Search - Carmen Rizzo :: Lost Art of the Idle Moment (Dig)

Just chill...

MusiQ Reviews | 10/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The multi-talented music producer, Carmen Rizzo, has finally taken a break from his busy schedule to make his debut album, titled the lost art of the idle moment. Mostly known for his work with artists such as Coldplay, Paul Oakenfold, Seal, Alanis Morissette, and The Who's very own Pete Townshend, he's a jack of all trades with the gift of mixing, remixing, co-writing, and producing. Now, he uses his experience and influences to create his calm and electronic musical styles. In this album, Rizzo collaborated with various artists such as Jem, and Kate Havnevik to provide the vocals for his melancholy tracks. With each song, he sets a relaxing mood for the listener, especially with his opening track, "Too Rude," featuring Esthero. "Travel in Time" also compliments the album with the soothing voice of Kate Havnevik and its rhythmic background. As his first solo debut, he masterfully combines the electronic beats and enchanting voices to form a dreamy atmosphere. However, the instrumental songs aren't as captivating as the vocal tracks and the song, "Farther," drifts away from the album's melancholy tempo and instead, sounds like a DJ track for a rave party. Also, "Next Life" with Thomas Hanreich seems like a good ending song, until a foreign artist ruins it with his bits of monologue. But, most of the songs have their distinguished traits that set them apart from each other, whether it's the lyrical flow of Ladybug Mecca in "Indigo" or the trumpet-like sound randomly mixed in "I'll Carry You." It's a good chill CD for down time, but there's probably better."

CARMEN SO "ELECTRICAL"!!!!

Darrell L. Lee | Jackson, MS | 11/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While strolling through a local record store, I discovered Carmen Rizzo. Always out looking for new and exciting artists and sounds, I sampled "The Lost Art of the Idle Moment"--very impressive! The sounds are pure, orchestral and hypnotic, not to mention the pulsating groove under each track that dares you not to bob your head from time to time. Carmen Rizzo has apparently been on the scene awhile--albeit behind it--and each song from beginning to end has been well produced and thought over. Well chosen guest stars include Alpha, Esthero, Jem, Kate Havnevik and Grant Lee Phillips, giving this piece of work an accessible quality. This is definitely a chill out album and shouldn't be overlooked by any means!!!"

Perfect title for perfect lounge music

saabataj | 04/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you heard Carmen Rizzo for the first time and thought, "Wow, that reminds me of Conjure One" you're not the only one and you're not far off. He was the engineer on the Conjure One debut album and there are definitely similarities - the female voices over the same kind of chilled beats.



I wouldn't, however say the album is on par with Delerium ("Karma" or "Poem"), simply because the lyrics aren't as subtle or mysterious as Delerium and the voices on this album other than Kate Havnevik (Jem, Esthero...) hardly count as ethereal - I find they tend to dominate the music rather than blend and float on top of it.



Overall, the album is a good listen for those Sunday evenings at home."