Orbital — The Box
Album: In SidesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2984
Length: 4:10
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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(instrumental)
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The repetition nearly killed me in under a minute.
Proclivities wrote:
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
Just reminded me of this rabbit hole I went down a few months ago watching Romanian cimbalom players on YouTube. Some really interesting and incredible stuff out there.
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
Just reminded me of this rabbit hole I went down a few months ago watching Romanian cimbalom players on YouTube. Some really interesting and incredible stuff out there.
giammin wrote:
GOOD TUNE! I like it. I don't care what they call it! I listen to the music, NOT a genre designation or description! Thanx RP!
please don't call this techno
GOOD TUNE! I like it. I don't care what they call it! I listen to the music, NOT a genre designation or description! Thanx RP!
Man does this song take me places. My college years. So many long study nights with friends, smoking, drinking and listening to this tune. Good times.
Thanks to RP, I recognized the distintive chilling opening notes of this playing often in the new Mike Meyers sci-fi series I binge-watched the other night
please don't call this techno
Isn't this actually The Box part 2? Part 1 is the mellow version, right?
Why all this techno with no "world " sounds in it at all ? Many wanting world music expect some heritage international sounds that are put off by tracks like this.I like techno but on it's own channel or maybe the Main Mix
not complete without Jes Benstock mesmerising video featuring the one and only Tilda Swinton
classic 
The Pentaverate
If John Barry had done Techno
Epic 
The more I hear this tune, the more I like it! Thank You RP!
Proclivities wrote:
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
Thank you!
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
Thank you!
Good tune! I never heard of them before. Thank You RP!
looks like dead can dance .....
Awww, it's the short version âšī¸.....đ
Orbital - up there with Underworld - more please! đ
Orbital - up there with Underworld - more please! đ
They've reposted the video on their Youtube for the 25th anniversary. From the comments:
"The bell part started as a cyclical sequencer experiment
The sounds reminded them of a cold war drama soundtrack. It was an attempt to do a Steve Reich style, poly rhythm track but soon moved into a 60s style spy score.
The Dulcimer sound, a favourite from the 60s and 70s spy films, took a long time and effort to make the sample.
Paul split the keyboard with identical sides so he could play it like a dulcimer player"
"The bell part started as a cyclical sequencer experiment
The sounds reminded them of a cold war drama soundtrack. It was an attempt to do a Steve Reich style, poly rhythm track but soon moved into a 60s style spy score.
The Dulcimer sound, a favourite from the 60s and 70s spy films, took a long time and effort to make the sample.
Paul split the keyboard with identical sides so he could play it like a dulcimer player"
I'm having flashbacksThis is a cruising-down-I5-at-7am-after-a-rave jam. amb599 wrote:
Haven't heard this in over a decade. LOVE IT!
This song wants to be "Leave in Silence" by Depeche Mode
Trivia here: Kent, England has a very cool castle and a walk along the steep white cliffs seen in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Nice but not their best, RP should broadcast different songs, why always The Box?
Poyo wrote:
Speeded Persuaders Theme...?
ziggytrix wrote:
I tried asking them during a Reddit AMA but no luck!
Hmm, it does sound like the theme score for some late 70's spy-tv series.
ziggytrix wrote:
I tried asking them during a Reddit AMA but no luck!
Hmm, it does sound like the theme score for some late 70's spy-tv series.
When this track is on, I suddenly drop everything. 10 Points.
Speeded Persuaders Theme...?
ziggytrix wrote:
I tried asking them during a Reddit AMA but no luck!
ziggytrix wrote:
I tried asking them during a Reddit AMA but no luck!
The single or EP of this song is quite brilliant. 4 versions of "The Box". Harpsichords and vocals; 4 true masterpieces and by far the best Orbital have ever produced. They're future releases don't even come near the quality of this song and it's 4 other versions.
That' actually part 2, there is a part 1 for this great track.
Awesome album, got it in 1998...
more orbital on rp
ziggytrix wrote:
Either way, it's a sequenced sample, but I would love to know what the sample came from.
I tried asking them during a Reddit AMA but no luck!
Either way, it's a sequenced sample, but I would love to know what the sample came from.
I tried asking them during a Reddit AMA but no luck!
Proclivities wrote:
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
Wow, that is a very cool video, thanks for the share!
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
Wow, that is a very cool video, thanks for the share!
SCULLY wrote:
Yup.
Sounds better than ever. What a fkn tune
Yup.
Saw these guys (the brothers Hartnoll) on the island of Ko Tao in the Sea of Thailand DJing for a few hundred of us at a beach party that started at 1am a few years ago. One of the cooler nights of my life.
Sounds better than ever. What a fkn tune
Bond, James Bond.
Cool music.GREAT album cover!!
Yeah, WTF?! kind of trippy video was that, man? but anyway, I always loved this tune; never knew for sure who did it till just now....
Proclivities wrote:
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
This article says dulcimer:
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2012/04/09/150300630/orbital-the-90s-revival-is-on-and-on
This blog says cimbalom:
https://closeto94.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/midlife-150-104-orbital-the-box/
Either way, it's a sequenced sample, but I would love to know what the sample came from.
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
This article says dulcimer:
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2012/04/09/150300630/orbital-the-90s-revival-is-on-and-on
This blog says cimbalom:
https://closeto94.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/midlife-150-104-orbital-the-box/
Either way, it's a sequenced sample, but I would love to know what the sample came from.
6 -> 8!
Haven't heard this in over a decade. LOVE IT!
gazcon73 wrote:
Hahaha snap!
We would come from Raving and listen to Orbital , 808 State albums , or Future Sound of London .
Hahaha snap!
gazcon73 wrote:
How great that must have been!
We would come from Raving and listen to Orbital , 808 State albums , or Future Sound of London .
How great that must have been!
We would come from Raving and listen to Orbital , 808 State albums , or Future Sound of London .
Love this kind of stuff: experimental-IDM-ambient-electronica....spacing out and letting the mind go where it may.
Proclivities wrote:
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
Excellent piece, Thanks for the recommendation Proclivities! made me think of Peter Greenaway or the Quay Bros.
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
Excellent piece, Thanks for the recommendation Proclivities! made me think of Peter Greenaway or the Quay Bros.
annie_fannie wrote:
Go back even further to The King Biscuit Flour Hour....!
takes me back to the days of staying up late to watch AMP on MTV!
Go back even further to The King Biscuit Flour Hour....!
kcar wrote:
It gets played a lot over here to suggest New England. Not sure that we're hearing a hammered dulcimer on this piece, though.
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
It gets played a lot over here to suggest New England. Not sure that we're hearing a hammered dulcimer on this piece, though.
It could be a cimbalom, which is a larger relative of a hammered dulcimer, but I think it's a zither - the strings seem to sound more like they are plucked rather than struck. Anyhow, cool tune and it's got an equally cool video with Tilda Swinton.
yes, kool! leaves me shaken, not stirred
kooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fredriley wrote:
It gets played a lot over here to suggest New England. Not sure that we're hearing a hammered dulcimer on this piece, though.
I'm a real sucker for hammered dulcimer - it always adds a little frisson exotique to a piece.
It gets played a lot over here to suggest New England. Not sure that we're hearing a hammered dulcimer on this piece, though.
doktorpsilo wrote:
Yup. I just heard it.
Dunno if RP actually monitors these forums or not, and I know this kind of music already sounds glitchy to some, but there is skip/glitch in the middle of this copy of the song. Sounds like a digital copying error (like a CD skip). Perhaps it is a "Radio Edit" as normally this song is like 15 minutes long...
Yup. I just heard it.
Maybe this is a bit weird but "The Prodigy" came to mind at the beginning of this track.
Dunno if RP actually monitors these forums or not, and I know this kind of music already sounds glitchy to some, but there is skip/glitch in the middle of this copy of the song. Sounds like a digital copying error (like a CD skip). Perhaps it is a "Radio Edit" as normally this song is like 15 minutes long...
JiffyPark wrote:
I believe these guys recorded "The Saint Theme" for that film a year or so after they recorded this tune.
Reminds me of the great Val Kilmer movie The Saint. 
I believe these guys recorded "The Saint Theme" for that film a year or so after they recorded this tune.
Geez....I just wanted it to stop.
fredriley wrote:
Ditto
I'm a real sucker for hammered dulcimer - it always adds a little frisson exotique to a piece.
Ditto
srose96 wrote:
'everybody' likes all the coolest music!
this song is interesting too.. it begs the question: what's inside the box? is an opened or closed box? perhaps locked even?
Everybody in my churches loves this song... hope you are having a marvelous time right this minute... the box be one big mystery...
'everybody' likes all the coolest music!
this song is interesting too.. it begs the question: what's inside the box? is an opened or closed box? perhaps locked even?
Everybody in my churches loves this song... hope you are having a marvelous time right this minute... the box be one big mystery...
8 → 9
I'm a real sucker for hammered dulcimer - it always adds a little frisson exotique to a piece.
takes me back to the days of staying up late to watch AMP on MTV!
rockpommel16 wrote:
yeah i know it was PETROL, not The Box, on that soundtrack...
.....blue man group??.......![]()
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.....blue man group??.......![]()
This post apparently contained an image that was dragged into the post editor. Sorry, but any text contained in the post after this point has been lost.
romeotuma wrote:
Everybody in my hotel room loves this music...
'everybody' likes all the coolest music!
this song is interesting too.. it begs the question: what's inside the box? is an opened or closed box? perhaps locked even?
Everybody in my hotel room loves this music...
'everybody' likes all the coolest music!
this song is interesting too.. it begs the question: what's inside the box? is an opened or closed box? perhaps locked even?
jasonv wrote:
I also love all the crazy raver things I did when this kind of electronica was popular.
These were good years with a lot of dancing (and glow sticks — ugh) with imaginary balls. Heh.
I love this song, this band, this era of electronic music.
Nice inclusion, Bill.
Nice inclusion, Bill.
I also love all the crazy raver things I did when this kind of electronica was popular.
These were good years with a lot of dancing (and glow sticks — ugh) with imaginary balls. Heh.
Still a 10.
GwentRabbit wrote:
Missing the point......
heh, and this is only part 2 of the song. Bill skipped all of part 1!
But what's surprising me is that Bill doesn't have any of the Orbital tunes that featured vocals by Alison Goldfrapp (Nothing Left parts 1 & 2, Are We Here?, or Sad But True).
Missing the point......
heh, and this is only part 2 of the song. Bill skipped all of part 1!
But what's surprising me is that Bill doesn't have any of the Orbital tunes that featured vocals by Alison Goldfrapp (Nothing Left parts 1 & 2, Are We Here?, or Sad But True).
Frater_Kork wrote:
Missing the point......
I liked this in the beginning, but the dulcimer gets stuck in a rut after a while.
Not enough notes! ;)
Not enough notes! ;)
Missing the point......
Always like Orbital, though I'm surprised RP doesn't have Halcyon On+On, seems like a perfect fit.
I liked this in the beginning, but the dulcimer gets stuck in a rut after a while.
Not enough notes! ;)
Not enough notes! ;)
lame
JiffyPark wrote:
They wrote The Saint theme. When you bought their album "In-sides" as a double disc cd, you either got "the box" remix or the saint remix.
Edit: Checked my copies...One has Times fly versions with a 28 minute Box extended, the other has Satan live and the killer Halcyon live NYC version. Orbital geek...sorry
Reminds me of the great Val Kilmer movie The Saint.
They wrote The Saint theme. When you bought their album "In-sides" as a double disc cd, you either got "the box" remix or the saint remix.
Edit: Checked my copies...One has Times fly versions with a 28 minute Box extended, the other has Satan live and the killer Halcyon live NYC version. Orbital geek...sorry
I agree!
jasonv wrote:
jasonv wrote:
I love this song, this band, this era of electronic music.
Nice inclusion, Bill.
Nice inclusion, Bill.
I love this song, this band, this era of electronic music.
Nice inclusion, Bill.
Nice inclusion, Bill.
Great surprise .....
I don´t knowed this band, and it´s very good to the ear.
I liked a lot ! 
bad cheeze
Play "The Girl With the Sun In her Head"!!!!!
Reminds me of the great Val Kilmer movie The Saint.
not good
Stop it... pleeeeease.
Haunting.
Also, the video for this song is pretty incredible.
Also, the video for this song is pretty incredible.
I like my dulcimer like I like my women - hammered.
i remember this from the MTV show "Amp" i think the video has Tilda Swinton; quite good probably on youtube.
Wow, not sure I would have expected you to play this. I love this but still not sure it fits in with..... Oh nice mix to Frou Frou. I like that you didn't play this for too long it can be a bit repetative.
romeotuma wrote:
This is a cool song... the video with it is interesting, too... gives it a real anti-pollution, save-the-planet message...
The whole album was created around that message. The first song was recorded only with solar power. The album is excellent by the way, one of my all-time favourites. It's best digested as a whole and it does take a few listens before it reveals how good it is.
This is a cool song... the video with it is interesting, too... gives it a real anti-pollution, save-the-planet message...
The whole album was created around that message. The first song was recorded only with solar power. The album is excellent by the way, one of my all-time favourites. It's best digested as a whole and it does take a few listens before it reveals how good it is.
Sounds like there's a car parked next to me wit da trunk ratlin 
jeesuz thats booring music
always reminds me of 'The Saint' (Val Kilmer version)...sweet!
the playlist has been amazingly soulless and numbing for the past hour.
"9:22, Personal note: When I was a little kid my mother told me not to stare into the sun, so once when I was six, I did. At first the brightness was overwhelming, but I had seen that before. I kept looking, forcing myself not to blink, and then the brightness began to dissolve. My pupils shrunk to pinholes and everything came into focus and for a moment I understood."
Trippy shit. The kinda stuff I tune to RP to hear come at me from out of the blue.
*puts on dark glasses and FBI(tm) headset thingy*
*puts on dark glasses and FBI(tm) headset thingy*
Just upped my rating from 9 to 10.
Perfect track from a great album.
Perfect track from a great album.
MINE EYES!
mandolin wrote:
mandolin wrote:
this one brings back memories of chillin' out after a long night of partying 
I do like a bit of hammered dulcimer, me :o). At least, that's sure what it sounds like (do correct me if I'm wrong), and it adds a bit of a 'retro' feel to the number harking back to spy movies, Mission Impossible, that sort of thing. 8 from the Nottingham jury.
The song is ok if you only hear it once in a life time.
ndad47 wrote:
another good song for the annual Prom for robots
another good song for the annual Prom for robots
Where's the Alanis Morrisette vocals??
TriskyJen wrote:
I heartily agree! Excellent to clean house to, too.
While buzzin out of yer mind!
ick wrote:
best enjoyed at high volume! 
I heartily agree! Excellent to clean house to, too.
Nice!
best enjoyed at high volume!
slartibart_O wrote:
Awesum dude! They sound just like my other favoritist bands Mannheim Steamroller and Trans Siberian Orchestra! Luv it! 
(note: sarcasm)
That's hillarious, even moreso than Hillaryous Clinton. Thanks for the laugh.
6->5. Kind of boring me today.
A classic!
Awesum dude! They sound just like my other favoritist bands Mannheim Steamroller and Trans Siberian Orchestra! Luv it!
(note: sarcasm)
When I was a little kid, my mother told me not to stare into the sun, so when I was six I did...
Haven't heard this for years...RP plays great variety
jah_blessed wrote:
All kidding aside, I like it okay.
Actually, this is The Box Part 2. It's better when listened to in its entirety.
Is Part One called "Cut a Hole in The Box"?
All kidding aside, I like it okay.
davin wrote:
Anyway, for my money, I'd much rather see Orbital live than the writer of the theme of The Equalizer. Ever heard "The Girl With The Sun In Her Head"? Amazing.
Writing the theme song for The Equalizer is far from Mr. Copeland's most notable achievement.
But if I had the choice I'd rather see the Orbital reunite than go to The Police reunion tour.
Great sound. Has a real ominous quality about it.
Sounds like what Austin Powers would hear if he took a couple of hits of microdot.
9, like the farmer in his field....
davin wrote:
Haha.. I know the one you're speaking of. That reminds me of the Equalizer shooting a bullet at a bullet. Amazing skills that man had. I wonder who would win in a battle between The Equalizer and McGuyver.
Anyway, for my money, I'd much rather see Orbital live than the writer of the theme of The Equalizer. Ever heard "The Girl With The Sun In Her Head"? Amazing.
You do realize that you were watching scripted TV shows? And that the only talent the "equalizer" had was "acting" (and that's debatable). He really wasn't able to shoot a bullet at a bullet and hit it.
This article says dulcimer:
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2012/04/09/150300630/orbital-the-90s-revival-is-on-and-on
This blog says cimbalom:
https://closeto94.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/midlife-150-104-orbital-the-box/
Either way, it's a sequenced sample, but I would love to know what the sample came from.
An ex used to make exquisite electronic music, used a real hammered dulcimer, (and drums, cellos, vocals etc) then would loop his own tracks after tweaks and edits - like many artists do. *I think it's a dulcimer. :)