Music From The Penguin Cafe

Album number 99. For what it's worth, the Spotify link here takes you to a version of the album that's missing a track. I doubt that will matter in forming your opinion one way or the other. Me, I went and listened to that missing song. I like simple pleasures, like butter in my ass, lollipops in my mouth. That's just me. That's just something that I enjoy. The naked dude just chilling on the album cover isn't fooling that penguin or me for that matter. He's just a guy who stayed a little too long at an "Eyes Wide Shut" orgy and now refuses to take his mask off. There are parts of this album that would fit right in at one of those orgies as long as an actual penguin is involved. A good chunk of it sounds like it's trying to be weird just to be as Avant Garde as possible. But I'm guessing Stanley Kubrick loved this album. It made me think a little too much about Penguins and the actor's who portrayed the Penguin in Batman's world. My favorites are Burgess Meredith, the naked guy on the album cover, and I guess Danny DeVito. Honorable mention to former Dodger and Cub great Ron "The Penguin" Cey, who might have been the greatest Penguin of them all. Now that I think about it, that penguin looks like he's the one who stumbled into an orgy. My favorite song, that I think sums up the entire album, is called, "The Sound Of Someone You Love Who's Going Away and It Doesn't Matter". It's almost 12 minutes long, but that thing takes you on a JOURNEY. Ultimately you end up back to staring at that album cover, wishing you were at an outdoor orgy.

The main reason I'm listening through the 1001 is to find stuff like this. Super chill, experimental and simply very well done.

superb album cover. perfectly apt too, i've never heard the penguin cafe before but i saw the album cover and knew what i was getting, some oddness. fucking brilliant eccentric shit.

Cannot understate the dread and delight of this album. The chirpy bright notes are ominous when juxtaposed with the frantic tunes following. Feels like the end of the world.

After finding out that this album was produced by Brian Eno, I'm not surprised that I liked it right away. What I am surprised about is that I've never heard of it before. It's really cool for a mostly instrumental album. Laid back, if not quite ambient, with a really cool sound to it. I think I'm going to try and pick up this album on vinyl based on my first listen. This was a great palette-cleanser after having to review a fucking KISS album yesterday 4/5

I can see how important this album probably was I just don't care.

This was a real winner for me. I don’t know why it resonated with me so much. But the intermingling of the instruments was great. Definitely on the list to pick up.

Albums like this are the reason I love this project so much. I had absolutely no clue what to expect and had never heard of the artist or album, but both the naked penguin man and the fact that Brian Eno was the producer had me feeling hopeful. This just hit right today. Slightly bizarre and utterly beautiful, I've got nothing to complain about.

This is such an strange yet earnest album. The orchestration is beautiful and expertly oscillates through moments of beauty, strangeness, and dread. Simply put, it is an avant-garde masterpiece. The use of traditional orchestration within an experimental folk framework packaged as an album of popular music manages create something that stands out among the experimental and progressive music of the 70s and that says an awful lot.

I love penguins

No, just no. This is terrible, and I have no idea why I had to hear it at all. Anytime it started to get almost (and almost is a loose term here) listenable, it went in some weird ass, left-field direction and totally pulled me out of it.

Very pleasant listening. It's an interesting combination of instruments and genres they normally aren't heard in. Some of the songs remind me of songs in the style of Apocalyptica (who came much later, but I heard first). I wonder if these people were an influence.

This was like a fever dream. Wait, did I accidentally drop acid at work? Truly great album cover by the way. I might try to find the vinyl for that reason alone. I liked this, can’t really imagine sitting around one day and having the presence of mind to put this on.

I'm pleasantly surprised that this album was included on the 1001 list. Most of the curator's choices are obvious, boneheaded or both; this is neither. Music From The Penguin Cafe is unique, both in The Penguin Cafe Orchestra's discography and more generally. It seems to me that the group's driving force, Simon Jeffes, was still trying to figure out what his group was all about. Seemingly irreconcilable elements fight for dominance, sometimes in the same song. You have feints at pop songs, pastoral violins, world music tropes boiled down to their essence, and avant guarde noodling, flavored from time to time with producer Brian Eno's effects processing. Adding to the strangeness is the prominence of Fender Rhodes (mostly used in jazz fusion) and electric guitar. Sometimes Music From The Penguin Cafe is awkward, sometimes it's gorgeous, but it sure as hell ain't boring.

Apparently I had to hear this album once before I die, so I did. That was plenty...1 🌟

No effing way!!! I LOVE this band. I cannot believe they threw this album on there. A great classical music influenced pop record. I never knew this band had any songs where there were vocals which is shocking and honestly not the best aspect of the album. Otherwise this album to me feels like it came from a co-owner of the said penguin cafe who hung up surreal penguin artwork (like the album cover). They bought the space from a former used instrument store and there were a lot of classical instrument lying around and they just made an album that would play in the background there or musicians would play at an open mic. Very DIY production feel/interesting instrumentation choices all over this thing. I like other albums more but this gets a five on the off chance those don’t show up on this site. The sound of someone, penguin cafe single, huge baby and chartered flight are great. Giles farnaby’s dream, milk, surface tension are cool from the “zopf” piece but there’s a lot of interesting experiments on those tracks that have some slightly mixed results. That being said, a unique record for an amazing band.

Quel bonheur de faire respirer le générateur avec un documentaire animalier. La voix de Pierre Arditi donne aux images de drones volant au-dessus de la banquise une poésie qui ravira petits et grands.

Je n'ai pas trop compris ce que cet album venait faire dans cette liste, quand des artistes comme Céline Dion se sont vus refuser l'accès à ce cercle de petit privilégiés. Néammoins, l'album débutait sur de belles notes, un début d'écoute plutôt amusante, moi et mes camarades procédant à une bataille de polochons. Toute cette petite troupe était hilares, hurlant des phrases en allemand n'ayant pas le moindre sens sorties de leur bouche. Quand tout d'un coup, l'ambiance change du tout au tout. Jurgen fait son apparition dans la pièce, et jette immédiatement un froid dans l'assemblée. Il fixe de ses yeux de glace le denommé Ludvig, tenant une chaise en plastique entre ses deux mains, et le sermonna immédiatemment d'un "Die Stuhle musst mie die Stuhle sein". S'en suivirent de pénibles heures pour notre joyeuse troupe, bien moins guillerette qu'à l'accoutumée. A suivre donc

Painful. 1

I honestly... Just what can I say? It was awful, I didn't vibe at all to this... The worst album I've heard so far. It is now my benchmark for 1's.

Hefts a pure carcinogen that is as mysterious as its inclusion in this list

Just boring ambient sounds. 2/10.

I LOVE this album!! I never heard of the group before, and I had no clue what to expect, even after reading up on them. This was such a great mix of pop orchestral music with just enough weirdness to keep me totally interested. I’ve added a bunch of songs to my main playlist.

Well this was great. It sent me down the rabbit hole of mellow ambient pop. How many Eno related albums are on this list? I'll be exploring the rest of the PCO catalog.

I went in listening to this without knowing anything other than the cover art, name of the group, and the year it was released. Near the end of the album I heavily suspected that Brian Eno was some how involved. It had that mysterious and ambient feel to it that gave him away. These are the records that I am happy to see appear when I open up my project in the morning. It's much more exciting to dig into the Penguin Cafe Orchestra than a damn Bruce Springsteen album.

This is way more interesting than a lot of other stuff on here, and I enjoyed it a lot, too.

First album I genuinely enjoyed in this challenge so far

There was something familiar to me about this album, at least a track or two, but I can't figure out why. Can anyone tell me??? I totally dug it! Please sir, I want some more.

I have never, before today, heard of these people. I approached it knowing literally nothing. And it's really good. Tracks that are just on the edge of familiar while being absolutely new. This will definitely be listened to again.

HAVE YOU EVER FUCKED A PENGUIN IN THE ASS? HAVE YOU FUCK! HAVE YOU EVER FUCKED A PENGUIN IN THE ASS? HAVE YOU FUCK! HAVE YOU EVER FUCKED A PENGUIN, EVER FUCKED A PENGUIN, EVER FUCKED A PENGUIN IN THE ASS? HAVE YOU FUCK!

This is the stuff I signed up for. (36 known/81 new)

This Album has at the same time the most interesting and the most boring moments of music I heard in a while. I can't bring myself to give it a 3, but for sure I won't give it a 5

First, search for the album rather than follow the link, the 2008 remaster is complete rather than missing Pigtails. I know these mainly for Perpetuum Mobile, which is absolutely delightful and should be checked out even if you don't love this album. You've probably heard it on an advert, but deserves listening in full. Also check the Aussie film Mary and Max, which is where I first heard it. Beautifully used and lovely film. Never heard this record, and it's certainly more challenging in general than the albums of theirs I have given time to. Anyway, it's gorgeous sometimes, mental at others. Tick, and tick. Wiki calling this Pop is funny.

Quite nice, atmospheric music.

Is this background music to a silent Wes andersonnmovie?

Pingviinikahvilassa ois varmaan toiminu paremmin ku kotikoneella töitä tehdessä

- art -

pretty good and notable

i really wish i could have given the kraftwerk album a 5. this album was beautiful

Excellent music by penguins.

5/5 i like the idea of this album

What a pleasant surprise! I'd never heard of this group before, I don't typically go for instrumental-only stuff, and it's from 1976 so I did not have high expectations...but I enjoyed the hell out of it! This was beautiful. Good composition that was well executed. I can't believe this, but I think this is getting a 5. 4.5

vivid, emotional and engaging

This is one of my favorite albums we have done so far. I am doing this as a catch-up review but the name has had me intrigued since I missed it. After seeing the album art I was already endeared. 3 tracks in, I had to learn more about the group and of course, for the 6th time on this list, I saw Brian Eno as an executive producer. That man is everywhere! "The Sound of Someone You Love Who's Going Away and It Doesn't Matter" really carried that narrative from top to bottom. Gut wrenching but evocative. Ill certainly be looking at more of their albums!

10/10 some of the most beautiful orchestration and instrumentation I’ve ever heard it’s difficult for me to pick a favorite song, but if I had to choose one I’d likely go with Zopf: In a Sydney Motel

Gonna drop a 5 on this bc this was such an unexpectedly fantastic discovery!! That first song will stick w me for sure!

Adore everything about this

Great music Memorable sequences Layered sounds Beautiful textures A great find

go back to it, such a interesting title

Such a fun album. Ahead of its time

I enjoyed this obscure little nugget far more than I had any reasonable business to. And then I proceeded to ingest the entire discography of studio albums: Music from the Penguin Cafe Penguin Cafe Orchestra Broadcasting from Home Signs of Life Union Cafe I was not disappointed.

I had no idea what this was all about and the cover art did not look promising, but I actually loved this album and was sad when it was over. Reminded me of Wilco and others. Shockingly modern sounding but released in 1976!?

Huh?!? I'm confused. What is this??? Well, I wouldn't say it's boring—I assume it's experimental art? HaHaHa - Funny for the brain Another fun fact: the only album I've listened to in one sitting without skipping... I'm proud of myself.

Still catching up - I chose this one because Penguins but had no idea what to expect. I instantly loved it. Adding The Sound of Someone You Love Who's Going Away And It Doesn't Matter to my favorites

Could not Stream it.

This was tite

Totally unexpected. I knew some of their music from adverts and was expecting a pleasant, if slightly dull, coffee shop background music type of vibe. Instead, I get a weird, unsettling collection of gorgeous melodies and off key sound design choices. I'm pre-emptively giving a 5 because I think this will reveal more on repeated listens. Would put next to Plaid or Boards of Canada, rather than Morcheeba or more laid back stuff.

I rate penguin cafe single a 5 star because I like the instruments that are in it and how smooth it is finally the instruments sound nice and beautiful. I rate zopf a 2/5 stars because its not really for me and its just like a song that sounds weird. I rate zopf in hotel a 4 star because the beat is really good and and its beautiful.

Do you like music with not many lyrics? I personally don't. I did not like this album much because it is not my favorite style of music and it also sounds a bit weird. I would recommend this album if you like to listen to songs that sound a bit unusual in a way.

Do you want to listen to some music with a lot of violin playing? well on penguin cafe single it has a lot of violin! I rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐ because there is a lot of violin playing and a lot of electric guitar and I think there. I recommend this song. Do you want to listen to a song that has some guitar and electric guitar? well in zopf you can! There is a lot of guitar playing and I rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐. I recommend it. Do you want to listen to some music with some calming guitar? well in zopf in hotel you can! it also has a calming beat to it. I rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I highly recommend it!

This is an excellent album and this list needs more records like this on it.

Charming

This is what I came to the 1001 for. I have no idea who or what Penguin Cafe Orchestra is, but that was very fun and unique and sonically pleasing. Fave tracks: Penguin Cafe Single, most of the Zopf suite, Chartered Flight 4.5/5

Meine bisher überraschendste Neuentdeckung in diesem Projekt.

Interesting classical style album with interesting arrangements

It is so rare when I find myself listening to an album that I never want to end. I loved every moment of this and was utterly deflated when it came to a close.

I really enjoy their music. This album is not perfect, but I complemented it with their NPR Tiny Desk presentation and for sure it deserves a 5.

I’d never heard of this album before and didn’t know what to expect. Absolutely beautifully bonkers brilliance

this is an incredibly difficult album to rate. i don’t know that’s it’s really a 5 but anything else feels wrong. this album just did so much stuff that i’ve never really heard before in this specific way. the jumps from almost atonal stuff to some of the sweetest melodies out there was just magical. will be talking about this for a while and that is what brings it to a 5

This was an absolute delight.

I never heard of this until it popped up yesterday. I love this record, and can't even begin to explain why I do.

Well, this was a lovely and atmospheric album that I didn’t expect.

Great album

Having an incredibly special moment listening to this surprising, beautiful, peculiar penguin music. If you listen while staring at the cover art, it really makes sense. Is profound, even. Music is always going to find a way to reach people when made honestly and from the soul. My heart is full. Bless you, penguins!

It was really nice music and sometimes it told stories through the melodies. Really good

LOVED IT!!!!!! This concept is executed to perfection. I love the artwork, the mythology, and most importantly, the music. Each song is a perfect match to its sentiment. I always get so emotional listening to pure instrumental. I was tearing up during the Sound of Someone You Love Who’s Going Away and It Doesn’t Matter. Reminded me of fado. The raw power of music, ladies and gentleman! This experimental folksy stuff is my jam, and I hate to even try to characterize it as such. It’s a genre bending album with international influences and pure creativity. Food poisoning will do that to you I guess. But The Penguin Cafe sounds like love and harmony and I’d like to go there someday.

I resisted the temptation to Google this album and artist before the review..... Never heard this music before but it feels nostalgic and familiar.... What an amazing sound. Vibrant and youthful. Sumptuous strings and cranking keys. Sounds like some sort of amazing theme tune to a TV show or semi Avant Garde film.... This is what I came to this list for! To be exposed to good old shit that's new to me.

I couldn’t tell you the amount of times I’ve seen this record on sale and dithered over buying it. My hesitancy was because I was only really familiar with Music From A Found Harmonium, which isn’t even on this album, but I do really love that song. Today, I can say that I’ve listened to the album in full and it is every bit as lovely as I wanted it to be. It’s hard to really buy a genre on Penguin Cafe Orchestra. Modern classical sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s where my mind went to. This will absolutely be getting many more listens.

Wow. Excellent. It's timeless, I would have expected this to be dated.

Oh fuck me, apparently there's 1089 albums now not 1084. All that pondering and reflection on the park bench yesterday for nothing. Ah well, the voyage continues for five more and I'm glad for it. Regarding this album - Someone call Pingu cause this shit slaps. The Eno special sauce might (or not) have something to do with it. The Sound of Someone You Love was particularly and surprisingly moving. Noot noot indeed.

I awoke from a dream where I visited The Penguin Cafe and desperately tried to fall back asleep.

Experimental, but in a way I enjoy a lot more than some others. Funky or calm one minute, and eerie the next. The Sound Of Someone You Love Who's Going Away And It Doesn't Matter is a perfect song name.

Odd and lovely. Serious but doesn't take itself seriously. Confident but never arrogant. Fun but not wacky, It feels like a score that should have more motifs to latch onto, but is too happy creating a delicious atmosphere to care what you think. Gorgeous and unique.

Incredible ambient music with even more incredible cover art. It just makes me happy and want to stay at the penguin cafe for as long as I want

Wow! I had no idea what this was going to be like and in the end, I really did love it. It sound very much like soundtrack music. It’s odd but very musical….a little dark at times, and sometime whimsical. I may have to listen to this one again.

This is cool stuff. Like an early Wes Anderson film, full of quirks and things that grab your senses.

This was so enjoyable. The mixture of string instruments with beautiful guitar. This wasn't juet an instrumental either. A few songs had some vocals to add to the great layers this record has. I truly felt like I was on a journey through this record. A lot of emotion conveyed in instruments.

what an absolute delightful surprise. bangers wall to wall love the instrumentals and songs with singing alike

It's pretty experimental. I like it.

I'd never heard of this but loved it as soon as I put it on. You can hear Eno all over it. Will definitely explore more their albums.

This was very nice and easy listening.

5 star, really like it

Melodic radio 6esc

bangers

this was a great album. I'd never heard of them before and ended up listening to the rest of their albums. I'm in with this group!

Never heard this before. I should have. Quirky, weird, beautiful. Where is this cafe, I want to go there, like now?, please!?

Different, original... I loved it!

New to me, Great find

Beautiful and imaginative!

This is more pseudo-classical than pop, imo. Kinda surprised it’s on here. I like their unique and experimental style, though.