Album Details:
Artist = Orbital
Album Name = Insides
Release Date = May 1996 (in the middle of a truly golden era in music)
I first came across this album at the party of one of my friends when I was approximately 16 years old. At this party there was a particular room where people enjoyed…….. well, just use your imagination. Bottom line, there was lots of music and not a lot of chat in this room.
Anyway, back then I was more of a Smashing Pumpkins/Nirvana fan; a generally angry grunge kind of dude, but as I was walking up the stairs I heard a rather beautiful little dance sympathy blasting out of the aforementioned room.
I walked in, gave a few polite nods to the “people” inside. One particular dude, we’ll call him Marty, was banging on something chronic about this record that was playing and explaining the importance to everyone about giving this album their full attention. I agreed and sat down to listen to two of the tunes. I’ll be honest whilst I thought they were good and certainly above average for an electronic number I wasn’t completely blown away. Bottom line. I was too immature and not yet ready for that album.
I wasn’t ready in fact until I was 19. By 19, the bad girl I’d date for a couple of years before had duly cheated on me, dumped me, gotten back together with me and then we mutually (it was so mutual) called it a day. Heartbreak in the bag, I was ready for what Orbital had to throw my way.
Well, it was simply amazing. Whenever I talk about this album I always liken it to an orchestral composition done digitally. The music has so much depth, on each song there are multiple melodies all harmonising and intertwining and the result is pure genius.
Track 1: “The Girl With the Sun in her head”
Aside from that being an absolutely great song name, its awesome. It begins with a heartbeat, and that forms the bass of the track. It’s like the literal birth/starting point of the album. A very accomplished piece of songwriting indeed.
Track 2: “P.E.T.R.O.L”
The only low point on the album. Angry, far too techno-ish/drum n bass nonesense. Avoid. It’s ok, but still, Avoid.
Track 3 & 4 : “The Box – Part 1 & The Box – Part 2”
Wow, if you were thinking of turning off after Petrol, you will be so glad you didn’t. The Box is yet again pure genius. Part 1 is this atmospheric piece of wonderment and part 2 is still that but with a banging fucking drum and bass beat over the top and the melodies just go everywhere, am-az-ing!!!!
Track 5: “Dwr Budr”
Don’t know what the name means, don’t care. Amazing track. Really lo-fi, simple, simple tune, that builds and builds into something that is yet again, beautiful.
Track 6: “Adnan’s”
My second favourite on the album. It starts with this annoying water sound thing and reversed drum/snare. Push past that to the 2nd minute of the tune and you yet again have a tune with the most unbelievable depth. So, so, so, so good.
Track 7 & 8: “Out there somewhere? Parts 1 & 2”
Part 1 is ok. But you need to listen to part 1 to appreciate why part 2 is so good. Out there somewhere part 2 is the best song on this entire album. This is a piece of music that Mozart or Handel would have been proud of. The melody at the end of Part 2 is quite simply the best piece of music ever written electronically. Fact.
Go and listen to this album. Then listen again… if you think you’re ready.
thesearemythoughtsoneverything 