"If you heard Transglobal Underground somewhere, or heard OF them, and want to try out their music to see if you like it, my advice to you is this: rush out and get "Psychic Karaoke." Then get "International Times." Both are exciting, exotic, multifaceted and over all thrilling albums that will make you dance, trance, whatever. Two examples of the TU folks at their best."Rejoice, Rejoice" is not such an album. The other reviews here pretty much sum it up: there are a couple of strong tracks, but most of the music is uninspired, sophomoric, even irritating - especially when compared to the towering strength of the aforementioned two releases. You'd have to pry my copies of "Psychic Karaoke" and "International Times" out of my cold, dead hands before I'll give them up. As for "Rejoice, Rejoice"? After a few listens, I sold it on eBay."
They're trying to be "hip" and global, but don't "cut it"
yippee1999 | New York, NY United States | 12/20/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I can't really put into words why, but this CD to me comes off as a bit "goofy", like a group who's trying to do all that pan-world stuff that's so in now, and they try to do it with a somewhat experimental edge, but it just doesn't work. In a somwhat similar vein of music, I find Conspiracy Theory's Thievery Corporation (or is it vice versa) CD to be much more "cool"."
Stunning, if you get it.
James P. Reza | Las Vegas, NV USA | 12/12/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Speaking as someone who simply cannot get enough of TGU's "Psychic Karaoke," it is a given that "Rejoice, Rejoice" doesn't reach the transcendental heights of that effort--few recordings do. In fact, it wouldn't be hyperbole to suggest that "Psychic Karaoke" is one of the top 1000 recordings of all time. That said, "Rejoice, Rejoice" would have been a 5-star album if it didn't have such a shining act to follow. Earthy, rhythmic tech/trance built upon flowing Middle Eastern undercurrents takes me away to exotic locales that are by turns serene and peaceful, or energetic and uplifting. House music for when the house is the entire globe."
Egyptian pharoahs fell from the sky and played the blues
omniscientfool | Beijing, China | 05/27/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"First, the album could use another ten minutes to be really good. Second, there is a definite cheese factor at work here. That one sass-talkin', vaguely ethnic guy who spouts non-sequitors (like this review's title) for half the song and then chuckles about them for the second half can really get on one's nerves if not in the mood. Add in some oddly placed rapping, and I think it's safe to say TU is at their best when they're not speaking English. I'd say the instrumentals are better yet--quite a lot of neat instruments are used (start with a sitar and get gradually more culturally obscure) to create simple, groovy melodies that are danceable at best and nauseating at worst. A fine but flawed album."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
