FriendBurst Blog

Orbital officially split in 2004 – and then reunited five years later.  A double-disc compilation was released, twenty years after the first single (Chime).  The Hartnoll brothers have just released a new album.  Let’s go back to the beginning.

Spurred on by the success of Chime, the brothers began working on more material.  An untitled album (generally called Green Album) was finally released in 1991.  It is rave music, but different; compared with the other rave acts of the era (hardly any of which remain today).  The US version contains a remix by Moby, and a couple of extra tracks (Satan and Choice).  Following the release of the Radiccio EP, featuring a sample of It’s A Fine Day by Opus 3, the second album was released.  Brown Album was a leap forward, and remains a pivotal nineties dance album.  Orbital was developing a unique and exciting sound.

Snivelisation was a step backwards.  It lacks focus, and contains few highlights.  Was it the sound of Orbital running out of ideas?  Fortunately, the next few albums proved the duo still had plenty of originality.  The fourth album (In Sides) is Orbital’s finest hour (or finest seventy two minutes).  It is about as close to perfection as electronic music gets.  Over the next few years, Orbital performed stunning live sets all over the world.  After a bit of soundtrack work (for The Saint and Event Horizon), and a re-release of Satan (as a triple single; each disc featuring live material), the brothers began working on album number five.

Strangely, The Middle Of Nowhere was released after it was toured around the UK.  For me, it is almost on a par with In Sides.  It is well-crafted and funkier than Orbital’s previous output.  Following some more soundtrack work (with Angelo Badalamenti, for The Beach), the sixth album appeared.  The fun factor was notched up a bit, on The Altogether.  A DVD featuring videos for each track, plus some bonus material, was released shortly thereafter.

Work 1989-2002 features a few exclusive tracks and alternate versions.  Two EPs (Play and Rest) were released simultaneously.  They also contain exclusive tracks.  Orbital produced the entire Octane soundtrack.  It is very dark (similar to the Event Horizon material).  The ‘final’ album was released in 2004.  Blue Album sounds like a collection of off-cuts, from previous albums.  It certainly doesn’t match the standard of previous Orbital albums, although it does have its moments (eg. Tunnel Vision and Lost).  It is basically an album of filler, interspersed with a few decent tracks.

As the title indicates, Live At Glastonbury 1994-2004 features the best of the duo’s Glastonbury performances – over a period of ten years.  The Hartnoll brothers disbanded amicably.  Three years ago, they decided they wanted to make at least one more album together.  A download (and vinyl) single was released in 2010.  It’s not particularly impressive.  Fortunately, the new album appears to be more exciting.

I haven’t heard the whole album yet, but the YouTube promos sound pretty good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOGM1V6lCgM&ob=av2e (this is the first single from Wonky)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9675nvyses&ob=av3e (guessing this may be another single – or maybe a vinyl-only release)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9USCcjfNm8&feature=related (an album track)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktgznOFpXeY&feature=relmfu (another album track)

Ten more essential Orbital tracks

Lush 3.1 (available on Work 1989-2002)
Omen (available on 20)
Dwr Budr (available on In Sides)
Know Where To Run (available on The Middle Of Nowhere)
Otono (available on The Middle Of Nowhere)

Adnan’s (available on In Sides)
Halcyon (available on Work 1989-2002)
Belfast (available on Work 1989-2002)
Doctor? (available on The Altogether)
Initiation (available on Octane soundtrack)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiQHd2kBgL8

Five cool remixes

Frenetic (12″ Mix) – available on Play
Nothing Left (Tsunami One Remix) – available on Nothing Left single
Lush 3-3 (Underworld) – available on Diversions
Illuminate (Orbital 12″ Mix) – available on Rest
Funny Break (Weekend Ravers Mix) – available on Funny Break single

Homepage