Delerium - The Best Of Delerium

Although I am a fan of Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber's Front Line Assembly, I have never been extremely impressed with their side project known as Delerium. Although the idealism from which Delerium was founded is admirable, the duo's style and industrial/electro production techniques gained on Front Line weigh heavily on most of their early Delerium work. When I listen to the soaring and powerful vocals of Sarah McLachlan on "Silence" or Kristy Thirsk on "Flowers Become Screens" I want so much to hear more from the sonic beauty of the music itself, but sadly it just isn't there to be found. The pseudo-Enigma stylings and generic world-music samples that plague Delerium's mid-90's compositions are better left to the wayside.

Regardless, the fact is that the duo have sold over 2 million albums over the last decade, and the single for "Silence" sold over 500,000. Not bad for being the side-project of one of the most respected and ruthless industrial groups ever to grace a drum machine.

The tracklisting is as follows:

--1: Flowers Become Secrets - (with Kristy Thirsk)
--2: Silence - (with Sarah McLachlan)
--3: Paris - (with Aude)
--4: Truly - (Buddha Radio Edit, featuring Nerina Pallot)
--5: Terra Firma - (with Aude)
--6: Incantation - (with Kristy Thirsk)
--7: After All - (with Jael)
--8: Underwater - (with Rani)
--9: Run For It - (with Leigh Nash)
--10: Remembrance
--11: You & I - (with Zoe Johnston)
--12: Innocente - (with Leigh Nash)
--13: Euphoria - (with Jacqui Hunt)
--14: Silence - (with Sarah McLachlan)

The Best of Delerium compilation does however spotlight a sparkling new shining jewel. Out of the 14 tracks that inhabit the disc, one single stands alone, an genius song featuring occasional Bent/Faithless lead singer Zoe Johnston called "You & I." I can't stress enough the sheer quality and exquisiteness of this composition, from the tragic perfection of the vocal work to the insightful production of the music itself, the single proves beyond a doubt that Leeb and Fulber are pushing Delerium to new levels.

The world is sure to see more of Delerium in the near future.