Calling Down the Sky

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Calling Down the Sky album cover
Album Information
EDITOR'S PICK

Total Tracks: 8   Total Length: 74:00

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Robert Phoenix

eMusic Contributor

Robert Phoenix has been a postman, gardener, special-ed aid, bartender, psychonaut, Tarot reader, phone psychic and new age buyer for Rasputin's Records. H...more »

04.22.11
Ethereal and expansive, the moody music of the night
2004 | Label: Soundscapes

Robert Rich has been an instrumental (pardon the pun) force in the evolution of new age music since his ambient sleep concerts dating back to the early '80s. His catalogue covers everything from dark and foreboding soundscapes to warm, organic electronics. Calling Down Sky might be his most accomplished and complete work. It's ethereal and expansive, combining electronics and sampling of Rich's own instrumental playing. If you had to download one Robert Rich album, this would be it.

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placid and calming...

dave010101

...almost to the point of catatonia. Lets face it folks,nodding out music is a vital component of ambient music, the genre which Mr.Rich is most often tagged. I think that this is a good thing. Sometimes I just want to nod out to something and this album fits the bill. Mr.Rich also manages to show off some proficiency with the electric slide guitar while lulling us to sleep. More obvious than, say, Steve Reich, but again we pretty much know what we're getting by the end of the first tune. Again with the truth in pakaging arguement. Oddly enough this album is not representative of Rich's discography, which is as varied than most ambient performers out there. For what it's worth, I liked "Below Zero", a harrowing noise fest, because sometimes a little emotive stimulation in that department can come in handy. I won't say for what; draw your own conclusions.

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I disagree!

noizeemama

I totally disagree with the "We Say" statement above. "Seven Veils" is WAY better. I find some of Mr. Rich's stuff to get quite boring. Not the case with "Seven Veils". Hard to believe it's the same person doing these two albums.

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Pure

ihman17

Like watching rain run down a full length picture window. Easy to get lost in this stuff.

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Sweet ambience

Blood

It's a real joy to listen to this. Ambient, chilled - but not too chilled - a really good album to lose yourself in.

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QUARK,STRANGENESS AND CHARM...

redheadordeadhead

Too many zzzzzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZzzzz pills in this one....

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Visual Music

Xud

There is music that I think falls under the category of "Visual Music" and Calling Down The Sky is one of them. This type of music has it's own story to tell, but is left so open ended that anyone who listens to it can decided what that story is trying to tell. Because of this the listener can easily visualize where the music is taking them Robert Rich has crafted music here that is so complex and complex in its sound, but so overly simplistic in its presentation, it almost boggles the mind when you try to take it all in. A visceral experience like this is what good music is all about.

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Strangeness and Charm

Returning

Variety is the spice in the air here. Robert Rich likes to mix it up a little with his ethnic sounding stuff. This adds a touch of eastern antiquity to his dreamscapes. A bit reminiscent of the Jacob's Ladder OFS. It's definately a grower this one... Rich by name, rich by nature - many layers to fathom - many plains to tune into...

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How did I miss this?

Circumambient

This recalls the space music of Serrie. It's much more serene than the jagged, dark stuff of his Below Zero album. Atmospheric without the turbulence.

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