New, but familiar 
By AZ9MYFD6EQYH on 2005-11-16
Animusic 2, like its predecessor "Animusic", contains computer rendered animations that are set to music - in fact, the essence of the animations is that they are driven by the music, each musical note being connected with some action in the animation. While this fact may be of more interest to people concerned with the "how" rather than simply the experience provided by the final product, I think that understanding the process that goes into Animusic is part of the fun. If Rube Goldberg conducted an orchestra in cyberspace, it might look like some of the animations in Animusic 2.
I enjoyed the first Animusic tremendously, and this DVD presents more of the same. While there are a few aspects in which Animusic 2 differs from its predecessor, the similarities outweigh the differences and the overall experience is remarkably similar.
This album is similar musically to the original. It features a range of styles, and relies mostly upon struck or plucked strings and melodic percussion (such as xylophones / marimbas) to carry most of the tunes. Drums and synthesizers also feature heavily.
The music is interesting enough when played with the animation, but does not stand alone simply as music as well as the first album did. Still, the tunes are catchy and enjoyable, and you will find yourself tapping your toes and bouncing your head as you watch / listen.
The animation is detail intensive and exceptionally well rendered. The instrument models and sets are clever and interesting to watch. On the whole, even if the experience is essentially another iteration of the original Animusic concept, this is not at all a bad thing.
There are some differences, and they are generally for the better. For example, the instruments/players show more "personality" than in the previous outing, swinging their arms or bouncing to the beat even when they aren't actually playing. And the special features are more varied than they were previously. But these differences are evolutionary, rather than dramatic.
On the whole, this is a great example of musical animation and is lots of fun to watch (I watched it 3 times through the first time I put it in the player). Although I may enjoy the original slightly more, this is a worthwhile experience for anyone who enjoyed the original, or has an interest in animation. I have no doubt I will watch this many, many times.
Product details:
There are 8 animations on Animusic 2, and while most make use of instruments that are different from those seen in the first album, the overall style is similar. Included are some acoustic pieces that feature organic sounding (albeit fanciful looking) instruments, such as "Resonant Chamber" and "Pipe Dream 2", as well as pieces that make extensive use of synthesized sounds, such as "Heavy Light" and "Fiber Bundles". Also included is a drum solo, "Gyro Drums".
The special features include commentary by the director, as well as design stills, set build-ups, and some interesting multi-angle presentations of the animations. The disc includes both 5.1 and 2.0 surround audio mixes, as well as full-screen (4:3) and widescreen presentations of the animations, so this disc can be fully appreciated on a wide variety of systems, whether you have a standard stereo television or a home-theatre with all the bells and whistles.
Great concept, weak followup 
By A1LX9GSMN66L7E on 2006-06-05
The first release is fabulous - Fantasia for a new generation. Our two-year-old marvels at the majesty and mystery, entranced by the visuals. Wonderful, wonderful stuff.
And yes, a lead review here is accurate that "the similarities outweigh the differences". Animusic 2 is much more like Animusic than, say, Toy Story - or Deliverance.
But the differences are substantial, and work against our son's enjoyment. Rather than instruments magically playing themselves, and music somehow *happening* on the screen, Animusic 2 is populated with odd, personified robots that do damned near everything.
Whereas Animusic (the first) had an enormous drum machine of interlocking and interacting mechanisms, Animusic 2 would have them as separate entities played by mechanized beings that aren't themselves part of the music. Even he, at two, asks "Why are they there?" the few times we actually watch this sequel. Much more often, he'd prefer to just watch the first one. As would I. :)
Computer Graphics Wet Dream
By AQN2ECX78PVC7 on 2005-11-23
I was a big fan of the original Animusic, and the even earlier "Pipe Dream" animation, so it was with great anticipation that I popped in Animusic 2 to my DVD player. Simply put Animusic 2 doesn't disapoint, it's fabulous! There are 8 animations, one of which is a sequel to Pipe Dream, imaginatively called Pipe Dream 2 ;-) The graphics are all top notch and the music is terrific. On occasion the music seems to drag on but the graphics picks up the slack. The DVD should win an award for DVD mastering (if there is such a thing). Both wide screen 16:9 and standard screen 4:3 versions are on the disk. I must confess I haven't bothered to watch the 4:3 animations since I was busy salivating over the wide screen version.
The extras included for each animation are also terrific. Some show different musical mixes, and others let you control different viewpoints via the Angle capability of DVD players. The director's commentary is also quite fun and Lytle sounds like he sitting there with you discussing the show.
Note to Pixar: use this stuff for backgrounds in a movie
Animusic does it again!
By A240QB45BSMDAN on 2006-04-23
This second installment of the Animusic video albums is freakin' cool. It is definitely different and innovatively more stylized than the first. What's interesting is that every object designed to play the instruments are all supported by levers and strings, in other words there are no floating sticks or mallets anymore.
These are the eight different animations not in video order but how I rank them:
1. Starship Groove (definitely kickin'; come on, how could you not like the sweet robots playing drums and little electronic pads on themselves on an open space freighter; love the design on the spaceship)
2. Gyro Drums (it's the new "drum machine"; robotic arms and attached to rings fly all around on this scientific module lined with all types of drums and cymbals; love the part where the drummer in the center and the drums surrounding turn upside down and the electronic drums play; neat sound; very, very rhythmic)
3. Cathedral Pictures (the only one not containing original music; just interestingly arranged by Wayne Lytle, the creator; I like the rotating drum set with two sets of arms playing it, the one string bass, the hammered string instrument (like in "Acoustic Curves", the big organ pipes, and the firework-like thing near the end) (It's "Pictures at an Exhibition": Promenade; Hut of Baba-Yaga; Great Gate at Kiev)
4. Pogo Sticks (It's no "Stick Figures" but still cool. Mr. Bass Man, the stick, returns with two strings, and on wheels bouncing up and down, and brings in his distant cousins which are a higher sounding string instrument, two percussionists, and two mallet instruments)
5. Fiber Bundles (Whoa, this is flashy. Give a listen to the different mixes in the special features section. You'll hear one group of instruments playing separately on three different mixes, plus a fourth one which contains all instruments playing. It's freakin' cool, there's all this buzzing and beeping, it's insane!)
6. Pipe Dream 2 (You kind of know what to expect from the first. Except the music's slightly different. It has almost the exact same intro. The chimes on the ceiling have more on-screen time. It's interesting seeing an older animation with a new piece of music being programmed into it. The set also looks as if it has a used and dirtier look, plus the lighting is a bit different.)
7. Resonant Chamber (Kind of like the "Aqua Harp", except this is indoors in the center of a room. It's one giant instrument with numerous parts to it. It's kind of bizarre-looking. The music changes from being mellow to having a groove to it. Each of the windows of the room have different phases of the moon for some reason.)
8. Heavy Light (A bit too spacey sounding. It's still cool though. The structure is outdoors and looks like ancient ruins. Light projecting instruments pop up out of the structure and flash all these lasers everywhere. The music's definitely out there.)
Nothing short of aamzing, proving yet again, that Animusic is a feast for the eyes and ears.
Saw a small preview..
By A37MT9MPYM53V5 on 2005-11-17
Back in May of 2005 I took a tour with about 50 other devotes of the Klipsch (speakers) headquarters in Indianapolis, IN. There were only a few copies of Animusic 2 in existence at that time and we used parts of the copy at hand to demo and test Kipsch's offerings (even the mighty Kipschorns and the not-yet-in-production LaScala II's).
Our main sample was of Starship Groove and impressed up enough for being played on stereo systems strange to us. At this writing my copies are on order and being shipped. To play it on a home system I'm totally familiar with just brings out a giddy-ness Christmas feeling (all charged up with excitement). Should be here in a few days.
- A Step Forward...Yet Backwards...
By A2OCJNB6B46OKP on 2005-12-29
I saw the preview for `Animusic 2' and was very eager to get my hands on this new 8 track DVD. After watching it I would have to say that this DVD was just a bit over hyped. `Animusic 2' is not a bad watch at all. I enjoyed watching it, but I think that is the secret word here. This DVD was more visual than musical. The original's music was what really made the overall DVD great. I loved the new sequences from a visual standpoint. It was a huge step forward from the original. The highpoints were the return of the stickman with his new posse as well as the starship grooving robots and who can forget the amazing finale in `Heavy Light'. The visuals were great but the music was just not the perfect match and that was a huge step back. If there will be an `Animusic 3', which there are very few rumors about, I feel Wayne Lyttle needs to remember that its not `Animusic' with out the music.
- instruments come to life!
By on 2006-07-08
When I first saw animusic, I was dazzled by the animation, I loved the music, and it's really fun to watch. My brother and I were going insane because we had to wait so long for this DVD to come out. Now that it's here, I'll rate each of the animations...
1.Starship Groove: Has a good beat to it. It's kind of a mix of Jazz and techno. 9/10
2.pogo sticks: My dad's favorite and one of my favorites. It's just a song with two diffrent types of basses and drums. It's fast pace, but when they go under tunnels it lows down 10/10
3.Resonat chamber: The backround looks like it's in a tall tower. The music is simply beutiful, but theres nothing really special about this song 8/10
4.Cathedral Pictures: This animation has a mix of 3 classic songs. It's a really good song. 9/10
5.Pipe dream 2: the sequal to the first pipe dream. The only thing thats diffrent is the music it plays. It's still cool 8/10
6.Fiber Bndles: another one of my favorites. It looks like it takes place in a UFO. It's a very intresting techno song 10/10
7.Gyro Drums: the new generation of drum machine. Little robots float around the drum set and play the song. 8/10
8.Heavy light: the last animation on the DVD. It's my all time favorite on the DVD. It's pure lasers that takes place on a planet or a Egyption area. 10/10
- WOW
By A2IR8IAAJQQWXD on 2005-12-02
Perfectly fantastic. Our whole family loves these videos. My son 2 1/2 sleeps with it and my husband and I love to have it on. Simply a marvel. We couldn't wait to get the second one. If possible, it's better than the first.
- music needs to address contemporary genre
By A2SXE1962W9LPX on 2006-03-13
The animation is excellent, actually I'd rate the animation '5 stars'. But because the music is not enjoyable to listen to more than once or twice at most, I put the DVD's away and may never watch them again, hence 'the 3 stars' rating. I would suggest employing a more contemporary musician to add a touch of relevance to today's musical market...any genre would do, new age, R&B, rock, avant-garde, alternative... The monotony of the music is boring. I would purchase only one more edition just to see if there is any musical improvement.
- Wonderful.
By A33NGZG9KABZ8V on 2005-12-21
I loved the original Animusic, and this one at LEAST matched the original.
So much work must have went into this DVD, it's wonderful, full of features, and is just a blast to watch. (As was the original.)
You can bet that if there's an Animusic 3 I will order it.
- My Kids Love It! My Husband and I Enjoy It!
By AGP0BI1IQLP on 2006-03-10
My kids came home from school talking about this DVD that they saw in Music class. They couldn't remember what it was called only ANI MUSIC. Then we were shopping at a home improvement show when came upon a TV surround sound display that was playing the DVD. My kids sat with my husband watching the DVD while I shopped. They were so mesmerized by it, and my husband was impressed too. I asked about the DVD and the lady said that she was out of them because everyone who came by was buy it. So I called the music teacher and found out there she got hers from amazon.com. I immediately logged on and bought both I & II.
- Animusic 2 - unique and captivating
By AKU1FPHGBIZRH on 2006-09-25
Both Animusic 1 and 2 are unlike anything you've ever seen before. A sort of fusion between music videos and musical genius, the work of Wayne Lytle and company is a step into a new kind of movie. Sounds seemingly emanating from animated lasers, robots, various common instruments, and the setting itself combine to create memorable pieces of music and stunning visuals. The animations are synchronized perfectly with the music and are polished down to the pixel, creating a picturesque image that comes to life.
Animusic 2 is very much like its predecessor. It features a wide range of musical styles, instruments, and visuals to accompany the music, and with such a rich variety, each viewer is bound to find at least one track that will appeal to him/her.
From the speedy and frantic "Pogo Sticks" to the flowing and graceful "Resonant Chamber," each piece showcases a separate style. In addition, the tracks are ordered perfectly so that there is a pleasant mix of fast and slow pieces.
It is worthwhile to note that not every instrument in Animusic is (un)realistic. For every one of the more realistic instruments on the DVD, there is a mechanism that's very far-reaching in concept. The most extreme examples, "Fiber Bundles" and "Heavy Light," consist entirely of impossible methods of music, including lights striking a drum for purcussion and strings of color activating alien-looking reeds.
One interesting piece is the return of a familiar set in "Pipe Dream 2" due to popular demand. I found this second version of the "Pipe Dream" piece to be much more energetic and chaotic, with many more ball bearings flying everywhere.
The most noticeable change from the first DVD is the appearance of more "human-like" instruments. Unlike a harp playing itself with levitating picks, there's a robot tapping electronic pads on its body. Unlike a drum machine that rotates cogs of its own free will, there are moving torsos that spin around on large metal rings. However, Animusic 2 has its fair share of completely non-human objects.
There are eight tracks on this DVD. They are:
1. Starship Groove
2. Pogo Sticks
3. Resonant Chamber
4. Cathedral Pictures
5. Pipe Dream 2
6. Fiber Bundles
7. Gyro Drums
8. Heavy Light
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Animusic 2, and I will continue to enjoy it again and again. It's completely different from anything else I had ever seen (other than Animusic 1), and I'm sure that you will enjoy it too.
- Incredible !
By A18FYH56MEM2AW on 2006-01-29
Like many others, I first saw a clip from this on PBS. I was hooked, and the DVD lives up to the hype. The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is fantastic, and the widescreen picture, played through a progressive scan DVD player, with component out connections, to a digital monitor, is exceptional. This is one DVD your system is not too good for. I've found it endlessly entertaining, and the coordination between the music and the visuals is flawless. I've found most people tend to have different personal favorite tracks, but there is no doubt you will find something here you really like.
- More Good Stuff
By A2XZA4NQFSMJAO on 2006-02-26
More music driven animations of the same high quality as the original Animusic. The only disappointment for me was no sequel to "Drum Machine", my favorite segment in the first set. But still amazing animation ... now if Wayne would just make the MidiMotion technology available to the rest of us ...
- innovative
By A34W3YNVJVG40C on 2006-03-01
After being amazed by the first Animusic, I was looking forward to the next release. I was not disappointed. I especially enjoy all the extra features on the dvd. I highly recommend the set of Animusic 1 and 2. The music is innovative and captivating. It truely has appeal for all ages and interests. My favorite segment is the cathedral piece. This is a must have addition for any music collector.
My totally honest review would say that my favorite would still be the first Animusic dvd, but the new release is also a delight.
- A Truly Quality Piece of Work
By A2E15CAK1AWF91 on 2006-11-10
Being 63 you wouldn't think I could be interested in midi music but this is SO CUTE! And SO well done. It is just fascinating how the music notes come together with the actions in perfect syncronization.
I have an adversion to church music, especially the durge sound of the church organ, but the Cathedral piece made me think of Boris Karloff on steroids. LOL Then there is the shooting balls (Pipe Dream - my favorite).
The graphics are all first rate, the director's comments illuminating, and one can see that a lot of work (and work ethic) went into producing this DVD. It seems no effort was short changed, no corner cut.
This isn't like a movie where you might not watch it again for months or even years. I go back to this when I need my spirits lifted or just to get my mind off the drudgery. Plus it is nice to show to a visiting guest who isn't familiar with it. Chances are this will get a lot of play at your house too.
Arthur
- no where near the quality of the first
By A2T7SFV2NG6UZ2 on 2006-01-15
I too eagerly anticipated the release of Animusic 2 as I was introduced to part 1 by a friend. I loved every aspect of part 1 especially the music. It was realistic, detailed and gave a sense of presence and realizm to the video that acompanied the it (after all isnt that what it is? music being the foundation with video that goes with the music not the other way around) After poping in part 2 I watched fiber bundles as my first selection. I was so disapointed I couldnt believe it. The sound is primarilly unrealistic, sythesized with no real sounding instruments at all. It was also difficult to tell "what" I was looking at. the way the scene was lit or something made it all sortof jumble together. Being that this animation featured a very non-natural environment I figued the sound was geared towards sounding synthetic in a synthetic environment. I thought maybe it was just not one of the best on the disk. To make a long story short I tried others and was equally not impressed. The other component that part 2 seems to be missing is the incorperation of stereo panning of the instruments between the speakers as they pan in the scene. This was another component that made part 1 very realistic. instruments moving from the left of the screen to the right, pan from the left speaker to the right in sync in part 1 but not in part 2. The scenes move all over and the music is stuck in one point. I dont know why this was left out but it drastically compounds the fact that the music is poor to begin with. I have not heard the 5.1 mix just stereo, but the stereo almost might as well be mono. Samples in resonant chamber are slightly lifeless and dull. The only one I truely enjoyed was "gyro drums" VERY realistic samples used, they really made use of the bass if you have great subs, my system has 4 15" subs driven with 2100 watts and it was amazing! but again, ITS A GYRO, the thing is spinning all over but the sound just sits still. Overall, graphically it's just as good as part 1 but a major let down since the music was what I considered one of the best parts of part 1. I gave 3 stars becuase I apriciate animusic for what it is, it's a 5 star product but with 2 star or less sound compared to the 5 star of the orriginal.
- AWSOME!!!
By A3QH9R2MCCQ7AR on 2006-12-11
This is great! It is so cool, not only does the music rock but the animation is right on with the music beats and "hand" placement on the "instruments". Plus my daughter plays the drum set in her High Scool Band so I am partial to the drum section offered on this cd.
Great buy, you won't be disapointed, if you have seen Blue Man Group (which is wonderful) than you will like this concept of Animusic. Worth the money!
- Encore!
By ABX7SEE84DMLU on 2007-04-10
Sequels are rough.
We want more of something we loved. And yet we want it to be different and to reflect growth.
In this case, those who craved something beyond the first Animusic album would want new, engaging MIDI music and special effects programmed to illustrate it. What we get are songs which are (openly or not so openly) derivative of the first album, and graphics which extend the reach of the concepts created for the first volume. It actually works pretty well, but if the viewer expects "breakthrough" experiences, as was the case with the first album, he is bound for some disappointment.
Overall, it made me want to see Animusic 3. Now, if someone would just tell me where to find it...
P.S. - I really liked the robots - reminded me of the "Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots" when I was a kid.
- Unbelievable visuals and music
By AYTCSIDSIPWB1 on 2006-10-26
I bought Animusic 2 because my 4 year old and I watched it on a pbs station. He and I loved it. He now watches it or listens to the CD, while walking around pretending to play the drums (his current favorite instrument to buy.)
The animation is so much more advanced than Animusic 1 (which you can see both on their website - www.animusic.com), however, it it well worth purchasing both for some variety.
It's nice to see him interested in something other than toys plus this has gotten him interested in taking music lessons. Great DVD/CD.
- OK but not as good as Animusic 1
By AOHVAJ3GGOJXU on 2007-01-14
After enjoying Animusic 1 I thought I would check out Animusic 2. I was hoping the sequel might be better but overall I like the original much better. The first one had a nice balance between the music and the animation. In Animusic 2 I get the sense the animation id being emphasized over the music. In my opinion they tried to do too many new cute things in the animating. I still watch / listen to it from time to time but I listen to Animusic 1 almost every week. It is great to watch / listen to when working out.
- Expected better
By A3UK7JTK21OP3U on 2007-03-01
Like other reviewers, I enjoyed Animusic 1 so much that Animusic 2 was a bit of a disappointment. I think perhaps the biggest aspect is that many of the instruments, or the objects playing them, are humanoid figures with human-like robotic movements. The most glaring example of this is Gyro Drums, which literally has robotic arms with drumsticks spinning around playing drums. What's the point? I might as well watch a real person playing them. What made Animusic 1 great was having unique, non-human machines play this music. Ironically, many of Animusic 2's instruments are... dare I say it? Too realistic.
In that regard, I enjoyed Pipe Dream 2 because it not only followed the original concept, but showed that even a familiar scene could be redone with new music and lighting to create something interesting. Fiber Bundles was OK -- neat to watch, at least -- and I enjoyed Resonant Chamber and Cathedral Pictures. One thing about Resonant Chamber: the strings attached to the large curved arm, going right through the center of the assemblage, is never played!
Hopefully there will be an Animusic 3, and hopefully it will stick to its roots of Rube-Goldbergesque contraptions creating music.
- Animusic 2
By A3KTFMHASRH0VE on 2007-03-10
I didn't think it was possibel,but the people who produced Animusic have out done themselves. My 19 mo. old Granddaughters were spell bound by the first on and more so by this one. The animation is more advanced and well worth the money. Especially with two very active toddlers. This is a God send for my daughter and I love it too. Now, I wonder, what could these people do with classical music?
- Animusic 2
By A17D5GEFPPK64J on 2006-02-24
Very well done - like the first one - incredible graphics and attention to detail. I can hardly wait for the next one.
- Animusic 2 review
By A23N81GBTU4IB5 on 2006-08-31
An excellent visual and musical treat for all ages. Our son is a computer animator (computer games). We liked it so much we sent him a copy for his collection.
- Amazing!
By on 2006-11-04
I can only imagine how much work was put into this DVD.
It's really cool how the movements on the screen go along with the music so well!I would reccomend this DVD for anybody who likes music and cool graphics and stuff!!
- Almost as good
By A2NZ27K1V6VMZ5 on 2007-01-06
Animusic 2 is really great entertainment, but it isn't quite a good as Animusic 1, because the music isn't nearly as memorable.
- BORING
By ABEORG96WMLSE on 2007-01-09
robotic-like animals and other objects moving to music - its all the same same same, music is uninteresting, not dancable, and the 'animations' -if you can call them that - are soo repetative. Again, not interesting, not dancable, and repetative annimaitons. Again... . One music track is all you'll need to get the point - i'd slit my wrists if i had to sit through the entire video. My six year old did enjoy it though.
- awsome
By A3TVJX6QTULWGY on 2007-01-15
I bought this for my son and he loves it. It is entertaining and if you have a musician in the house they will love it.
- all computer
By A2C82GTWPM2TXM on 2007-01-15
I received the animusic 2 first as the 1st one was backordered. I had seen a segment off the first one a few months ago and knew I would like this kind of item. I've been a fan of alternative,progressive,space,some techno,and other types of related music. The music on this dvd is great in my opinion. The graphics are great also although I have limited experience viewing computer graphics besides video games etc. There are some things that I buy everything that comes out by the artist. This animusic is probibly one of those buy it no matter what items.
Rich
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