by Michael Hargreaves "In Search of Something Deeper" Salt Lake City, UT USA Reviewed on January 9th, 2005
Oh, where to begin with this absolutely phenomenal collection of songs? After over six years, this CD remains one of the most innovative and achingly beautiful albums in pop history.
I first heard the title track "Snow on the Sahara" in 1998 on an alternative radio station in Seattle and was nearly moved to tears. I first thought "Oh my God, Annie Lennox's new song is the most amazing song I've ever heard!" But when the song was over, the DJ politely corrected me and announced that the song was by an Indonesian artist named Anggun. Anggun??? Who's ever heard of her?? Well, I made a beeline to Tower Records to see if I could track this CD down. After visiting several stores, I finally was able to find a demo copy of the CD in a tiny, out-of-the-way used CD store for $3. The best $3 I ever spent in my life. I think I could have easily slapped down $100 for this disc and it would have been worth every penny. Anyway, I sat in the parking lot of the CD store with my headphones on and my portable CD player going and listened to the entire album from beginning to end without ever moving the car. From then on, I was hooked.
Highlights:
"Snow on the Sahara" is a unique, ecclectic collection of Eastern-tinged pop gems. The title track, as I've already mentioned, is one of the most gorgeous and heart-wrenching songs ever written. Thoughtful and beautiful lyrics delivered by Anggun's incredible husky voice are wrapped in velvety, electronic, mid-tempo drum loops, dreamy guitars and feathery synths. This is a song I put on repeat and listen to over and over and never get tired of. Still manages to send chills up and down my spine. My favorite song of all time, hands down.
"On the Breath of an Angel" is a stripped down ballad whose lyrics are a mix of English and Anggun's native language. The effect is notably unique and lovely. The drum loops are minimal and the song is awash in ambient synths.
"A Rose in the Wind", the second single from the album is still mid-tempo but a bit more driving and hard-hitting. The song opens with an exotic Eastern-tinged sound then is joined my more electronic drum loops. The verses are low and subdued but are joined by the powerful chorus. This song is said to be Anggun's favorite from the album.
"By the Moon" My second favorite track from this disc. A downtempo, beautiful, simple love song that features Anggun's rich, smoky voice soaring over guitars and Asian flutes. A sweet and surprising addition to this song are the tribal-sounding chants that have been added to the chorus, giving it a sound very similar to something Deep Forest would do. I played this song at a friend's wedding and had at least 10 people come up to me and ask me about it.
"Dream of Me" This is such a fun song. An upbeat, danceable track (I would kill and die to hear a kickass club mix of this song, but alas, it was never released as a single and not professionally remixed as far as I know) this is one song that will get inside your head and you won't want it to leave. You can't help but tap your foot to this song. The vocals are more layered in this song which produces a very rich sound on the chorus in particular.
"Secret of the Sea" This song is a gem. Another achy, longing ballad, with no drum loops, just encased in surrounding synths, acoustic guitar and more Eastern chants.
"Life on Mars" '...it's a God-awful small affair, to the girl with the mousy hair' This song is so neat. A sweet and unexpected surprise. A cover of a tune originally done by David Bowie, Anggun lends her originality and exotica...making this a great way to end the CD. This is a very wispy and light rendition of the tune, whereas David Bowie's original is much more dramatic.
It really is a shame that Anggun never really hit here in the US; this album is the only one ever released domestically, and as far as I know the title track is the only one of these songs to ever hit radio here. With all the crap that's out on Top 40 radio right now, this disc is a welcome relief. It is not just empty-headed bubblegum pop, there is definitely substance and depth here. This album is rich and diverse, longing, beautiful and a very engaging experience.
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