Track Listing

1. Central Texas
2. Sun Drugs
3. Down II
4. Taphead
5. Fucked Up (3:57 AM)
6. Music For Twin Peaks
7. Episode #30 Part I
8. Episode #30 Part II
9. The Artificial Pine Arch Song

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37307 in Music
• Released on: 1997-03-10
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Customer Reviews

audio horizon
stars of the lid's "the ballasted orchestra" is a much-underappreciated and criminally ignored masterpiece in an undefined genre that can only be described as "drugged-out ambient"... this album, however, shatters the goofy, new-age soul-searching connotation that "ambient music" suggests. "the ballasted orchestra" is TRUE ambient: minimalistic but warm, visceral but incredibly ethereal, and unbelievably soothing. there are no cheesy synth-chorus voices wailing brazilian chants in the background, no tabla... hell, i don't even know what instruments stars of the lid are using. although, in theory, it seems (and could be) uninteresting, each song sounds like the conclusion of a rock song - the VERY end - but in suspended animation - dragged out and mutilated in slight ways, running in a line. lying there listening to songs like "sun drugs" and "f**ked up (3:57 am)" caused me to feel almost floaty and weightless; it's easy to lose track of time. this album takes a few listens to truly understand and to truly get into, but once you start to love it, it's perfect for anytime - it makes a beautiful sunny day seem mystical and shimmering, and it makes the night feel like a movie. "the ballasted orchestra" is the pale blue light in the distance - it's more than music, it's a beautiful and welcoming audio horizon. let it take you on the trip.

haunting, beautiful ambience
I picked up this album randomly at a music shop, going only off of my previous good experiences with other bands on the same label. I had no idea I was picking up an album with no vocals, no rhythm, and no melody. I found out after a few listens that this is a good thing when it's done right. SOTL are very good at what they do.

This is mostly a dark sounding record yet full of somehow comforting drones. Beyond that it's hard to describe as I have no idea how these guys make this music. If you attempt to track down pictures of the group, in a live shot you can see someone playing a bass, but it's impossible to tell what instruments are being used on their records.

Ideally this music is great to fall asleep to, and also great to read to. It would be unfair to call this music filler, or background music. It's much to good to be reduced to that, but it's perfect to listen to if you don't want absolute silence, but you also don't want to be distracted from the task at hand (i.e. sleeping or reading).

The desert at night
To date this is my favourite Stars of the Lid album, and as a consequence, one of my favourite ambient albums. What puts it over the top for me are the images of desolate nocturnal landscapes it brings to mind - the tracks "Central Texas" and "Music for Twin Peaks Episode #30 Pt. 2" are particularly effective in this regard. Meanwhile any SotL fan HAS to have "Sun Drugs," which is a staple of the band's live shows and deservedly so.

There isn't much more to say that hasn't been repeated ad nauseum here so I'll cut things short. Let's just say that if you want atmosphere or merely something to relax to, you can't go wrong with The Ballasted Orchestra.