This album is fantastic. I loved Melody A.M., but this album really takes it to the next level. Royksopp is awesome.

An excellent, mature follow-up to Melody AM. More lyrical, with growth into more structured melodies. A different direction to excellent Air-esque AM, but for the good.

This album just sounds like some real poor euro trash. this reson for this comment is that after listening to Melody A.M. which is a fantastic album full of unique tunes and every single track on it is just awsome, you would expect more of the same on there next album, Well NO this album is full of euro lyrics every track is one long bore. gone are those chill out tunes and gone are those happy rifts no more poor leno this album was a complete waist of money. I mean when you like a group u like them because of the style of music they do and after there melody a.m. album i thought this would be almost as good how wrong i was. on the plus side the CD does make a great coffie coaster… Expand

A change from Melody A.M and a step forward to "the electro cult icon" that Ryoskopp becames with "The Understanding!!!"

This under appreciated gemstone of an album by Royksopp is another great addition to your electronic collection. Unlike Melody A.M., The Understanding takes on a more dreamy, majestic aura, which can easily rival to A.M.'s greatness. This new, welcoming light doused onto The Understanding magnifies the mystical nature that is Royksopp.

Although uneven at times, this disc is powerful and ambitious. Only This Moment is worth the price of admission. The singing on The Understanding is amazing, the lyrics are touching, the production sizzles and sparkles, it bristles with life and blows through the speakers like a celestial wind. Wow, what am I writing? If you like electronic music you need to purchase this CD. Royksopp and Bent are the best imports, check them out, you won't be disappointed.… Expand

A largely different but excellent follow up to Melody A.M.

Not an all out classic, but what a fantastically beautiful record. The track Alpha Male is just awe-inspiring. The record left me a bit disappointed on first listens, but has kept on growing. There are no Eples or Poor Lenos here, but the record is all the better for it. In stark contrast to Dot Music's reviewer, I am extremely grateful that not every band "is reacting to our circumstances". There is more need than ever for music that is intensely human, escapist and non-political. Still, maybe that too is a reaction.… Expand

Losin faith in metascores because of this record. Obviously some reviewers didn't give this one enough listens because it is impeccable. Dense instrumentation with magnetic hooks. Real good stuff. Better than Melody AM.

more to it than melody am - varied, lush, really damn good actually. its abundance of really good tunes and lots of singing might take it out of the "cool downbeat" cliche? but thats no bad thing.

Amazingly bland. Didn't know Vangelis had so much influence on Royksopp. loved "A.M.", but this CD just doesn't cut it. lotsa sheen but few memorable hooks, and some exceedingly cliched lyrics. (The music reviewers who rated it 80+, like those ice-skating judges, must be judging this CD more on past performance than current, out of laziness or deadline commitments.)

it's an interesting affair this one like most albums i think it's a bit too long and it doesn't grab my interest the entire duration of the disk then again i couldn't really mention a weak spot i will refrain comments on whether it's innovative or not if only because i don't care about innovation i won't be able to hear the aspects of innovation of this album in 2009 anymore anyway and i will still play this album then because of the strong melodies and far above standard production… Expand

Not as good as Melody AM and has some horribly cheesy songs on here. Great production and is more experimental than their last effort but hasn't paid off.

A really good album - different, but really good!

Good when the mood hits me. Slightly above average, but not by much. A handful of really great tunes, but a handful of really bad ones as well. It's a grower. Some tracks have attached themselves to me after repeat listens, but most are forgettable. Okay.

Very emotionally charged, this album integrates the progressive nature of their previous album, Melody AM, with true musical intellect. As a very discriminating listener, I am highly impressed by this album, when one considers what Royksopp has created together with Melody AM. They are taking music to new heights. I can only imagine what they have in store for their third album. I have recommended this group to friends and co-workers and everyone who hears them is SHOCKED and AWED by their originality and wants a CD, no matter what type of music they lsiten to. They are a refreshing group when you consider how bland music is these days.… Expand