Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Go to the Röyksopp website  Röyksopp - Melody A.M. [Wall Of Sound - 2001]

We get only seldom electronic music from Norway, since most of the bands concentrate on guitars, and even fewer of these bands reach the international charts. The more surprising it was to see the name Röyksopp appear in the big magazines, and even on music channels on television. I decided to give the debut album "Melody A.M." a try, and what a pleasant surprise it was!

Röyksopp (apparently this is the name for some kind of mushroom) is Svein Berge and Torbjorn Brundtland and their music is an outstanding combination between electronics, ambient and lounge, with a touch of soul and jazz sprinkled here and there. Most of the ten tracks on the album are there to chill-out; lounge-friendly and relaxing melodies and not too many vocals used. Some of the songs however, are extremely funky (such as the singles "Eple" and "Poor Leno") and they might just as well reach the dance floor.

"What is Röyksopp up to?" was my thought after the first listen of "Melody A.M." (and many listens afterwards... In fact I'm still wondering what this duo is up to). This is due to the fact that all the tracks are quite different, but in some way they manage to get the best of all kinds of genres. Jazz ("She's So"), trip-hop ("Sparks", featuring Anneli Drecker), dance music with beautiful orchestral arrangements (on the 7 ½ minute long "Röyksopp's Night Out")... You name it and Röyksopp turns it into something inspiring and catchy.

Maybe the above description doesn't really describe enough what "Melody A.M." consists of, but to name a comparison (e.g. Air) would be insulting. Röyksopp is far better, more original and more refreshing than anything (or anybody) else. I can't think of a better debut album released in 2001...

Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5Rating: 5 out of 5

Justin Faase
Latest Reviews

Röyksopp - Melody A.M.
We get only seldom electronic music from Norway, since most of the bands concentrate on guitars, and even fewer of these bands reach the international charts.
280324   Typhoon Club - Typhoon Club(B...
270324   Jerzy Skolimowski Collection ...
260324   Latex Choker - Sealed
260324   Occlusion - 59: No Input Wall
260324   Nihil Impvlse - Anabasis
260324   Marta Forsberg - Sjunger För...
260324   The New Boy - The New Boy( Th...
250324   The Stargazer’s Assistant - ...
250324   Liza Lim - Annunciation Trip...
220324   Patrick - Patrick( UHD/ Blu Ray)
Latest Articles

The Music of Clay Ruby & Burial H...
Over the last couple of decades Wisconsin native, Clay Ruby has been creating some of the world’s finest dark electronic music under the Burial Hex mon...
280324   The Music of Clay Ruby & Buri...
290224   Sutcliffe No More - Normal Ev...
100124   Occlusion - The Operation Is...
181223   Best Of 2023 - Music, Sound &...
051223   Powerhouse Films - Of Magic, ...
181023   IO - Of Sound, Of Art, Of Exp...
210923   Lucky Cerruti - Of Not so Fri...
290823   The Residents - The Trouble W...
110723   Yotzeret Sheydim Interview - ...
250523   TenHornedBeast - Into The Dee...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2023. Twenty two years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom