhorn, Jon (19 March 1997). "The Orb: Orblivion". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- ↑ Perry, Andrew (March 1997). "The Orb: Orblivion". Select (81): 110.
- ↑ Gehr, Richard (May 1997). "The Orb: Orblivion". Spin. 13 (2): 111–12. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- ↑ Shih, Howard (August 1997). "The Orb – Interview". Perfect Sound Forever. Retrieved 11 October 2006.
- ↑ "The Orb". Billboard. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
- ↑ Silva, Joe (1 February 2001). "Living in Orblivion". Remix Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006.
- ↑ Berkowitz, Kenny (November–December 1997). "Minimal Impact". Option.
- ↑ "The Orb: Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, May 9, 1997". Rolling Stone. 16 May 1997. Archived from the original on 9 May 2006. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
- ↑ Thompson, Stephen (29 March 2002). "Orb: Orblivion". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
External links
- Orblivion at Discogs
- Orblivion at MusicBrainz