While Michael Cretu, the creative force of Enigma, maintained that the album was about weighty philosophical musings on life, the universe and everything, it was undeniably designed to be the de facto soundtrack to sex in the early 1990s, much like Air's Moon Safari was in the early 2000s. Let's face it, an album with sensual breathing sampled over easy listening electronica beats equals passionate copulation, NOT an afternoon spent pensively pondering over your pitiful existence. You'd get better bang for your buck reading this book if you were philosophically inclined for said afternoon without sex.
For all its genuine appeal, it is an incredibly easy target for mockery and scorn. Goofy religious chants? Check. Sexy French female voice? Check. Sex with a side of religion? Check. Superficial philosophical metaphor for artistic credibility? sigh Check. OK, so it's a bit of a lemon as far as aesthetics go, but damn if it ain't a juicy piece of music designed for the singular purpose of pure pleasure. For that it has had my undying love and devotion and I encourage you to revisit this album when you get a chance.
If you are thinking that this blogger has lost it, allow me to reel you back in and redeem myself in your eyes by recommending some heady contemporary electronic music that should guarantee you an afternoon of pensive pondering of the philosophical persuasion, with the occasional burst of euphoria should you choose to indulge in such vices.
These titles are best bought at your local independent record store. If you are in Toronto, I recommend Sonic Boom, Rotate This!, Cosmos and Cosmos West Records. Of course, downloading also works, in which case Bram Cohen has you covered.
Until next time folks...
