the screen behind the mirror

enigma

virgin records, 2000

Mood—Massive, lush, smooth, and important.

Sample: "Endless Quest"

Thoughts— I was not initially an Enigma fan. Their earlier stuff that got radio play was just not appealing to me. However, the genius of this album took me by surprise.

Carl Orff's O Fortuna is undoubtedly one of the most moving pieces ever conceived. It's one of those pieces of music that just hits the audience full force. But this album isn't just about a few random samples; it feels as if each song is referencing O Fortuna in both delicate and overt ways, while still projecting the decidedly specific sound of Enigma.

I first heard the single from this album, "The Gravity of Love" on a trailer for The Matrix. It was perfect for the commercial, and I was disappointed that it didn't show up in the film at all. A while later I picked up The Screen Behind The Mirror, just in time for a 10-week trip through Europe. This was before iPods gave us nigh-limitless portable music, so I had to be very specific about what albums would weigh me down for three months.

It was a great choice to bring this one along. It's an album that has a lot of meat on its bones. High variation in terms of tempo and intensity, great melodies, and of course, fantastic Carl Orff samples. "Modern Crusaders" and "Camera Obscura" top my list of favorites, followed closely by more laid back songs like "Traces" and "Between Mind & Heart".

Recommended? Yes.

Link—enigmamusic.com

Tracklist
1. The Gate
2. Push The Limits
3. Gravity Of Love
4. Smell Of Desire
5. Modern Crusaders
6. Traces
7. The Screen Behind The Mirror
8. Endless Quest
9. Camera Obscura
10. Between Mind And Heart
11. Silence Must Be Heard