Euphoria - Euphoria (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

Fresh sounds at last!

12/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's about time a fresh sound came into the electronica section of the music stores. I have purchased several albums from the Ambient/Techno/Rave section at Sam the Record Man and I must say that this one stands out as one I had no trouble listening to right from the start. Other electronica stuff has beats and grooves that just don't fit sometimes (ie: Statik Sound System, brutal! ) but Euphoria was the first album I've bought in a while that I didn't have to skip tracks on. This is a definite must-have for those who are tired of the same old same-old. Great disc!"

This album is a masterpiece

10/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard this album on the KCRW show. `Morning Becomes Eclectic', where the listeners of the station had voted it to #1. After purchasing the album, I decided to check out one of the re-mixes of "Delirium" by Fila Brazilia (this mix is not the single, by the way) on MP3.com.While the re-mix on Mp3.com is fun in a light kind of way, it in no way compares to the depth and power of the version of "Delirium" that opens this album. This is an outstanding track with truly original instrumentation. The 12-string guitar and that U.K. Big Beat really reminded me of Michael Hedges and the Chemical Brothers rolled into one. "Guitronica" of the highest order. The album then embarks on a tour-de force of songwriting weaving this kind of slide guitar meets beats and voice tapestry. "Sleep" with its' haunting slowed down voices and delta groove take slide guitar in a new direction, but manage to stop at Paris,Texas and Ry Cooder along the way. "Lost on a River" reminds me of that great Traffic, Dave Mason era. "Elevator To My Soul" is great soundtrack. The guitar looping is reminiscent of Robert Fripp in his "Frippertronics" period.Fripp was the original infinite guitarist but Euphoria manages to make it their own sound too. Vocalist Maddie Willis should be praised for her work on this album. It all closes with "The Road" with Ann Dudley and Geddy Lee.This track has a bit of the U2 thing going in it along with Arabic vocals and ...bagpipes! They pull it off in a big way.Albums that can breath new life into a genre , or start one , are so, so, rare. Fans of the previous mentioned bands should listen up and check out a band with some serious writing chops. Pink Floyd should pick up a copy (not a stretch at all ) they might even learn something. Finally a guitar album that's a breath of fresh air. Buy this album... it is one of the best"

A completely unique mix of guitars and electronica

07/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like Ry Cooder, Pink Floyd or the Orb your mind is going to be blown by this completely unique mix of guitars (mostly acoustic slide) and ambient electronica. REALLY well produced. There's even a guest appearance from Rush bassist Geddy Lee of all people. (Don't worry he doen't sing only plays bass). If Pink Floyd had any interest in keeping current and actually moving forward musically, this is the CD they might make."

Let the Music Take the Wheel

Jeff Angco | Detroit, Michigan | 05/31/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Looking for the perfect CD to listen to while taking a short road trip? Well, this album comes close to being "THE ONE". I purchased this CD out of mere curiosity and I was delightfully surprised. The album is fulled with organic-like electronica and humbled by random guitar appearances. The song "Delerium" is the album's leadoff tune which is worthy of setting the tone for a relaxing drive. "Heaven" follows up by continuing the dizzying appeal of the album. Just when you think it's time to change the CD, "Wait for You" rushes in like a radiant woman who knows her worth. Wide open spaces and percussion combinations carry the weight of the album. I reccomend this album to anyone who likes to listen to electronic music but isn't in the mood for an ambush of sound. Listening to this disc will cleanse your ears as you ride off into the sunset..."

Another fine release from San Francisco label Six Degrees

cafedelmar@hotmail.com | London, Chalk Farm | 10/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

""The album was originally intended as an exploration of dreams," says Ken Ramm, Toronto-based guitarist and the brains behind the Euphoria project. The subtle use of vocals - soulful voices drift in and out - does give Euphoria a hypnotic, trip-hop quality. But the signature sound of Euphoria is the slide guitar. Inspired by the way Pink Floyd used the slide guitar to create "a real expressive, emotional quality", Euphoria brings a uniquely guitar-driven twist to downtempo electronica. Recorded in London, Ken Ramm plays many of the guitar parts himself but is joined by the legendary B.J. Cole on pedal steel guitars to add a more atmospheric, electric texture. Other musicians lending a hand include Anne Dudley of Art of Noise, ex-Soft Machine bassist Roy Babbington, and Rush bassist Geddy Lee. Live vocal contributions come from Maddie Willis and gospel singer Juliette Roberts (on the excellent "Lost on a River").It is not all swirling guitar harmonies and layers of slide guitar though. Other instruments include the Arab ney flute, the Bulgarian kaval flute, harmonica and bagpipes. The intricate and richly textured songs dip into ambient groove, world music, trip hop, blues, psychedelic rock, drum & bass. This unlikely mix of styles and instruments work surprisingly well and results in a distinctive and memorable sound. A beautiful and inspirational CD."

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