Search - Various Artists, Inner Space Chill Out :: Trance Addiction Vol. 2

Beautiful Music Redefined

Michael Ryan | Boise, ID United States | 02/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this German double CD compilation on a hunch, mainly because it concluded with the Harold Budd/Brian Eno classic "First Light," one of the most sublime ambient works ever recorded. Though I recognized only a few of the other artists (Moby, Faithless, Air, Aphex Twin), I was willing to trust Andy Bolleshon's taste in compiling and mixing this collection, and I've not been disappointed. Nicely housed in the requisite artfully-designed digipak, this is one of those compilations you can just put in the CD player, press play and forget about. As with Eno's original conception of "ambient," this is music that can serve as aural wallpaper--pleasant, soothing, unobtrusive--but is also interesting enough to reward focused listening when you want to pay attention. And it is sublimely mixed, with one tune flowing seamlessly into the next--never jarring, but with enough variety to hold the listener's interest. I was initially dubious, given the CD's low price, but the quality is first rate. If you like ambient music, or are just looking for some quality background music to soothe your troubled world, this top notch compilation is recommended."