Moby-- Play (V2)

Playful, dynamic, flirting with an easy-listening feel, Moby’s latest effort mixes spooky blues and gospel samples with the airy beats ‘n’ vibe he abandoned for harder sounds on 1997’s Animal Rights. For this return to less noisy territory, the multi-instrumentalist dives into modern rock (i.e. the breezy "South Side"), dancefloor-readymades ("Bodyrock") and a heapin’ helpin’ of tinkly piano over spacey loops.

In the end, it’s the eerie old-time samples punctuating the ambient landscapes that resonate; what Moby does with the gospel doo-wop of Bill Langford & the Langfordaires for "Run On" must be heard to be believed.

--- Don Harrison