Moby 18: B Sides CD

This CD/VD package includes B sides from Moby's album 18, along with a bonus DVD which was originally designed to be released on its own. The DVD features a live concert, music videos and close to 2 hours of additional music.

Contains a bonus DVD which features videos from "18:..", a live concert from Glastonbury in 2003, outtakes & bonus songs, and a megamix.
Personnel includes: Moby (vocals, various instruments); Azure Ray, Jennifer Price, The Shining Light Gospel Choir, Angie Stone, MC Lyte (vocals).
As MP3s and the constant rise of the DVD bring into question how relevant traditional albums are, Moby digitizes his loose ends and uses new formats to provide more than anyone can possibly ingest in one sitting. The CD in this set features Moby's leftovers from the 18 album, and they are pretty much what you would expect with the quality notched up a little. A bit less polished than his album tracks, they'll generally remind you of some other Moby tunes, only in demo form. "Soul to Love" sounds just like a more sedate "Go" and "String Electro" sounds like most of Play, only they're both pleasantly naïve and much less ambitious. "Landing" (with guest vocals by Azure Ray) and "Stay" make for moody bookends that sound the most complete and make for just enough of the poptacular Moby to hold you over till the next album. But if you've ever had a hankering to spend countless hours in front of the television immersed in the world of Moby, the DVD is the reason to pick up the collection. There's the whole amazing Glastonbury concert, a slew of audio tracks, a hilarious episode of Moby TV with a puppet named Mr. Fish (kind of an obtuse Triumph the Insult Comic Dog), and a whole lot more. Much of the smotheringly charming Moby's content might not sway Eminem, but it's hard not to marvel at a guy who can churn out so much quality material, have such a high profile, and show no sign of being pompous. Bonus DVDs have generally been electronic press kits with a couple of videos, but this one sets a new standard. Couple it with a CD that's so-so and call it a draw. ~ David Jeffries
Displaying a knack for keeping his name in the public eye and his music in their ears, Moby once again follows the path blazed by his PLAY with b-sides reissue. This time around, 18 B SIDES ups the ante by also including a bonus DVD chock-a-block full of extras, including a complete live set from a 2003 Glastonbury show.
As for the CD side of the coin, the Connecticut native continues to traffic in the kind of compelling dance music that kicks off enough of an ethereal edge to blend in and soothe rather than disrupt a cool mood. "Nearer" brings together swirling synths and a gospel vocal that'll make you feel like you're waiting to meet a higher power, the gorgeous "Stay" comes off like a Velvet Underground-era Lou Reed outtake, and the lush "String Electro" features an unobtrusive beat gilded by an anonymous female vocal. With the music serving as an appetizer for this collection, the bonus DVD serves as a meaty main course that not only includes the aforementioned concert, but outtakes and demos from his last two albums, videos, and much more.