THE ORB CYDONIA ALBUM ISLAND, UNIVERSAL RELEASE: FEBRUARY 26, 2001 REVIEW: MARCH 31, 2001

After countless delays (the first promo was handed out in 1999), The Orb finally releases their first full-length album since 1997's "Orblivion". Alex Paterson is true to his tradition of weird vocal samples, and you still recognise the Orb sound, but some poppier tracks have snuck in.
The grand opening track "Once More", featuring vocals by Aki Omori is one of those tracks. It has a synth melody that I find myself humming on my way to work. A new take is the use of female vocals throughout, and this makes for an almost Delerium-like experience, at times.
Most tracks on the album have a driving rhythm track, something that started to creep into Orb's music on "Orblivion". Of course you get your fair share of trippy dub stuff too, so don't worry.
All in all, this is the kind of album that grows on you after a couple of listening rounds, which always is a good thing. There are some mediocre tracks sprinkled amongst the gems, and perhaps the album isn't that fresh sounding. But I can recommend this one to any Orb fan, and maybe newcomers as well.

JOHAN CARLSSON