Orblivion | ||||
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Studio album by The Orb | ||||
Released | 24 February 1997 | |||
Recorded | May 1996 | |||
Genre | Electronica, dub | |||
Length | 72:00 | |||
Label | Island | |||
Producer | Alex Paterson, Thomas Fehlmann | |||
The Orb chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Chicago Tribune | |
Down Beat | |
Muzik | 8/10 |
Pitchfork Media | 9.3/10 |
Rolling Stone | |
Select | 4/5 |
Spin | 8/10 |
Orblivion is the fourth studio album by English electronic music group The Orb, released on 24 February 1997 by Island Records. With the album, The Orb, reunited with Andy Hughes and Steve Hillage, returned to their spacy sounds typical of U.F.Orb.
Though Orblivion was recorded in May 1996, it was not released until almost a year later, due to Island Records' desire to promote it as a follow up to U2's techno-rock album Pop.Orblivion sold very well in Europe as well as the United States, reaching number 19 on the UK Albums Chart and number 174 on the Billboard 200, while the first Orblivion single, "Toxygene", became the highest charting single by The Orb, reaching number 4 in the UK on 8 February 1997.
Orblivion received a lukewarm reception from British music critics despite high sales, but similarly to the case of Orbus Terrarum, it received better praise from American critics, including Rolling Stone, who called it a "scintillating contrast of chaos and euphony". To support the album, The Orb embarked on the Organic Tour with Orbital, Meat Beat Manifesto, Underworld, Zion Train, and The Chemical Brothers. The Village Voice described The Orb as "on its way down" and the stresses of touring sat heavily on member Alex Paterson, but The Orb decided not to "pack it in" and instead continued touring and producing. The Orb then released the second Orblivion single, "Asylum".