Amazon.co.uk Review: So much unnecessary fuss was made over Enigma's juxtaposition of the sexual and sacred. After all, Prince had been doing it for years, and his take on it was far more interesting--and a lot more daring. But Enigma's MCMXC A.D. did manage to work a lot of people into a lather, both on the dance floor and behind the pulpit. Their inclusion of chanting monks in "Sadeness", over wooshy ambient noises and a slower hip-hop-appropriated beat was a sensation. "Callas Went Away" promised more than it could deliver, although "Mea Culpa" stands as one of the few shining moments on the CD. The idea of mixing new age aural wallpaper with beats that you can do a slow grind to is actually rather intriguing. Spicing it up with controversial religious chants isn't a bad idea either. But there's got to be something personal to it. After the initial novelty wears off, there's nothing to MCMXC A.D. other than bland, cold, impersonal repetition. Now, that might be what most people are used to, but what's so sexy about it? --Steve Gdula
From Amazon.com: So much unnecessary fuss was made over Enigma's juxtaposition of the sexual and sacred. After all, Prince had been doing it for years, and his take on it was far more interesting--and a lot more daring. But Enigma's MCMXC A.D. did manage to work a lot of people into a lather, both on the dance floor and behind the pulpit. Their inclusion of chanting monks in "Sadeness," over wooshy ambient noises and a slower hip-hop-appropriated beat was a sensation. "Callas Went Away" promised more than it could deliver, although "Mea Culpa" stands as one of the few shining moments on the CD. The idea of mixing new age aural wallpaper with beats that you can do a slow grind to is actually rather intriguing. Spicing it up with controversial religious chants isn't a bad idea either. But there's got to be something personal to it. After the initial novelty wears off, there's nothing to MCMXC A.D. other than bland, cold, impersonal repetition. Now, that might be what most people are used to, but what's so sexy about it? --Steve Gdula
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - truly exceptional
Have just found this CD in my loft after being lost during the last house move. So happy to see it i nearly cried. Like being reunited with a long lost friend. Agree with the reviewers here (not Amazon)- this album can be many things to many people so long as you are not offended by the mix of hymns and sensual (at times sexual) beat / sounds. The work can function as background music while you work or socialise; or alternatively be the backdrop to chilling or meditating. It even gives the HiFi ... Read More
Rating: - Best
This is definately the best album out of them all. After having this for many years, it never gets old.
Rating: - wow
wow- thats all i have to say.
this album is classic and if every one had this album, people would feel good all day
Rating: - wow
I have to say that this album is by far amazing (slightly confused by the amazong.co.uk and amazon.com reviews because i personally dont think the author of said reviews listened to the same album as the rest of us.) This piece has the magical ability to pick you up and take you away into a beautiful land in your imagination and let you roam free. It is like a book that you cant put down and are sorry to finish, but glad because you can pick it right back up again to re-read.
The styles that M.C ... Read More
Rating: - Aural Pleasure
This debut album was an unexpected success when it was first released. At the time it was unique to have gregorians monks chanting over a pulsating if somewhat downtempo beat. The slight furore over the lyrics in Sadeness did it no harm either. Overall the album can be classed as one of the 'original' chill out albums alongside other classics such as The KLF's 'Chill Out' and The Orb's 'Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld'. The singles Sadeness and Mea Culpa are the stand out tracks with only 'The Voice and ... Read More
