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Credits:
All pieces composed by Shane O'Madden
ecorded at Andromeda Studio.
All songs BMI C 1998 Shane O'Madden
Violin, viola, voices, guitar, percussion, samples and programming by Shane
O'Madden except percussion on "All is Bliss" performed by Oliver Rajamani
Mastering by Jerry ubb at Terra Nova
Voice samples on "Diva Dora..." are Shane's grandmother reflecting on her
life two years before she passed into the spirit world.
Woman's voice on "Entwined" and "Sweetly We Touched" by Andrea Burden.
Angelic vocals on "Alive" by Amy Atchley
Photo of Shane with family by Brian Berry
Art and concept: Andrea Burden
Design: Andreas Adamec
Art Direction: Doerte Lau
Reviews:
"Mixing phat beats with acoustic strings...elicits two emotions at once: one floating and just out of reach,
the other thickly visceral."
- The Austin Chronicle
amazon.com reviews:
It's awesome? It is probably the best music I've heard! The song "Alive" is my fave. Check it out!
Unusual and deeply interesting world music. Thoroughly modern yet ancient and mystical, this CD is just so
unusual yet profoundly accessible. You must here it to believe it. Most world music is limiting, almost as if it
doesn't give itself enough room to explore the boundaries of its influences. It is a paradox. Thus, world music
tends to be, well, too narrow and I guess that is the point in a certain way. But O Earthly Gods has many different
dimensions without loosing its consistency or focus which seems to be a kind of ecological, highly electronic
lyricism that enfolds Celtic, Gypsy, Mid-Eastern instruments, chants, and songs. There's even a hint of hip-hop.
It's as if Govinda (Shane O Madden?) who is of Irish and Lebanese roots is trying to affirm both his/her past and
future. The last word in this type of eccletic form had been Strunz and Farah, Primal Magic. But this CD from
Govinda is simply more impressive just for the reasons that musically it takes more risks. And succeeds beautifully.
A very refreshing Album . I am not familiar with the earlier work of the artist. But surely he has put his genius to
work with this album. The melodies are catchy, the rhythm patterns and arrangement are evil in the best of ways.
I find the sound original, compelling, still familiar and easy to listen to. This album is pretty much what you make it,
you can listen to it for pure enjoyment while doing other things, or you can critically listen to it and discover
another layer of sounds every time. I find the artists sound samplings and track layering clever. I also stumbled
upon this Cd by chance at a cd store in DC. I think this CD needs better promotion, cause as far as I see it, it is
the equivalent of Enigma's first CD if not better.
I like the combination of beats and ethereal singing. This is a fresh CD that I stumbled on purely by accident.
After listening to the clips, I found that each song was full of earthly beats and ethereal singing. I love the
world-wide influences, especially the flutes. This is a great combination of styles!
Great, relaxing, spiritual music. This band has obvious talent! Their music is great for a happening party or
for relaxing after a long day. It sounds sort of indie with a bit of Irish fiddle in it too, and the vocals, though
there are few, are really great!
This is music that transcends you to another time and space .I am totally impressed with this artist. Every single
song is a gem in its own right. The melodies take you up and out, whereas the beats are grounded and visceral. I
love it!!
In every one of us is the living God. You need only to feel His presence. Then a song will be born, a song in the
soul; it will spread its wings and will fly from heart to heart. You hear it in the beautiful melodies of the strings.
Violin and alt sound perfectly in the deep, sensible ensembles. They contain mysterious power, aspiration for
freedom and flight. And here, the heart repeats them, opening towards them, confluenting in a joint impulse, in
the aspiration to the higher, eternal and divine. Here you are dancing, feeling on the physical level harmony and
joy of the unity with this power, personified in this music. You sing; your song unconsciously flowing without
words in the mystical sounding of the performers voices. This is O Earthly Gods by Govinda. This is the album,
in which East and West, ancient and modern times are mixed. The pseudonym of composer Shane O'Madden,
Govinda indicates his gravitation towards the Oriental culture, melodic of which was reflected in the album in a
large extent. The presence of Spanish traditions and Celtic melodies is felt in the album. Carrying the ethnic
heritage, the melodies become the basis of the creation of bright compositions, penetrating into the depths of the
human soul, developing the most subtle spheres of it. A wonderful carpet of compositions is plaited out of the
sounding of acoustic instruments (alt, violin, guitar) with the use of electronic music. Compositions with vocals
are very mysterious and enigmatic. The rhythmical basis of the album is close to that of the music of Eric Serra
in The Fifth Element, which adds to the album some fantastic aroma. The lack of final chord is felt in the structure
of compositions. Therefore we can not put a dot in their end, but just an omission point. In my perception, the
album the omission points are also present. I know, that with every new listening to the album, new colors and
hues will be opened to me.
And the winged song of the soul will fly from heart to heart The Song of Govinda sounds inside me, and now it is
rushing to you.
Lana Chudnaya
Miuzykalnaja Gazeta (Republic of Belarus)
December 6, 1999
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