Lost in a Garden of Clouds (Part 2)

Infobox Album
Name = Lost in a Garden of Clouds (Part 2)
Type = studio
Artist = Alpha


Released = January 30 2006
Recorded = 1996 - 2005
Genre = Trip hop/Downtempo/Lounge
Length = 54:09
Label = Don't Touch Recordings
Producer = Alpha
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wvfrxqldldde link]
* properlychilled.com [http://www.properlychilled.com/music/release/profile.php?view=276 link]
* threedworld.com.au Rating|5|5 [http://www.threedworld.com.au/music/reviews/showmusicreview.asp?ID=3709 link]
Last album = ""'Lost in a Garden of Clouds (Part 1) (2004
This album = "Lost in a Garden of Clouds (Part 2)" (2006)
Next album = "Without Some Help" (2006)

Lost in a Garden of Clouds (Part 2) is Alpha's third instrumental album and the second to be available in mainstream stores. Like it's precusor Lost in a Garden of Clouds (Part 1), the album mixes Trip hop, Downtempo and Acid Jazz, with each track segueing into the next. Several of the tracks were originally demos presented to the trip-hop group, Massive Attack in 1996, which led to Alpha being signed to the band's record label 'Melankolic'

Critical Reaction

The album was generally received well by critics. Tim DiGravina, writing for Allmusic, stated: cquote|the tracks showcase Corin Dingley and Andy Jenks at their dreamy best. Slightly more upbeat and beat-heavy than Pt. 1, the album features the usual, effortless, uplifting melancholia that only Bristol artists can produce. Quite surprisingly some of the tracks date back to Alpha's earliest days. These are the demos they played for Massive Attack to get signed to that band's Melankolic label. One wouldn't know from the lush modernity of the music that those tracks date back ten years prior to this collection's release. Chalk it up to the timeless nature of their songwriting and craftsmanship. Two particular highlights are sequenced back to back: the sweeping, groovy "The Things You Might Do 2" and the sad, µ-Ziq-like "Castlefranc." Some of these instrumentals show up other places in Alpha's discography with vocals, but Lost in a Garden of Clouds, Pt. 2 is its own beautiful beast. While the duo's full vocal albums might reward closer listening a bit more, these instrumental efforts are just as soothing and engaging.

Track Listing

#"Theme" - 1:56
#"You Know" - 1:25
#"Last Night" - 4:39
#"Elevator" - 6:02
#"Hooper" - 3:57
#"Terrify" - 2:16
#"Pike" - 4:32
#"Could Have Missed It" - 2:20
#"Things You Might Do" - 4:29
#"Castlefranc" - 4:26
#"Ranch" - 1:38
#"Rum" - 6:39
#"Watergate" - 2:29
#"To The Sea" - 4:12
#"Backward" - 4:55
#"Theme (Part 2)" - 1:34