Orbus Terrarum
The Orb
1995

Review by Mike Johnsen

October 26, 2000

I would have to say this may very well be my favorite Orb album. I certainly find myself listening to this disk more often 5 years later than some of The Orb's other disks. What draws me to listen to this album is the complexity of the sounds. Orbus Terrarum is more of a diversion away from previous compositions which would be right at home on the dance floor.

Orbus goes way beyond Saturday night dancing into complexly layers, carefully orchestrated pieces which retain elements of previous releases, such as unbeatable samples (the slug story in Slug Dub is halarious!) but I think Weston, Philips, Green and Paterson really pushed the medium here and I'd love to hear more. It makes his previous efforts seem basic and simple, except for The Orb's "Little Album", Pomme Fritz (1994). This shorter disk almost seems like a practice, or a warm-up.... maybe even out-takes of Orbus Terrarum.

Orbus Terrarum starts off with Valley, which shows up in concert quite often. But I don't think it's the best piece on the disk. Valley sets you straight, though, on what to expect. The initial sounds- which seem like a thousand different samples - convergie into the formation of Valley. There is a certain refinement in the selection and quality of tones used in this piece.

But let's get to Plateau. I love this tune and it was my initial favorite from the disk: light, ephemeral, and well designed for that floaty, hypnotic, textured voyage that "New Age" music strived for but rarely, if ever, achieved. But I've always been partial to the Brian Eno-style ambient side of electronica. This is a definantly more of an ambient tune, though the driving rythym suggests that instead of a lack of beat, the sounds used to represent the beat are not the typical tones used in electronica. The reverberations later in the song are what push me over the edge, replicating the "post-bong hit rush."

Oxbow Lakes moves into my current "most favorite" song from the disk. I would highly recommend getting the CD Single of Oxbow Lakes for the brilliantly arranged and performed "Evensong Arrangement" done by a string quartet. Replaceing reverb with cello, pontimeter with violin, this arrangement is the representational link between electronica and classical music. Which brings me to the core of this album, and review. Orbus Terrarum's release is what started the buzz about the classical crossover in electronic music, or at least after 1995 is when I started reading about the influence of classical music on electronica and could firmly point to Orbus
Terrarum as an example. Obviously, Orbital contributes to that as well in their 2nd and subsequent disks. Don't think stodgy, however (if you do, you need to listen to more classical music!). Orbus Terrarum is nothing but a trip allowing the mental imagery to flow freely with scarcely an effort.

But back to Oxbow Lakes. Listen to the swirling sounds behind the piano in the first few moments of the song. If these aren't the sounds I've heard on LSD! Absolutely amazing. The attention to detail throughout this album is rare in electronica of today, which seems to be more and more influenced by simplification and pop music. But then again, this disk is 5 years old.

Montagne D'Or (Der Gute Berg) contains a pleasant suprise which hearalds to
The Orb's punk roots. I'll let you discover this one. White River Junction slows the pace, but maybe to be a breather before the second half of the album, or maybe that break really falls with the quirky, jerky Occidental. White Riover actually develops quite nicely, as do almost all tunes on this disk.

Occidental makes it into the live act probably because it has beat to it, although in a unique way that most club kids may not recognize. But this album by the Orb is all about going beyond dance music, so don't expect Orbus Terrarum to jump start a dance party- I'd recomment U.F. Orb for that.

Then there is the Slug Dub. Where does this crazy story come from? The music actually does a great job in describing, thorugh music, the story-line (if there is a distinctive one!) and clocks in at at about 16 minutes. If you love The Orb's excursions with longer song formats, then SLug Dub won't let you down. As hinted at in itts name, the Dub comes in- signature Orb mixing Dub in the electronic mix as a solid base foundation.

Well, the album's over. Afetr 5 years, I still really love putting the disk on, and I think you would too. If you're looking to see what the realm of electronica can contain, This is one of the more expansive, textured releases you'll find. If you're an Orbie, you've already listened to the disk, and hopefully you agree. Great job!

Michael Johnsen