Royksopp - Melody AM (CD 2002)

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Norwegian duo Svein Berge and Torbjon Brundsland’s debut was released to an ecstatic media and a generally apathetic post-millenial public, but ultimately became a slow burning classic, puckishly mixing self conscious british dance nous with cool Nordic ambient panache. The kind of record that Bent should have made by now, Melody AM manages to simultaneously sound naïve and wordly wise, crafted with effortless polish from the kitsch opening lounge samples and minimalist beats of the typically hybrid opener “So Easy” through to the wide eyed, pre dawn comedown of the closer “40 Years Back/Come”. What makes it so enjoyable is the rampant eclecticism and Daft Punk-esque willingness to stitch obscure samples, off-the-wall influences and random moods together from multiple genres and decades, with the end result sounding wholly unaffected by the malign influence of the UK’s dance music movers and breakers. It must be a continental thing.

Poor Leno revives Mark King’s slapped fretless bass under guest vocalist Erland Oye’s (Of nu-folk contemporaries Kings of Convenience) plaintive nursery rhyme; Eple’s hyper infectious kick drum intro out finger pops Mylo at his eighties filching best and In Space is elfin, string laden genius. Add to this the fjord-deep nu-soul of Sparks along with the breezy organic warmth of Remind Me and forget the critics and their pronouncements of derivation; Melody AM’s combination of guilt free aural trainspotting, understated tech-wizardry and eccentric scandavian guile produces a filler free collection of pre, post and during club moments, the like of which have remained unsurpassed in the mainstream since it’s release.

Simply a great album by a great band, theyv gotta b 1 of the best at producing funky chilled out dance tunes

Superb Album

I bought this album for my husband because he was madly in love with the three lines he heard on the Geico Insurance commercial. He walk around singing it and was driving me crazy. After listening to the entire album, he told me it sounded like something that was written on an acid trip, but he still really liked the song we bought the album for.

This is the best chillout album i have ever had the pleasure of listening too. Im not completely sure it was aimed at being a chillout album, but i guarantee you this is easily one of the best chillout albums ever. If your stressed, tired or just need to chill, put this album on and feel totally relaxed.

A fantastic chill out album which is accessible to all ages. This album also introduced me to the delights of Erlend Oye!

having liked 1 song i heard at glastonbury a couple of years ago i decided to purchase the album , its a great album and perfect for a chill out at home after a good night out with your pals