Soil Festivities

Soil Festivities
Studio album by Vangelis
Released 1984
Recorded 1984, Nemo Studios, London
Genre Electronic
Length 47:59
Label Polydor
Producer Vangelis
Vangelis chronology
Antarctica
(1983)		 Soil Festivities
(1984)		 Mask
(1985)

Soil Festivities is a studio album by the Greek electronic composer Vangelis, released in 1984.

Overview

This 1984 release was the first in what could be very loosely said to belong to a trilogy of his 80's albums, the other two being Invisible Connections and Mask, both from the following year (1985). It is a concept album which derived inspiration from the natural elements, life processes taking place on the Earth's surface and beneath our feet.[1]

He recalls that it "was made because I wanted to make music, not sell a million records. I don’t think it’s possible to guarantee commercial success for an album anyway, because nobody really knows what is commercial and what isn’t. Even if I went out of my way to make an album that was more accessible to the public, that would not guarantee its commercial success".[2]

The album cover art features the rear view of a great diving beetle.

Release

The album reached #55 position in the UK album charts,[3] and #45 position in the Netherlands album charts in 1979.[4]

Composition

Vangelis uses exotic synth-harmonies, creative percussion and melody-lines, as well rare use of double bass plucking sounds.[5]

The first movement is accompanied by storm and rain-effects, and on top of this is loose improvisational skills to probably indicate the many forms of life springing into existence. The second movement has tune-like quality, and is the most tranquil piece, in contrast to the next three which are darker in atmosphere.[5]

The third movement shows the violent side of nature, indicating the struggle to survive, whilst the fourth movement is more contemplative and a bit gloomy, perhaps indicating slowed-down nightlife activity.[5]

The fifth movement is a wonderfully loose piece of improvisation, going through many moods and tempos before setting up an emotional conclusion to the life.[5]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[6]

Jim Brenholts of Allmusic notes that Vangelis "surrounds a subtle drone with heavy sequences and dense atmospheres. He uses a symphonic synth to create pastoral textures", and that "is a very accessible album".[6]

Track listing

All songs composed by Vangelis.

  1. "Movement 1" – 18:20
  2. "Movement 2" – 6:20
  3. "Movement 3" – 6:06
  4. "Movement 4" – 9:54
  5. "Movement 5" – 7:20

Credits

Production

References

  1. ↑ "Vangelis Records Life On Earth". uDiscover. October 13, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  2. ↑ Dan Goldstein (November 1984), "Soil Festivities Vangelis Speaks", Electronics & Music Maker, retrieved August 22, 2016 line feed character in |title= at position 17 (help)
  3. ↑ "Vangelis" (select "Albums" tab). Official Charts Company.
  4. ↑ "Vangelis - Soil Festivities". DutchCharts. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Ivar de Vries. "Soil Festivities Review". Vangelis Movements. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Brenholts, Jim. "Soil Festivities". Allmusic. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
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