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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

Great avant pop sorta shit

This album was absolutely phenomenal. Its perfect for a cafe setting or for the end of a party at around 3-4 in the morning. This album is a must listen!!!!

I had never heard of them but wow, excellent album. Different!

Loved this! Found it interesting and uplifting to listen to.

This is exactly the type of weird experimental shit I signed up for. I've never heard of this group or any of the musicians involved, but this album really clicked with me. I love the fusion of genres and styles, some of it sounds quite folky, other parts more prog rock or classical. I can see how this might have influenced quite a few modern indie and art rock bands too (particularly thinking of Neutral Milk Hotel, Arcade Fire and BCNR). I'll definitely be on the lookout for this on vinyl, and will be giving their other albums a listen too.

I can’t help giving this adorable album 5 stars! ⭐️ it’s so peculiar and at the same time easy to listen. I definitely want it on vinyl.

I actually really loved this and didn't expect to! it had the perfect amount of slight weirdness for me

I dunno how I discovered this band in 2019 but I did and I've loved them ever since. It feels like a little hidden gem that no one I have ever talked to has heard of. Great stuff and happy that others have discovered them through this.

Penguin Café Single- 5/5 Zopf - From the Colonies (For N.R.)- 4.8/5 Zopf - In a Sydney Motel- 5/5 Zopf - Surface Tension (Where the Trees Meet the Sky)- 3.7/5 Zopf - Milk- 4.1/5 Zopf - Coronation- 5/5 Zopf - Giles Farnaby's Dream- 5/5 Zopf - Pigtail- 4/5 The Sound of Someone You Love Who's Going Away and It Doesn't Matter- 4.8/5 Hugebaby- 5/5 Chartered Flight- 4.8/5 Total- 4.7/5

Delightful! Playful!

had some really cool parts and some parts that felt like absolute wank but given the time it came out that's fair enough

Fun

silly

What a treat! This sent me down a rabbit hole of discovery. The Penguin Cafe Orchestra is perfect for almost any mood.

What an amazing album from Brian Eno's label. The music is strange, varied and experimental but they manage to do it with a deep sense of calm and a lack of pretentiousness that's unusual in the avant garde. Very refreshing listen.

Had never heard of this project before, but this album is absolutely magical. Beautiful, colorful, and whimsical chamber music that feels way ahead of its time. The kind of album I could listen to forever. 4.5/5

Varried and interesting and whimsical and fun

In het begin wil dit CKV album even wat mensen afschrikken, maar daarna is het genieten. Aan ons als luisteraar om vooral in het begin met wat geveinsd zelfvertrouwen en een zelfingenomen lachje met ons hoofd te knikken alsof we het begrijpen en dan komt de beloning vanzelf. Ik vind het onverwacht mooi. Een keer wat anders, veel afwisseling en het wordt nergens echt verschrikkelijk; het is geen jazz. Zo heeft 'Milk' wat Aphex Twin-achtigs, 'Coronation' is van die Aronofsky-film-muziek en 'Giles Farnaby's Dream' neemt je mee naar een bekend park in Kaatsheuvel. Dit album had ik zonder deze lijst nooit geluisterd en het was zeker interessant. Vooral daarom 5 sterren.

Dope

Love this

What a whimsical enjoyable listen. The only real misfire was "Pigtail", but still, when considered as a whole piece, the album is great.

I am completely charmed.

The cover and the name of the album and band had me predisposed to loving this. So what a relief to find that the music lived up to the expectations. It took me through a range of emotions, but mostly I just found it terribly interesting to listen to!

This is great stuff. I highly recommend most everything on Eno's early Obscure label imprint. My favorite being Gavin Bryars' "The Sinking Of The Titanic," with this being in the Top 3 or 4 albums released on the label.

great walking experience inquisitive music

This was such a perfect mix of weird minimalistic vibes for me. Inject more of this directly into my veins, please and thank you.

I love this. This is what my mind plays when I am in POLITE COMPANY.

Really great Peaceful and pensive, a bit avant-garde

yes. finally.

Did not know what this was, but really liked it. Interesting backstory.

Challenging at times but captivating and effortless. A great example of an album I never would have even heard of before this project.

Parfait avec le café du matin

PREFS : Penguin Cafe Single, From the Colonies, In a Sydney Motel, Coronation, Giles Farnaby's Dream, The Sound of Someone You Love Who's Going Away and It Doesn't Matter, Chartered Flight MOINS PREF : Milk

I figured this would just be a fun name/cover, with average/bad music - boy, was I wrong. I really loved this one for a number of reasons. Wide range of instruments help create a diverse vibe, jumping between orchestral rock and psychedelic experimentation. The title track is my favorite, but I enjoyed every song on the album, and added 2 total. I actually listened to this on the way to work, and then again on the way home, and have a feeling I will be listening to this one a lot in the future. This album is exactly the type of stuff I came into this project searching for. 9.3/10

Way ahead of its time.

I was intrigued by the strange name and cover, and the wiki info and initial sound very much lived up to the strange expectations. This is the type of album I love seeing on this list: strange novelties and oddities. Music is only solid, but I have to give a full five for exemplifying what I want to see out of this list. Would love to stumble upon this at a used record store.

This was superb.

Wonderfully chilled, no where near as wierd or abstract as some of the reviews on here suggest. Really liked this.

Johnny Greenwood came to mind while listening to this. I love it when I'm surprised. I really enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Great discovery.

lovely!

Beautiful