In Rotation, August 2004
Mistress McCutchan
The Cure – The Cure
Track Listing: Lost, Labyrinth, Before Three, End of the World, Anniversary, Us or Them, Alt.end, (I Don't Know What's Going) On, Taking Off, Never, Promise.
It’s twenty-something years down the road and lo-and-behold, here’s a self-titled album, filled with the angst and poetry we’ve grown to love. This album seems to have grown on me moreso than Bloodflowers (2000) had, with the stand-out tracks “Lost” and “The End of the World”, but again, this album is not Pornography (1982) or Head on the Door (1985). Cure fans will need this in their collection – if you can find the vinyl release, there are four extra songs.
Dope Stars Inc. – 10,000 Watts of Artifical Pleasures
Track Listing: 10,000 Watts of Artifical Pleasures, Plug ‘N’ Die, Infection 13, Self Destructive Corp., Shook To The System, Generation Plastic.
Four dark, glammy rocksters from Italy formed this outfit, assaulting your ears via electronica with heavy metal guitars and distorted male vocals. This album seems to absorb several influences with a touch of this ‘n’ that, and is very much along the Marilyn Manson tip. The final result feels very generic.
Nilaihah Records Sampler
Track Listing: NamNamBulu - Hunting, Blind Faith and Envy - Major Philosopher, The Azoic - Carve Into You (2003 edit), Distorted Reality - Never Change, Null Device - Electrified, Fiction 8 - Crash, Backlash - Blind (radio edit), Dissonance - Fearless, The Azoic - Conflict (turmoil mix), NamNamBulu - Game, Distorted Reality - In My Dream, Null Device - Footfalls, The Azoic - Lost, Fiction 8 - let Go.
As to be expected (after hearing the Resistor comp back in 2000), a stunning dark dance compilation, as each gem on this album pulses from one to another.
This compilation was a special giveaway of ours last month, and also is available from Nilaihah for the price of postage! A very recommended disc for your collection.
Collide - Vortex
Track Listing: (disc 1) Euphoria - Emirian Mix, Feed Me To The Lions, Slither Thing - Amish Rake Fight Mix, Razor Sharp - Dull Mix, Like You Want To Believe - Antistatic Mix, The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum, Predator - Final Mix, Crushed - 5am Heavenly Mix, Wing of Steel - Core Mix, Halo - Sensory Gate Aura Mix, Inside - Shoe Gazing Mix, Somewhere - Orchestral Mix, Frozen - Chill Mix.
(disc 2) Haunted When The Minutes Drag, Tempted - Conjure One Mix, Crushed - Fragment Mix, Wings of Steel - Headache Mix, Like You Want To Believe - Bondango’s Twisted Acid Mix, Crushed - Scored Mix, Wings of Steel - Astro Sensorium Mix, Euphoria - Tears Mix.
Among this decade’s goddesses of our scene, I have to name Kristeen Young, Saint Eve’s Gabrielle Penabaz, and Collide’s Karin. This double disc collection contains a lush variety of dark and enchanting tunes to dance or dream to.
Nerve Exhibit – The Horror of Amusement
Track Listing: Sky Ripped Blue, Choke, Taste For Futility, Warmth, The Blue Below.
A pleasant throwback to early Skinny Puppy and Joy Division; synth pop and dark ambient soundscapes blend like its the mid 80’s. There’s more meat and less fluff in this album, unlike so many disappointing electronic releases today.
Ministry – Houses of the Molé
Track Listing: No W, Waiting, Worthless, Wrong, Warp City, WTV, World, WKYJ, Worm, plus 2 “secret” tracks on track 23 and 69.
It all starts off with yet another sample from “O Fortuna”... but this album is no Land of Rape and Honey. This album will kick you in the teeth in all its fiery metal glory, and although it’s not my cup of tea, I believe fans of Psalm 69 will surely not be disappointed.
The Mirror Reveals – This Infinite Eye
Track Listing: Cold Heart, Waves, Blue Fire, The Grail, Out Of A Misty Dream, Moon’s On Fire, The Golden Wedding Of Sorrow, Storytellers, Little Plaything, This Infinite Eye, Finale.
It’s been four years since The Mirror Reveals released a full-length album. The Divinity e.p. held us over, but this album certainly has been worth the wait. It’s a very polished and multi-faceted release; I loved this upon the first listen. If you are unfamiliar with the rich etherea, be prepared to sink into Kit Messick’s vocals, alongside a very somber guitar and violin. And yes, the Death in June cover is wonderful!
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