Friday, October 12, 2007

Enigma - Return to innocence

I want to dedicate this song to you all. Turn up the volume if you can. I hope you like it. Many people scorn at New Age music, probably because it was most proeminent in the 80s, where many of the "sins" of popular music were created, according to some people. (Well, according to the Wikipedia, the roots come from the 70s in fact, with Brian Eno, but when I think of it, I remember the 80s and early 90s).

The bottom line is New Age as a movement it's all about a return to the spiritual values and spiritual exploration by the individual, which is way the music is often associated with meditation and valuing the beautiful things in life. It has a message of hope for the future (also in these lyrics, if you pay attention). Regardless of all this yada-yada, it is the music that is powerful. The other day I was listening to this song and felt connected to something far greater than the artists behind it. There is a "voice" in this song coming from the core of something, from the earth, from what unites us all as individuals. Maybe it's something like the collective unconscious. I felt really moved and euforic in a way. And perhaps this is why I'm more and more into World music, or whatever they want to call it. I used to be a rock person, not too long ago, but my preferences have been shifting to things that are more raw, more traditional (not that rock isn't traditional and has its roots strongly defined in the Blues, etc.). But what makes me happy now is more tribal, folklore, with instruments that aren't electric, that are simpler, with people that sing with all their lungs in languages I sometimes don't understand and yet they make me FEEL a lot of things.

I wouldn't include New Age in this category of World Music but this video is one of my favourites ever. It's beautiful, very clever, full of archetypes even. And mixing the magical with the rural, unicorns and pears.

14 comments:

Roam2Rome said...

Loved it! Though I didn't know that this type of music was New Age, it is simply pretty music to me :)

Niall young said...

There is something hauntingly 'Earthly'and yet 'Heavenly' about the Native indian chanting..it reaches into the basic root of the senses..it is about life and death..the circle of creation.Thank you for reminding me that this exists..I'd forgotten all about it!

Stephanie said...

I will send you a copy of my latest mix CD if you want. I think I still have your address somewhere, but will ask again if I can't find it.

I am absolutely loving the new Beirut, myself.

Preeti Shenoy said...

Oh my god!My brother and I used to watch this video endlessly, when it had just come out.(we were in school and MTV had just come to Indai--thats when I first saw it) This sure brought back a LOT of memories.
I had no idea this is 'new age' (To be honest my knowledge of music is pathetic)but most of the ones you post I like!

Preeti Shenoy said...

I mean "India" --That was a typo.

Anonymous said...

brings back so many memories...my music taste has changed so much in the last 12 years. I was a serious rock fan and somehow fell into ambient music, electronic music, new age music. That video is a little too much for me today, I'm a bit melancholic!

x said...

what's wrong with new age music? i love it, most of it at least. we have a radio station here that only plays "ethnic" it's called Cosmos, maybe it is online too, i'll look for it and let you know.

Admin said...

have you ever listened to *Eluvium*? they feature slow and intense music. two more of my faves are *The Cinematic Orchestra* and *The Field* (which is ethereal and slightly more electronic sounding). i am having similar experiences with music.... music is the sound of the soul...

Devil Mood said...

R2R: Labels don't matter, especially in music, don't you think?

Niall: Until you said it, I had recognized the voice as a Native Indian, but it must be. Maybe because it was, like you said, in the root of my senses and that root isn't rational.

Stephanie: I liked the Beirut on your blog :)

PS: That's funny because this is also one of my earliest memories of MTV. It was so much better back then!

Chrispito: Oh, hope you're feeling better now. It must be a good sign that our tastes change.

Chloe: I think I could get hooked on a radio station like that! :) There's nothing wrong with it, but some people say there's nothing wrong with nu-metal and I have to disagree. hehe ;)

Kristen: I think I've heard of that name. I'll give it a listen, sounds great, thanks :)

kali said...

my favorite music!

delhidreams said...

first, thanks for the song.

i remember this song from my early years, when i was just beginning to listen to English songs/music as they call it in India. always liked the video very well.
now if i analyse it, it would be something like that, everything is falling into place...back to roots, to the core of the world, nature, humanity...

what do u say?
p.s. do try to listen to some Indian classical instruments, especially, Sitar by Pandit Ravi Shankar or Santoor by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma or Flute by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasiya.

then come over to delhidreams and tell me how your experience was :)

- adi

Devil Mood said...

Kali: I'm glad!

Adi: I don't know those names but I do like the sound of the sitar so I'll try to find them. Yes, going back to the roots in a powerful thing.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the chant in this song is by TAIWAN ABORIGINES, NOT Native Americans.

Devil Mood said...

Anonymn: Thanks for telling me. I wasn't sure of anything.