Search - Murcof :: Utopia

Give it time, it will pay

clipitar | Washington DC | 11/19/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some CDs need to be listened to 4 or 5 times before you like them. It's definitly the case with Murcof's latest collection, an assemblage of remixes and new stuff. It's minimal electronic music, so don't expect to be blown away by the grooves, they're very subtle. The closest thing to a regular technoid song here is Sutekh's remix of Memoria, and it's guaranteed to be your favorite track -- at least at the beginning. But keep listening to the whole album and somehow you'll gradually get mesmerized by its atmosphere. This is the perfect antidote to the so-called "lounge" music, which is getting dramatically passe and overly commercial. If you like it, or if you're unsure about this CD and want to try something more accessible yet in the same genre, get your hands on the Leaf Label low-price sampler called "Delivery Room". Best quality/price ratio in ages."

Another welcome Murcof offering

Rinchen Choesang | Melbourne, Australia | 11/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
The only reason I rate this lower than the superb 'Martes' is that this is more of a concept/collaboration album. So whereas 'Martes' hangs together as an album absolutely immaculately and each track is a standout, this is naturally more episodic. That being said, every track has something to offer lovers of the Martes style and indeed to those who like intellectually stimulating electronica.



To have interpretations of Murcof from such electronica luminaries as Sutekh and Colleen is fabulous. Each of the collaborator's individual styles complement the Murcof 'ambience'. Especially in the Colleen instance, this can become musical genius feeding off and enhancing musical genius.



While the Sutekh and Colleen interpretations and the Murcof original 'Una' are the standouts here, the cerebral 'electro-symphonic' Murcof style illuminates every track. This is a fabulous album and well worth the very modest price.



As an earlier reviewer mentioned, the Leaf label sampler 'Delivery Room' (which includes the Sutekh track and 'Una' from this CD) is an incredible bargain. Lovers of the Murcof style will find much else to enjoy there for a ridiculously low price! Another Leaf sampler worth a listen (albeit not freely available now?) is 'Osmosis' - at times more beat-driven, but another excellent snapshot of Leaf artists' talents for a minimal outlay.



HAPPY LISTENING!



"

More murky goodness from murcof

somethingexcellent | Lincoln, NE United States | 09/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Twas just over a year ago that one Fernando Corona dropped his amazingly solid debut of Martes on my unsuspecting ears and made me a quick fan. With his blend of low-end beat programming and his love of cinematic strings, it was like a match made in heaven for me. Utopia is sort of a stepping-stone release from him that contains 4 new tracks and 7 remixes from some seriously talented individuals to help round out the mix.



Taken from a recent single of the same name, the epic of "Ulysses" opens the release and although all the familiar elements are there, Corona seems to make everything sound new again. Building ever-so-slowly, the track blends ever-harsher electronic pulses with soft strings before the track cracks at just past the halfway point and begins rumbling with a minimal dancefloor beat. "Urano" takes things in a slightly more experimental direction, opening with low string bows and clicks before melting into a creepy finale that sounds like one of the darker tracks from The Last Temptation Of Christ soundtrack.



Of the new tracks, it's "Una" that's probably the most beautiful. Looping string swells and a female chorus section, the track sputters along with plenty of glitch before finally locking into a percolating rhythm. Elsewhere on the disc, everyone else has their way with the tracks and standouts include the stunning "Muim" (stripped-down and fluttered into soft wings by Colleen), the splattery glitch workout of "Memoria" by Sutekh and the jet-black washes of crushed sound by Deathprod.



With other excellent mixes turned in by Jan Jelinek, Fax, and Icarus, there's a absolute wealth of material and fortunately it's very nearly all immaculately done. With 32 minutes of new music from Murcof and well over 40 minutes of remixes, it should be enough to hold you over until his forthcoming full-length (due in a couple months) arrives. After hearing this, I can't wait.



(from almostcool music reviews)"