Is Orbital 20 a good place to start with Orbital?

Yes, Orbital 20 is recommended as a starting point for new Orbital listeners. A mesmerizing blend of live renditions and remixes, capturing the essence of Orbital's pioneering electronica sound. Released in 2009, Orbital 20 marked a significant moment as it celebrated the duo's 20th anniversary, showcasing both classic tracks and new interpretations. This album came after their hiatus following the release of The Altogether in 2001, reflecting their return to form and renewed creativity.

Who is Orbital 20 for?

Orbital 20 works well if you're into dynamic journey with peaks, wave-like pacing for immersion and vibrant energy in live performances.

How many songs are on Orbital 20?

Orbital 20 has 20 tracks, running approximately 138 minutes.

Orbital 20

Orbital · 2009

138 min · 20 tracks · electronica

A mesmerizing blend of live renditions and remixes, capturing the essence of Orbital's pioneering electronica sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Chime (live style mix) Start here — As one of Orbital's most recognizable tracks, this live rendition encapsulates their signature sound while energizing audiences with its infectious rhythm.
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Halcyon (Tom Middleton re-model) — This remix revitalizes a classic track with fresh elements, showcasing the duo’s ability to reinterpret their work while maintaining emotional depth.
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Impact (live From Royal Albert Hall) — Capturing the grandeur of a Royal Albert Hall performance, this track highlights Orbital’s dynamic live presence and ability to engage large audiences through intricate soundscapes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Orbital's signature sound through live interpretations but lacks a cohesive narrative across its extensive tracklist.

What we noticed

Tracks like 'Chime' and 'Belfast' are reinterpreted with updated production techniques while maintaining their original melodies.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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

dynamic journey with peaks
wave-like pacing for immersion
vibrant energy in live performances
reflective moments amidst intensity
for late-night explorations

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
dislike lengthy immersive experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Celebrates 20 years with innovative remixes and live tracks, showcasing continued vitality.
Themes: 20th anniversary celebration· Royal Albert Hall grandeur· live electronic evolution
Career context: Released in 2009, Orbital 20 marked a significant moment as it celebrated the duo's 20th anniversary, showcasing both classic tracks and new interpretations. This album came after their hiatus following the release of The Altogether in 2001, reflecting their return to form and renewed creativity.
Stylistic neighbors: The Chemical Brothers· Underworld· Leftfield