Gaia review
Gaia, Olivia Newton-John
THE Gaia Theory was first put forward, from memory, late last century or early in this one, as a way of explaining the various processes occuring on earth, like plants taking in carbon dioxide and putting out oxygen.
Gaia Theory likens all these processes to the ones that happen to keep a human body alive, in essence comparing the earth to a living organism.
Gaia has gone from being an ecological model to being thought of as some benevolent Earth-Mother spirit, “the giver of dreams and the nourisher of plant and young children.”
Can’t people just write music without feeling the need to get all soppy and green all over it?
There is some stuff on here that is too earnest, too floaty, or just straight-out too middle of the road, too unadventurous.
But, balanced against that, there’s ONJ’s vocals, which are great.
There’s Don Burrows’ flute on “Pegasus” and there’s the title track “Gaia”; in the instrumental part it’s a great example of what ambient music can be.
“Silent Ruin” is almost baroque in the guitar work and Don Burrows does it again.
On the whole, it’s an achievement, and it definitely has its moments but I won’t say rush out and buy it.
By Terri-Anne Smith
More from the Gaia album.