Best Album of the Year
author: LCW- Sunshine Review
I would like to start off by saying that I really love this album. I am somewhat familiar with Robert's earlier work like 1993's Sanctuary and 1999's Paradox CD's, and as good as his debut album was 16 years ago, this is by far his best work to date. Maybe now I know why it has taken so long between releases, Robert has been working on the craft of enjoyable dreamy mood instrumentals. Unlike other ambient style music I listen to, Robert seems to write actual songs with a beginning middle and end. Well maybe except for (Eva's Reflection), but I can understand that was one of his movie scores, but even that song conjures up movie scenes in my mind. All of these songs on this CD take your mind on a soothing adventure, they are well crafted and executed, and I'm happy to get 12 of them on this CD. Robert's other CD's only had 10 songs, which that alone I understand is above average for any CD in todays indie EP slanted world.
I even like the colorful cover art and inside (volcano) concept that would have had a much larger impact had it been released on a 12" vinyl in the days of old. It's nice to see there are still some artist that go the extra mile in that catagory.
I can also see why The Weather Channel has chosen so many songs from this CD to feature on local on the 8's, it fits perfectly into their smooth jazz/new age format. Many songs have the airy vocals that you would find in a Enya or Celtic type songs, and the melisma lead vocal styling's are dreamy and wonderful sounding. Even the Gregorian chant alyrical vocals in the song 'Landfall' are hauntingly relaxing. Several songs in the middle of the album have some flavorful spanish guitar in the mix.
And 'Cracking the Mountain'ends the 12 song juggernaut on a up tempo climax as if the peaceful mountain of music on this CD suddenly decided to add lava to the spice.
I think that's why this CD is separate from his earlier work, these are instrumentals that are kicked up a notch.
Krakatoa is most certainly an eruption of dreamy mind wondering music.
This CD is a must have if your collection includes, Moby, Ryan Farish, Tangerine Dream, Enya, Vangelis or any other tasty mood instrumentals. And in Krakatoa, Robert A. Wolf has created a very tasty album indeed -
Delicious! - I highly recommend it.
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