lambchops's Full Review: Dreamland by Robert Miles
I see Robert Miles kind of like Moby with less overall appeal and somewhat less talent. It’s not that I don’t appreciate what the artist has done with Dreamland, but by its release in 1996 the world had heard much of what he had to say.
The Italian Miles began his musical career as a pianist, but went on to score one of the biggest dance hits in the mid-1990’s with Children. His rise to semi-stardom began in 1994 with the single’s initial release. Fans s bought so many copies of the song that it went on to become the biggest hit in Europe in 1996. Miles followed up that track with Fable. Both of these songs would soon become part of Dreamland.
Dreamland was released in 1996 by Arista. It features eleven tracks, with two versions of both Fable and Children. It’s easy to listen to the album from beginning to end. The songs are intended to flow seamlessly into one another in such a way that makes them almost indistinguishable from one another. Some people may enjoy such a design. I am apparently not one of those people.
Miles neglects to spread his wings and attempt new and different things with his music. Each track can be classified as mellowed out electronic dance. Even the popular Children strikes me as rather uninspired and rather boring. Maybe the problem rests in the fact that I have jaded American ears. Then again, maybe it’s because Miles really isn’t particularly innovative.
Now that I’m momentarily done trashing the album, let me say that I can see how people do find solace and joy in Dreamland. Miles manages to create a relaxing dreamscape of sorts beginning with the dream version of Children and wrapping up eleven tracks later with the closer Red Zone. It is a relaxing, brainless album. And save for one uncharacteristic trace track (In the Dawn) this album could appeal to many audiences.
As I already mentioned, Children is by far the most recognizable track on the album. It is the only reason why I purchased this CD over five years ago. The song is inspired by photographs of war-ravaged Yugoslavia. Since the track has no words the inspiration has little relevance. Of the two versions on this album, I most enjoy the second. It’s a bit more upbeat while the first isn’t even recognizable really as a dance track of any kind until almost halfway through. Even then the beats aren’t particularly driving. The latter just seems a bit more magical.
The second single, Fable is also somewhat worthy of a word or two. It sounds very much like Children, but separates itself by including a verse or two of breathy female vocals. The mixture of dance beats and keyboards is moderately interesting, but it’s difficult to stand for six minutes of the same thing. That is in fact a problem with Miles. His songs not only sound like one another, they also are much too long and much too repetitive.
One and One showcases keyboards around dance beats. The one thing that makes this not so viable a track is the annoyingly high-pitched vocals. In addition, the tempo is a bit too slow in my opinion to actually dance to. Maybe it’s that European thing again. Maybe it’s just because the song has little musical merit and presence.
The stronger rhythm of In The Dawn makes it one of the few tracks I can stomach. I suppose it’s technically trace music, but I enjoy the dreamy melody backed with smooth electronic beats. Overall, it’s a decent track and quite definitely one of the more interesting on Dreamland.
I have little interest in Dreamland. In fact, I’m repulsed by two of the tracks and uninterested by most of the others. Landscape and Fantasya are the most aurally offensive. I honestly don’t find much of interest in this Robert Miles offering. I can however understand how somebody may appreciate how Dreamland seems to tell some sort of story and has a distinct beginning, middle and end. Where the problem arises is that the musical story isn’t really that good. Miles, if he is talented, doesn’t show it here. The album gets a dismal 2/5 stars.
Track Listing:
1. Children [dream version]
2. Fable [message version]
3. Fantasya
4. Landscape
5. In My Dreams
6. One and One
7. Princess of Light
8. Fable [dream version]
9. In The Dawn
10. Children [original version]
11. Red Zone
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If you like music similar to that from Robert Miles look elsewhere. Check out albums from more talented artists like Moby, BT, and Paul Van Dyk. You’ll certainly be much more satisfied.
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