Thievery Corporation - Cosmic Game
By: Mark Runyon | Category: Album Archive | 03/14/05 | 08:34 PM
 |
 |
Grade: A- | Genre:
Electronic Chill
Summary: Thievery Corporation have charted their course in music through creating lush sonic soundscapes to live by. Cosmic Game is their best work since the groundbreaking Mirror Conspiracy and firmly establishes them as the gatekeepers to the kindgom of chill. |
|
 When I first heard Thievery Corporation's Mirror Conspiracy during my musical reawakening in 2000, I knew I'd happened across something brimming with greatness. In the span of an album, they defined electronic chill with an uncommon sound that craftily fused world influences (Indian, bossa nova) with traditional mellow trance beats. They recruited the vocal styling of LoLo to verbalize this heady feel and breath it to life. They have returned to the party every year since with a fresh set of thoughts yet none of them have proved as compelling as that first taste that melted into me. They would either loose their grip on their chill (Outernational Sound) or just forget an essential ingredient in the execution (The Richest Man in Babylon). None of these albums were bad, rather they seemed to be neglected stepchildren released from the cellar after years of isolation. They're eyes struggled to cope with the piercing light. Cosmic Game is a welcome return to the formula that initially issued them success, affording us this tantalizing recipe of songs.
This album comprises one fluid thought from the opening space orchid of "Marching the Hate Machines into the Sun" to the soft, sensuous "A Gentle Dissolve" that sounds like something swiped from Portishead's catalog. What lies in the valley of these musical bookends are unique elements that only make sense as part of the contextual whole. Taking this approach is a daunting task for Thievery's two principles: Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, because it all has to work. If one or two of these songs are hung slightly off center, they taint the entire composition. These talented gentlemen certainly seemed up for the challenge here as everything nails its mark creating a beautiful audio landscape ripe for exploration. "Holographic Universe" thumps along like it should be supporting the heist scene in Ocean's 11. "Pela Janela" belongs in the smoothest coffee shop on Mars mellowed out in its subtle tribal drums as Gigi Rezende's trance vocals snake their way through. "The Time We Lost Our Way" finds our favorite chanteuse from Mirror Conspiracy, LoLo, returning to lull us to sleep with melancholic heartache lying in the hammock of this lilting rhythm that beckons something off Ivy's works.
Thievery Corporation's level of fame and notoriety seem to be mounting steadily when you scope the marquee heavy weights that are laying down vocal tracks for this album. Perry Ferrell, Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips and David Byrne are the most prominent among the 9 different vocalists involved. Each artist bring their own distinct feel and taste to their respective track. Byrne is the only one that feels uncomfortable on "The Heart's a Lonely Hunter". His light quirkiness doesn't quite mesh with Thievery's traditional sound. Perhaps this contrast was a strategic move to add another dimension to this album, but I think it draws too much attention to itself rather than reinforcing the underlying rhythm.
At the albums' close, I believe this work to be brilliant and their most ambitious undertaking yet. I would say it falls a touch short of their classic Mirror Conspiracy, but I have also had 4 years to simmer on that album, cataloging all of its intricate subtleties. I'm just beginning to acquaint myself with what Cosmic Game has served up. Regardless, this is the early shot out of the box for best album of the year. It has a lot of fierce competition gunning for that crown poised in the months ahead (Coldplay will have something to say I am sure) though none will come close to touching the exquisite, tripped out, sonic adventures that Thievery Corporation shuttles us on. This album is a must have for your collection.
Buy Thievery Corporation's Cosmic Game now.
|
