Search - Schiller :: Life

Schiller Knows it!

Anthony Morelli | Montreal, Canada | 11/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""LIFE" is a genius masterpiece and it's more than just another album featuring 2 Sarah Brightman songs. It takes all the collaborating artists to make up such a wonderful album. "LIFE" features 7 artists including Schiller (Christopher Von Deylen) himself. The ambient, futuristic and "floating" beats, keyboard riffs and colorful arrangements showcase what music should be about. When I first received this CD, I wasn't sure whether to love it or hate it, because for some reason, the songs sounded too much alike. Well...I don't know what planet I was on, because "LIFE" appeals to me much now. Even my partner is/was impressed with the fresh, free sound, melody & mood of each song. In some songs, you can compare the CD to "Conjure One", "Waterbone", "Enigma", "Delerium", "Single Gun Theory", Deep Forest and even "Chorus of Tribes".



I'm not too impressed with the quality of the DVD...for it's really fuzzy & the sound isn't all that great in certain parts. Also...they stuck Sarah Brightman at the very end of the 2nd concert and she only sang 1 song, titled "THE SMILE". Here, she only sings about 10 words and the rest is just instrumental. That was a bad idea. She should've sung "I'VE SEEN IT ALL", for it's a better song and requires vocals through the whole thing. That is basically my only complaint.



"I FEEL YOU", featuring Heppner, is a wonderful intro, preparing the listener for more enigmatic gems. With its light, floating & reverbrating keyboards & heavy sub bass, this track races through my veins. "I'VE SEEN IT ALL" is beautiful, sung by Sarah Brightman. This is the one song, which stuck with me since the "HAREM" era took off. Sarah's voice is perfect for this song and this style of music is what should be on her next CD. "LOVE", featuring Mila Mar is dark & haunting, yet has that familiar Euro beat. I like the creamy, dreamy tone of her voice. When she sings in lower tones, her voice can almost sound like 80's pop singer Carol Decker, from the band T'PAU. "I MISS YOU", featuring Maya Saban, is moody, mystic & has that "reverb" keyboard effect as well. The drum machine adds some ambiance without spoiling the Euro flavor of the song. Personally, I don't care for "THE SMILE". There's not enough vocals and I find Sarah is "robbed" of a full song. It's a funny statement, so I have to laugh. "BABEL" is dreamy & ambient, starting with a bouncy keyboard intro, leading into a slow, rhythmic tribal drum.



Moving on, "DESIRE", featuring Veljanov, is a gorgeous song with the same Euro reverb keyboard riffs and mysterious air. A song exactly like this should be found on Sarah Brightman's next CD. Hopefully Schiller collaborated with Frank Peterson & Sarah Brightman, because I consider "DESIRE" to be the perfect ambient song for a male. Veljanov has that deep, rich voice which you wouldn't expect from a pop song. "DELICATELY YOURS" wins hands down as the best track on the entire album. Kim Sanders really spoils us with her vocal talents...and I want to hear more of her. The song begins with 3 notes from a guitar & a Middle-Eastern vocal chant & a slow, tribal drum beat. The ambiance picks up as the drum continues, becoming stronger. What a mesmerizing soundscape of color, landscape and vast horizon which kicks Sarah Brightman & Frank Peterson right in the butt. This is what European music is all about!!! I'm not crazy about "I'VE SEEN IT ALL" sung by Maya Saban. It doesn't have the same feeling, compared to Sarah Brightman's version. Sarah does the song 10 times more justice. Maya's voice is more smokey and doesn't propel outward like Sarah's. Regarding the instrumental tracks...they are all great and I don't have any preference.



As for the packaging...I like the jewel-case and the deep violet liner booklet & tray art. On the front cover, the 4 elements (Fire, Water, Earth & Sky) are pictured in "Symbol" form. Inside, I appreciate the photos of Christopher Von Deylen. He's handsome. Also, the lyrics for all the "Sung" songs are included. So, in other words, this product is truly a "Must Have" for any music lover. Buy the CD and discover for yourself, the musical genius of Schiller.



Tracklist:

01- I Feel You (Feat. Heppner) - 3:44

02- Summer Rain (Instrumental) - 3:52

03- I've Seen It All (Feat. Sarah Brightman) - 4:19

04- Future (Instrumental From the Movie "Gate to Heaven") - 4:27

05- Love (Feat. Mila Mar) - 3:47

06- Unison (Instrumental) - 4:39

07- I Miss You (Feat. Maya Saban) - 6:01

08- Middle Earth (Instrumental) - 4:53

09- The Smile (Feat. Sarah Brightman) - 5:16

10- Triad (Instrumental) - 4:33

11- Babel (Feat. Mila Mar) - 4:21

12- Desire (Feat. Veljanov) - 4:00

13- Tranquility (Instrumental) - 3:59

14- Past (Instrumental) - 4:28

15- Delicately Yours (Feat. Kim Sanders) - 4:56

16- Conclusion (Instrumental) - 3:18

BONUS TRACK

17- I've Seen It All (Feat. Maya Saban) - 4:51



Tracklist for DVD (Disc 2) - Over 90 minutes in length

01- Live in Frankfurt -

02- Live in Berlin -

03- Videos * LIEBE

...............* LEBEN - I FEEL YOU

04- Photogallery (From Frankfurt & Berlin Concerts)"

Awesome album, but a better version exists.

C. Messick | Tuscaloosa, AL, USA | 12/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is everything promised by all the rave reviews left before me. However "Leben," the German version is a better production than "Life" is. Shuck out a few more bucks and spring for the German import of this album. (Except for the poetry read between the tracks, only two songs are in German anyway.)



The transition between track one and two on "Life" is extremely awkward. The rhythm seems to somehow be a half a beat ahead of where it is supposed to be until you can finally adjust to it. This doesn't occur in "Leben," which has a smooth transition. Also, "Leben" contains the usual, proper intro track."