Atheen M. Wilson | Mpls, MN United States | 11/14/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Your satisfaction with this CD will depend upon how you intend to use it. The surf is delightful and quite real at almost any volume. I find that at louder volumes I feel a little threatened by the waves; they seem almost too near which makes me feel the need to keep vigilant. At times the seagulls are startling even annoying, but they and their squaks are certainly part of the ambiance of the seashore. Some of the other sounds are way too invasive for relaxation. The fog horn seems out of place and the whale songs a little too gratuitous. If, however, you are looking for a CD that helps with guided imagery--ie. "Relax and visualize yourself on a quiet beach with the sun just setting on the horizon," etc, etc, etc--this might be a good one for you, because it has lots of environmental cues that will help create the scene. If, however, you're looking for something with which to relax while reading a book or to put you to sleep when you're feeling a little tense, you might find the sounds a little too intrusive."
Ocean Experience
Brian Aldrich | Valdosta GA | 08/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Daddy where did all the seagulls go?" "Well I shot them all so I could record sloshing water for people with headaches" OK...if you like sloshing water...run a bath. If you like an audio experience of the sea...then... ...the water hits the rocky coast, gulls nest...they don't squawk too loudly for me...anyway...whales swim by singing their song only for a moment...then they are gone...you hear a foghorn in the distance...a ship is in danger...but you are safe inside.Read Melville...I have been able to sleep with this when I have trouble going to sleep. It really makes you feel as if you are in a lighthouse safe and cozy."
Ocean Surf Interruptus
Brian Aldrich | 08/04/2001
(1 out of 5 stars)
"You begin listening, and find the sound of the surf very relaxing. "Ah, this is really nice," you say to yourself as you begin nodding off. Suddenly you hear "AWK! SCREEYAWK!" It's the sound of screeching seagulls. You fast forward the CD until you find a section without the freaking seagulls. But just as you begin to relax, a fog horn speaks, "HO-O-O-WONK!" You sail the CD out the window like a frisbee -- unless, of course, you find the sound of gulls and foghorns -- uh, relaxing."
Whether this is worthwhile depends on how you will use it
woburnmusicfan | Woburn, MA United States | 06/14/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is not the perfect ambient ocean noise CD to practice your relaxation techniques with. There's a lot of screeching seagulls (the guys who recorded this were probably throwing them curly fries), and if you get past them, then come the foghorns. With great chutzpah, the liner notes describe the seagulls as "soothing". So if you are looking for stress reduction, there's a good chance you can find something better. But there are other uses for which this CD is better suited. I find it very useful to play on my headphones at work to drown out the yakking people around me and allow me to concentrate on my work. If you live in the center of the country and have never had the opportunity to hear an ocean, here's your chance."