Seven Lives Many Faces
Enigma 7 is out. SEVEN. I had to go back and count them to be sure Cretu didn't skip o
ne:
MCMXC A.D. - 1990
The Cross of Changes - 1994
Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi - 1996
The Screen Behind the Mirror - 2000
Voyageur - 2003
A Posteriori - 2006
Seven Lives Many Faces - 2008
Five and six were ok, but didn't hold my attention as the first four did...I really can't even remember even a single track off them. I guess that's why I was surprised we were at seven already.
So far, it sounds like all the trademark Enigma sounds are here...the horns in the opening over swirling pads (you can always identify an Enigma album by the opening track), the hip hop beats, the ever-expanding role of vocals (with Andru and Ruth-Ann returning). There are more violins in this one, replacing the synth pads...makes it more of a classical mashup sound...I approve. Sounds like some sitar, too, and even some samples from past albums. Most of the tracks here feel like they could fit on one of the past albums...even all the way back to number 1. Looks like the lyrics are about love, sex, peace and saving the planet. A few are not in English, so I'll need to track down some translations...they're not translated in the booklet...a good reminder that this is international music, and not pandering to an American audience, as much of the music out there is.
As usual, this one is going to have to grow on me for a while...I think I need to get it on my ipod imposter and listen to it outdoors...