Released 40 years ago
Beauty in the Beast
Wendy Carlos · 1986
57 min · 8 tracks · electronic music
A mesmerizing blend of synthesized textures and intricate melodies that evoke a dreamlike landscape of sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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Beauty in the Beast — This title track encapsulates the album's theme with its haunting melodies and intricate layering, showcasing Carlos's signature style.
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Poem for Bali — Spanning nearly 18 minutes, this expansive piece demonstrates Carlos's ability to create immersive soundscapes that transport listeners beyond conventional structures.
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A Woman’s Song — With its lyrical motifs and emotive synth lines, this track highlights Carlos’s talent for blending personal expression with electronic sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases intricate synth work and thematic development, marking it as a significant entry in electronic music.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered synthesizers, creating rich textures that evolve throughout each track.
- Each piece typically develops through variations on a central melodic theme, often introducing new elements as it progresses.
- Tracks vary in length, with several extending beyond five minutes, allowing for gradual build-ups and explorations of sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dreamlike soundscapes for relaxation
- wave-like pacing with calm moments
- exploratory listening for introspection
- immersive journey through imagination
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, upbeat music
- seek immediate gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1986, Beauty in the Beast was Wendy Carlos's fifth studio album, following her acclaimed score for A Clockwork Orange. At this point in her career, Carlos had established herself as a pioneer in electronic music, especially known for her innovative use of the Moog synthesizer. This album showcases her continued exploration of avant-garde soundscapes and complex compositions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Isao Tomita· Klaus Schulze· Jean-Michel Jarre
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Incantation 6:46
- 2 Beauty in the Beast 3:58
- 3 Poem for Bali 17:41
- 4 Just Imaginings 12:06
- 5 That’s Just It 3:37
- 6 Yusae‐Aisae 3:13
- 7 C’est Afrique 6:14
- 8 A Woman’s Song 4:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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