Search - The Orb :: Bless You

Once Again, the Orb strikes gold!

Brian J. Roach | Brooklyn, NY United States | 07/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 2-cd set is actually a collection of limited edition vinyl singles that were released on badorb.com, an Internet record label run by the Orb and their extended family. Most of these tracks feature Dr. Alex Patterson, Orb mainman, and a collection of sidemen who've worked with the good Dr. throughout the years. So, two tracks are "officially" Orb tracks, although, since Paterson is a co-writer on much of the other material, it all sounds relatively Orb-y, which is great. This material is a little bit fresher and more alive than the last Orb studio effort "Cydonia," as if they've been invigorated by the DIY elements of putting out their own stuff, being free of a big record label. As always, great dubby bass lines, killer beats, quirky sound samples, and layers and washes of keyboards. All in all, if you like the Orb, you'll love this. Also features Thomas Fehlman, the Sun Electric guys, Witchman, and a few others. Highly recommended, Alex Patterson is a true innovater in this field, and he still has the potential to put all the young whippersnappers to shame! Long live the Orb!"

Was Skeptical

Bill | NYC | 09/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is 2002 and much of electronica's fire has burned out.
With the exception of Underworld, most of the heavy influences of late 90s electronica (Fatboy slim, chemical bros, crystal method) have been putting out very innocuous albums.
I was very skeptical at first as the label on the celophane stated "mixed in the tradition of the orb" which meant not technically an Orb album.
I listened and was completely surprised/relieved/ecstatic all at once. This album is mixed by Alex Patterson from the Orb and has signature Orb sounds/influence all over it.
A must buy for any Orb fan.
You will not be let down."

Not the Orb. but...

JC | NY | 08/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I hope eveyone remembers this is not an Orb CD, and doesn't represent Dr. Alex Patterson's inpiring imagination...it's more of a collection of work by Alex, assoc. and company.At first listen I didn't care for it too much...and NO, I wasn't expecting it to sound exactly like Dr. Alex, simply because I already knew this was not an official Orb release/album. So I didn't play it for a while, until I played it once more recently, and realised how complex the music is and not suprisingly, it now ranks pretty close to any Orb album I own.To enjoy this project you have to listen to it straight through, from beginning to finish (just like any Orb album). Some of the tracks (not written by Alex) sound similar to the Orb's past work with their low bass line, heavy beats, and minimal ambience. I especially love the two tracks Alex submitted to this project (Cool Harbour, and I Am The Red Worm). But what makes this project special is that it's work written and produced by friends and such of Dr. Alex, and all together it works well as "joined-snapshots" of work around one man's vision.As for the other ten tracks, there is nothing too interesting about them, but only works well as one piece of music, and some of it is more of that sarcastic british pun/humor that we all know so well from many or all of the Orb's own albums. Other than "Cool Harbour" " and "..the Red Worm", I think "Puffin' In Paradise" could work well on it's own...very Meat Beat Manifesto-ish."