Not sure what the other reviewer was listening to, but for my money this is one of the most atmospheric, dark and evocative albums you can buy. The mix of melancholy vocals, heavy electronica and cutting-edge composition absolutely puts you in the mood of the anime series Stand Alone Complex, which is one of futuristic neon, lonesome introspection and epic cityscapes.
I am a big fan of Yoko Kanno's work, but this remains one of my favourite albums of hers. The vocal tracks call on the talents of an international cast, and are of a consistently high standard while each is unique in it's own way. 'Where Does This Ocean Go?' is simply stunning, one of my favourite songs ever, and has the kind of elevation that can bring tears to your eyes; likewise with 'Beauty is Within Us', a song about isolation and self-loathing. Powerful stuff.
I don't have time to run through all the songs right now, but if you are reading this please take a chance, or listen to a track on itunes before you buy. If you appreciate atmospheric 'soundscape' music then you will love this. And if you love this then watching the Stand Alone Complex series will make you love it even more.
