MODERN LIFE , in as much as we make it, has many more facets than just sitting in meditation or doing Yoga. We're faced with entertaining friends, work, and house work. While these month's selections run the gamut of genres, they can be perfect for both trance or meditation work for some, to deep cleaning background music for those who prefer such. From the profound to the profane, variations are truly the stuff of life. And of course, there are times where being calm is not necessarily beneficial. As always, these are offered up for your discernment, with peace and hopes of a good season.

Pax!

Mystic Spirit Voices
Lesiem

Touted by the record label as a mix between Enigma and Pink Floyd , this album really is a nice piece of work, although I wonder at that comparison, as there are elements of these groups, as well as Dire Straits, but not regularly enough, and I think this music stands quite nicely on it's own, thank you. The rhythm and Latin chanting does seem inspired by other artists, but I'd have to say at least the English lyrics are original and rock inspired.

This predominantly male-voiced choir based in Germany has taken the best elements of Gregorian chants, world beats, and pop and spun together a wonderful piece of feel good, mystic charm that is as good as anything out there on the market. Even the graphics on the CD cover are traditional-meets-modern, with a patina that washes the whole thing.

One of the best pieces is the Celtic inspired flute at the beginning of 'Ave Fortuna', the last song on the album. It actually sounds like something from the movie Braveheart, perhaps. In fact many of the more shadowy elements are flowing, soft and worthy of the soundtrack for a movie. (One of my favorite genres of music, actually, as many people overlook it or at least take it for granted.) There is a slight hint of Christian influences, which might put some more eclectic people off, but perhaps the beautiful sounds and ethereal chanting will help bridge the gap in understanding. Wonderful ambient music, worth the listen.

The Quickening
Chaeya

A decidedly different and more rock/pop album than most I review, this album has searing guitar and vocals that bring to mind Siouxie Sioux of 'Sioux and the Banshees' fame. This would be wonderful for background music during a late night game of Vampire: The Masquerade, for those of you who are inclined to play. (Hey, we all have to play once in a while, don't we?)

The shadowy melodies are evocative, while there are parts of the vocals that are catchy and singable. This not a remake of Concrete Blonde's 'Bloodletting' however, and all one has to do is listen to the lyrics to hear that. These pieces are more recovering from the malaise that brings on that feeling of hopelessness, and the guitar is more joyful than weeping.

The title song's lyrics carry a definite message, as do many of the others, but sometimes it is a little hard to follow them through Chaeya's lilting vocals. The cover art is colorful and almost psychedelic, while the guitar work on the song 'Just like the first time' is almost 60's folk guitar. Overall, this album is not bad, and worth the listen, especially if you like electric guitars in your trance music.

© 2002 Iris Crain

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Iris Crain is a freelance writer living in Western Washington State. She attended a performing arts-themed high school as a singer before starting a family and pursuing interests in natural healing, spirituality, divination, medieval history reenactment, computers, poetry, songwriting, human rights, home schooling and cooking. She can be contacted at peacemonger@earthlink.net and welcomes correspondence.