Moby - 18

Following one of the most licensed CDs in history, 18 delivers more of the gospel samples and spiritual exploration that made Play Moby's breakthrough album. But keep your expectations in check. On 18 there is barely a body-rocker in the bunch. This is often a somber, melancholy disc, blanketed in the washed-over cinematic orchestral melodies Moby's been fond of since his classic self-titled debut. It requires several listenings before the gems shine through the ambient fog--and most depart from Play entirely. On the deceptively minimalist opening track, Moby delivers a powerful message through his thin little voice. "We are all made of stars," he sings, and indeed he's believable. MC Lyte punches out an infectious rap over old-school beat-box rhythms on "Jam for the Ladies," offering one of the disc's few roof-raisers. "At Least We Tried" is a tear-jerking swan song of the highest order, and, finally, "The Rafters" resurrects early-‘90s house piano, which will make any of Moby's career-long fans pine for his earliest club hits. The diminutive DJ needn't have produced Play Pt. Two to keep his new fans engaged. Fortunately, his greatest talent for cooking up interesting sounds is still audible; you just need the patience to find it. --Beth Massa Amazon.com

Life music

Another great mix of old soul, ambient, and dance music from Moby. It's a great combination. The ambient provides the spiritual tone; the dance provides the energy; and the old soul provides the added depth. And he's the best in the world at it. It works because you can tell he respects each sound he's using, and not just using it to prove he can, or fit a certain popular sound.

Moby must have a great soul. You can feel it in his music. Very spiritual and life driven. And that shines through whether his songs lean more towards rock, pop, dance, or classic soul. Most of the songs on this album are a mix of soulful-dance-and ambient. There's also a few pop, a few ambient, one rock, and a few dance tracks. As an entire record, it works perfectly. And does wonders for your mood.
September 5, 2008

One of these Mornings

The album is simple and straight forward. Moby's lyrics say a lot in a few words. I like the passion and the sincerity. The music is intense yet soothing. March 29, 2008

A decent album

18 was the follow-up to Moby's successful album, Play. Sonically, 18 took Play to "the next level." However, I think the 18 album could have been a bit stronger. Changing the sequencing of the album would have helped it tremendously (the second half of the album has a "sameness" to it, which makes it hard to listen to that part of the album after a while).

For me, 18 is definitely a "mood album"; I have to be in a particular mood in order to listen to it in its entirety. Those fans who enjoy Moby's more upbeat and danceable material probably won't like 18 as much. While this is a decent album, it's definitely not the one I would use to introduce someone to Moby's material (for that purpose, I would use either Everything is Wrong or Play). November 12, 2007

OK in Small Doses

I have a hard time listening to this album's "18" tracks in one sitting. The overall tone and sound gets monotoneous and quickly grinds on my nerves. I consider "Jam for the Ladies" to be the only dud. However, there are not any really great tracks on 18 either. Something fans of Moby's previous albums have come to expect. Most of the tracks are average with five or six being slightly better than average (tracks 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, and 17), but even these are more enjoyable when heard interspersed on a personal playlist rather than on Moby's 18 album.

3.5/5 stars. August 9, 2007

true masterpeace

one of the best thing i hered in last couple of years,true geanius writing.dont miss this specieal cd,atrue ear candy.
June 5, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...