Massive sounds. Evokes impressions of large gaseous clouds in space as you float through them. A nearly rythemnless journey through time, space and the inner being. Can let your imagination run wild while calming you at the same time. Good for traffic, studying, creating and voyaging. This is deeply textured ambient and will take several listens to identify each unique sound.

Plenty of gorgeous compositions here. One listening to this beautiful double cd is plenty in one days time, unless you plan to anesthesize your senses from a super stessful day at work. Premium etereal ambient Steve Roach for sure.

It's difficult to describe the effect these CD's have on me but I'll try. First off, MCSS is a work that is not just heard or listened to, but rather, is experienced. What's more, MCSS will be be experienced differently by each listener. When I first heard about MCSS I thought it would be another new age "space" CD. I was expecting it to be simular to other artists in the genre like Jonn Serrie (who I also enjoy). This is much heavier, much more dense than what is generally offered by other artists. Listening, especially to disc one, I get a distinct sense of motion, and I very quickly become deeply relaxed. And when I close my eyes, then the real journey begins. These discs evoke images like nothing I have ever listened to. Again, it's more of an experience, a journey. I try to listen to MCSS at least once a week because I know each time the journey will interesting and new.

The only only thing I can think of that even remotely resembles MCSS are the accelerated learning discs produced by a company called Hemi-Sync. Try to listen when you know you won't be interrupted. Highly recommended.

Steve Roach is a musical pioneer. When I first listened to this CD set I thought it was pretty good. It was certainly hyped up a great deal on his website and by the reviews posted there. I did not care for the 2nd cd which was too dark. And the 4th cd is too long (Piece of Infinity). Steve is at his best when he combines electronica with ethnic influences (as in Cavern of Sirens) or long non-descriptive ambient pieces such as Slow Heat or The Dream Circle.

But the problem with this release is that after you have heard it a couple dozen times you don't want to hear it anymore. I can't really logically explain this. Because the tracks are a hybrid of ambient and melodic, they are not strong enough in either genre to make it as lasting pieces of music.

Ah, how the ignorant voice their lack of understanding of this masterpiece--anyone who does not recognize the sheer genius of this brilliant composition. Strangely reminiscent of Roach's previous works "Dreamtime Return" (1987) and "Quiet Music," (1989), pleasantly blended with the floating melodies of "Solitaire: Ritual Ground," (1991) it would be woefully inexcusable to miss this unique, inimitable recording. For a while Roach was digressing into the mysteriously haunting, utterly creepy sounds akin to Robert Rich's dark and gloomy "stalker" (which was so eerie I had to expunge it from my collection; it was like being trapped in the soundtrack to "The Blair Witch Project--thank God I EsCaPeD!). Since I first discovered them back in the 80's, I was hopelessly hooked on Roach. He presents a reprise into the subconscious, for which I now notice a new generation beginning to take notice of his musical magnificence. He has humbly dipped into his previous experience and brought back this ambience for us to enjoy that serves as a way in which to relieve stress, insomnia and as a cure for mood swings, anxiety, depression and short tempers. Face it, this album is therapeutic. It helps me to be a better person. Clearly it was meant to be enjoyed in private with a good pair of headphones, with repeat on--it functions fabulously as a circular ereathral composition, without beginning, without end, comprised of masterfully arranged waveforms that release the mind's inner desires to find peace in an unsettling, paranoid world. Steve, I want to party with you brother. A little less I talk now, a little more I listen to what you have created just for me--something that causes others to wonder what my secret was to a calmer, more energetic self.