Felt Mountain

5

Woah!!! This was actually really really cool. Reminds me of a bunch of contemporary artists — like Sylvan Esso (male + female duo, less dance my though), Portis Head, and even gives me Billie Eilish inspiration vibes with the eerie vocals. Also a hidden Kanye sample in here. Really enjoyed this actually haha.

2

That's a very impressive ability to alternate so dynamically between too boring and too weird.

4

This is great! This album is yet another reminder of why I love this 1000 albums project. I doubt I'd ever hear of them or hear their music, and I love this. I don't even usually listen to electronic music, but this is different. The mix in real instruments, too, and incredible vocals. Some tracks are dreamy and haunting, which I love. Some are also downright beautiful. Some are a bit too jarring for me, but overall, very good. Thank you, 1001 albums generator!

4

Interesting, a mix of Massive Attack-like electronic and lounge, jazz vocals. Blends really well and I can't help but wonder if they've ever done a theme to a Bond movie. "Oompah Radar" is a total miss though. Favorite tracks: "Human", "Utopia", "Felt Mountain"

4

A good 10-12 years ahead of it's time. Wonderful album full of pleasantly strange sonic landscapes and beautiful vocals.

4

Never heard of this band, this album, or none of this. I LOVED IT! Kind of a trance techno jazzy tango thing. Super retro futurism of the early 2000s. I liked a lot of the remixes on the extended album. This is going into my rotation STAT.

4

Beautiful lyrics, inspired me to listen to the slower Goldfrapp albus like Us and really enjoyed them, didn't realised the variety of styles the band has to offer. Really enjoyed the album, particularly the first 4 tracks!

4

A delightfully intriguing album with so many influences and styles that it is a perfect album to listen to multiple times and come away with a different emotion or understanding each time.

4

A startlingly intimate and atmospheric album. Certain songs such as Deer Stop grabbed me immediately. Alison Goldfrapp's vocals are haunting and when they are altered the effect is electric.

3

This sounded like the peaceful still of snow quietly falling on compost. Outside, it was beautiful, pure and serene, while beneath the surface was decaying leaves and discarded egg shells. Together it provided an interesting mix, one that I was happy to listen to.

5

I was completely oblivious to this album but damn does that Alison Goldfrapp song some moodymusic.

5

Quite nice radiohead vibes

5

Masterpiece

5

Spooky, weird, but generally enjoyable. Would listen again.

5

Very weird Berlin Babylon vibes, loved it

5

Absolutely love this album.

5

No nyt! Tämä oli tähän saakka ensimmäinen minulle ihan uusi artisti, joka osui ja upposi ekalla kuuntelukerralla. Näiden löytöjen toivossa tätä 1001 levyn projektia tulee kuunneltua. Piti laittaa heti levy uudelle kierrokselle! Tällaiset hyvät naislaulajat ja rauhalliset biisit toimii minulle, näitä on mukava fiilistellä. Levyn ekassa biisissä on vähän sellaista Bond-tunnari -meininkiä.

5

Very good

5

fucking great

5

Perfect

5

Me ha encantado, con la voz envolvente de la cantante y esa música evocadora

5

Great.

5

I saw that this album is on this list and was very much looking forward because I dig trip hop. I was not disappointed. The strings are from heaven. Goldfrapps voice at times is so similar to Beth Gibbons (Portishead) I would have believed this to be a Portishead album if I wouldn't have seen the title. Absolute favourite. Only Critique: Oompa Radar feels out of place. And it could be a bit longer!

5

Wow, never heard of goldfrapp before, but this is sick.

5

love love love!! very experimental yet orchestral

5

Absolutely loved this and reminded me I should listen to Goldfrapp more often

5

in love from the first track

5

Very cool. Have not been following the series. Which Bond Movie is this for?

5

There was a time when Janey and I played this album almost every day. Incredible opening track.

5

I got into Goldfrapp last year and have gone through their entire catalogue once or twice since then. It was great to return to this album having become a lot more familiar with their music.

5

I have CLEARLY missed out on this band for far too long. Headed for a deep dive this weekend! Lush and sensual. If I were in an intergalactic spaceship, we would have this on the intercom all the time. This could also be the soundtrack to parts of a James bond film. Oompah Radar is a little too lost in the funhouse and not even in a good Twin Peaks way. They lost me a bit on this one-- but only in the weird parts.. But with Utopia, we are right back on the space ship headed for Planet Xenon as we should be and everything is right with the galaxy The final track, Horse Tears is really far too good for the world we live in. It is a musical masterpiece. Opus.

5

Sumptuous and lovely. Shades of Portishead, intricate orchestral arrangements and....yes it's ethereal. I can understand why some find it boring because it's not ordinary. It has all the ingredients I enjoy.

5

With the first sound, I ultimately immersed myself in that musical experience. The smooth and eerie voice of Alison Goldfrapp lined up with very mystical electronic sounds is a match made in heaven. What's important is that the music has different levels in itself, providing a variety of feelings and backgrounds to the album. The album is not only made with slow, calm and trippy songs, some of them are powerful in sound and hit harder than others. The album reminded me of the summer (mind you it's the middle of the autumn and I hate cold). Favourite tracks: "Human" and "Utopia", no least favourites.

5

Okay, I saw electronic and 2000, and braced for at best a two star, but this is nothing like other electronic music! The consistent vocals and more ambient tone really made me feel like I was listening to a calmer song in Radiohead or Muse's discography, rather than repetitive dance music with no clear goal. Songs weren't overly long and I just really enjoyed a lot of this. Songs were similar but not repetitive, and it was just excellent all around. Super shocked by this one.

5

in love with this. so fun so pretty so cool. portishead vibes

5

Hän katsoo.. Hän näkee.. 2000.. Ei saatan helveette.. Sano ruuatsalainen.. kun.. Kun sano. Uskomaton kokemus! Mitä helluntai.. MITÄ HELVETTIÄ! Niin jumalattoman mysteerinen ääni ja maisema ONKO NAINEN NOITA!!!????? Musiikilla on kaksi puolta.. Toinen.. Ulkona.. kaunis.. koristeikas.. se toinen.. Sisältä mätä, viekas, kuolevainen, hetkellinen... ohimenevä..maailmaa katseleva. This is not real. 1960 luku on se minne tässä sukelletaan.. Eikä mikään pinkki bandi(pink band pink band haha charade you are).. EI MENNÄ KUUSKYT LUKUUN EDES VAIKKA JOTKUT LUULISI vaan mennään popsutteluun..sillä popittelulla 2000-luvun menetelmillä.. niin kaunista.. mitä? Kannattaako uskoa... Uskon kysymys.. Electronica.. EI TÄSSÄ YRITETÄ EDES KUULUA MIHINKÄÄN KUN LUODAAN ÄÄNIMAISEMAA!! JA SEN VOI HELPOSTI TEHDÄ VÄÄRINN!! ANTAA KUUNTELIJALLA KAIKKI MITÄ HALUAA!!!! tässä ei anneta.. vaan vedetään.. ei nenästä.. Voikohan sitä albumi edes antaa.. ensimmäisellä kerralla.. Sitä on niin muljuteltavana... Tässä kuin tyhmä aasi jota vedetään.. naru poikki ei... voi.. Tää olis hyvä soundtrack kun pääsee paikkaan jonne on halunnut mennä. Töissä kuunnellessa... Mutta sen näki.. Kuullostaa niin vaivattomalta kokonaisuudelta... LUETAAMPA PASKIMMAT TAKET "That's a very impressive ability to alternate so dynamically between too boring and too weird." Tylsyyttäs terottaa sais tero... VEITSESTÄ PUHUN!! TERO NIMINEN! SOPIS TEIKÄN KAULALLE, SILLÄ SAADAAN TEIDÄN KALTASELTA TYLSYYS POIS ELÄMÄSTÄ!! HARKITSE VAKAVASTI!! muutama hyvä otto tähän väliin.. ”in love from the first track” sama ”There was a time when Janey and I played this album almost every day. Incredible opening track.” I also choose this guys wife ”If I were in an intergalactic spaceship, we would have this on the intercom all the time. ” tuli sama fiilis mutta tarkistuskierroksella huomasin muutamassa biisissä avaruusaiheisia lyriikoita, jonka takia parempi jättää sanomatta emmää ny sen takiia… ”intricate orchestral arrangements and....yes it's ethereal. I can understand why some find it boring because it's not ordinary. It has all the ingredients I enjoy.” ”With the first sound, I ultimately immersed myself in that musical experience.” ”Okay, I saw electronic and 2000, and braced for at best a two star” ”Monet biisit ovat jännästi hyvin pelkistettyjä, mutta samalla todella suurieleisiä.” ”Their later records were fun and danceable. This was not. What IS this?” IDM EDM… Kirjaimen vissi ero.. hehe

5

I bought this album when it came out back in late 2000 based on a recommendation from someone at a favorite music store. I had no idea what it was even going to sound like. Music was kind of exciting like that back then when you took chances on an album without even hearing a single clip from it. I remember putting it on in the car and as soon as it started with that weird siren like sound I was like “Oh no, what the hell did I just buy?” But then the whistling at the beginning of “Lovely Head” starts and next the keyboard bass kicks in with the drums and harpsichord fill and finally Allison’s voice. I was sucked into an ethereal listen which pretty much lasted the whole ride home. The mix of electronic and natural instruments on this album with the added effect of Allison’s processed vocals taking the place of the keyboard at times was a great idea. I totally fell in love with it that first listen. Some tracks, like “Deer Stop” and “Oompa Radar” took a little longer but like any great album it becomes an indispensable part of the flow. Like “On the Run” from Dark Side of the Moon, you can’t imagine the album without it. Tracks like “Human”, “Pilots”, and “Utopia” are songs that have been favorites for years. It was great to revisit this album again for the top 1001 albums list and I can totally see why it should be on here. Even if you don’t like it, you have to admit that there aren’t many albums that sound like this.

5

I've always been a big fan of Goldfrapp, I remember when this came out I was instantly into it. Listening now it's hard to choose a favourite track but I think Utopia would have to be it.

5

Very sadistic and slowed

5

je dois aimer les bizarreries par nécessité d'anticonformisme

5

Aces. Atmospheric, cinematic, chilly and warm all at once. The hard heel turn Alison and Will took into the glam-rock stomp of Black Cherry put many people off, but I see the two as halves of a whole. Embracing the goddess in all her aspects.

5

Really haunting and beautiful album. I loved it from the get go. 😍 Love Alison Goldfrapp's vocals.

5

Very Good 8,5/10

5

It's criminal for an album to be this good

4

Sort of like Portishead but with a James Bond kinda feel. Not something I’d listen to a lot, but good. Mostly mellow.

4

4

Very unorthodox and different but good. Angelic voice, a synth sounding like many various instruments and a movie score-like composition

4

Pretty different from everything else I listened to. Very interesting listen.

4

I felt that mountain...

4

I actually really like this! Some very interesting combinations of sounds that come together in a way that's ahead of its time.

4

James Bond soundtrack :)

4

Artsy Trip-hop

4

pleasant

4

Me likey

4

J’ai bien aime, c’est special et tres atmospherique. Je n’ai pas entendu beaucoup de chose comme ca. 4.25

4

Música ambiental/electrónica curiosa

4

Great album - more of the same please

4

chill

4

Varsin hyvin otessaan pitävää musiikkia. Moni levy häipyy helposti taustamusiikiksi, mutta tämä levy piti otteessaan. Hyvällä tavalla kiinnostava ääni laulajalla. Rauhallista ja silkinpehmeää musiikkia, missä on paljon tunnetta. Sellaista vähän parempaa Bond-tunnaria koko levy.

4

Lush and atmospheric. A total departure from what I believed Goldfrapp to be.

4

A very dynamic album, switching up styles almost every song. Songs go from broody and sulking to angelic to Latin inspired, and more.

4

Really good

4

Never heard of this group. I'll be listening to more for sure. Very chill and haunting vocals.

4

This is nice. Made in 2000, but going for a Dusty Springfield vibe just with more electronica influences. I like it. Favourite track: “Utopia”

4

Actually like this quite a bit.

4

Really enjoyed. Smooth, James Bond type jams. Late night cocktails and sexy eyes.

4

Sounds like she’s in her dressing gown. Like that time I saw her live.

4

A lovely low-key album. Alison's vocals work well with these smooth, lush sounds that move so slowly, it feels like you're in a memory or a dream. It experiments with some weird ideas and doesn't always pay off, but for the most part it's a nice album. Even the circus music ended up sounding pretty good!

4

Early you get James Bond soundtrack vibes from this, then in the back half it's more of a horror movie score. Very sultry vocals with squealing electronic backing of a theremin, orchestral strings. Pretty good. Some parts get a little weird, the ending of Deer Stop kind of meandered a bit and could have stopped sooner. Oompa Radar was pretty unique, polka evil circus vibe.

4

Heeft wat donkere nummers maar wel wat ik mooi vind

4

It’s not really my thing

4

Very nice and dark. Paper bag and Deer Stop as two favorites. Will put this into the rotation!

4

Very spacey, but I liked it! It sounds like film music, in a good way.

4

Bit spacy but pretty good

4

some lovely spooky sounds

4

Mjög góð plata.

4

This album has the strengths and weaknesses of a debut by a clearly talented and idiosyncratic artist. We have such a lush and engrossing sound, led by an utterly sensuous and beguiling voice, simultaneously titilllating and menacing: a dip into a lustrous black. However, sometimes the record takes the aesthetic too far, and stumbles into mild self-parody. The circus music of Oompah Radar (wow, some people find clowns sinister!) and the occasional stabs at surrealist lyrics (gosh, dream imagery!) don't fully work. All this is to be expected: with such a unique artistic vision, Alison Goldfrapp is comparable to Kate Bush, in that her muse leads her to either to the misguided or the inspired. However, like Kate Bush, Goldfrapp has the sheer flair and savvy to transcend her whimsies on her best work, such as on her two subsequent albums. Felt Mountain is a great introduction to her work, but "introduction" is the operative word.

4

Never heard of this band before but I love the mix of pop, orchestral music, and electronic

4

It sounds a bit like portishead and other trip-hop which is a sound I like, but it still sounds original and not just copied from that. I really like the vocals and chord progressions

4

I felt the mountains move

4

I'd heard samples but not listened to before. Enjoyable and will relisten for background music.

4

Rather pleasant.

4

Goldfrapp has a way of bypassing my “defences” and getting right through me. And I love it P.S. It’s a pity women are so underrepresented here.

4

Every song here could be a song in a James Bond film. Overall I like it. I like the vocal delivery as well as the theremine-like synth that wavers up and down across the album. My only qualm would be that the album is a bit static. But overall, a very seductive yet elegant album.

4

Was hooked when I heard "Human." Remind me of Portishead in their slow, deliberate, seriousness. Makes a person pay attention and groove along.

4

Prefs: Lovely Head, Human, Felt Mountain, Oompah Radar, Utopia Moins pref: Deer Stop

4

Felt like soaring through a dreamy but slightly eerie spacescape. Loved the mix of influences here.

4

Perfectly pitched retro-futuristic noir from electronic duo Goldfrapp, signalling all the alien uncertainty of a new millennium. "Felt Mountain" introduced Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory's project to the world as the work of two dark and brooding wizards of atmosphere. The songs often sound like soundtracks to Bond gone arthouse, and what a shame we don't live in that world. There's not the sharp focus, glam-tinged camp, or homely folktronica that showed up in Goldfrapp's later work: instead, "Felt Mountain" is a subtle, tasteful and very classy work of haunting solemnity. There's a compelling sense of drama to it, and a real otherworldliness. "Lovely Head" opens with a gentle brushed percussion line, low sustained strings and a whistled melody over a progression of unrelated chords. Although it leans into trip-hop with a lot of synths throughout, it's worth noting the production has a great deal of warmth. There's a pleasing amount of orchestral instruments being used as well, with string sections regularly padding out the sound and brass showing up to drive the sublime Latin-esque jam "Human". As well as unassuming, casually ethereal vocals, Alison Goldfrapp contributes some deliciously surreal lyrics ("when you laugh, I'm inside your mouth"; "are you human, or do you make it up?"; "my dog needs new ears, make his eyes see forever, make him live like me, again and again") The album really excels with these off-kilter musings set to music and it feels as though Goldfrapp have carved out a distinct corner of space to inhabit undisturbed. The rest of "Felt Mountain" floats in some ethereal space, never quite touching down and gliding happily above the Earth. "Pilots" and "Utopia" are two rare anthemic, triumphant cuts that feel like obvious single efforts. Neither of them are as subtle as some of the other tracks, with the latter actually getting an electric drumbeat and a brass-like fanfare countermelody. But they're the most tangible offerings, providing rare clear hooks to latch onto and sing along with. At its worst, "Felt Mountain" becomes a little too sparse and it comes over a bit like elevator music in space. "Deer Stop", with its intermittent marimba, filtered vocals and glacial pace, is barely conscious, while the title track relies on "dee dee"'s for lyrics and "Oompah Radar" is a disarming instrumental that is nowhere near as exciting as "trippy cabaret" might make it sound. If it's the kind of thing you're happy to have wash over you, then it's great, and it often works. But by the time "Horse Tears" comes along, there's the sense of having been on a cosmic journey without ever quite arriving anywhere. "Felt Mountain" possesses such a specific sound that it relies on its listeners being in a certain mood to get anything out of it. Today, I'm feeling generous and enjoyed the ride to nowhere, so it's getting a 4.

4

Space jazz. very good.

4

Such a great album. Different!

4

British trip-hop is for sure not my genre but this Goldfrapp album wasn't too shabby. They clearly went into this project intending to produce something sweeping and cinematic and they nailed it. The vocals are, by and large, beautifully performed and the production values are top-notch. It really is a pretty good album. The only reason this didn't get a 5-star review was that, like so many electronica albums, it got a little too deep into its own navel. Somewhere around the middle of the album, I got tired of the overly-dramatic presentation and started wondering when it would be over. It came back around but that feeling of "I'm over this" is enough to pull it down a star.

4

Reminds me so much of a great video game or movie soundtrack. Awesome background music, very atmospheric!

4

Interesting moody electrojazz. Sci fi film noir music.

4

Pretty sweet little record. Tons of nice grooves and different genres mixed together on this thing, but ends up making a really fun listen. 7/10

4

4.5/5. Very trippy, and def reminded me of Bjork. Neat listen 👍

4

Feels way ahead of its time honestly.

4

Floatier than a unit of mantle, takes you on a very easy-listening trip

4

Part Shirley Bassey, part yodelling (in 'Felt Mountain), part polka, but generally lovely and atmospheric Trip Hop. While it is of a time, and while it plays of 60s nostalgia, it still sounded modern then, and relevant now. A good album all in all, short and beautiful.

4

Skemmtilegur hljóðheimur sem eldist vel og Goldfrapp er mjög flott söngkona. Ekki allt eftirminnilegt svo sem, en Utopia er geggjað lag, pínku Roxy Music á Avalon árunum í því. Fínt stöff.

4

A fresh breath of air 4 outta 5 mics