by Melanie Walker, Music Director

Does anyone really pay much attention to Moby anymore? Is he still considered a relevant artist to music lovers? Moby has just released his ninth studio album titled Wait For Me. He's been a staple in the music industry for 17 years. It's no doubt that Moby is one of the most important dance figures of the early 90's. He helped bring dance music to mainstream audiences in both the US and the UK. But, considering the heydays of techno and dance music are now a good 15-20 years old, what does he really have new to bring to the table? It's a fair question to ask to someone who's been such an influential figure in a genre that's seemly permeated most other music genres today.

I'll be honest; every time a new Moby album is due to be released I'm immediately skeptical of it. His first major release in 1995 titled Everything Is Wrong is one of the albums that have helped to shape my musical taste and spark my music frenzy. That album was this pure, cerebral sanctuary for me in a society saturated with the commercialization of grunge and alternative music. Then Moby became this rock star hanging with Incubus and Eminem. There would be sightings of him at the MTV music awards with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and Gwen Stefani doing guest vocals on his newest single. His album Play was an incredibly versatile blend of down tempo and blues, but it was everywhere. It was in advertisements, film soundtracks, TV shows; you couldn't go a day without a Moby song providing the soundtrack to something. I felt like I was totally scammed. I have a feeling Moby might've felt like that too. Success is a very tight rope to walk.

But, I have to say Moby has completely redeemed himself to me with his recent release Wait For Me. Moby made an album this time folks. It has no big name guest vocalists — he has friends doing the vocals on these tracks. No frills and elaborate productions — Moby recorded this album at home in his studio with his friend Ken Thomas, who's worked with Sigur Ros, Throbbing Gristle, and M83. Thomas helped produce and mix this record using only analog equipment in true stereo. It's an album that holds itself to higher standards than what the commercial music industry measures as a success.

Wait For Me is a return to me of Moby's introspective, intelligent, transportive sounds. He's going back to his roots on this new album and making music that has the essence of his soul again. These aren't club hits. This is music that whispers melancholic melodies and creates cinematic sounds capes perfect for a quiet moment of personal reflection that is truly affecting. Moby stated that "In making this record I wanted to focus on making something that I loved, without really being concerned about how it might be received by the marketplace." I'd say that is one of the smartest career moves he's made to date and an incredible statement to make to an industry that's been off center kilter for quite awhile now. Thank you, Moby for sharing yourself with us once again. You've made one of your best works to date with Wait For Me.