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  Hooked on RadioPhonics December 9, 2008
Written by DeVito
I wish DGM would dump the silly star system -- how do you "rate" music like this? How many stars do you have? Give Radiophonics a thousand. This music is the dark to the WFC’s (11/30/2000) light. I’ve also found that Radiophonics perfectly bookends the 11/14/2003 King Crimson concert at Kingston, NY -- they just seem perfect together. Give it a try. --Chris DeVito
Really, A Good One July 13, 2007
Written by ScottM
Not all of the Soundscapes work grabs me - honestly, much of it doesn’t. This one does though and I think it’ll appeal to the large group of people who really loved the first two Fripp & Eno records and the Frippertronics records, and want something more along those lines of exploration. The sound is Fripp in a harsh mood - dissonant and aggressively so. Rather than deploying peaceful relaxing loops with small patches of aggressive noise, the noise is a primary color here. Much of the sound is metallic - "An Index of Metals" could have been the title of this CD. And it works very well in this listener’s opinion, in the mold of those earlier records I mentioned but opening up the palatte of sound in a new direction. It’s inventive ambient, great stuff.
Radiophonics Revisted!!! June 16, 2007
Written by LouieB
1995’s "Radiophonics" is only one of the many volumes in guitarist Robert Fripp’s ongoing ’Soundscapes’ releases. Recorded live in Buenos Aires, Argentina, "Radiophonics" finds Fripp stretching his soundscapes into lengthy dissonant explorations which are sometimes beautiful, sometimes frightening but always musically intriuging.
A good majority of this album is quite difficult to listen as it consists mostly of dissonant chord clusters and moments of almost psychedelic effects with sounds that pan rapidly between the speakers. However, when listened to with a different set of ears and an open mindset, "Radiophonics" can turn into an amazing journey of otherworldly sounds.
The opening two "Radiophonic" pieces are similar to each other and consist of random scales coupled with low rumbling tones. The final minutes of the second "Radiophonic" piece are a wild excursion into weirdness with use of rapid panning. The panning effect is most effective when heard on headphones.
The remainder of the disc consists of the half-hour long "Buenos Aires Suite" which consists of four movements. "Atmosphere" once again provides an unsettling mood and tension with its dark chords and dissonant note runs. The mood settles into brief calmness with the second movement "Elegy" which is similar to the peacefulness captured on Fripp’s "Blessing of Tears" disc. The weirdness returns with "Streets" which is another showcase of wild stereo panning used to greater effect here than on "Radiophonic II". The peacefulness returns with the closing movement "Sky" which ends the album on an airy lighthearted note.
Granted, the "Radiophonics" CD won’t be for everybody. Out of all the Soundscapes CD’s Robert Fripp has released so far, "Radiophonics" is probably the most experimental and harsh of them all. Aside from this, it is still a powerful album that shows off Fripp’s relentless gift for musical exploration. Because of this, "Radiophonics" definitely gets five stars. Thanks again to DGMLive for bringing this one-of-a-kind classic back.
Impressions June 15, 2007
Written by pablomartinez
I was lucky enough to attend one of the performances at Goethe Institute. I remember two things vividly from that day: first, flu was distroying me, and I was so horrified with the perspective of sneezing or making any noise that I changed my seat on the front with a guy that was on the back. The second thing I remember: Robert turning some knob on his module, endlessly, making terrible whirlwind noises, at the point that I thought he had lost control over the piece and could never regain it.
I really liked that evening. I had a nice feeling when bought the CD and find my city pictured by his music.
Sorry if this review hasn’t much juice.
regards,
pablo
Astonishing June 15, 2007
Written by kalka2
This is jaw-dropping, astonishing music. It’s not at all easy listening, especially the first two tracks. In terms of sheer density, 1999 is about perhaps the most similar Soundscape recording. But this is far more varied and multicolored than 1999. Reflecting an earlier review, the only part that actually sounds "guitarish" is the opening of the final track. That doesn’t matter: forget about the guitar and hear the music.
It´s not easy to like it June 15, 2007
Written by Stahlhofen
When I first heard the CD I thought my speakers were ruined. I could not believe what I heard. You don´t hear a guitar. It´s all sound. Strings, Synthsounds, cars the noises of a town all mixed together. It took a long time and five or six times listening to it until I started to like it, but it was worth every single minute. Now if I had to choose a record for a lonely island this one would be among my favourites.
Massive! Like a Thunderstorm June 15, 2007
Written by mudfish55
Moments. I still remember popping this in the CD console driving home from the store along a canopy road in the early summertime. As the music began to swirl up around me, so too did a large summer thunderstorm through the trees. A perfect moment of synchonicity. It has that quality and power. Recommended.
Late Night Soundtrack June 15, 2007
Written by djscomics
I really liked this one when it came out, and have continued to enjoy this ever since. It has a darkness about it that really makes the mind travel....I especially like it late at night when I am working in my studio on various projects....time flies and things get done.....this is my favourite of the three in this series....enjoy!! Kev
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