* Need ANYTHING BOX inputs *

[FxBoy]

Hi guys,

I need your inputs on ANYTHING BOX. I just recently collect their stuff (Believe it or not, finally !!!) So far, I have “Peace” and “Hope.” What’s your favorite Anything Box album? Which other album is good to collect? I heard “Worth” is good too. How about “Universe Is Expanding?” Thanks EGNers !!!

[NoirTech]

Originally posted by FxBoy
Hi guys,

I need your inputs on ANYTHING BOX. I just recently collect their stuff (Believe it or not, finally !!!) So far, I have “Peace” and “Hope.” What’s your favorite Anything Box album? Which other album is good to collect? I heard “Worth” is good too. How about “Universe Is Expanding?” Thanks EGNers !!!

Drop everything and get "Worth" now!
Definately a very very good album. Check out my sig for a link to one of my mixes. I believe I included an Anything Box song from that album in it.

[interface2x]

Yeah, "Worth" is the place to be. Especially if you really like the early stuff like "Peace" and "Hope".

The newer stuff is a LOT harder edged - it's more of an electronic rock sound - lots of guitars and noise and whatnot. It's still quite excellent, IMO, but a lot of the straight-synthpop-fans are really turned off by it.

I suggest you pick up "Worth" first and then pick up "100% Air Friendly Groove Pak". This is the EP that preceded "The Universe..." If you like that EP, then take the plunge with a full length.

Colin

[Steve B]

Originally posted by FxBoy
Hi guys,

I need your inputs on ANYTHING BOX. I just recently collect their stuff (Believe it or not, finally !!!) So far, I have “Peace” and “Hope.” What’s your favorite Anything Box album? Which other album is good to collect? I heard “Worth” is good too. How about “Universe Is Expanding?” Thanks EGNers !!!


Anything Box's material:

Peace is widely available and considered a masterpiece at the beginning of the resurgance of synthpop in the 90's. It is definitely a classic synth album which featured "Living In Oblivion" and "Jubilation". It is very reminiscent of mid to late 80's synthpop.

Worth is the "lost album" and is my favorite. It is light synthpop with tremendous emotion and feeling. The beats are turned down a notch and less "poppy" to provide a melodic journey with some of Claude's best lyrics and vocals. The most known tracks are "World Without Love" and "Beat of Life". The album has recently been reprinted with two new tracks from the same era. If you only have the older version, the new version is worth checking out for the added songs including "Find A Way" which is really good.

Hope was the bands most upbeat, danceable album and possibly their catchiest album. It's up-tempo with some dance grooves. The album sort of slows down towards the end until "Life is Fun." The beginning of the album and the first four tracks including "Answer Me" and "A Moment's Shifting" are really good. There are two different Hope albums. The Orangewerks and Jarrett version vary in that the Jarrett version is re-mastered and the bonus tracks have been modified.

Elektrodelica was the band's experimentation album in which it switches tempos and moods and really explores different aspects of song writing as well as sounds as so much new technology had sprung up since their last work. Elektrodelica tends to be drifting in different directions so often at times it's quite surprising. Some find it a difficult listen because once your accustomed to a certain song, the album switched tangents. The album features the wonderful "Heaven60", "Conscious", and Anything Box's hardest song to date, "45", which is practically a punk song.

The Universe is Expanding is Anything Box's adventure into Electronic Rock. As many songs feature guitar as well as the band's trademark electronics. The album is radio friendly with many pop-rock songs which maintain a musical theme throughout the album. When things slow down a bit the album features two incredible, softer tracks, "Relics" and "65 Million Miles". The album rocks, and at some points also hints at some heavy hip-hop influences. Some of the standouts are "Welcome to the End", "Clean", and "I'm on my Way".

Other stuff:

Following Hope came The Diary: Page One. It was Claude's side-project album, though it is now just considered part of the Abox discography. It is dark, drol, soft synthpop with shades of Joy Division, including a cover of "Love Will Tear Us Apart". It is a wonderful album and a definite change from some of the bands more "poppy" releases. Though entirely electronic, the drum beats and guitar samples add a eerie feel to the album. "Promise" is one of my favorite songs Claude has ever recorded.

Mixology is a collection of B-Sides from early Anything Box singles and is rather cool. It's standout tracks however, are ones not found on other albums. The album features some early Abox songs which didn't make it onto their first album. "Industrial Wasteland" and the incredible, "Do You Hear Me Anymore" are not to be missed by Abox fans.

Recovered is an album which was made from songs which Claude has once believed to be lost and forgotten on a damaged tape. He was able to recover some of these early Abox tracks and re-master them into a surprisingly good album. The songs vary from synthpop to some instrumentals and some soft guitar tracks. "The Great Divide" and "Teardrop Collector" are very catchy while the guitar driven, "Sunday" and stirring "Emily" are two outstanding tracks.

Elektrospective is a collection of tracks from both the Peace and Worth albums. The versions on this disk are slightly different and sound a little more like demos. It's best suited for die-hard fans as opposed to new listeners.

The band has put out a downloadable collection of mp3 tracks called Binaural Repeats which is a free download from their www.anythingbox.com website. It includes downloadable artwork to help you created your own Abox CD. The album contains the cool "Radio Static" which otherwise is only available on the "100% Air Friendly" EP.

Anything Box has also released two Sharewear packages which contain a shirt and a CDr. They are available only directly through the band. The first, "Orange", featured an orange shirt and a CDr which included some Abox rarities like "Sad Christmas Song", and "Smile". The second Sharewear was "Blue" with a light-blue shirt and a CDr featuring "The Cheap Beats Theme" and a wonderful song called "Show Me". The Sharewears will soon be out of print as there is a vbery limited amount remaining.

Other than that . . . there's some really old stuff, as well as some singles and EPs.

My personal recommendations for Abox CDs

1. Peace (simply because it's a classic, it needs to be listed first)
2. Worth (my favorite)
3. The Universe is Expanding (unless you want to stick with pure synthpop)
4. Hope (The opening songs are incredible)
5. Recovered (Some "lost" gems on this one)
6. Elektrodelica (A good album, but synth purists will have trouble adapting to it)
7. The Diary (If you like darker, softer synth then put this much higher on the list)

For Die-Hards
1. Mixology
2. Living In Oblivion '96
3. Dance CD5
4. Sharewear2
5. 100% Air Friendly Groove Pak
6. Sharewear1
7. Elektrospective

For Newbies:
Download Binaural Repeats: 1993-2002 for free from www.anythingbox.com


(Hooray for cutting and pasting from earlier posts!)

[FxBoy]

Thanks a lot for ALL of your valuable inputs, EGNers !!

Ok, knowing that you guys LOVE “WORTH” so much, now I’ve decided to get “WORTH” for sure. Hmm, maybe “The Universe….” & “Recovered” next (it’s all been written down on my ‘Wish-List” (which seems the get LONGER & LONGER day by day)……… Ugh !! This synthpop is a perfect drug to get addicted to..

[7red7]

Trust me FX, Worth will not disappoint you :)

[draxijn]

hey guys...anyone know if you can still get copies of sharewear1 & 2? i recall them being for sale directly from the band at some point. i'm not going to fret about the shirts if i can't get them anymore but i need all the abox i can get (including ginash's secret stash)

[chriswdc]

Well, it has been said. You definitely want Worth. I am a synthpop listener first and foremost, so the first three albums are really where it is at as far as I am concerned. Those are what I call synthpop essentials.

[Steve B]

Originally posted by draxijn
hey guys...anyone know if you can still get copies of sharewear1 & 2? i recall them being for sale directly from the band at some point. i'm not going to fret about the shirts if i can't get them anymore but i need all the abox i can get (including ginash's secret stash)


I know supplies are limited, but I believe Claude might have a few Sharewears left. I know Sharewear 1 was ultra-low in CDrs (if any left) and the Orange Shirts were on their second and final printing with only a handful left.

As for Sharewear 2 . . . I think there are some shirts left, and probably some CDrs. It wouldn't be too hard for Claude to have a couple more CDrs run off if needed.

You should try to email the band at presswerk@aol.com and see if they might respond with an answer.

[spi]

One thing to mention. A while back Claude mentioned that he only has 200 copies of Diary Page One left. So you might wanna bump that up your list of CDs to get as it may be hard to find real soon.

Plus its a really really great CD. Has some amazing lyrics that just keep the CD in my rotation.

-steve

[jetjaguar15]

"Worth" is the sure thing as far as Anything Box goes... I can't imagine anyone not liking that album.


Also I second the note about The Diary. I know a lot of people don't care for it, but lyrically it is a really powerful album.. and the different approach to instrumentation grows on you.

[JonatanSweden]

Worth is really a phantastic album. World without love alone is worth the money. My other favourite songs are Wedding Day and Ravine.
I also have Elektrodelica which I really like too, although there are some
boring tracks there too. I don't like what I have heard from Universe is Expanding, so I haven't bought that album...

[stevo]

I have almost all Anything Boxes cds, mostly because synthpop is a rare thing, and let me tell you, i don't really like them, i like a few songs, but i think they're very over rated, if you can call it that in this very underated scene.

STEVO

[kellyrenee]

I totally disagree. Anything Box THEMSELF is an underrated band, in a scene that is underrated as a whole. They are one of the best synthpop bands ever to come out of this genre. Their music deserves a lot more credit. If you look at newer bands of today, such as Iris and De/Vision, I bet you money that Anything Box, along with Depeche Mode and other bands as such, are the biggest influences for these writers.


Anyway, if you are looking to own the best of Anything Box, I have 3 words for you:
Worth
Peace
Hope...
OWN THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FxBoy]

Originally posted by stevo
I have almost all Anything Boxes cds, mostly because synthpop is a rare thing, and let me tell you, i don't really like them, i like a few songs, but i think they're very over rated, if you can call it that in this very underated scene.

STEVO


Hmmm, I think this commend will generate some reactions from other ANYTHING BOX fans outhere. But interesting commend there.


Originally posted by kellyrenee
Anyway, if you are looking to own the best of Anything Box, I have 3 words for you:
Worth
Peace
Hope...
OWN THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I ordered "WORTH" already, Keelyrenee !!

[kellyrenee]

Rock on! You're going to LOVE it! It's awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[draxijn]

i've played the classic box for some guys at work and it's so ahrd to enjoy a public airing yourself when you get so many complaints. my general experience is that most guys find the lyrics, music and singing too sensitive...emotional. the word gay is nearly ALWAYS bandied about which we've discussed here before. a couple girls i've passed the box onto have really liked them...but as a person you require a sense of...i dunno how to explain it. you can't be too macho i guess...be open to emotional/sensitive music.

and yes peace, worth, and hope are essentials!

[spi]

Originally posted by JonatanSweden
Worth is really a phantastic album. World without love alone is worth the money. My other favourite songs are Wedding Day and Ravine.
I also have Elektrodelica which I really like too, although there are some
boring tracks there too. I don't like what I have heard from Universe is Expanding, so I haven't bought that album...

I think you would really love the songs "Relics" and "Best Friend" off of T.U.I.E. Those are to amazing songs. Relics is a ballad and a bit different fromt the rest of the songs on the album. Best Friend is an amazing slower song. Give T.U.I.E a chance I think if you like Elektrodelica you will like T.U.I.E

-steve

[tclutz]

#1 Worth
#2 Peace
#3 Hope
#4 Recovered
In that order. If you love synthpop, stick with these four albums.
It is almost blasphemy to put any other albums on this list unless you take the "synthpop" out of this discussion. Sorry, but The Diary, Elektrodelica & the Universe is Expanding dont even deserve the Anythingbox label. These guys went from synthpop gods (such as De/Vision is currently) to so so experimentialists that no longer care about good melodic/catchy music or making their loayal synthpop fans happy.
Without mentioning names, the largest synthpop store/seller in the states told me that the vast majority of sales on the last 3 albums went to die hard fans that wanted to complete their ABox collection, but hated their current material. I couldnt agree more and wont buy another cd until it returns back to the catchy, melodic synthpop style that Claude's voice was meant to sing.
Nuff Said!

[draxijn]

bah...depeche mode aren't releasing any black celebration part two's are they?

i applaud claude for sometimes thinkin' outside the 'box'...know what i mean?

[chriswdc]

I had borrowed 'Worth' from a friend for the longest time. I finally got around to ordering my own copy. It is bizarre I did not buy it before as I do consider it to be essential listening for synthpop fans. Of course, he did not have the limited edition, and it appears that I will...so I am looking forward to its arrival.

[FxBoy]

Just got a copy of mine today ! I've been listening to "Worth" now........ not enough to give my personal opinion about the album since I prefer to listen to any new albums that I got a few times first before finally giving out my opinion about them.

So far what I can say is that....... It's a very 'settled' album. In other words, "Worth" gave me those calming feelings when I listen to it.

It's certainly different compare to some other more agressive synthpop approach which utilizing a fierce guitar/bass/drum-loops.

To me, Anything Box "Worth" is simlar to Erasure. Calm & more on the poppy-side.

[FxBoy]

Alright, here’s my review about “WORTH.”

I’ve been listening to this CD for about a week since I got the album a week ago. At first, I have to say that I was not really impressed with their music. It wasn’t bad by any means. It’s just that nothing really jumps up at you. Maybe the whole atmosphere of the album has something to do with it. Nothing dark & kinda slow-tempo. It’s a straight forward SYNTHPOP. So, I should expect poppy sound here, right?

However, this album is slowly creeping up on you. Without even realize it, I sometimes find myself humming along some of their tunes here & there. Well, now I’m really into “WORTH.” It’s a nice album to play while you’re driving in your car, the tunes make you feel calm & happy at the same time. Definitely a GREAT album !! For those who hasn’t got this album, I highly recommend it (especially if you like a straight synthpop music similar to Erasure).

Thanks for all your inputs guys !!

[synth19]

Glad to your you like Worth, it will always be my fav anything box album.

ginash

[tclutz]

Worth got the most continuious play of any cd I have ever bought! No, there are not any synthpop type radio chart toppers that make you say this could be a #1 hit, but every song is catchy and the whole album is a work of art that makes you want to sing along. Yes, this album also will put just about anyone into a happy state of mind wich is cool!
Just because its slow and catchy though does not make me compare it to Erasure at all! The Singer and musical atmosphere are way too different even though the tempo is somewhat in that ball park and yes they both have catchy lyrics, but tons of bands in many genres have that in common! Its not like Front & Centre or blue audio which copy their sound from Erasure!
P.S. To a previous post on Black Celebration #2, I would much prefer a second coming from the classic Depeche Mode (with a slight 90's edge) than some of that recent stuff they have been putting out! What true DM/Synthpop fan wouldnt? Also, I am NOT opposed to change such as De/Vision which still keeps at least somewhat true to their synthpop roots/fans and put out "QUALITY" music with each album! BUT, who wants change when it sucks! Do you really want to buy depeche mode if they start sounding like Hootie & the Blowfish!!!! Nuff Said!

[chriswdc]

I was happy to receive my own 'Worth' CD in the mail yesterday from ADD. It is rather nice not having to borrow it all the time. It seems like an interesting story behind the making of the album.

[7red7]

Yeah you can hear all the gory (but oh so beautiful ) details about the making of Worth in the Limited Edition of Electrodelica...I love Worth!!! :) That interview disc is awesome, and they even play a couple of the demos in there I believe :)

[synth19]

Speaking of Hootie....Lead singer Darius Macray is now doing R&B... he's not very convincing. :)


Originally posted by tclutz
Do you really want to buy depeche mode if they start sounding like Hootie & the Blowfish!!!! Nuff Said!

[Steve B]

Originally posted by chriswdc
I was happy to receive my own 'Worth' CD in the mail yesterday from ADD. It is rather nice not having to borrow it all the time. It seems like an interesting story behind the making of the album.


It's sad to know that the album was "lost" when the band broke away from EPIC. I'm just glad that Anything Box was able to distribute it to their fans through there own means. It truly would have been a great shame if no one ever had the opportunity to hear the album.

In it's new form, I am so pleased that Claude put the wonderful song, Find a Way, on the album as a bonus track. This song is so awesome and reallt stands out as one of my favorite Anything Box tracks.

For those who may not know, in addition to the two added tracks on the new version of Worth, there is a third bonus track which is/was downloadable as well on the www.anythingbox.com website. If you go to the lyrics page for Worth, there is a free downloadable demo track called, The Pain I Inherited. It too is a pretty cool track. Unfortunately, I don't believe the download link works anymore.
http://www.anythingbox.com/worth.htm

If you haven't got it, you can email, and I should be able to get it to you. It sort of was lost when the website's mp3 files were re-arranged for the Binaural Repeats album download.

baldeaux@flash.net