2017 THREAD Orbital are back! Whatever happens will happen again!

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/02/orbital-return-split-british-dance-duo-tour-dates-new-material-kinetic

the "new material" is kind of a cheap shot but who cares, the Hartnolls are back, baby!!

[holden]

Yes!
I was just digging through their back catalog and revisiting Paul Hartnoll's "8:58" project (which wasn't half bad) when this news hit.

First thought - these guys need money. Why split in 2004, reunite in 2009, split in 2014 (though i guess estrangement started in 2012), reunite again in 2017 if not for cash? Well, sounds like they had personal issues to work through and want to keep it going. If the music's good, that's all i care about and will part with more cash to support 'em.

The updated Kinetic remix isn't doing much for me, other than the nice nostalgic feeling that Orbital are back together and it's a fine track to begin with.

2012's "Wonky" was pretty decent, imo, at least as good as "Middle of Nowhere" and much better than "Blue" and certainly "The Altogether".

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

I swear at this point they should have some kinda Cher cover song or reworking interpretation song with their forever 'this is the last tour' bit...
~.~
F.S.O.L. ;-)

[holden]

For once, I agree with you, John.

Here's hoping for the best.. Orbital have always given us tracks that shimmer. Hopefully, their new record will have a high hit count.

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

Yea as much as I wanna be cynical I think Wonky delivered the goods in a way I didn't think they were capable of after 1999. Still one of my favorite 2 or 3 records of that year.

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

Underworld's LUSH version played with the volume all the way to 11 in the car was lovely this past weekend... Esp. considering I have not listened to that track in at least 10 years... So many memories of the west coast highways of the U.S. flashed by . . .

[holden]

I find it interesting to learn that Paul was the main composer and Phil was more like the editor/ sounding board. Later on, Phil did a lot of DJing and had Long Range, so he sure had his musical chops. Just guessed that the brothers Hartnoll were more evenly split for Orbital productions.

[stimpee]

Three gigs at three expensive festivals.

I'll wait.

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

I find it interesting to learn that Paul was the main composer and Phil was more like the editor/ sounding board. Later on, Phil did a lot of DJing and had Long Range, so he sure had his musical chops. Just guessed that the brothers Hartnoll were more evenly split for Orbital productions.

If you listen to the 8:58 record, particularly the last two songs, it definitely becomes apparent who the main composer is. Wasn't a big fan of Long Range at all.

[holden]

If you listen to the 8:58 record, particularly the last two songs, it definitely becomes apparent who the main composer is. Wasn't a big fan of Long Range at all.


Yeah, I like 8:58, very Orbital feel, though I felt the same for many of the Long Range tracks. Just supposed that through 25+ years, they'd have a more equal division of labor. They are brothers after all, though the reunion announcement suggests Paul was pushing Phil a lot.

I guess if you dissect it, Underworld isn't an equal partnership in that Rick does much of the production, though Karl's input on vocals, guitar and vibe is indispensable. I've read that for the Chemical Brothers, Tom is more the creative, expansive mind, whilst Ed reels it in to singles length. Other bands like FSOL, the Orb, Fluke, Crystal Method, Leftfield,...I'm guessing one of the guys took the lead. It's hard to create by committee.

[purlieu]

I think Phil has probably had some compositional input, but definitely a lot less than Paul. You can even see it live - Paul's by the synths while Phil is manning the desk. It upset me a bit on Wonky where seven of the tracks were just credited to Paul - suggested that they weren't on such good terms and Paul wasn't willing to split the credits any more. Even if the new music isn't that great, I'm really happy that the two brothers are on good terms again. Orbital are a hugely important band to me, and the way their last breakup was worded suggested things weren't good between the pair of them which made me sad.

Can't speak for most of the other groups, but FSOL was fairly equal, in that they'd general do a back-and-forth between the pair of them on a track: Brian would start, then Gaz would do work, then Brian would go back to it, or vice versa. There are a few Brian solo tracks scattered throughout the discography but it's mostly an even split.

[darktrain]

New live set starts at 57ish mins: http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/audios/festivales/wam-2017-editors-orbital-06-05-17/4009260/

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

they just released two live albums (they're basically identical, so I don't know why the need for both, but whatever - they're beyond overdue for a live album), which include 3 new tracks - "Copenhagen", "Phuk", and "Tiny Foldable Cities". All three are excellent (as was "Cooping Lisa", which they were playing before)...new stuff seems like it'll have the "classic" Orbital sound, much like the first and last tracks on Wonky. In fact the whole live set rules, everyone who likes the band should get it. Don't wanna get too hyperbolic here but it gave me the same feeling I got when I first heard Everything, Everything

[joethelion]

I've only been a 'casual fan' of Orbital over the years, but I downloaded 'Live At Eventim Hammersmith Apollo (02-12-17)' out of curiosity, as I didn't like the Blue Album and only bits of Wonky

but I totally agree - it's a great concert, and man... the new version of "Satan" is fantastic

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

they also make "Forever" into a Kraftwerk tune and turn "Girl With the Sun in Her Head" into a total rave-up

but yea that version of "Satan" is something else

[kontakt1968]

The 2 live albums are released via pledge a bit like the live here now underworld cds. I went to the London gig , it was fantastic, satan live in london video is up in orbitals you tube channel..enjoy.

[stimpee]

I decided to buy tickets for the Brighton and Hull gigs in the summer. Excited! The live shows look amazing. the videos ive seen are mindblowingly good.

[holden]

The new tracks sound okay live, but here's hoping for a great new studio record. It's hard to know exactly what you'll get from a YouTube live recording. And while Wonky and Blue are decent albums, I'm looking forward to a new record with more lasting impression...

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

have you heard the Live Here Now recording? pretty close to studio quality, and they're excellent

btw I have to amend my previous post - "Copenhagen" IS "Cooping Lisa", or the latter was just an early version of the former. still, they're 3 for 3 on the new tracks as far as I'm concerned

[stargurl]

New single, Tiny Foldable Cities, out 11 May
New album, Monsters Exist (regular and deluxe versions), out 14 September

Yay :D

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

there's like 35 minutes worth of deluxe tracks on that one, sheesh. interesting that "Copenhagen" isn't on it


new single sounds great. quite a bit different from the live version. maybe this will be a new sort of direction.

[iamneorev]

Now that is a deluxe edition!!!
Tiny Foldable Cities sounds much better than its live version. The tweaks and changes definitely turned it into a solid album track.

Copenhagen and Kinetic 2017 are a part of the bigger bundle, but for me it's no real biggie that they were left off as I already bought them digitally in lossless.

I love Wonky. It has actually become my favorite Orbital album along with In Sides and Snivilisation. I hope they can continue their upward path from Wonky.

Psyched!

2018 is looking to be a great year for electronic music if you still love the classic artists from the 90s. Meat Beat Manifesto just put out a new album. We got albums from Orbital, Underworld, The Chemical Brothers, and The Prodigy coming!

Now someone go get Fluke to reform. ;)

[holden]

Psyched!

2018 is looking to be a great year for electronic music if you still love the classic artists from the 90s. Meat Beat Manifesto just put out a new album. We got albums from Orbital, Underworld, The Chemical Brothers, and The Prodigy coming!

Now someone go get Fluke to reform. ;)

Absolutely! Fluke are in my top 10 artists list, for sure.
New Hybrid in the works, too. Very excited for new Orbital and all the rest. 90's -00's electronic artists set a high bar that most of today's artists can't touch. Well, ok, maybe Jon Hopkins...that guy's new record is incredible. I've listened in full at least a dozen times this week.

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

did not know about the Chems or Prodigy, nice


I believe The Orb have a new one coming out. I thought their last two were ace. But the promo single for this one seems ah...a bit off


dunno what's been going on with Fluke. I remember liking the spinoff group Syntax a lot. their "2nd album" was supposed to be a 3-part EP, but they only managed the first part and then just fell off the earth. hmmm....

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

and yeah I don't mind that "Copenhagen" isn't on the album - I find that a bit interesting since it's such a great "classic Orbital" single, not really groundbreaking in any way but it sounds incredible and if you're a lifelong fan then it'll probably trigger some familiar emotions. the fact that it isn't on the album tells me that this isn't going to be as much of a 'throwback' as Wonky was

[WhiteNoise]

there's like 35 minutes worth of deluxe tracks on that one, sheesh. interesting that "Copenhagen" isn't on it


15-20 years ago, all those bonus tracks would have been b-sides. Shame single releases aren't quite a profitable thing anymore - it was fun to hunt these things down.

[stimpee]

I didnt think Wonky was that much of a throwback. In fact, it was annoyingly modern. The vocals and styles on some tracks meant I havent listened to it in years.

[iamneorev]

I didn't find Wonky to be a complete throwback. It had its moments, but yes a more modern Orbital. I actually quite like Wonky. It has become one of my faves for its balance of classic and modern Orbital. I like that Orbital went with something a bit more modern. The vocals didn't bother me. Some quite powerful tracks. Wonky, In Sides, Snivilisation... those are my jams.

[iamneorev]

P.S. Am I the only one that thinks Wipeout XL soundtrack deserves a Record Store Day reissue?!?!?! Sadly, it's 20th anniversary came and went, but that soundtrack deserves the love. Reissue the two MTV's Amp compilations as well. But especially a Wipeout XL vinyl reissue would be amazing! I think that would be sought after. Make a wild packaging or colorful vinyl for it. Anyone see the Star Wars Tai Fighter 3D vinyl? Do that with the Wipeout crafts with each team and their craft on each side of the vinyl. :P

[jetpig]

I also caught Orbital's Biggest Weekend set from Friday and it is not one to be missed, either.

[iamneorev]

I also caught Orbital's Biggest Weekend set from Friday and it is not one to be missed, either.

Wish there was a rip of it.

[gadzooks]

Orbital live at Radio 6 Biggest Weekend, Belfast
2018-05-25

Setlist:
01 Lush
02 Impact
03 P.H.U.K.
04 Wonky
05 Tiny Foldable Cities
-- (set interrupted by 'technical difficulties')
06 Satan
07 Belfast
08 Halcyon
09 The End Is Nigh
10 Chime
11 Where Is It Going?

Runtime: 1:09:36
320kbps streamrip
File size: 159mb
https://www101.zippyshare.com/v/uXeoXCOx/file.html

[WhiteNoise]

Good rip, but you've accidentally cut Tiny Foldable Cities out - end of Wonky had technical difficulties going into TFC, and on this recording it crossfades into Satan.

[gadzooks]

Ooops...!

[iamneorev]

thanks @gadzooks
The End Is Nigh is interesting, wasn't what I was expecting

[holden]

well thanks, i guess...but the zippy site was a mess of links, software downloads and viruses that i couldn't navigate through to the proper download. Nope.

[stimpee]

If you want good sources for the Orbital stuff then join the OMT group (its a Google Group) with links to a dropbox full of soundboard and remastered bootlegs. Also this recording showed up on DimeADozen recently.

[Badger]

Wish there was a rip of it.

Here is our remastered version of the gig...

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4x0gmq7zt2e3nlc/AACcKx9s0AB6uacctrjKAex7a?dl=0

405

Join our group:
https://groups.google.com/group/orbital_music_tribe_phase_2

[iamneorev]

New interview:
https://www.pledgemusic.com/blog/orbital-interview-september-2018?referrer=facebook_ads

[holden]

Album out today. First spin... it's fun, varied, and closer in spirit to their 90's heyday than their last three post-millenial albums. The record proper is filled with classic Orbital analog goodness and funky, dark samples, perhaps a bit more noodly than before. The bonus disc us a mixed bag in my mind, but that's to be expected of essentially outtakes ( though "to dream again" stands out as more fleshed out).

Glad the brothers Hartnoll are back and have delivered a fine album, which - again, on first blush- is their best since Middle of Nowhere.

Your thoughts?

[joethelion]

I've been listening to it a bit while at work today...

I've only listened to the first disc so far, but I've got to say - I'm pleasantly surprised.

Definitely agree that it seems to be more in-line with their 90's albums than their last three.

I hesitated on buying the album, and just did the Apple Music 'pre-order', as 'Wonky' really didn't "grab" me; 'Blue Album' has its moments (but a lot of filler); and while I now really like 'The Altogether' - it took years for me to finally 'get it' - know what I mean?

but now - I'm definitely going to pick up a physical copy.

(edit)
Aaaannd surprisingly, they still had signed copies available on the pledge music store!

[iamneorev]

I'm loving the new album as well, even the deluxe edition tracks are great. I hold this album up there with Snivilisation and In Sides.

I was actually a huge fan of Wonky. It's one of my favorites from them. But agree that post-In Sides/pre-Wonky albums have been a bit hit or miss.

[holden]

A few more listens in... Best Orbital album since In Sides. I like MON plenty, but here's a new classic.

Each latter stage album had their moments, but this is their most cohesive in a long while.

Listening again to the bonus disc, really only "to dream again" makes any impression. But I have the 2-cd Altogether and the second disc is similarly mixed. Great to have extra tracks, but the inspiration to include the best was right.

What I love about Orbital is their willingness to stick with the style they helped create.
I've noticed modernisation of beats over the years, but the melodies are unique. They know what makes them Orbital and they evolve that style.

[WhiteNoise]

What I love about Orbital is their willingness to stick with the style they helped create.
I've noticed modernisation of beats over the years, but the melodies are unique. They know what makes them Orbital and they evolve that style.
I agree with this assessment so much. They've modernized in percussion and song structure - away from the loops and away from longer progressive song structures (which I miss) but have adopted shorter yet more intricate beat sections. No less effort, just in a smaller package.

This might be a weird take but this album feels like the Blue Album done right - particularly the darker Monsters Exist, The Raid, Buried Deep Within and There Will Come A Time all evoke the cinematic mystic/dangerous dark mood of the first 5 tracks on Blue Album, which were the most cohesive.

I still miss the longer song structures of the past and yearn for just one more album like that (same as I do with Underworld) but this album is the most mature songwriting they've ever put out and I keep finding more in it with repeat listens. The Raid and Tiny Foldable Cities are so detailed - TFC has more synth tweaking than an average Chemical Brothers song.

I like a lot of the bonus disc as well. Feel like Fun With The System and Dressing Up / To Dream Again could have fit between Vision One and The End Is Nigh to pad out the album a little longer. My main problem is with how suddenly the album ends (you're at The End is Nigh so quickly it seems, and There Will Come A Time isn't the best either - instrumental's strong though), having one or two songs in before the end would make it better as a whole.

[iamneorev]

HMV UK has an exclusive 3CD edition that has a bonus third disc featuring 2017 digital only singles "Copenhagen" and "Kinetic 2017" as well as "To Dream Again (Reoccurring Mix)" and an alternate version of "Where Is It Going? (Live Style Mix)."

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

I now really like 'The Altogether' - it took years for me to finally 'get it' - know what I mean?



I always figured people would come around to that album after they'd managed to divorce it from the impeccable streak they'd been on in the 90s. I've always thought of it like Orbital doing a Fatboy Slim album.

[stimpee]

Only listened once so far, but on first listen I actually liked CD2 despite what people have been saying about it (listen only to CD1 first, then when youre used to it, go for CD2). Some throwaway tracks on CD1 that scream - this is a B-side at best.

[iamneorev]

Got my tickets for Orbital in Brooklyn

[ndrwrld]

fuck them for not hitting Toronto. Pretty decent album.

[mark3]

I have tickets for their gig in Copenhagen this Sunday. First time I'll see them live :D:)

[iamneorev]

ORBITAL 30 REMIXED COMING IN 2019, NEW ALBUM IN 2020

Fact Magazine shared a video of Paul Hartnoll showing off his studio and live rig and there is some interesting information if you pay attention to the whiteboard on the wall. I took some screenshots for your viewing pleasure.

Remixer list:
http://i.imgur.com/yeBD9nb.jpg

It reads...

ORBITAL 30 REMIXED

UTAH SAINTS
BICEP
APHEX TWIN
CHEMICAL BROTHERS
UNDERWORLD
LEFTFIELD
PRODIGY
DAVID HOLMES
VINCE CLARKE

Now only Bicep has a check mark by his name, so possibly he is the only one who agreed at the moment or he is the only one who handed in his remix. I guess we shall find out in 2019.

Orbital studio/live rig video:
https://youtu.be/VjlWypTclec

Orbital mentioned wanting their peers to remix classic tracks as well as re-recording tracks to be closer to their current live incarnations for Orbital 30...

“It’s our 30th anniversary next year, and there’s nothing concrete yet, but we would like to do an ‘Orbital 30’ album — and we essentially want to get a lot of our peers to do remixes of our classic tracks, and we want to record our tracks how we play them live now, because they’re very different from when we first recorded them because the way we improvise live sort of rearranges the structure of the song,” Hartnoll says. “When we play ‘Halcyon’ live, we don’t even realize how different it is from when we first recorded it, almost like it went through a game of Chinese whispers."

“Next year, 2019, will be more of a celebration for us,” Hartnoll adds, “and for 2020, my vision is that we will have another album out.”

Source:
http://www.sfweekly.com/music/orbitals-time-is-now/?fbclid=IwAR3okrGoHJx1wk6kWUroTDxON7J0Vt_9JkumyZUB VkBgrlLk8jfqgD2JzRE

Tracks Orbital are re-recording:
http://i.imgur.com/Q5lYOoZ.jpg

[iamneorev]

Wow! What a show! Just got back. Orbital played 2 hours! The sound was great, really loud and lots of bass. The crowd was going insane and the Hartnoll brothers looked really into it and jammed a little bit when things were really going off. After Doctor? they asked if we wanted one more. Lush came on and they did an awesome jam out at the end. The whole place was wild and cheering at all the big moments. Paul got on the mic at the end and was like "Bloody hell! We really gotta come back here again. Who knew Brooklyn is this crazy?"

Intro w/ Professor Brian Cox
Monsters Exist
There Will Come a Time (We All Die Remix)
Impact
P.H.U.K.
Wonky
Tiny Foldable Cities
Satan
Hoo Hoo Ha Ha
Halcyon + On + On
Vision OnE
Belfast
Chime
Where Is It Going?
The End Is Nigh
Doctor?
Lush

I recorded some clips and took a few pics. Will post later, too tired after that. So happy I got to see them. If you have not seen them live, definitely go do it. They are powerful live.

[holden]

All good news! That's quite a wish list for remixers. Hope it all comes together. Plus a new LP without a 5+ year wait!

Edited to add: seeing Utah Saints on that list made me wonder whatever happened to them? I kind of enjoyed the sample craziness of their "Two" album. I guess they remixed "Something good" a few years ago, but really lost track of em.

[iamneorev]

Live At Eventim Hammersmith Apollo 15.12.18
Orbital will be recording their show this weekend and releasing it on CD/digital with poster...
http://i.imgur.com/36VkQKu.jpg

Preorder:
https://www.musicglue.com/orbitallive/?fbclid=IwAR1K-2XodAsU4yNqgUx-63vk1qNVSCDTuKph0LoYdFa-7Lr3YSOMHdnlKM4

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

I've probably mentioned it in this thread but those two live recordings they put out this year were absolutely ace. Love the idea of doing updated studio versions - the likes of Jean-Michel Jarre and Kraftwerk have done it, so why not Orbital?

[iamneorev]

I've probably mentioned it in this thread but those two live recordings they put out this year were absolutely ace. Love the idea of doing updated studio versions - the likes of Jean-Michel Jarre and Kraftwerk have done it, so why not Orbital?

Yeah, love the two live shows they put out. I can't for the new one. I preordered the WAV for the new show last night. Need the 17th to arrive soon.

I saw them in Brooklyn just the other week and curious if the setlist will be the same. Either way, I'll be happy to have this new setlist, but hope they sprinkle something different at Hammersmith.

According to Paul Hartnoll, they have loads of live recordings from over the years. Someone asked about them relearn a live around in a Q&A and Paul seemed really into the idea. He said he just needed the time and energy to sort through it all and figure out a way to present it/release it. They should create a Bandcamp or something and post them.

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

its kind of hard to navigate their page but if you just want the MP3s you can get them here


https://www.musicglue.com/orbitallive/products/live-at-eventim-hammersmith-apollo-15-dot-12-dot-18-download-mp3-version


setlist appears to be:


Intro
Monsters Exist/There Will Come A Time
Impact
P.H.U.K./Wonky
Tiny Foldable Cities
Satan
Hoo Hoo Ha Ha
Halcyon
Vision On E
Belfast
The End Is Nigh
Doctor ?
Chime
Where Is It Going




seems pretty similar to their 2017 shows, but with new stuff taking the place of "Girl With the Sun in Her Head" and "Forever", which is too bad since those were both highlights of the 2017 sets. its strange that they completely skip over Snivilisation/In Sides/Middle of Nowhere...IMO those are their three best albums!

[iamneorev]

Monsters Exist #41 on Mixmag's top 50 albums of 2018...

https://mixmag.net/feature/top-albums-2018?fbclid=IwAR0Chbobk2Btc9XJXi5oUHluY8PE8MLAClKO Q2cg-idrEYcNHSjsbjqBoEE

[markreed]

http://www.thefinalword.co.uk/content/view/1462/

This year was very different from last year : the older songs felt revamped, the visuals and staging was all updated, and it certainly wasn't a rehash of 2017.

[holden]

Wish I could have seen them Stateside. But all indications are of a band looking forward, not resting on the past laurels.

Monsters Exist has consistently impressed me. There are several B sides I'd sub into the LP, but as a whole new chunk of songs, it's stronger than Wonky, Blue , and perhaps Altogether (I know, a mixed bag, but some great stuff in it!).

[crank]

interesting. I tried listening to it when it first came out and got bored after the third track. I'll have to go revise.

[iamneorev]

I absolutely love Wonky and Monsters Exist. I got into Orbital when Snivilisation was released. Snivilisation and In Sides are both amazing. Middle Of Nowhere, The Altogether, and Blue Album were alright, but not as good. Wonky, Monsters Exist, Snivilisation, In Sides are my goto. Got to see them in Brooklyn earlier in the month. First time seeing them live and it was awesome! I highly suggest everyone to check them out live. Very powerful.

[iamneorev]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiEkElKmGbw

[holden]

Just because lists are fun to debate...

1. In Sides
2. Orbital 2 (Brown Album)
3. Snivilisation
4. Monsters Exist
5. The Middle of Nowhere
6. Wonky
7. The Altogether
8. Blue Album
9. Orbital (Green Album)

Why the debut so low? Just a collection of singles that hasn't aged well (maybe hence their interest in some rerecording? Granted, Chime and Belfast are lovely classics). US and UK editions considered. Blue is fine, but nothing particularly memorable. Admitedly, an EP stretched to album length. To be honest, 4-7 could jostle for position, and I might be recollecting B sides in this assessment, many of which I like more than album cuts.

Top 3 are pretty unshakable. Just glorious 90's concept techno.

[iamneorev]

Hmmm... gotta think about this one...

01 Wonky
02 Snivilisation
03 In Sides
04 Monsters Exist
05 Blue Album
06 Orbital 2 (Brown Album)
07 The Middle Of Nowhere
08 The Altogether
09 Orbital (Green Album)

Top 4 are solid from front to back, absolutely love them all equally. The rest have their strengths and weaknesses. I do agree their debut sounds quite dated.

[holden]

Interesting that you rate Wonky #1. It's solid, and as soon as the beats and analog fuzz lead kicked in at the start of "One Big Moment", my thought was "Yes! This is Orbital...much better than Blue". But is it best? To each their own, sir!

Orbital are tough cookies to crack. They have plenty of anthemic classics, but also a lot of noodly "fillers". Maybe every band does, just a matter of how much you appreciate them. Having discovered Orbital relatively late (bought Work in 2002), their early albums might carry more import as being "classics". Once I got to The Altogether, it did seem a mess on early listening, but really, it's no less varied than anything before. I'm fine with their latter day output, but really only Monsters Exist has struck me as consistent and forward-looking.

But hey, they're back, seemingly set on more output, and I really can't consider any of their albums as being bad. All have plenty of "quality seconds"!

[purlieu]

Snivilisation
In Sides
Brown
Green
Monsters Exist
The Altogether
Wonky
The Middle of Nowhere
Blue


The first four are classics, and cemented my love for the band. Snivilisation took me a long time to really 'get', but once it sunk in I absolutely loved it.

I hated The Altogether for the longest time, but a few years ago it suddenly clicked. I think it's often criticised for being so different to their earlier stuff, but I think it was totally essential: I enjoy The Middle of Nowhere, but it was clear they were working to a formula there: The Altogether strikes me as a really daring album in hindsight. It makes a huge break from the acid house, techno and breaks that led their '90s work and pushes their electro influences forward. It's such a startlingly different sound palette that it immediately feels un-Orbital - especially as they really bring the poppy side of electro forward, shortening the run time and throwing in a traditional 'song' on an album for the first time. I don't think it's an entirely successful experiment - the second half is a bit underwhelming, and 'Meltdown' is totally out of place - but I admire it for its bravery.

Blue is pretty mediocre. 'Transient' is a beautiful opener, and the following four tracks are decent, although closer to b-side quality than your average Orbital album track. The last four tracks are a career low point for me.

Wonky has some wonderful stuff on it, a couple of real classics ('One Big Moment' and 'New France' are among my all-time Orbital favourites), but a few too many concessions to modern EDM to feel consistently excellent for my liking.

Monsters Exist... oh, I dunno, I feel like there's a better album in there, with a bit of a shuffle around, and a couple of longer tracks. Paul reckons people don't have the attention span to listen to long records these days, and yet the one consistent criticism of the last four albums has been that the songs are too short! Daft bastard. Buried Deep Within ends just as it gets going, which disappoints me every time I listen. The End is Nigh sounds like The Chainsmokers. And Brian Cox can fuck off. Transport a couple of tracks from the bonus disc over to replace them (I'd say Kaiju, To Dream Again and the Coxless closing track) and you've got an album that's genuinely the equal of their first four. As it is, the 3CD HMV deluxe version is still excellent value and a bloody great album, it's just a shame about those little niggles that stop it being the album it should be.


The 30th anniversary thing is exciting. Ten old tracks reworked in their current live style, ten tracks remixed... I'm wonder if we'll have a DVD to accompany it? Only they've done far more than ten to make it up to 30, hah. Still, even though a few of these are little more than patterns to watch on YouTube, this would still be a good watch:

Belfast
Speedfreak (Moby Mutation)
Halcyon
Lush
Are We Here?
Belfast/Wasted
The Box
Satan
The Saint (Version 1)
The Saint (Version 2)
Style
Much Ado About Nothing Left
Funny Break
Illuminate
One Perfect Sunrise
The Gun is Good
Never
Straight Sun
New France
Wonky
Christmas Chime
Kinetic 2017
Copenhagen
Tiny Foldable Cities
P.H.U.K.
The End is Nigh

[stimpee]

My tracklisting:

The Raid
Tiny Foldable Cities (Kareful Remix)
A Long Way From Home
There Will Come A Time (Instrumental)
Dressing Up In Other People's Clothes
Analogue Test Oct 16
Tiny Foldable Cities
Vision One
Fun With The System
Copenhagen
Hoo Hoo Ha Ha (Beat-Herder mix)
Buried Deep Within
P.H.U.K.
To Dream Again
Kaiju

Found a way to listen to Hoo Hoo Ha Ha, and that was to remove the farty trumpets completely. Brian Cox is also muted. The track "Monsters Exist" just has a high pitched vocal and loses momentum after a cool intro. The Raid is a nice slow way to get into the album, and i've kind of ordered by BPM.


Monsters Exist... oh, I dunno, I feel like there's a better album in there, with a bit of a shuffle around, and a couple of longer tracks. Paul reckons people don't have the attention span to listen to long records these days, and yet the one consistent criticism of the last four albums has been that the songs are too short! Daft bastard. Buried Deep Within ends just as it gets going, which disappoints me every time I listen. The End is Nigh sounds like The Chainsmokers. And Brian Cox can fuck off. Transport a couple of tracks from the bonus disc over to replace them (I'd say Kaiju, To Dream Again and the Coxless closing track) and you've got an album that's genuinely the equal of their first four. As it is, the 3CD HMV deluxe version is still excellent value and a bloody great album, it's just a shame about those little niggles that stop it being the album it should be.

[holden]

I like your setlist, Stimpee!

I'm okay with the original "Hoo Hoo Haa Haa", as the horns don't bother me, and it's a fun track. But I definitely would add in several of the bonus disc tracks, maybe swapping out some of the latter album tracks.

Still, it's awesome that Orbital are again producing and at a pretty high level. As I wrote above, "Monsters Exist" is one of the stronger records in their discography for me.

[iamneorev]

I like your setlist, Stimpee!

I'm okay with the original "Hoo Hoo Haa Haa", as the horns don't bother me, and it's a fun track. But I definitely would add in several of the bonus disc tracks, maybe swapping out some of the latter album tracks.

Still, it's awesome that Orbital are again producing and at a pretty high level. As I wrote above, "Monsters Exist" is one of the stronger records in their discography for me.

I agree with ya. Monsters Exist, Wonky, In Sides, and Snivilisation are my favorite Orbital albums from front to back. I can throw those on any day and enjoy them from start to finish.

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

Monsters Exist... oh, I dunno, I feel like there's a better album in there, with a bit of a shuffle around, and a couple of longer tracks. Paul reckons people don't have the attention span to listen to long records these days, and yet the one consistent criticism of the last four albums has been that the songs are too short! Daft bastard. Buried Deep Within ends just as it gets going, which disappoints me every time I listen. The End is Nigh sounds like The Chainsmokers. And Brian Cox can fuck off. Transport a couple of tracks from the bonus disc over to replace them (I'd say Kaiju, To Dream Again and the Coxless closing track) and you've got an album that's genuinely the equal of their first four. As it is, the 3CD HMV deluxe version is still excellent value and a bloody great album, it's just a shame about those little niggles that stop it being the album it should be.


I pretty much agree with all this - it feels like you're getting a lot of bits and pieces of epics, but not the full story. Once you really take in all the bonus tracks it's clear there's a brilliant 50-55 minute album in there...but you kinda have to dig it out yourself. "Kaiju" is so great, I can't imagine why that didn't make the main disc...

[iamneorev]

BURIED DEEPER WITHIN/IMPACT (THE CURSED EARTH MIX)
12" RECORD STORE DAY 2019

Limited edition double A-side club 12' ' on white vinyl, gloss sleeve with an embossed stripe. Includes two previously unreleased remixes, both done by the band. On one side ' Buried Deeper Within' , a remix of a stand out track from Orbital' s 2018 album ' Monsters Exist' . On the flip, a remix of one of their all-time classic tracks ' Impact' (the original is on their revered second album from 1993).

https://recordstoreday.co.uk/releases/rsd-2019/orbital/

[robotusch]

Probably already noted by more avid users, but Orbital / Paul Hartnoll has been uploading some very early live gigs, with a brief intro/outro detailing the circumstances and anecdotes from the period. Some pretty good stuff in there:

Synergy London, February 1990. First "proper" Orbital gig , supporting The Shamen.
sdXlnQRFYfA

PowerHaus London, 19th April 1991.
flTgXHI-Ynk

Fun Da Mental tour Netherlands 1992.
T44zXYFiMJg

[stimpee]

Yeah Matt (Badger) has been re-packaging these for offline listening too. Check the Orbital google group. Its got lots of soundboards.

[purlieu]

ORBITAL 30 REMIXED COMING IN 2019, NEW ALBUM IN 2020

Fact Magazine shared a video of Paul Hartnoll showing off his studio and live rig and there is some interesting information if you pay attention to the whiteboard on the wall. I took some screenshots for your viewing pleasure.

Remixer list:
http://i.imgur.com/yeBD9nb.jpg

It reads...

ORBITAL 30 REMIXED

UTAH SAINTS
BICEP
APHEX TWIN
CHEMICAL BROTHERS
UNDERWORLD
LEFTFIELD
PRODIGY
DAVID HOLMES
VINCE CLARKE

Now only Bicep has a check mark by his name, so possibly he is the only one who agreed at the moment or he is the only one who handed in his remix. I guess we shall find out in 2019.

Orbital studio/live rig video:
https://youtu.be/VjlWypTclec

Orbital mentioned wanting their peers to remix classic tracks as well as re-recording tracks to be closer to their current live incarnations for Orbital 30...

“It’s our 30th anniversary next year, and there’s nothing concrete yet, but we would like to do an ‘Orbital 30’ album — and we essentially want to get a lot of our peers to do remixes of our classic tracks, and we want to record our tracks how we play them live now, because they’re very different from when we first recorded them because the way we improvise live sort of rearranges the structure of the song,” Hartnoll says. “When we play ‘Halcyon’ live, we don’t even realize how different it is from when we first recorded it, almost like it went through a game of Chinese whispers."

“Next year, 2019, will be more of a celebration for us,” Hartnoll adds, “and for 2020, my vision is that we will have another album out.”

Source:
http://www.sfweekly.com/music/orbitals-time-is-now/?fbclid=IwAR3okrGoHJx1wk6kWUroTDxON7J0Vt_9JkumyZUB VkBgrlLk8jfqgD2JzRE

Tracks Orbital are re-recording:
http://i.imgur.com/Q5lYOoZ.jpg

This is a great example of why bands shouldn't announce things until they're confirmed. All we've had since then are a couple of goofy collaborations and some TV soundtrack work.

[iamneorev]

This is a great example of why bands shouldn't announce things until they're confirmed. All we've had since then are a couple of goofy collaborations and some TV soundtrack work.

Clearly coronavirus changed things and stuff got pushed things back. 2020 is The Prodigy's 30th anniversary and they've seem to push things back until next year. Radiohead were supposed to do a Kid A 20th anniversary this year too. Who knows if that is coming now. Coronavirus fucked up a lot of plans.

[purlieu]

Given that it didn't really have any dramatic effect in the UK until spring 2020 (and even then, Orbital played live well past the point most bands started cancelling gigs), I can't see how Covid would have affected their 2019 plans.

[Lx_Nen]

Well, this one's going to divide the forum...

Orbital's "Belfast (ANNA Techno Remix)": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyOIWeC_3lk

[dubnobasswithme]

It almost sounds like the remix has the .nuxx outro kick drum in there! Keep expecting Rick to bring in some more sounds ;)

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0019cc8

guest hosted a radio show and played some new stuff + some selections from "Thirty-Something". its all edited down but so it seems like they've found their rave side again

[stimpee]

This remix album sounds pretty damned good. Except for Acid Horse which is a bit pants.

[negative1]

Well, this one's going to divide the forum...

Orbital's "Belfast (ANNA Techno Remix)": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyOIWeC_3lk

just heard this now.

it's more like a mashup. however, do you think they
had to ask underworld?

i remember wang chung doing something similar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1vD_YmBpgA

later
-1

[purlieu]

Looks like the next couple of years will be busy with a new album (currently expected February) and a reissue campaign covering their first seven albums with a ton of bonus material.