The Understanding

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
After the success of their debut album, Norwegian electronic duo Royksopp must have known they’d have their work cut out for them on The Understanding. After all, Melody A.M. was that rare electronic album that appealed to fans regardless of their musical tastes, with its catchy playfulness and well-crafted songs. The Understanding is less laid back than their previous album, but it’s no less catchy or clever. If anything, The Understanding sounds like Royksopp have spent much of the time since their last album soaking in the continental sounds of bands like Air. The result is a dance album that’s surprisingly heavy on vocals, most of them by the duo themselves. But, in time-honoured dance tradition, there are also a bevy of female vocalists on hand, including Karin Dreijer from The Knife ("What Else Is There?") and new collaborator Kate Havnevik (single "Only This Moment" and "Circuit Breaker"). The Understanding is a much more grown-up album from Royksopp--it’s not dance music for the kids, but an album for after the kids have gone to bed. --Ted Kord

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Customer reviews

review by: Kat date: 2008-06-22 rating:
Worth Buying
Very different to Melody AM. I didn't like all the tracks on this album but What Else Is There is an outstanding track. it's well worth having in your CD collection despite a few flaws.

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review by: date: 2007-10-02 rating:
Not like Melody AM
Bought this a while back on the strength of Melody AM. Parked it. Came back to it and played it on my iPod shuffle. Where I got confused. Parts of this album sound like the Beloved, a lot of it sounds like Air and some of it reminds me of Erlend Oye's DJ Kicks album. I had to check when I got home what I had been listening to.

It's a real journey through late 90s/early noughties synth pop. It doesn't have some of the ethereal lightness of Melody AM, nor does it have the same sense of consistency of sound. That said, it is a grower and if you have some Air/Beloved/Erlend Oye in your music collection you're likely to enjoy it.

Personally I like it. It's an interesting and engaging listen. But it does feel more like a compilation album than one from a single band.

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review by: date: 2007-09-02 rating:
Gorgeous
I was just listening to this album for the n-th time and I decided it was nigh time to buy myself another Royksopp album.

This album is that rare mixture of chilled out, electronic and inspiring music that makes you wish it'll never stop.

I own Melody AM too (obviously!) and I love them both - am not so sure they are so different (but as so many state it, maybe they are) and, in fact, I bought this one as I was awestruck by it: and certainly I've not been disappointed at all!

'Only this moment' is truly a beautiful track, but they all are, it feels almost churlish to try and single them out!

If you loved Melody AM, and you enjoy the likes of Zero 7 or Fila Brazilia (and whatever happened to Blue States? SOOO disappointed with the Soundings!) you'll love this one too!

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review by: date: 2007-05-11 rating:
A right little grower this one.
I bought this when it was first released and immediately dismissed it, it was just so different to Melody A.M. and I didn't give it the time in my cd player it deserved.
Now, almost two years later I've had the urge to revisit it and I've been pleasantly surprised. It's a very good album with some standout tracks and a few different styles ( I really like What Else Is There and Alpha Male). Do this album justice and give it the time it deserves...it's a grower.


review by: date: 2007-02-15 rating:
No need to compare
I think it's beautiful. Maybe if you are familiar with Melody AM you expect Understanding to be similar, you can get dissapointment. I would suggest not to compare those albums, because there's no sense of it. This one is different.

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Similar products

Melody A.M.
Supernature
Simple Things
Moon Safari
What Else Is There?

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Similar categories

Music . Styles . Pop . Bestsellers
Music . Styles . Pop . Dance Pop . General AAS
Music . Styles . Dance & Electronic . Bestsellers
Music . Styles . Dance & Electronic . General AAS
Music . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . CD . CD Album

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