Reviews

Reviews

Babylonian Tiles--Basking in the Sun at Midnight
St. Thomas Records
This was a surprisingly upbeat album which I actually enjoyed quite a bit. They describe themselves as "acid goth" and it does seem particularly fitting as much of the organs seem to have more in common with 1960s acid rock than cathedrals. The pace is pretty bouncy for the most part, keeping up a nice punky sound reminiscent of a lot of early gothis rock. The vocals stick with a more punk appraoch as well. The lyrics lean on the fantastical side with heavy psychedlic inclinations. but it all works pretty well for the most part. Some of the songs are rather lacking, but a majority of the songs are not. i've heard few bands with the guts to mix acid rock and psychedlia with a dark attitude. As somewhat of a fan of both genres, I'm thrilled. I think they pull it off quite successfully.

Bella Morte--Remains
Some Wear Leather
Lovely album with old school gothis stylings. this one conjured up visions of 1985, hints of early Cure and Clan of Xymox. The vocals are heart-felt and suit the music quite well. This has the nice smell of drum machines, heavy bass, soaring keyboards, and atmospheric guitars, all of which are impressive in the depth of feeling. It has much of that post-punky feel that some second-wave bands seem to have forgotten. I'm glad they aren't afraid of it. Some of the lyrics have a cheesy gothic quality, but it never takes away from the music one bit. An excellent work for anyone wrapped up in the first-wave goth looking for a newer band to branch into.

Blue Dahlia
St. Thomas Records
A truly beautiful album of ethereal gothic music. Every bit of music encases one in moonlight and sweet melodies. The guitars are clean and sensual. Some of the compositions seem to be borrowing from Celtic and Indian music which adds much depth. Most of the songs are about heartbreak and painful love; they have an exquisite truthfulness to them that is welcome. The vocals remind me very much of Cocteau twins with their light floatiness. They are as angelic as Ali Shaw of the Cranes. Unlike those vocalists however, Michelle Graf has more range which always attracts me. It took a while for this album to really grab me. It is very mellow and very sweet, but utterly breathtaking. i am learning to love it.

Braindance--Redemption
DoubleEdge Productions
Progressive music has a tendency to leave a sour taste in my mouth often times. this band has found an intelligent way to get around mere guitar masturbation, tightening it up quite a bit. This has a lot of atmosphere and a science fiction feel. The programming and key-boards don't feel like mere filler, rather they add a lot of interest to the music. The guitarist, Vora Vor (a girl guitarist even!) obviously is quite talented and knows when to hold back, which is a problem with most bands dipping into this genre(likeDream Theater or Rush). The vocals are reminiscent of Peter Steele, but it does work. The gothis, new age, and metal elements save this music from boredom. Nice atmosphere mixed with a good stock of heaviness and plenty of talent. They describe it as progressive darkwave, and that label seems to fit it quite well. They don't sound like much else. While a lot of prgressive bands want to show us how well they can play, Braindance seems to want more, opting for feeling over technical ability(though they are not short on that by any means). This isn't normally the kind of stuff I go for, but I have to admit, I am intrigued.

Dreamscape Unlimited
Big Ugly Music
Heavy electro-industrial. Most bands like this with a guitar can get old pretty quick. NIN could only pull it off so long, and by the time we got to bands such as Sister Machine Gun and Stabbing Westward, it just got plain old. This album makes a pretty good case for the style. By no means a perfect album, I did find the electronic portions moving and the guitars particularly interesting. Even the samples seemed well-placed. My favorite pieces on this album are those with piano parts and unique drum programming. They keep the album from falling into the rut it could have easily fallen into. The lyrics and ideas express-ed also carry this music beyond that silly angsty girlfriend breakup crap and simplis-tic god-hating routines. Relevant stuff about govarnment, religion, and philosophy. This is a band that it will be nice to see grow and change as I think they have a lot going for them. Even the cover art if nifty

Empire Hideous--Victim Destroys Assailant
Dismal Abysmal Recordings
This album is a collection of some of the final works of Empire Hideous. Very good stuff in that sort of gothis rock range. Bass, guitar, drums, keyboards . . . How can you go wrong? Well, you just can't with this band. The vocals and lyrics are quite impressive. "God and I" is just the most amazing song on this album. You know it's good when you keep wanting to hit the repeat button. Nearly every song on this is worth it. There are some similarities of course to Fields of Nephilim, Sisters of Mercy, and even alien Sex Fienc. It all fits in quite well and makes this album an even greater treasure for the gothic traditionalists. To imagine this stuff mixed with the visual aspects makes it all the more enjoyable. Great album.

Empire Hideous--I'm Dead you're Dead We're All Dead Live
Dismal Abysmal Recordings
Live albums are never a safe bet. Sometimes the production lacks so much, it makes a good band sound wretched. In some cases, a band is better live than on album (can we say Jesus Lizard?). This one pretty much lives up to the standard of the albums. Enjoyable listen if you dig the band. The covers of Alien Sex Fiend and The Cure at the end are some of my favorite moments. if you are into collecting this band's stuff, it would be a great way to complete it.

file underwater--slowmotionsickness
The Baby Factory
Electronic rock with an industrial edge. This album had heavy drums, great hard-edged guitars, and heavy bass. There were also various loops quite apparent throughout. I was really fascinated with the way they mixed those very indie rock elements with the electronics yet don't manage to sound like much else. Comparisons to bands such as Girls Against Boys or curve will no doubt come to mind, but file udnerwater's sound has a uniqueness to it that carries it beyond all that. The songs have the eerie familiarity of a pop song yet the abrasiveness of any good electro-industrial band. It's great to hear someone going beyond the same "modern rock" crap we've heard a million times and actually do something interesting yet catchy. They are definitely worth the trouble.

New York Room--The Color of Midnight, Piendre Et Noir 7"
St. Thomas Records
The first title on this album is the same as a poem by Rimbaud, "A Season in Hell." This group captures much of the feel of his work. It is rich in sonic qualities, filled with luscious beauty and hints of darkness. I am in love with this album. it is very dreampop in places and very gothic and darkwave in others. What is most impressive are the touches of classical that are sprinkled throughout. This woman has an amazing vocal range. The instrumentation is generally subdued, but picks up on a number of songs. The guitar bits fill in quite nicely with all the keyboards. The 7" is just as nice as the album qith a lovely French version of the cover of The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black." This is so wonderful, highly recommended.

Paige--Domicile
Sycamore records
Take a few minutes to recognize where the cover art is derived from. If you've seen david Lynch's "Fire Walk With Me," you'll understand. On another note, this is a sweet album with the occassional dark touches. Some of the songs are very similar to PJ Harvey's early work, but with a sweeter edge, more like Cocteau twins. It all works together quite nicely. The guitars are generally soft and siry, but pick up in just the right places. They seem to have learned a lot from the Pixies, who perfected the art of dynamics as far as I'm concerned. i wouldn't say this album's really gothic, but they have a darker edge than most indie bands. I suppose this can be explained by their obsession with David Lynch which pops up every so often on this album. I've been listening to this a lot and that's usually a good sign. I'm hooked.

Soda Ash--Sci-Fi Lullaby
Graffenberg Records
I've been lsitening to this one tons since I got it. Hard, Heavy drums and guitars stuffed in a blender with pretty keyboards and lovely vocals(okay, a few screams too). All fits quite nicely together. I kept thinking of Daisy Chainsaw, Sonic Youth, and early Hole caught in a battle with Rozz era Christian Death. It's got a lot of noisy punk attituce with plenty of beauty mixed in. they are definitely pushing toward the gothic-industrial end of things, but mixing it with heavier indie and even hard-core sensibility, which is something many bands seem afraid to do. I though the lyrics were good in their straight forward yet poetic qualities. And Erin is a very interesting vocalist: a great screamer! a beautiful and beastly album. I can't wait for more!

Various Artists--Saints and Sorcerers volumes 1&2
St. Thomas Records
Compilations are a great way to discover new bands I have to admit. This particular set introduced me to many independent goth bands I haven't rea;;y been exposed to. My favorite tracks on the first cd are Babylonian tiles, New York Room, The Deep Eynde, and Praise of Folly. The second volume had a greater range of sound to my ears. The tracks from Mr. presto and Metanoia are highly recommended. Like most compilations, there were a few really annoying tracks. I myself do not highly recommend Cruciform, but I'm sure someone will go for it, so you never know . . . . These compilations did reveal much of the strength of the St. Thomas label which is really its diversity. They can support more traditional goth bands alonside ethereal and some very unusual and innovative bands. A nice addition to your collection, even if gothic music isn't your thing

Not Dead, But Dreaming--volume IX, Summer/Fall 1998
dead/asleep titles
This was an impressively pretty little jaunt into the realm of dark literature and art. Most of the prose and poetry contained within is of the highest quality, which is perhaps the best part. The drawings and such are also well done. The design is well laid. the clip art works quite well with the subject matter. Everything about this zine seems thought out and well chosen. There are also some book, zine, and music reviews. Probably one of the best in the area. If you are a fan of the darker side of art. I suggest you go out and buy this NOW-----dead/asleep titles, c/o Lara Haynes, PO Box 442572, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA