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BUY + LISTEN |
MOBY - HOTEL (V2) |
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Moby's songwriting is alive with poignancy. The potency of both his heartfelt lyrics and meaningful
melodies elevate his music to a level that's more than throwaway. It may be pop and it may be - partially, anyway - but it's much more than the drivel of Britney Spears or the meltaway candy of
lyrics-for-the-sake-of-something for-the-dance girl-to-sing-over you find in a lot of club, etc. This is real
songcraft, it's just that he employs lots of electronica; but he uses it to its full potential and more than just something to move your body. The gorgeous ambient/downtempo “Hotel Intro” leads into the rock/electronic pop mix of “Raining Again,” which is rife with retro remembrances, summoning an Oasis-like sensibility for recalling Beatlesesque-etc. rock. “Beautiful” drops the tempo back down to a mid-range but lively groove of infectious quality, again mixing beats and guitar and climaxing in an effusive chorus. On “Life Me Up,” the viewer is treated to a fusion of organic, acoustic-sounding strumming and propulsive electronic dance beats. “Where You End” features mesmerizing, subtle electronic textures and continues a similar beat pulse as the previous track. “Temptation” chills down to a nighttime groove and speaks softly from the soul. "Spiders" brings to mind a flavor that is retro but edgy, like, perhaps, David Bowie. "Dream About Me" is emotive, cool, beautiful and catchy in its unassuming way. The lush electronic pulse of “Very” is gorgeous and enveloping. Engaging, soft quirk informs “I Like It” and “Love Should” is chilled, organic, spacey and heart-tugging. “Slipping Away” is another quiet but strong piece. “Forever” follows in the same tracks. Ending the first disc is “Homeward Angel,” a delicoius bit of textured ambient grooves. The second disc is comprised of absorbing ambient pieces blending lush, elongated morphine melodies, goosebump-inducing textures and chilled beats. Different than the pop of the first disc, the second one is nonetheless worthy of purchase in its own right and equally as engaging - if not more so - than the electronic rock on the first disc. “Hotel” is a solid, two-disc package, without doubt, and contains a wealth of great music. -- review by Kristofer Upjohn
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