Moby "plays" for a broad audience
by Michael Alian, Outpost Staff
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Moby crosses musical boundaries in his latest album Play. |
But when I want to be mentally and musically challenged, I found the perfect CD. It's Moby's Play album. Never heard of Moby? I didn't either before the release of his popular alternative rock single "Natural Blues." That same song is also getting tons of airplay on MTV.
Play is an album of contradictions. It's a mix of hip-hop, blues, swing, techno and just about every type of music genre imaginable. All those influences make for one amazing album. It's an album that will make you think, make you cry and make you smile, all in 63.12 minutes.
From the beginning of Play you sense you're in for a real treat. From the first note played, you know your journey from track to track will be a wild one. Moby mixes vocal samples from early century black folk recordings and adds his own twist. It's a bizarre trip.
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On the Web www.moby.org |
"Bodyrock" is a kick in the pants. It's a dance type of song surrounded on Play by more downtempo music. This song is fun. I first heard the song in my kick boxing aerobics class at the gym. It motivated me then. It motivates me now.
Tracks
1. Honey (3.28)
Moby is motivating himself and making a splash in the
American music marketplace. In October, 1999, he played
"Natural Blues" on CBS's The Late Show with David
Letterman. Play is also nominated by National
Public Radio as one of the "300 most important American
musical works of the 20th century." Moby is quickly
catapulting his mammoth success overseas to the U.S.
2. Find My Baby (3.59)
3. Porcelain (4.01)
4. Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? (4.24)
5. South Side (3.49)
6. Rushing (3.00)
7. Bodyrock (3.36)
8. Natural Blues (4.13)
9. Machete (3.37)
10. 7 (1.02)
11. Run On (3.45)
12. Down Slow (1.34)
13. If Things Were Perfect (4.18)
14. Everloving (3.25)
15. Inside (4.48)
16. Guitar Flute & String (2.09)
17. The Sky Is Broken (4.18)
18. My Weakness (3.37)
Part of Moby's success comes from some of his more introspective tunes on Play. "Porcelain" and "Why does my heart feel so bad?" take you to another place. You are no longer commuting to work in heavy traffic. These songs transport you to a higher level of thinking. It's a level some of us enjoy reaching, others might not be able to see inside themselves that much. I enjoy every minute of these two songs. Being transported to a different state of mind is euphoric.
While Play can be euphoric, it can also be difficult for all music lovers to handle. The album also makes it difficult for some fans to understand him. Why? It goes back to the great variation of musical styles on Play. Skipping from techno and house to punk and metal without a whole lot of concern for consistency is difficult to grasp, at least at first.
But the more you listen to Play the more you understand Moby's obvious desire to challenge his fans.
This isn't cookie-cutter pop. If your ears are bleeding for that, check out the 98 degrees album or maybe even a little Madonna.
If your ears and mind want a challenge, then you can't pass up Moby's Play.
Posted April 19, 2000
Copyright 2000 Nevada Outpost
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