1996 sophomore album for experimental rock act featuring bassist Paul Webb and drummer Lee Harris, formerly of Talk Talk. Described as, 'a seducing mixture of hypnotic techno rhythms, pan-ethnic sounds and ear-grabbing sam... more »ples'. Standard jewel case.« less
1996 sophomore album for experimental rock act featuring bassist Paul Webb and drummer Lee Harris, formerly of Talk Talk. Described as, 'a seducing mixture of hypnotic techno rhythms, pan-ethnic sounds and ear-grabbing samples'. Standard jewel case.
""Fields and Waves," .O.Rang's followup to the album "Herd of Instict," seems a masterpiece in so many ways. Paul Webb and Lee Harris, formerly of the 80s group Talk Talk, bring a wonderful array of exotic instruments into a sort of bluesy, electronic atmosphere. They even create their own "instruments" using programming, layering, and lots of expirimentation. Some ".O.riginal Treated Instruments" include acoustic guitars and basses. Some tracks include the kindly layered "P.53," the groovy "Jalap" and the fun piece, "Hoo." This album is a great accomplishment by Webb and Harris, just as Herd of Instinct is. Anyone who's a fan of Talk Talk should listen to this disc, as should followers of industrial artists such as Tool and nine inch nails.-Bill Washburn (indigae)"
An outstanding release from the rhythm section of Talk Talk.
Milo D. Cooper | San Diego, California, USA | 04/29/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"_Fields & Waves_ is even better than O Rang's first release, _Herd of Instinct_. Like its predecessor, this set of songs is best described as a successful mixture of several genres of music that focus on rock and, to a lesser but still very significant and immediately noticeable extent, ambient, jungle, and house music. The entire first half of the CD is a tour de force, with non-stop excellent tracks coming in a refreshing, highly inventive, rhythmical, and sometimes even catchy wave of sounds both familiar and alien. The songs generally become less intriguing after the ostinato sitar and distant, abrasive electric guitar wails of "Moratorium" -- with the exception of "Forest," a jungle/ambient composition with unintelligible Native American-style chants and "Chemical Brothers lite" break beats that's one of the best tracks on the disc -- but how often do you hear a CD on which over half the tracks are pure gold? Paul Webb and Lee Harris have created something extraordinary, here; don't miss this."
Remainds of the Future
Victor Acosta | PUERTO ORDAZ, BOLIVAR Venezuela | 09/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Music of 'O' Rang remind me the inner power that sleeps in my soul. The rythms conduct me to the origins of everythings where lives the non- style, and the music sounds evoque me the future to come in this extrange ellipsis when the extremes are in contact revealing the edge of something that changes and always remains the same:
Music to love across the time that never tired.
Music that penetrates my conscience to enjoy without the categories of time when the rythms make the rituals of ours inner life."
A Hidden Treasure
DJ ProFusion - WorldFusionRadio.com | Evanston, IL | 02/08/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Bottom Line: "Fields and Waves" is a fresh and funky mélange of ambient elctronica, technopop, world music, and primal rhythms. .O.Rang is the duo of Paul Webb and Lee Harris who were the rhythm section of the band Talk Talk. "Fields and Waves" is their second album following the critically acclaimed "Herd of Instinct." While "Herd Of Instinct" was a kind of ambient-jazz, their new album is denser and more atmospheric. "Fields and Waves" is a mélange of ambient elctronica, technopop, world music, and primal rhythms. Most of the time the mixture works, creating multi-layered atmospheric soundscapes that can be listened to closely or played as background mood music. The appropriately titled "Fields and Waves" is good meditation music; not the relaxing mind-emptying type of meditation, but the "magic-carpet ride" mind-expanding type that fills your mind's eye with vivid imagery. The tunes are at times oddly constructed, experimenting with different instruments, sounds, and musical forms. Yet, .O.Rang doesn't get carried away with it and alienate the listener. Holding everything together are strong melodies that range from the exotic to pop. The melodies are catchy and will stick with you, as will the surrounding rhythms and harmonies. Paul Webb's raspy vocals fit well into the swirling music and noise but his poor enunciation leaves you wondering about most words. Same with guest singer Colette Meury's vocals on several racks: great voice, can't really understand what she's singing. Yet, .O. Rang's priority is clearly emotional impact over intellectual meaning. Their music is an attempt to create visual images. "Fields and Waves" is electronica in the vein of Tangerine Dream and Vangelis rather than say Kraftwerk or Prodigy. It is more than just electronica though, they transcend the genre while reaching back and outward to other musical genres. To their credit, .O. Rang never reduce themselves to mere knob trickery as do some electronica artists. Nor do they engage in the "in your face" trip-hop that is popular dance music today. .O. Rang has a warmth and realness grounded in the primordial elements of music and emotion. "Fields and Waves" is a great album to expand your musical horizons."