Moby WAIT FOR ME Deluxe Edition (Mute)

It felt rather strange to me to receive this 3-disc collection several months after the original album was released, but never received by us for review. Included in this package is the original album plus two new, previously unreleased trscks; an ambient version of it; and a DVD of live highlights from Moby’s 2009 European festival dates plus song videos, animated clips and Moby interview - plus some.

It’s a fantastic package for Moby fans in the coming gifting season. But my interest lies in the original recording, and I’ll tell you for why. Back in 1999 Moby released PLAY and so overwelmed was I by it that I requested and was granted an interview. I travelled the 200 miles down to London for the meeting at the small and beauifully formed hotel he often frequents when visiting the city. After an hour wait (he was caught up in traffic) he arrived and we carried out the interview while he was packing to fly off to Germany for a massive
dance festival (with a crowd of around 1 million!). PLAY had received quite favourable reviews but never secured airplay (BBC wouldn’t you know…) and it almost disappeared from view for several months. Then one of the tracks was used for a TV commercial and the music-loving public wanted to know the who and what of the track. Another song appeared in another commercial and that was it. The mainstream radio stations eventually wised up with the BBC leaping on the back of it (wouldn’t you know…) big-time. It became the biggest-selling album of the year and a worldwide hit selling well over 10 million units. So in short, as is often the case, Shakenstir was first to spot a winner the interview can be seen elsewhere on the site).

The problem of course for Moby was then to follow it up with releases that were at least as good. DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE. For Moby, it was Radiohead’s OK COMPUTER, verging on the impossible to replicate. Yes folks, PLAY is that special. But, like Radiohead, it also seems impossible for Moby to release a bad album, and so while subsequent releases may have not reached the emotional heights of PLAY they have been quality records that many other acts could only dream about creating. WAIT FOR ME comes perilously close to the emotional and aesthetical quality of PLAY, but in a different sonic style.

The opening track ‘Division’ clearly reveals the difference. It’s a brief, emotion-packed orchestral intro of astounding beauty, followed by by the equally drop-dead-gorgeous ‘Pale Horses’ with a superb, moving vocal performance from Amelia Ziria Brown. ‘Shot In The Back Of The Head’ is another musical marvel with its reverse-sampled keyboard rhythm, magical melody, vocal harmonies, and so much more. To me, Moby is the supreme pop maestro and music programmer, and this song proves it. ‘Study War’ could not be more relevant or heartbreaking. Starr Blackshere is the featured vocalist whose repetive line, “…the battle will be over, for that day when we shall lay down our burdon and study war a little more“, resonates with its glorious accompanying orchestral backdrop. This could have been on PLAY. This is an astounding track.

‘Walk With Me’ opens with solo instrumental passages and the most intimate vocal from Leela James. It gradually builds with waves of orchestral sounds washing in and out, as does the vocal. It’s one of many intensely emotional tracks here, and is compelling, overwhelming, stunning. I could write chapter and verse on this album but would end up repeating myself, and desperately seeking alternative ways to express my thoughts on this majestical album. The two new, previously unreleased tracks ‘One Time We Lived’ (the new single) and ‘Stay Down’ are as good as any ambient music he’s previously released, and alone justify acquring this 3-disc box set.

WAIT FOR ME matches PLAY, and in a way I could not imagine. It is a musical tour-de-force, and this 3-disc collection has to one of the year’s finest and most complete releases. It’s Moby’s Millennium Musical Triumph.

5/5