Is Play: The B Sides a good place to start with Moby?

Yes, Play: The B Sides is recommended as a starting point for new Moby listeners. A serene blend of ambient textures and soulful melodies that captures the essence of Moby's eclectic sound. Released in 2000, Play: The B Sides came shortly after Moby's commercial breakthrough with the album Play. This collection showcases B-sides from that era, further cementing his status as a leading figure in electronic music. At this point, Moby was transitioning from underground success to mainstream recognition, having already achieved significant acclaim and sales.

Who is Play: The B Sides for?

Play: The B Sides works well if you're into wave-like pacing with resolution, reflective moments for deep thinking and soulful melodies for emotional exploration.

How many songs are on Play: The B Sides?

Play: The B Sides has 16 tracks, running approximately 79 minutes.

Play: The B Sides

Moby · 2000

79 min · 16 tracks · alternative rock

A serene blend of ambient textures and soulful melodies that captures the essence of Moby's eclectic sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Flower Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Porcelain — This track exemplifies Moby's ability to merge haunting vocals with lush production, reflecting themes of vulnerability and introspection.
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Natural Blues — An exploration of melancholy paired with uplifting elements, this song encapsulates Moby's signature blend of electronic and folk influences.
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Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? — Fusing gospel samples with electronic beats, this track dives into emotional depth while showcasing Moby's innovative production style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Moby's ambient style with a mix of reflective melodies and layered textures, though it lacks the depth of his main releases.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that build on ambient soundscapes, while the second half shifts towards more melodic and structured pieces.
Several tracks incorporate vocal samples, but they are often layered within instrumental arrangements rather than serving as lead elements.
The album closes with a radio edit of 'Everloving', which contrasts with the preceding tracks by presenting a more polished and concise version.

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

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

wave-like pacing with resolution
reflective moments for deep thinking
soulful melodies for emotional exploration
for evening relaxation
dynamic journey through soundscapes

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy tracks
prefer quick, standalone songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A companion piece to 'Play', showcasing pivotal tracks not included in the original.
Themes: blues-infused melancholy· post-Play introspection
Career context: Released in 2000, Play: The B Sides came shortly after Moby's commercial breakthrough with the album Play. This collection showcases B-sides from that era, further cementing his status as a leading figure in electronic music. At this point, Moby was transitioning from underground success to mainstream recognition, having already achieved significant acclaim and sales.
Stylistic neighbors: Massive Attack· Thievery Corporation· Air