Far From the Maddening Crowds

by

Chicane

Edit

If you are reading this review, I recommend that you just go ahead and buy the CD (if it is available). You won't regret it.

Of all the CDs I own, in the huge variety of genre I listen to... this is definitely in my top 10 favorites. Chicane is an absolutely amazing musician. He creates an unmatched sound by blending trance and electronic sounds with sort of a euphoric, relaxing vibe. The closest musician I could compare him to is Paul van Dyk. Perhaps the best way to describe the sound of Chicane's music is "ambient trance".

Very few of Chicane's songs have words in them. Amazingly enough though, the sound of each of his songs perfectly fits its title. Chicane has a way of creating a mental picture in the mind of the listener through music. Track 8 on this CD for example is called "Red Skies". While listening to the song you can almost picture a sun setting on the horizon. Chicane is a unique artist who almost paints an environment with sound.

"Far from the Madenning Crowds" opens with a soft ambient sounding track called "Early", which makes a smooth transition into "Already There" - another ambient track with a nice string solo going on. The next track, called "Offshore", is the one that you might say put Chicane on the map. This track, and "Saltwater" (found on his next album called "Behind the Sun") are probably his two most famous songs. Track 6 ("Sunstroke - Disco Citizens remix) is one of my favorite tracks on the CD. Unlike most of the other tracks, it dips into more of a thumping club techno vibe... but only so slighlty as to maintain the overall relaxing sound of the album. The next track is called "Leaving Town". While it has kind of a sad, depressing sound to it, this is still another one of my favorite tracks. "Red Skies" is another beautifully euphoric track. "Sunstroke" follows it. This track is a nice little "happy track"... a woman chanting in the background over light beats and soothing chords from a piano in the foreground. Track 10 holds the remix to "Offshore". While I prefer the original track, this is still a nice one. It's different though in the fact that it is one of Chicane's few songs with vocals. The album ends with "The Drive Home", another one of my favorites.

I believe that almost anyone could appreciate the music of Chicane. My father listens to nothing but classical music, yet was intruiged by the sounds of Chicane one night when he heard me listening to it. Most hardcore ravers I'm sure could appreciate Chicane as well. It's a nice CD to throw on for the ride home at 8am. I often use this CD to fall asleep to. Sometimes when I've had a bad day at work I'll listen to it on the way home to put me in a better mood.

In conclusion, if you can manage to get your hands on this CD, I strongly recommend buying it. You will not be dissapointed.