I've purchased many of Robert Rich's albums, though not all. Early on I saw that he had a dark ambient, minimal side, and a new age side. Listening to albums like Stalker and Troubled Resting Place firmly established me as a fan of Rich, and I even purchased his new age albums, and enjoyed them. Around the realease of Elecrtic Ladder, I started to get turned off to the new age side, and couldn't listen to these works. Though I did cherish Temple of the Invisible. I think at this time Robert is establishing a prime style, a fusion of everything he does into one album. Though there is no denying the exquisite production, and the beauty of the sound, I find it much too homogenized, too luke warm. Ylang at first was very inspiring to me, then my interest dropped off, and I never went back to it. I'm sorry to say I won't pick up Medicine Box after listening to the samples, as I think the same problem will arise. As Robert Rich crystallizes and perfects his technique, and is able to smoothly blend so many elements, I become less and less interested. But I wouldn't say that this is not wonderful music, I have just personally lost the thread. It's not 'world music' enough to make me want to listen to it rather than my more traditional 'world' music, and it doesn't attract me in its other elements, primarily the beats. Is it trying to do too much in one album? It feels much too smoothed out for me. I don't enjoy being even slightly critical of Robert Rich, who I have great respect for, but I wonder if others out there have been following his music beyond their personal interest, enjoying the elements that they used to like, but not getting much out of it ultimately?
