Melody A.M.

every song i didn't want to hear in every restaurant where i didn't want to be

Spacey, ambient, melodic. Sunday morning music (or 3am on a bean bag at an after party music, depending on your preference)

Not bad per se. But pretty bland

Pleasant if not revolutionary scandi beep boop

I didn't think I'd know any of this, but I did recognise Eple, which is a good track. It's a sweet-sounding album that washes pleasantly past, like I'm in a shop or a TV advert in the 2000s – not earth-shattering but not bad.

Some very laid back and relaxing sounds. Something of a relief after the last few days. All good and requiring further plays. Especially liked the final track which was very atmospheric and for once wish that specific one had gone on longer. A shame there aren't more of these in the list.

A little boring and very dated

I haven’t heard this album in a long, long time, but I listened to it an awful lot when it first released. I knew it’s early aughts euro dance vibes wouldn’t have dated well, but I was pleasantly surprised how much of this I still enjoyed (even if I think most of it is nostalgia.) it does kinda fall off a cliff after ‘Remind Me’. Also, it’s strange how ubiquitous ‘Poor Leno’ and ‘Eple’ seemed at the time, and yet nobody outside of my very specific age bracket seems to have any knowledge of either??

Pleasing funky electronic tunes

Didn't really care. Kind of sits in between music you'd dance to and music to chill out to. Doesn't really do either thing for me all that successfully. Beats are good enough I suppose. Vocals were a bit off at times. These guys were way more popular than I expected from Dimery-core music.

I’ve always been electro-curious but never went very deep. Always appreciate an opportunity to expand my horizons on that front

It's been a long time since I heard Melody A.M. It's been longer since I got to know this album and with it the band Röyksopp. Nice to find this album again in the project. I don't have to hear it again to judge it. But since it's such a beautiful album, I like to do it and spend time with an old friend. 5/5

Good enough for background music on a video game, but not something I would actively seek out again. Electronic's not really my thing. I am grateful it was something other than 70s rock for once though.

Instantly familiar and as comforting as slipping into a warm bath. This album opens with a track based on a Burt Bacharach song “Blue on Blue” (sampled from a Swedish cover version) but transforms it by mixing ambient swirls with low key but danceable beats. Snatches of the tracks on this album have been used in countless tv soundtracks and promos for anything from tv channels to mobile phone networks, but that doesn’t take away from just how good they sound here. The album works well as a continuous piece too, with all of the track flowing nicely from one to another. Definitely going on the play all day on repeat shortlist!

Norwegian electronic music from 2001? Huh? The album was OK, but as with yesterday's, it was just kind of there. It didn't really do anything for me, but it wasn't objectively bad. It has a somewhat krautrock-like feel to it, but it's not as good as classic krautrock albums. I don't know why it's on the list or what significance it holds, but I do know that it's very mediocre.

Electronic music is currently an area I'm exploring and enjoying. Never heard this group before. First track is a miss for me-electronic music done easy listening style. The rest isn't as bad but I'm stunned at the high listening numbers this rather subpar album got.

Great album, interesting sounds. 4

Very cool and refreshing

A well-crafted, fairly enjoyable album. Occupies more of a background music space than a direct, engaged listening space. Not blown away by any of it, but nothing to dislike here either.

Okay - first time through this one. RYM lists this album as primarily "Downtempo" - and then includes about 40 esoteric sub-genres. As I'm listening, I guess that designation fits well - I don't generally think of anything with vocals as truly "ambient" and this is certainly slow enough to disqualify an IDM designation. The chill-out trend in music was a bit overdone in the 00s - my girlfriend at the time listened to a ton of those chill-out samplers. Good background music, but nothing that stood out. This album has that vibe, but more in a Dido or Air fashion than the generic crap she listened to. In fact, if you listen to this on regular speakers, you're missing a lot of the subtleties that are going on in the production. There are clicks and pops that come through on a good set of headphones that I believe set this album apart. I'm five tracks in, on "Poor Leno," and my curiosity has finally been piqued - or at least alerted to the fact that this is a new track. It's uptempo for sure - but the vocal melody is complex and interesting - no idea what the words are beyond "Poor Leno..." but that hardly seems to be the point. So now that I'm tuned in - the next track (A Higher Place) has a cool 8-bit sounding drum track - again, something I think you need to hear through headphones to really appreciate. But I'm not a big fan of the repeating vocal sample or sped-up guitar lick or even the Yanni-esque piano line melody. Ooh - I've heard "Remind Me" before. Probably an alogrithm dropping it into something that started off with Portishead or Aphex Twin. The melodic figure carries this track as the beat is rather straightforward. It's a well-devised couplet - good contour. This track should have been longer. I'm lost again on this next track - there is some harmonic confusion with the sax sample - it just sounds inconsistent. The final track has some really cool phasing and deacying synth work about 2 minutes in that should have formed the whole track - but it takes too long to get there. Look, on an album like this that is largely electronic instrumentals stitched with samples and manipulations, I think it's important to pick a lane. There are half-formed ideas here and there, some odd transitions within and between tracks, and occasional harmonic misses. But for a debut from a Norwegian group without the inital resources or exposure of UK or American contemporaries, this is still an impressive album worth a repeat listen. 3 Stars.

Super chill album. Reminds me of music I would hear in a high end lounge on the rooftop of a hotel in Chicago or New York.

Ça m'a beaucoup fait penser à mon compte de banque. Sans intérêt. 2.25 étoiles

Imagine having to wake up at 3am and this is the first thing that hits your ears. Come on man

Very chill. Good to have on in the background when doing something.

Elevated ambient music

The years have been kind to this. I actively disliked this went it came out but 20 years on I actually quite enjoyed it

Feels like something I should like but it’s actually a little dull. Couple of nice bits and so I would go 2.5

Not listened to this in well over 20 years! A couple of lovely songs on here (Remind Me for example) - I don't think it belongs anywhere near a list of essential albums though. Want to give it at least a three for the nostalgia, but it's a 2 in reality.

Oh dear no, new to me and beyond bland - ambient music for people who don’t like ambient music or indeed music… One star. Tom.

This had its moments. A Portishead quality. But it does not suit my tastes. Not currently, I suppose.

instrumental, composición del estilo de so flute, pero obviamente con otra personalidad

Thought this instrumental album was a little better than the day before

I knew “Poor Leno” from SSX3, the ancient snowboarding game from like 2003- this was a surprisingly good listen, for a downtempo, eclectic electronic album. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Some good stuff in here but didn't particularly excite me. A high 3

Rather good this one.

Melody-licious. Another one that falls just short of greatness

Absolutely not for me. I’m so bored. Might be too American for this.

It is a chill album. I enjoyed the songs but I'm not sure that I would add any to my regular playlist.

Eple is such a cute tune. The rest was pretty good too.

Nice electronic tunes. Very chill. I dont know how but I have heard Eple before. Would not listen to the whole album again but really had some bangers in there.

I do not like the vibe, the tones, nor the intentions of this album. Not for me in any way.

Poor Leno and Remind Me are really good. I like this! I already knew some of these.

out there. nordic. groovy. toe tapper.

What a great sound and I’m surprised I haven’t heard them before. Reminds me of that early 2000s electronic sound.

Pleasant.

I’ve always liked this group since I discovered them through a playlist I downloaded loaded many years ago “Top 40 Trip-Hop”, where they had a couple of tracks. A good vibe throughout.

Rounding up

doesn't maintain the energy of its most fun moments but it's pretty consistently interesting which is a boon

Roosters.

Good chill impro playlist!

I can tell this is good music, but I don't have any genre reference so I don't know if this is a groundbreaking album or just something to groove to. As a neophyte, each track builds on the previous to create significant momentum. At the same time, the vocals that are introduced do a great job of layering in personality to each track. I'm just out of my depth. With that said, I really enjoyed Remind Me and She's So.

weird, kinda house-y electronica. pleasant surprise and why I'm doing this challenge to begin with.

5/10 Ok, so that album happened. Very well crafted, I guess, but also so very dull for large parts. Either your brain is wired to wring out enjoyment from the beep-di-boops, or it ain't. And I know mine ain't.

++: Eple, Röyskopp's Night Out, 40 Years Back/Come +: So Easy, Sparks, Poor Leno, She's So +-: In Space, Remind Me -: A Higher Place 6,0/10

A ubiquitous undergraduate record. The soundtrack to every slightly hip and/or upmarket bar in Manchester for at least 6 months when it came out. Warm, pleasant, well-rounded, but unremarkable.

Very nice

Good electronically made record

3.90

More repetitive music albeit this one was better than most.

This does veer a little into Sky TV Guide menu music territory at times, but it's bloody good Sky TV Guide menu music. It's a wonderful blend of chilled out ambient textures, trip hop grooves and pop sensibilities to create a cinematic experience that swirls warmly around your eardrums. The first two tracks "So Easy" and "Eple" are the obvious highlights and the ones everyone's at least heard in passing through being on adverts etc, the latter in particular having a really quirky retro-futurist and nostalgic vibe to it. Most of the album lacks vocals, but when they are introduced on tracks such as "Poor Leno" and "Sparks" they serve the songs to great effect. Its only real shortcoming is that some of the deeper cuts perhaps lack the same hooks and memorability, despite all of them being pleasant on the ears. One I genuinely would upgrade to vinyl in my collection.

Legendarisk album, noe av det beste på kloden. Forøvrig min favorittartist gjennom tidene. Denne er klink, femmern sitter før albumet er hørt gjennom. Etter å ha hørt gjennom er det fortsatt femmer. Hørte gjennom to albumer til også.

Bien en musique d'ambiance

I was looking forward to this one for awhile and it did not disappoint. Finally some representation for the Norwegians! Favorite track: Eple

Love this album

Looooooove this mellow shit

This is one of the first albums I listened to as a kid that was really off the beaten path and I remember thinking this was the coolest shit I’ve ever heard. And years later I think that’s still true. It’s really unique even in the 2000s electronica genre but probably a bit more loop heavy than I gave it credit for as a kid. It’s just missing that final gear for me to make it a truly great album but still an enjoyable re-listen.

An absolute revelation and one of my favorite albums from this list so far. What a vibe

I have about a year left on this challenge. After that, I'll never have to listen to one of these boring ass techno albums ever again.

Relaxing. They could never make me hate you, ambient electronica. Favorite tracks: In Space ; Poor Leno ; Remind Me

This was so different and like a splash of cold water after the albums I’ve been given previously. I’d only really known Royksopp’s stuff with Robyn. It’s a vibbbbe and I could see myself returning to it for reading background music.

Not bad

Interesting and creative but redundant at times.

I first heard of this artist from a cover version of one of their songs by a favorite metal band of mine Enslaved. I've always enjoyed electronic music since around my junior high years I just don't follow it to closely as I do metal. This artist being from Norway wasn't really on my radar since I mostly associate that part of the world with black metal. This album was far from that style, very chill for the most part with some nice vintage sounds at times. Not mind blowing by any means but it was fine for what it is, wouldn't mind hearing more of their music.

De fondo. Sin mas

Just a little too subdued and ineffectual to keep my attention. Favorite track: Eple

Nice work music

The soundtrack to your walkthrough of a scented candle shop.

bleh

Very chill. For EDM I really enjoyed it.

Nothing particularly interesting about this. Not a lot stood out, and as a result it served as background music for the most part. Wouldn’t return.

Wouldn't turn it off, wouldn't pick it off the shelf. It's fine, just done better elsewhere.

One hit does not make a great album. Not for me

No. Except the one song where they sing

like fine

This is surprisingly good actually. I guess it is kind of a new age alternative mix. It is kind of nice and easy to listen to. Sometimes discovering a new album is exciting or even a great experience, and not to say this wasn't, but it is the style and easy listening thing that while not making it any less than a great find, it tempers the excitement, as it keeps "chill" as if it is like "yeah, this is great." and continuing on with whatever I was doing. Nevertheless I am glad for the introduction and will not shy away from listening to them on my regular playlist.

Actually really enjoyed this. Trippy.

Interesting and different

Good downbeat electronica. Holds up over the years. Nice addition.

Bleep. Bloop. Zzzzzzzzzz. Bleep. Bloop. Zzzzzzzzz. A perfectly fine snooze soundtrack for staring at the ceiling and doing absolutely nothing. I swear I heard the Galaga alien ship swooping down to try and capture my star fighter.

Meh. It was fine as background noise but nothing really stood out. A solid 2.

Pretty good beeps and boops. 3/5

Only lightly intruded on my consciences.

Well, this was unexpected, but I actually loved this. Electronic, yes, but also quite funky, and had me jumping on my keyboard. 9/10

Good background and that's about it

me surpreendi de ter gostado, visto que quase não tem letra e é só instrumental, mas achei interessante. ‘eple’ foi a que mais gostei.

It’s not really my genre and I found it tricky to stay focused on it, but as background music I actually really enjoyed it. There are definitely moments where I found it too repetitive and there are some harsher sounds at times that I didn’t enjoy, but for a genre of music I don’t normally get anything out of, I was pleasantly surprised. Fav song: Poor Leno Least fav: So Easy

Really like this cover, it’s a shame the Spotify one has reviews on it. Good music just to zone out to and no serious stinker. Would have been better if there were no songs with vocals at all I think. Eple is a bit of a banger also. Specific rating - 4.2 Fav song - eple Least fav- 40 years back/ come

I liked the calmness while I was working, although I admittedly tuned out a lot. The songs that beeped and bopped more were less enjoyable (and harder to tune out) but overall a pretty calm album- inoffensive. Favourite song: So Easy Least: Eple

6/10 - good electronic album, not a lot of filler and tried something different for the time

Chill, low-key vibes, nothing terrible, just not something I'm going out of my way to listen to.