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Post by John on Feb 13, 2022 20:18:43 GMT
This is a guilty pleasure for me. This one has a similar vibe to Dead Can Dance and the music has a exotic and sensual feel to it. I am not sure if anyone else will like it.
Here is a review I found on Amazon
This third album from Iranian-American duo Vas is undoubtedly their strongest and most complex yet. It's a complete joy from start to finish, and far more than merely background 'chillout' music, but a fresh journey each time you listen to it. I've had my copy of this album for two and a half years now, and it still moves me just as much as it did when I first bought it (which is to say, more than almost anything else I own).
It truly is gorgeous music, full of wonderfully layered soundscapes, achingly beautiful vocals and complex but accessible instrumentation. There is also, crucially, enough changes of pace and mood between and within tracks to keep it interesting - far more so than some of the duo's earlier work. It's this, for me, that keeps me coming back. It stirs the imagination, and the spirit, every time.
As for the inevitable comparisons, while there's no particular standout track akin to Dead Can Dance's 'Cantara' or Loreena McKennitt's 'The Mystic's Dream' on here, if you like either of those you'll enjoy Vas - and personally I find this album more consistently enjoyable than any whole album from McKennitt or DCD. I would also add that this is only their third recording: they've plenty of time to make a 'Mask and Mirror' yet! But, of course, YMMV. Give it a try; I think they've the makings of something incredible. N Clarke
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 13, 2022 20:35:38 GMT
Now that's interesting
<listening>
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Post by jandl100 on Feb 13, 2022 20:37:16 GMT
This sounds like it might be right up my street.
I'm a big fan of Loreena McKennitt, less so of Dead Can Dance (I often find them annoying).
Looking forward to trying it later tonight.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 13, 2022 22:00:38 GMT
The Dead Can Dance link made me sit up and take notice. I'll be listening to this with interest.
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Post by jandl100 on Feb 14, 2022 5:21:19 GMT
Well, that was easy.
Very much in the McKennitt world, so 5/5 for me.
Very grateful for learning about Vas, thanks John!
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Post by John on Feb 14, 2022 7:07:38 GMT
I am glad you enjoyed Jerry
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 14, 2022 16:40:55 GMT
Difficult
There are exquisite sections and some faintly annoying
Her voice is superb but gets on my nerves a bit
Another listen or two for moi
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Post by Barrington on Feb 17, 2022 18:54:14 GMT
First listen and it was hard to distinguish changes in tracks , I'll give it a couple more goes .
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Post by MartinT on Feb 18, 2022 7:23:06 GMT
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Post by Slinger on Feb 18, 2022 21:29:31 GMT
4/ 5, but only just.  It would have been a solid 4 except for the self-indulgent " Ceremony of Passage," which sounded like so many percussion tracks I've heard ion the past. Without a melody of any kind there is nothing to distinguish it as far as I'm concerned. They definitely lurcherd into " If Clannad were Arabic" territory on occasion, especially the closing track, but that's not a complaint. Overall though, I enjoyed it, so thanks for choosing it, John.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 18, 2022 22:01:16 GMT
I expected to like this more. The inevitable comparison with Dead Can Dance leaves it wanting. Yes, she has a good voice but in a somewhat limited manner and a bit samey after a while. She doesn't compare with Lisa Gerrard's soaring grandeur. The percussion in most of the songs doesn't have the impact of DCD's middle-eastern coloured rhythms. They just lack the magic and individuality of many DCD songs by comparison. Inamorata is the best effort here. 3/5 but I will listen to it some more and see if it sticks.
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Post by ajski2fly on Mar 7, 2022 17:18:10 GMT
Been catching up on some listening today, I have got a bit behind with the monthly albums.
I quite like this offering in aspects, but at times found the tracks too similar and became a little repetitive, having said that it is well recorded. I probably need to give it another listen. So it's a 3/5 from me.
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Post by petea on Mar 16, 2022 12:51:32 GMT
I enjoyed this a lot, John. Thanks. It is not something I would play often, but I do like Middle Eastern / S Baltic music and so this worked well for me
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 12, 2023 13:50:44 GMT
Yet another listen for me and still not sure
3/5
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It would have been a solid 4 except for the self-indulgent "Ceremony of Passage," which sounded like so many percussion tracks I've heard ion the past. Without a melody of any kind there is nothing to distinguish it as far as I'm concerned. They definitely lurcherd into "If Clannad were Arabic" territory on occasion, especially the closing track, but that's not a complaint.
