CD-Charts Position 1
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Lifeforms

by: Future Sound Of London

Release Date May 23, 1994
This is like nothing else I've heard, even from FSOL. I must admit I wondered what on earth I'd bought when I first heard it, but once I'd got to the end I got it. Swirls of ambient noise give way to some of the most beautiful electronic melodies you can imagine.

It's got loads in common with classical music, you have refrains that pop in and out at various points throughout the album, in fact they even sample Pachabel's 'Canon in D' in 'Domain'. This isn't a pop record. You can't just stick it on whilst you wander round the house and expect to like it. You have to actually sit down and listen to it as a whole to appreciate just how amazing it is.

Highly recommended, but the recommendation comes with a warning to expect ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Environments Vol.1

by: Future Sound Of London

Release Date July 21, 2008
The sonic boom boys are back with a beautifully recorded opus,that will have all fans of electronic music salivating,OK it doesn't have the depth of emotion that ,say,Tangerine Dream have,buit it does have soul and mysticism in abundance.
The use of samples is fantastic,Sitars weave in and out of electronic patterns that bring early seventies German Rock to mind.
These two tracks are lengthy explorations of what is achievable with synthesizers these days,the sound shifts and alters and creates mosaics of sound that meld well together admirably.

CD-Charts Position 3
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From the Archives Vol.4

by: Future Sound Of London

Release Date May 12, 2008
From The Archives 1-3 were a generous selection of unreleased and deleted FSOL tracks, but as albums lacked something; overlong and occasionally bloated with unexciting tracks, and slotted together with little care or thought. Volume 4 is considerably better, however, with a shorter running time giving the tracks more chance to sink in, and making it sound much more focussed. Each track is strong here, from the opening Dead Cities-era rhythms of Hidden Sign, to Mango Tree's shimmering acoustic guitars, the scrapped Eggshell EP track Climbing, and ending with the powerful Speed Ball. More interestingly, the last half of the album all segues together without gaps, reminding us of how FSOL albums once played out in the 1990s.
At the time of writing, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Teachings from the Electronic Brain: the Best of the Future Sound of London

by: Future Sound Of London

Release Date September 11, 2006
As a long time fan of FSOL I was expecting a good selection of their tracks mixed together with the feel of one of their ISDN shows. However, on listening, the album is merely a collection of standalone tracks representing some of the more eclectic parts of their career. As such, the album does not flow quite so well as it should, but still provides some of the best tracks from ISDN, Lifeforms and Dead Cities in this collection, making it a very accessible opening into the world of FSOL. However, nothing new is presented in this best of, which is disappointing to a long time listener, but for five quid, you could certainly do a lot worse.

CD-Charts Position 5
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By Any Other Name: the Future Sound of London Presents

by: Future Sound Of London

Release Date October 13, 2008
By Any Other Name is an unexpected look at FSOL's early work, and an excellent companion to the other full-lengths of the era, Accelerator, Earthbeat and The Pulse EPs. 16 of the 17 tracks here are previously unheard (the exception being Visual Attack, originally a rare 12" under the name Aircut, now resurrected as a Smart Systems track).
Tracks such as Sightings, Travellers and Across The Rivers (a rare unheard outing as FSOL) are real highlights, and the only weak tracks here are under the previously unheard Dope Module alias, which feature primitive breakbeats and occasionally quite embarrassing vocals by the band.
Some of the work here is quite minimal and hypnotic, and a number of tracks mix nicely into each other, with answerphone messages and a particularly ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Environments 2

by: The Future Sound Of London

Release Date January 05, 2009
When a follow-up to the first Environments record was announced, it was initially believed to feature more material from the band's 1994 ambient radio sessions. What came, however, was considerably different - and even better.
Environments II is the band's first foray into more cinematic ambient music. Beginning with the almost classical string-based Viewed From Above, and moving on to the first of the dreamy, lightly percussive Glacier tracks, the record is vastly different to anything heard by the band before (it's not surprising to see Max Richter and Robert Fripp on the credits list). Yet, as the record goes on, it feel like a FSOL record, with songs blending into each other, and the group's familiar layered production; just this time, as opposed to Lifeforms' lush ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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From the Archives Vol.3

by: Future Sound Of London

Release Date July 23, 2007
Right, I'm going to review and compare all 5 of the "from the archives" albums so you can choose which, if any, to buy. I looked at the other reviews before I took the plunge but didn't really find any of them particularly informative.

Just so you have a point of reference, I'm a bit of a music geek and have 250 FSOL/Amorphous Androgynous tracks.
My favourite 5 tracks are "Papau New Guinea", "Cascade", "Lifeforms" (by FSOL) as well as "Fat Cat" and "Mountain Goat" (by Amorph.Androg.).
My favourite FSOL album is Lifeforms (and if you don't own that yet you really should buy it).

If you don't own all of the main FSOL albums yet, buy them before you buy any of these. The Amorphous Androgynous albums are (with the exception of "Tales Of Ephidrena"which ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Tales of Ephidrina

by: Future Sound Of London

Release Date July 05, 1993
Sadly this is the type of old stuff no one cares for anymore. Regardless, this little jewel is a masterpiece of ambient sounds and some beats which stands highest among "early" electronica stuff. Everyone who likes FSOL will like this even better. All of the tracks are very good and it is a very pleasurable album to listen to in the dark, letting your mind go, flowing freely. Great artwork too.

I got into FSOL and related releases when I was living in London, so these albums are very cherished to me. I guess I am a nostalgic, anyway.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Accelerator

by: Future Sound Of London

Release Date October 01, 2001
Sorry, but I've got to stick up for this album, it's an absolutely timeless classic....

I'm frankly surprised to see words like 'nothing special' used to describe this album... It set a benchmark upon release and is a classic example of Nineties cerebral techno. There are plenty of deep rhythms and vibes to get into on this album, and it contains the organic blueprint of future FSOL releases to come...

Rather than lightweight, this album is accessible, up tempo and very listener friendly. You don't need to sit in a room and think seriously about the concepts at work to enjoy it (as with some FSOL albums). It's far more immediate than that whilst retaining a good degree of intelligence...

This record's like a favourite pair of trainers. You forgot how good ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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From the Archives Vol.1

by: Future Sound Of London

Release Date July 23, 2007
Right, I'm going to review and compare all 5 of the "from the archives" albums so you can choose which, if any, to buy. I looked at the other reviews before I took the plunge but didn't really find any of them particularly informative.

Just so you have a point of reference, I'm a bit of a music geek and have 250 FSOL/Amorphous Androgynous tracks.
My favourite 5 tracks are "Papau New Guinea", "Cascade", "Lifeforms" (by FSOL) as well as "Fat Cat" and "Mountain Goat" (by Amorph.Androg.).
My favourite FSOL album is Lifeforms (and if you don't own that yet you really should buy it).

If you don't own all of the main FSOL albums yet, buy them before you buy any of these. The Amorphous Androgynous albums are (with the exception of "Tales Of Ephidrena"which is not bad) ... Read More: