Are You Shpongled?

The reason for that is that Are You Shpongled? is simply so unique. Simon Posford and Raja Ram reportedly wrote this album while high (most likely on marijuana, considering some of the album art), and it shows. This is something that took the ultimate, mind-freeing experience to write.

Are You Shpongled? packs the CD with over 77 minutes of mind-bending, trippy ethnoambient experimentation. It covers everything from smooth dub to wicked drum 'n' bass to mellow jazz to spaced-out lounge to energetic trance, sometimes within the course of a single track. There is NO genre that typifies this sound, since it borrows a little from everything.

That may at first suggest that the album is jarring and disjointed, but that is hardly true. In fact, Are You Shpongled? should win an award for its seamless and unbelievably smooth flow. Somehow, Posford and Ram manage to work rhythmic and stylistic shifts that take place over such long stretches of time (without being boring) that they seem not to happen. Any producer in the world could stand to learn something from this duo.

I personally feel that the album hits its peak toward the end, but then, all that means is that the last three tracks deserve six stars instead of five. ;) It builds to a slow peak and then cools off quickly, especially with the 20-minute "...And the Day Turned to Night" wrapping things up. This track was written to reflect Posford's emotions while watching an eclipse, and it recreates that powerful experience vividly.

I tried this album purely on a recommendation, since the sound files seemed only moderately interesting. I have never been so thankful that some random force (whatever it was - fate, chance, whatever) prodded me in the right direction and made me get this album. It's just a milestone for music in general, and it deserves that amount of recognition.

Shpongle falls develops so deliciously. I love the huge dark drones mixed with a beat that changes rhythm at least twice. The flute is beautiful ( which btw is used to brilliant effect on the last track), the layering is top notch. You won't have heard these sounds before. This all heads towards the climax which is ethereal beyond belief. An absolute classic.

And then of course the day turned to night. Well, this is my favorite. Twenty minutes of a completly evolving drum and bass styled beat layered with flute, samples, drones and other devices which I have no idea about...sounds like atmospheric bliss. And then come those lush cords. Oh my do they sound good. The timing on this track is spot on giving it a superb ending where you don't quite know where it's going to go.

The first and the last tracks provide such wonderful bookends to this fantastic collection of music. I can only hope we see much more of Shpongle.