Album Details

Japanese Release featuring an Exclusive Bonus Track. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Good hard rockin CD
If you like Ramstein or Nitzerebb you will surely like this one. Hard rockin industrial stuff with some electronic sounds that combine to make some great tunes. While many groups throw in a slow easy song or two this group keeps hammering at you. And they sing in English too. Great hardcore music that won't disapoint anyone.

THE BEST!!!
Ok. This album is one of the best in my collection. It stands out. Not only are the vocals awsome but so are the lyrics and guitars. These people started Industrial and dont have too much credit for it (seeing that i can find no tabs or lyrics for this album). they deserve alot more.

Gripping Metal-Industrial
Industrial has of late (Die Krupps included) drifted far into the realm of metal--there's nothing wrong with that! This cd proves it. Rings of Steel is a collection of remixed songs--Language of Reality being the best. Pay no attention to the criticism about the lyrics...they are better than average (Language of Reality also has very clever, thoughfut lyrics). This disc is reccomended if you like KMFDM, NIN-Broken, Ministry, etc.

Excellent music, pitiful vocals and lyrics.
I would have liked to give this CD a better rating, but the embarrassingly bad singing and lyrics really destroyed alot of the album's potential. I wish that german industrial bands would sing most of their songs in german, because it is such a powerful and heavy language which complements the genre perfectly. On the other hand, the music on this CD is unquestionably some of the best industrial I've ever heard. In fact, I liked the music on this album so much that I copied all the CD tracks to my computer and remixed them to get rid of the intolerable vocals.

Great songs w/ great remixes
I must admit, this is the first Die Krupps album I've ever owned, but it has gotten me itching for more. It took a few listenings (and printed-out lyrics) before I could fully appreciate the intensity and creativeness put into this music. It has metal, dance beats, and meaningful lyrics all wrapped up in one package. My favorites include "Metal Machine Music", the remixes of "Crossfire", and "Fatherland". I would recomend this CD to anyone curious about Die Krupps because it sure has me hooked! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Lots of substance
It's my favorite band so far. I own most of their albums.

Largely accused of copying Led Zeppelin!!! Let's see things differently. When we learn a language, we have an accent. Mission is the language and John Paul Jones from Led Zepplin is the accent who worked Mission on a couple albums.

Mixing rock, dance and world music they surpassed Led Zeppelin on lyric's level only. The poetry is intense and emotional, a kind of "cannot live by myself but only throught you my love".

Love their ancient egypt and mid-orient beat. Love when the guitar get lost in a loop. Hate the song "Sour pussy" which is not a style for Mission. I am sure I would love it if it was sang by the Cure.

As they say, let's do this all again

Only a few good songs
I only found about 4 good songs in this album (the first three and the last one). Mission was in those "Customers who bought this also bought" lists. Sadly I took a chance on Sum & Substance. It just sounded like a weird mixture of Simple Minds, Bon Jovi and U2, the chords are very 'pop', I got tired of it fast. They're not bad, just not for me.

The Mission Rock!
As I looked through my old cassette collection I pulled out Carved in Sand and popped it into my car stereo and cranked the volume. And I had to have more of Wayne's silky vocals. Hence I purchased Sum and Substance. Wow! I still think The Mission rock, 15 years after I fist listened to them which truly shows what a great talent the Band are. The Beyond the Pale remix is utterly fantastic. This is the best hits cd I'd recommend to anyone who wants to get to know The Mission or for long time fans. Kudo's to the Mission, and thank you for your great music.

Five stars just ain't enough
One of the best compilation albums of all time - but then what can you expect from the best band since Led Zeppelin?

Kicking off with the mighty Wasteland, the album covers the full spectrum of The Mission's work, including the breathtaking Butterfly On A Wheel and Deliverance, from Carved In Sand.

It is only when you hear track after classic track coming at you that you realize just how strong this band really are. Wayne is a superb lyricist, drawing on everything from Arthurian mythology to important social issues, as in the child abuse song, Amelia.

Just scanning the Amazon readers' reviews gives you some sense of the quality of this album. While I may have a slight bias, coming from Leeds in England, the fact that other fans from all over the world are equally blown away, speaks for itself.

Utterly beautiful album.

Salad Haze
This reales is a fairly good representation of their work witha few glaring mistakes. Overall, most of the tracks are outstanding for the long suffering fans. The foremost Missionaires must admit that the "Sour Puss" track has no bussines on this album or anyone else's. The other new release track is thankfully in stark contrast to it. "Afterglow" (an improved version from its orignal)is something I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF. Sum and Substance lacks important early material from releases such as The First Chapater, I, II, III or V. "Island in a Stream"'s, "Serpent's Kiss"'s, and "ForeverMore"'s omission is unforgiveable and fails to fully give a complete picture of the The Mission's depth and talent. No Greatest Hits album can please everyone, but the group should seriosly reconsider their overall selection for this one. "Beyond the Pale", "Wasteland", "Deliverance", and "Never Again" are some of their best works, but undoubteldy not all. This is not a waste to purchase but it lacks the Great Picture that it could be and should be. This band offers much more. I have enjoyed Sum And Substance though I may just Edit out "Sour Puss." ---with Hope for Always ... Read more

Amazon.com

While Saturday Night Live's "Goth Talk" sketch has all but shattered the pretensions of those living after midnight, the music's emotional impetus remains undisturbed, if As One Aflame be admitted as evidence. The Projekt label has been long dedicated to ethereal sounds, releasing albums that combine the placid spirituality of New Age with the vampiric night music of goth since 1986. Label founder and Black Tape "electronics" guru Sam Rosenthal works with a revolving cast (a bit like Ivo Watts-Russell's work at 4AD with This Mortal Coil but with increased involvement). The melancholy streak permeates all 71 minutes. Longing and desire are brought to obsessive degrees (lyric inspiration includes Sacher-Masoch's Venus in Furs and Baudelaire's "Windows," for starters); the music echoes these sentiments. Excessive swaths of reverb heighten the otherworldly effect for the choirlike vocal ensemble and stretch the flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and harmonium notes to infinity. Piano chords signal doom. The perfect soundtrack for those trapped in their room staring at candles. --Rob O'Connor ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Gloomy ethereal that is not for everyone
BTFABG's work is definitely an aquired taste. Their pretensious, artsy leanings can be off-putting to some as can the bleakness of their sound. However, when they strike the right balance, BTFABG can create some really great stuff.

In my opinion, the less Oscar vocals, the better. Black Tape's best stuff is ethereal, moody, contemplative and quite beautiful. Some if it can be reminiscent of This Mortal Coil's work (in style), some of it similar to darker moodier New Age/Vidna Obmana type work (whom Sam did a collaboration with once. An excellent CD by the way). I don't care what anybody says, I happen to like that stuff and I enjoy melodramatic, dark music. To me, I don't need a band to have so called "redeeming" values in the their work. I don't see optimism as being either a "redeeming" value or a negative one. It just is. If you want optimism put some other band in your player. That's what I do. When I'm in the mood for a more bleak and serious tone, I put in Black Tape or other stuff like them. Everything has it's place and purpose. Just because a work of art is pessimistic does not mean it does not have "redeeming" quality. As for the band being too artsy and literate..well, I see both sides of this arguement. I mean with a name like Black Tape For A Blue Girl, you should know what you are in for....a little pretensiousness is bound to be evident. However it's a sad sad commentary on American culture that when someone is literate and has a knowledge of art and they show it because that is what they are genuinely interested in, they get put down or dismissed as being too "artsy".

That being said a lot of Goth music can be a little too melodramatic at times, too over the top and I tend to like those bands that don't cross that line into excessivness. That's why a lot of Black Tape's work is hit and miss. At their worst they can be unintentionally comical, at their best they are entrancing and beautiful. This release is one of the latter and well worth getting.

Perfect wake-up music if you sleep 19 hours a day
Fellini would listen to this stuff and say, "Um...I don't get it."

Black Tape for A Blue Girl is as artsy as it gets. Like all their albums, it's hit-and-miss but good enough to add to your CD library.

Sam Rosenthal's lyrics and singing are so melodramatic that you either fall off your chair laughing, or you dissolve in tears as he voices your deepest sorrows. Julianna Towns' beautiful, disciplined voice (similar to Claire Voyant's Victoria Lloyd) is an effective counterpoint. Oscar Herrera's vocals sound like Rosenthal's, and thus suit the music equally.

The instrumentation is soothing, and it's all bathed in Rosenthal's synth. Lisa Feuer's flute work is simple and seductive. Vicki Richards' serpentine violin conveys the Black Tape version of a guitar solo. When a PIANO is the most upbeat, percussive instrument on an album (as in track 8, "Russia"), that's an intense mood. The melodic standouts are "Given," "entr'acte [the carnival barker]," and my personal favorite, "Denouement/denouncement." The ambient vibe of "The Passage" is so hypnotic that if you close your eyes, you either see The Light At The End of The Tunnel, or you lapse into a coma for three weeks.

"As One Aflame" goes exactly where Black Tape has gone before, but they're the only band going SO VERY FAR along that path. They're the sonic equivalent of the girl in 11th grade who wore raccoon eye makeup and wrote poetry with her two friends during lunch. Viva la Mope!

Emotional driftwood...but it's *pretty* emotional driftwood!
This is a nice collection of sound-art that's melancholy, pretty, and pleasant to listen to while day-dreaming or getting ready to sleep.

I would agree with other reviewers that it's not for everyone's taste. So, I wouldn't recommend this if you aren't friendly to (or at least open-minded about) experimental/ambient music. I would hesitate to call most of these tracks "songs" in the traditional sense. If you expect a beat and a melody, you'll be disappointed! Also, don't expect great poetry. The lyrics are, at least in my opinion, second-rate. (But that isn't especially distracting. The vocal delivery is generally very non-agressive, so you can ignore the words and let the voices blend into the sounds.)

On the positive side, this CD weaves together a mood that is tranquil, yearning, and dreamy. It's all pretty, and there are occasional moments of beauty. The ethereal voices are nice (especially the female vocals) and the instrumentation is often lulling and sometimes haunting.

You could find it either peaceful or boring, I think, because it doesn't build to any real crescendos. Fragments of melody appear and disappear. A motif starts to develop, then fades away. I think of it as "emotional driftwood" because it's like a fragment of feeling or a bit of a story that washes up on the beach with one wave, then vanishes underwater again with the next. I find it nice to listen to with my eyes closed, just letting my thoughts swirl in and out of the soundscapes. It's sort of like meditation music, but painted with a different palette than the new-age stuff, grey-tones instead of brights or pastels.

Great CD From the Masters Of Surreal Music
Black Tape for a Blue Girl is overlooked in the music business considering their talent and the quality of their music. Seems like [stuff] is always popular and anybody can be called a diva but there are bands and groups out there in the shadows whose talent is superior however they rarely if ever get noted for it or recieve any recognition.
Anyway this cd is great to relax to and listen to while writing or to set the mood for a quiet evening with friends. Given is my favorite track on the cd. Though I wouldn't say this is their best cd it's certainly one of my favorites.

What the hell was I thinking buying this?
I heard the track "Given" on a sampler CD and was intrigued enough to buy this. Not the smartest purchase I've ever made. Can't decide if the artists here want to be musicians or just bad poets and even worse songwriters. The whole is truly LESS than the sum of the parts. It's hard to categorize this "music" as something other than Bohemian Goth, whatever the heck that is. Had I heard more of the CD before buying it I certainly would have saved myself [money]. But hey, that doesn't mean YOU won't like it (snicker, snicker)! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Rasputina dish up an Alice in Wonderland psychedelia mixed with a Kate Bush sensibility and Medieval-meets-Victorian vibe in both appearance and musicality. The end result on Cabin Fever, Rasputina's sixth overall release since 1993, is charming, if likely too idiosyncratic for mass acceptance. Since Melora Creager (who toured with Nirvana in 1992), formed the band in the early '90s, this New York-bred trio of female cellist-vocalists has opened for Marilyn Manson and Bob Mould, attesting to the diversity and quirkiness of this lineup. On Cabin Fever, from the quavering vocals of "Remnants of Percy Bass" to the revved-up pop-tech stylings of "AntiqueHighHeelRedDollShoes" to moments of music-box delicacy, Rasputina show a penchant for creating wonderful, odd, and old-fashioned vignette-style lyrics and songs. "Quaint" and "enchanting" are not likely words that lead to the cover of Rolling Stone, but that's no matter, as long as Rasputina's considerable and curious charms allow them to invoke more musical magic.--Katherine Turman ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Better than I anticipated!
I love Rasuptina's first album "Thanks For the Ether" with it's virgin purity from electronic mixings and what not, but I must admit that when I heard "Cabin Fever!" I was astounded at how well the managed to combine in electronic beats and distortions on a few of there songs (not all of them! Some still ring proud with that virgin purity of only using cellos and vocals!). But, I must admit this cd is radically different from "Thanks For The Ether". Here's a track by track following. I'll keep this short and frank.

1- Gingerbread Coffin: I love this song. It's got brilliant music and combines with the cellos a music box which adds enormously to the song. I'm not sure if it's about a magic doll or voodoo, but either is fine with me! Voodoo! How delightful!

2- Thimble Island: The man hunting song! Grah! This song is very catchy and very folky and tons of fun.

3- State Fair: Another song about boys, this one isn't about going out to get hitched to some brigadoon island though. It's got a lot of electronic mixing and sounds almost like electric guitars (I'm going to say exactly, because I they don't).

4- Sweet Water Kill: A very cool song, with cool drums, sound effects and very lulling cellos. The words are great and almost make one think of an irish tradishional song (the words, not the arrangement).

5- Remnants of Percy Bass: This is actually one of my favorite songs on the album. It's a slower and more depressing song, but it's got some absolutely exquisit moments when the cellos and vocals come together in a very pleasing and surprising way. Very haunting.

6- Rats: Love this song. This song has the coolest distortions (like electric guitars again). The humor of this song is almost sickening, it's brilliant. Who else but Rasputina would sing of starving people renaming rats as fish so that they could eat them?

7- Clipped: This is a sad song that brilliantly talks about the world disabling you and starting again by comparing it with clipping birds wings so that they can't fly. The best part is when it changes from "They clipped my wings" to "I clipped my wings", changing the idea of the song saying that sometimes we have to do the hard thing and let go of what we have and try things anew.

8- PJ+Mathew & Vincent+Bjork: This is by far the most entertaining track on the cd. Impersonating the two couples on a double date that goes nowhere. I'm not sure why it's here, it doesn't add or take anything from the album. "Whatever Bjork."

9- My Orphanage: This in another sad song about not really belonging and the only place you have as home you hate. Quite sad.

10- Crosswalk: This is a good song with hard mixing on it that works icredibly well. Very cool words and catchy- super catchy- chorus.

11- Hunter's Kiss: I think that this is my favorite song on the album. It reminds me of a disturbing old horror film with a very cracky filter laid on it to make it sound like it's bad quality. It's especially when it picks up with the cellos and the drums. Very cool creepy song.

12- Our Lies: This song is made up of a troop of lies, and by look of the credits they were ones sent to them by a lot of people on the internet. Very funny and witty.

13- AntiqueHighHeelRedDollShoes: This is a brilliant song of vanity and jealousy claiming repeatedly "Daintier, smarter, better dressed!" In spite. It's very hip actually, I could see this song on the radio oddly enough.

14- Cooped: Wow... This song I must say has no purpose being on the at all, but as it's not even a minute long I don't count it. It seems to me to be people watching a um... odd Yoko Ono performance. In the end I can't help but agree when they wisper to each other "They really have balls to expose themselves like that!"

15- A Quitter: This is the saddest song on the cd. It's about trying so hard in the world and never succeeding, and giving up. It's brilliantly done really, this melody is sad and pretty and the music in the background is mostly one cello playing one simple part. If you let the song continue playing after it's done to about 5:30 a hidden track plays. A lullabye Melora wrote for her baby, who I believe is talking baby gibberish along with them.

This actually is a really golden record! I'm much more impressed than I thought I would be. I'm very excited for Rasputina to continue on in this fashion in their later releases.

fun & just as faux as ever
OK, i understand the reviewer who posted the 3-star review. it's easy to compare this to previous albums; it's what most of us do with artists we really admire. but i'm looking at the song list, one by one, and as i do so i realize that yes, although there are 2 "fillers" of questionable interest (tracks 8 & 14), on the whole i'm delighted with the album!

it maintains that quaint, old-fashioned backcountry kind of vernacular that Melora writes so well, and her 1900-esque sensibilities. there are pretty, mournful tracks (Sweetwater Kill, Percy Bass, My Orphanage, A Quitter), but also rocking, distorted pieces (Hunter's Kiss, AntiqueHighHellRedDollShoes). "Clipped" is about the only song here i consider weak, and i love love love "Gingerbread Coffin." it's a perfect opening track for a slightly sinister album like this. i'm simply tickled that i bought it - i don't even mind that i paid full price. and make sure you let track 15 play out longer - don't miss the pretty little hidden song at the end.

A Gothic Faery Tale..
I had to admit that I was unsure of buying a Rasputina CD but now I am glad that I did, since they are now one of my favorite new bands.

I love the fusions of cello, goth rock and electronica on this CD. It weaves an unusal and dark picture. Melora's melodic voice weaves a ghostly spell over the listener.

The best tracks on here have to be Thimble Island, State Fair, Rats, Crosswalk, Hunter's Kiss and AntiqueHighHellRedDollShoes.

I honestly didn't care however for Gingerbread Coffin, Clipped, and Our Lies.

But overall, I will be looking for other Rasputina CDs.

""" A qoute ... And you are Marilyn Monroe.....
...Yes mom Im still a virgin...""" This is another artwork of Mrs. Creager's and her gang of fellow theivs "cello rockers". It is a bit more bitter in the lyrical sence, and tonal knoch down from the last coulple releses. Still I think it's mad cello playing and abstract alice and wonderland charming lyrics are ingenious. Do not hesitate to buy Rasputina, " ALL of the albums " are masterpieces in one way or another. And Amazon.com Has had some of the better prices " no I don't work for them, but $7-12 bucks for Rasputina rocks. Remember downloading music won't bankrupt metelica.. but It does hurt the Indi-Bands. they pay there rent with royalty checks not buy million dolor houses, so dowload to taste, buy to support And Injoy.. RASPUTINA

Inspired! *enthusiasm*
I've only just recently been able to purchase any CD by this group, and was knocked off my feet! Rasputina combines amazing cello, drumming, and electronic manipulations to create a sound unlike any before.

1) Gingerbread Coffin-Has some intersting lyrics, and really shows off the cello about a two-and-a-half mintues into the song. Great sound effects too.

2) Thimble Island-The singing is really well done on this track, and the cello breaks through the funky water sound effects. Thimble is a bit more "Pop" than the other songs on this album. (Though there isn't anything wrong with that!)

3) State Fair-A little difficult to listen to the first time, but it grows on you. The cellos have been manipulated to sound more like guitars on this track, and the lyrics, while strange, are oddly funny.

4) Sweet Water Kill (The Ocean Song)-A slight contrast from the "hardcore" State Fair. Sweet Water is more "soft" (?) The singing in this song is some of the best on the album.

5) Remnants of Percy Bass-Not a favorite. It takes a few listens to really enjoy. However, the cello in this is quite skillful, and the lyrics, though strange really paint a picture. Remnants picks up about two-and-a-half minutes in.

6) Rats-BY far the most bizzare, but enjoyable song on the album. Another rock style song, Rats tells about how "the Bolivians were starving so...they had rats as big as ponies there, so they asked the Pope, to declare them fish." (Pardon if I made a mistake) Strange, fast-paced, and extremly catchy, this song screams Rasputina.

7) Clipped-A BIG change from Rats, Clipped is slow and sad, yet very powerful. It tells of adjusting to a new situation, and that though it may be difficult, one can still overcome any situation. "I will learn to walk todaaaaaay."

8) PJ+Vincent & Matthew+Bjork- This piece is all speech, though some wonderful cello can be heard in the background. One must listen a few times before one can catch all the little jokes, but the horrific celebrity double-date is...beyond description. Bjork is done exceptionaly.

9) My Orphanage- Another song with a catchy tune, and deppresing lyrics. Done very well, especialy 1:45 into the song.

10) Crosswalk- The opening is astounding, screaming cello with a hint of electronic manip. It sets the mood for this extremely dark song. The lyrics in this one are exceptional, and I often find my self humming the chorus thoughout the day. "Why-ee-i-eei is my bleeding heart beating? Why-ee-i-ee-e am I feeling no pain? Why-ee-i-ee-i do I cry when I say Good? Bye-ee-i-ee-i when I'm calling your name?"

11) Hunter's Kiss-By far my favorite on the album. It has a sctratchy, old-time record sound in the background. It proves to be another of Rasp.'s "darker" songs. The lyrics are AMAZING, and tell a dark, frightening story, all praired with breath-taking music.

12) Our Lies- Going back to the "lighter" songs, Lies is more humerous than the previous songs (I am reminded of the line "I went for a ride in a carousel. I was on a yellow horse. Right behind the swan. In the swan, a man & a woman, they were doin' it.")

13) AntiqueHighHeeledRedDollShoes-Very Brit. Pop. With fast funny lyrics, and cellos that are completely disguised by electroninc manip., another triumph!

14) Cooped-You have to find this out out yourself, it's far too difficult to describe. Though it is similar to Track 8.

15) A Quitter-THe album ends on a soft, sad song about not going through with things in life, and giving up. The exact oppisote of the earlier track "Clipped"

Yes...indeed. I have heard that this is not Rasp.'s best album, but I must really disagree. Buy this! ... Read more

Album Description

UK remastered reissue of the goth-punk's classic 1985 album for IRS Records that's out-of-print domestically. Highlights include their infamous cover of Madonna's 'Like A Virgin' plus 7 bonus tracks including, 'Girls Girls Girls', 'Opening Nightmares', 'Dreams & Desires', 'I'm Not Runnin Hard Enuff', 'Fresh Flesh', 'Sorry For The Man' & 'Gun Called Justice'. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Gimme some russian roulette...
The Lords of the New Church were a neglected 80's goth/punk band. This CD is a greatest hits of sorts which includes Dance With Me (which had minor play on MTV in the early 80's), Method To My Madness, and Russian Roulette (my favorite song by them). They even covered Madonna's "Like A Virgin" which is included on this cd. If you're into 80's goth such as Bauhaus, check out the Lords today!

Really Good, But Some Odd Selections
This was my first experience into the Lords music. Being a huge Stiv/Dead Boys fan, after the initial shock at the format/content changes, the songs became mainstays in my CD lineup. However, as I grew as a fan, I began to realize how a number of these selections, "Opening Nightmares," "Dreams and Desires," "A Gun Called Justice," and "Hey Tonight" are all good songs, there are more "Lordsy" songs that should've been included. "Pretty Baby Scream," "Partners In Crime," and the biggest omission, "Livin' on Livin'," are all selections that are much better representations of who the Lords were: A great garage band, exploring new territories all the time. The other included tracks that I felt should've been omitted seemed more like studio experiments and corporate pushes ("Like a Virgin, anyone?) All in all, a pretty good anthology and great introduction into the Lords of the New Church and who they were. "Killer Lords" is a great first CD, but their self-titled debut is where the listener starts to see what kind of band they were. Turner and James inherently playing surf rock, Tregunna on bass with some of the tastiest and simplest riffs, and of course, Stiv Bators, one of the greatest frontmen ever.

All Killer, No Filler
The Lords Greatest Hits. Like any other LORDS album, a meaningful masterpiece and certainly significant theosophically, against the backdrop of most 80's vibrant/vapid offerings.

Buy it for the hits
This CD has a few really standout songs, Open Your Eyes, I Never Believed, and Live for Today being a few. The rest of the tracks are b-sides and album cuts that might appeal more to a real fan of the group. I would really recommend buying a live album by these guys, as the studio polished them up way to much. This CD does have the best collection of hits for the lowest price though.

HEY TONIGHT THROW THIS ON
Always ahead of their time, it would be great if the Lords of the New Church found their time now. The CD combines the raw and the polished Lords. It just gets better with age. ... Read more

Album Details

Featuring Ian Astbury (Cult, Holy Barbians), available for the first time domestically. 15 tracks including Fatman, the Girl, the Crypt, Apache, Moya, Flowers in the Forest, and others. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Fantastic album! A must have for music lovers!
Even if you don't listen to the Cult, you may want to check this album out. I had first purchased this along with the Death Cult album (another must have), and at first, I was unimpressed by it. But oddly enough, I just couldn't take it out of my CD player. I wanted to give it another listen, just to see if it would grow on me. And sure enough, it did. The only reason why I didn't give this album five stars is because I felt that the live tracks weren't a good representation of the band. The BBC tracks are fine, but I'm sure there are better recordings of the band live. Normally, I'm not a fan of goth, but this album left me with a lack of words when I was finally hooked. It's a shame that the band broke up before they recorded a full-length album in the studio. I'm sure it would have been better than this excellent album, and worthy of five stars.

classic british death punk
This is a compilation of their 3 song e.p., and some great sounding live sessions. People who only know of The Cult's arena rock oriented albums might be puzzled to know that this was Ian Astbury's first band. While he never renounced his Gothic past, this album is quite different from The Cult's more popular albums such as Electric and Sonic Temple. Pure minimalistic, arty gloom and doom. This actually sounds alot like early Cure, Skeletal Family and Joy Division. Not quite as abrasive as Bauhaus, not as experimental as Christian Death and not as glam oriented as Specimen or Sex Gang Children. All the elements of the original Gothic Rock sound are here. The tribal drums, ghostly guitars, howling vocals and oppressively morbid and gloomy atmosphere. Also, some themes that have recurred in The Cult's songs are present here, such as Native American imagery, yet some songs like The Crypt are surprisingly morbid, and others like False Faces are surprisingly angsty. Every song here is classic, even those that are a bit on the rough and raw side. The only song I really skip over is Flowers in The Forest, which is strangely jazzy and doesn't really fit on the compilation.

In My Dark Younger Days...
Every day and every night,I had been studying hard for the exams, as listening to this album. It was 18 or 19.
This is BGM of my dark highteen era.

Cult-fan must have
If you don't know much of the Cult's other material, then this might strike you as a bit different. But if you like dark bands like Bauhaus & Joy Division, you won't be disappointed. ...unless you mind songs sounding almost the same in a row (I usually don't). Just be sure to listen to it at night, though.... it just doesn't work for me in the daylight :) Another cool option...put it on shuffle with yer other goth cd's.

FOR CULT FANS - WORTH HAVING
IF YOU ARE INTO THE CULT AND HAVE ALL THERE OTHER ALBUMS THIS ONE IS WORTH HAVING. GIVES YOU A GOOD BACKGROUND ON THE BAND. THIS ALBUMIS FAIRLY RAW AND ROUGH. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Whistling in the wind like a ghost in the desert, 16 Horsepower'sFolklore is a grave, brooding piece of dark theater. Outside ofoccasional relief in the form of a loose French waltz finale and the naturalrockabilly songwriting touch of David Eugene Edwards, the music here is akin toa bleak ride to a dusty crossroads where the devil awaits. Reminiscent of therustic cacophony thatGrant Lee Buffalo broughtto Mighty Joe Moon, orNick Cave's desolatewasteland elegies, Folklore leaves behind the last of the band'salt-country tics. The flat, yearning tones of Edwards's singing combines with aspare banjo on tracks like "Alone and Forsaken" before "Single Girl" picks upthe tempo with a bouncy bass line and a folksy chorus. But the mood isshort-lived, as "Sinnerman" and the bleak, brilliant "Horse Head Fiddle"reestablish the album's desolate, hypnotic trance. Folklore's hauntedmelodies and mythic inspirations have a frightening intensity that turns thisshort set (just over 37 minutes) into an unforgettable experience. --MatthewCooke ... Read more

Reviews (9)

From Moonshine to a Deep, Big Red
Their fifth studio album showed 16 Horsepower sounding more confident and less self-consciously arty than ever before, without compromising any of their distinctness. Much of the band's normal brimstone is absent, and their music's spooky, ethereal quality is being replaced by a sorrowful worldliness. The music and tales remains haunting - David Eugene Edwards still has souls on his mind, but there's more room for indulging in earthly pleasures and a joyous yawp or two that come across in the cover of the Carter Family classic, "Single Girl," and "La Robe a Parasol" (sung in French!).

Amazing as always.
16 Horsepower has never ignored the dark side of country, the dark side of folk. And Folklore is no exception. It is well crafted, haunting, and beautiful. They blend religion, old legends, violence, and love seamlessly. So many brilliant bands give into the mainstream, but 16 Horsepower is still defiant.

Dark, Gothic Traditionals
I picked this CD up today on a whim, having heard just a few 16HP tracks. I was under the impression that they were more southern rock, and I think this may be the case on their other albums. Folklore, however is a mix of traditional country (covering a Hank Williams tune) and folk music, with heavy, gothic overtones. I also bought Nick Cave's new CD today, and had it in queue behing Folklore. Several times I had to look see if the player hadn't moved on to the Cave album. I'm sure I'll have more to say about this CD later, but I took to it immediately, since I like dark music, like Cave, Waits, Cash, Mark Lanegan, etc. Think the "Oh Brother, Where art Thou?" soundtrack on downers and whiskey during a cold winter. I'm on the second listen now, and this is a standout album, that I think will be in heavy rotation for a long time.

I like it more every time I hear it.
When I first got this one, I hardly listened to it at all. (Partly because I was still listening to "Alice" and "Blood Money" from Tom Waits.)

But as 16HP fans know, their albums just need a few listens and maybe, late one night, just the right kind of mood... and, WHAM! there it is. The album hits you with its full force. Another incredible piece of work - I really think each album has been even better than the last with no exceptions.

I am not really sold on "Single Girl", but otherwise I have enjoyed all of the songs - especially "Outlaw Song", "Sinnerman", "Hutterite Mile", "Alone and Forsaken"... OK, OK, all the rest of them too! An incredible album. Beautiful and gorgeous. What can I say?

It is dark, yes, and brooding, and haunting. I have had a couple of scary moments walking alone through rainy, windy streets listening to "Horse Head Fiddle."

The songs are so perfectly, delicately constructed; his voice perfectly suited to the material. I can't recommend it enough.

Head low and smoking
I, like many it seems, was a little reserved when I first gave Folklore a listen. But it quickly grew on me the more I listened. It almost feels like a storytelling session. Edwards mixes traditional with new so well that it's impossible to decipher the two. He has the keen ability to make Hank Williams the most depressing artist of our time, while at the same time put a kick in my feet with a nice traditional French round. Hutterite Mile starts the album of nicely. Play it real loud in your car while you drive late at night down a deserted farm road and it's a spinetingling feeling. Edwards uses his unique voice to the best of his abilities here, and the results are yet again amazing and wholly reinventive. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Wishfire makes me wish more were like it!
Wishfire is my favorite of the Cruxshadows CD's. This CD has an almost Victorian elegance to its songs even though they are very electronical. Rage, sorrow, regret, love, death and finally Hope, as always, entwine in the tales of this album. Great for dancing with high energy songs such as Return (Coming Home), The Seraphs, Tears and Spiral; it is also spiritual enough to sit and listen to in candlelight. Roman, whom Rogue, the lead singer was very close to, is captured in a farewell song that pulls the listener into the anguish that death sometimes brings. Chris Brantley, keyboards and backing vocals, does a wonderful job of blending and leading the music onwards. Stacey Campbell, guitar and backing vocals, helps keep the listener in anticipation of the next line of music. Rachel McDonnell, violin and keyboards, as always, adds the haunting sweet melody that ties the music together. And Rogue, words, music & vocals, takes the listener by the hand into the world of the Cruxshadows. Also try Frozen Embers & Ethernaut!

!!
When I first heard "Wishfire", I wasn't sure what I had been given, but I quickly grew attached to it. Songs like "Tears", "Binary", "Return/Coming Home", and "Resist" were so much fun, while "Go Away" and "Orphean Wing" were so melancholy and deep... I recommend this cd to anyone with a love for gothic/ebm/darkwave music and an open mind. It deserves *10* stars!

I am the Wishfire!
This cd is mindblowing. It was the first Cruxshadows CD I ever heard and it turned me into a fiercely loyal fan. The songs are strong, dark, and powerful with gorgeous lyrical imagery, irresistable beats, and an electric violin that sets the Cruxshadows apart from all the other goth acts out there. They blend dark romanticism with myth, and war-songs with 80's style, and lovesongs with morbidity. It's definately not an album to be overlooked. It will become a part of you.

Not Cut and Paste Goth
This is not your average gothic darkwave band! It is powerful and passionate, with complex lyrics and themes. Other fans compare Rogue's voice to other vintage bands, but I disagree--something about it is completely different, more otherworldly and moving.

As an album, Wishfire is very strong and energetic. All the tracks (in no particular order) are very different from each other musically, but carry the same level of energy throughout. "Tears", especially, is easily the strongest track and one of my absolute favorites of the band--it has a great dance beat with amazingly different layers of sound that practically leaves your skin tingling after you hear it. I can't even describe what its like hearing this song live.

"Return" is great! After all the remixes I've heard, I just love to come back to the original.

"Binary" is another strong track, with a great chorus and violin, and haunting female spoken parts... its man struggling back and forth w/his own dual nature and with the voice of fate.

Listening to "Seraphs" I can easily envision the fiery angels he describes--this is one of Rogue's gifts, to bring mythology to a completely different level. Very powerful.

Some might go as far to say that "Spectators" is out of place on the album. It was a little surprising, because its very different from the other tracks. But I think this is intentional. It adds depth of emotion and sound to the album as a whole. Its a slower, let-it-wash-over-you, kind of song of personal strength and convictions.

"Go Away" is heartbreakingly beautiful. "The 4th Phase" is one I keep forgetting is here, but I love to rediscover--carried by violin, very unique and wonderful lyrics. "Earthfall" is otherworldly, dominated by the music and not vocals. "Roman" is short, but very moving, spoken musings on death and beyond.

Amazon lists the 10th track as "Orphan Wing"--this is incorrect, it is "Orphean Wing", referring to the Greek figure Orpheus. I love Rogue's voice in this one... After the other powerful tracks, this is nice--good beat, yet almost soothing.

"Carnival" is very different w/the overlapping male and female vocals that adds a touch of intensity. "Resist/R" has very nice synths...w/sounds samples of M.L. King to get its message home. "Spiral" is a great conclusion..."lightens" the tone of the whole album and leaves you feeling content and transformed.

All in all, this album is a big jump in growth for the Cruxshadows, they are better than ever. It's the next continuation in the Angel cycle--true fans will not be disappointed. There was less mythology, I thought, in this album than others, but it is there nevertheless. See this band live!!! It will be the best show you've ever seen, guaranteed.

Listen in the dark!
This is by far one of the best gothic/darkwave CDs I have stumbled across in years... it's a catchy, addictive, powerful and even danceable album that I don't think I could go more than a week without listening to. Streak on the eyeliner, turn off the lights, and enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Damned are back and--thank hell--all their faculties are intact. These superannuated punks have ceaselessly provided live music for Britain's gnarly pallbearers to pogo to, but Grave Disorder is only their fourth studio album in 16 years (and the first to feature bereted loon-ball Captain Sensible since 1982). Rat Scabies has been replaced by ex-English Dogs tub-thumper Pinch, while Dave Vanian remains at the vocal helm. Vanian even gets to sing a manly voiced love song to missus and bassist Patricia Morrison (Sisters of Mercy), which humorously robs Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" of a few chords. Vanian is at the top of his game: "Absinthe," his tribute to the hallucinogenic dishwashing liquid of turn-of-the-century Paris, is a wonder; "Amen," a grimly insurgent anti-religion rocker with clanging church bell samples, is hilarious; and the Andrew Lloyd Webber treatment on the brilliant "Beauty of the Beast" (Vanian's tribute to the flesh-crawling artfulness of the vintage black and white horror flick) only makes you mad that the Damned never got around to doing a gothic version of Phantom of the Opera in their 1980s heyday. Even so, this album is neat, neat, neat all the way and perhaps the finest album the Damned have ever made. --Kevin Maidment ... Read more

Reviews (33)

The Damned Are Back And It's Been Worth The Wait
"Grave Disorder" demonstrates that, far from being washed up old punksters, The Damned are alive and well and creating excellent and innovative music, far better than the botched "Not Of This Earth" from the mid-1990s and even their more commercial efforts on the MCA Label back in the 1980s. For those who loved "The Black Album," and "Strawberries," this is the album you've been waiting 15 years to hear.

The range of songs on "Grave Disorder" is extremely impressive - - from slow, haunting ballads to incredibly fast and hard charging punk rock - and the lyricism of Captain Sensible and the voice of Dave Vanian remain in fine form. New bandmembers Pinch, Patricia Morrison and Monty Oxy Moron are superb in their musical ability with noteworthy songs including "Song.com", "Democracy?" and "Would You Be So Hot (If You Weren't Dead?)"

If you want to hear great new music from a time-tested band, experience "Grave Disorder."

No punk like an old punk.
Interesting that the two best punk albums of this year are from guys who started well before 2001: Iggy's "Beat Em Up" and the Damned's "Grave Disorder". For their new CD the Damned seem to have drawn from the best elements from their previous efforts: imagine a cross between "Black Album" (1980), "Friday the 13th" ep (81),the better moments of "Strawberries" (82), their Naz Nomad project (84) and "Not Of This Earth" (96). Best songs: "song.com" (a Beach Boys parody!), "she", "obscene" (which recalls the Doors!), "neverland" and "would you be hot if you weren't dead". The only drawback is the self-rightous "Amen" where Capt. Sensible get in his usual dig against organised religion. Other than that this is either a great Damned album or a damned great album. (Damned fans might also enjoy the Portugal band Moonspell.)

Damned good CD!!
After their last Major commercial album Anything, the punk gods of goth have returned from a long hiatus to produce another timeless CD. Grave Disorder is more on a par with The Black album as opposed to Phantasmagora or even Machine gun ettique.

Songs like Thrill Kill(A journey into the mind of amisfit who kills for the hell of it.),Amen(An justified stab at the religous reich) and my favorite; Song.com (a social commentary regarding one's addiction to the internet and videogames.)

The other three songs grabs full attention and are somewhat poingiant W,(A cynical jab at "Dubya" bush)Neverland (A fun listen which questions the "King of pop's" antics.) and Would you be so hot if you were dead (one of my favorites, the guitar solo is somewhat haunting,especially since the song may refer to the late beattle John Lennon.) Vanian as usual does an outstanding job as the frontman,but Patricia morrison's haunting wailing makes for great backing vocals. The operaesque Beauty of the Beast and End of time is a testament of the Damned's range and versatility.

nevermind fake punk bands like good charlotte and blink 182.this is a real masterpiece. unlike the sex pistols and the clash..one of the oldest and original punk bands still reign surpreme..Alive and kicking ass!

A DAMNED SHAME THAT MORE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THEM
Wow-ee is this a great album or what??? The Damned absolutely refuse to die, and God bless 'em for it. In my opinion, the truly great artists never stop writing and recording, and these guys must be in it for the love of music, because they have never matched the commercial success of the Clash or the Sex Pistols. However, I personally prefer the Damned to both of those bands, and Grave Disorder is a prime example of why. It's a near-perfect blend of punk, rock, pop, and psychedelia, with a touch of goth attitude thrown in.

The Damned are very serious about their music, but they never make the mistake of trying to SOUND serious in an effort to prove it. Sure, they have political and social concerns, but it never overpowers the music or threatens to weigh things down. There is a sense of theatrical fun and experimentation that runs through the album, and while they incorporate many different elements into their sound, their style is uniquely their own.

"Democracy" starts things off with explosive drumming by Pinch and ferocious guitar work by Captain Sensible, while Dave Vanian tells us that "Revolution changes nothing, and voting changes even less". This is followed up by "Song.com" a punk/Beach Boys hybrid which salutes the internet. After that comes "Thrill Kill" a first-person account of a serial killer's illicit fantasies intoned over an ominous minor key bass line. It's one of the best tracks on the album, and despite its (apparently) gruesome subject matter, Vanian's theatrical tongue-in-cheek approach makes it less horrific and more horror-movie-like (which was undoubtedly the idea).

"She" is a stomping psychedelic number, with a decidedly Sisters-of-Mercy-esque vocal at the end. "Looking for Action" is the closest thing to pure punk on the album, and it sounds like it could have easily fit in on the first Damned album (Damned Damned Damned). "Would You Be So Hot" examines the positive effects of death on one's level of popularity, and "Amen" is a scathing attack on organized religion, propelled by a throbbing two-chord riff and frantic drumming by Pinch.

"Absinthe", a moody minor key tune, features some odd but appealing chord changes and atmospheric theremin work by Vanian. I have to ask, when was the last time you heard theremin on a punk record? Hell, when was the last time you heard theremin on anything??? That fact alone should intrigue people enough to check out this innovative and diverse CD. "Neverland" is a timely parody of Michael Jackson that originally appeared on a Captain Sensible solo CD, but the chorus and the bridge are just so bloody magnificent he decided to redo it with the Damned.

"The End of Time" is another goth-flavored number with obsessive lyrics, and "Obscene", one of my personal favorites on Grave Disorder, has a lilting little melody which is offset by nightmarish keyboard effects. "W" has an almost techno feel and should be of particular interest to Bush-baiters, while the album closer, "Beauty of the Beast" features a gorgeous performance by Monty, the Damned's resident keyboard player.

The Damned are truly one of the most under-appreciated and undervalued bands out there, and this CD is proof of it. Don't remain in the dark about these creative geniuses. Pick this one up and find out for yourself.

BEST ALBUM EVER?
Although it's been a while - a 'damned' sight longer if you disregard the lacklustre 'Im Alright Jack and the Beanstalk'/'Not of this world' album, The Damned are back - properly - and have never sounded better.

Grave Disorder is a corker of an album, from start to finish, and shows perhaps more than any other album of theirs, what a musically accomplished, and diverse, band they really are.

This album shows that the band have much more depth than they first appear, and although they've been going since 1976, can still be cool, and indeed relevant to what's happening at the moment.

DEMOCRACY?, the first song, is a powerful, upbeat political song that grabs you and doesn't let go. AMEN, is another such song. It shows that they can write political thought provoking songs, in a non-preaching way.

Songs like ABSINTHE and THRILL KILL are both dark, and amazing atmospheric songs, whereas the cheeky pokes at both Michael Jackson and John Lennon are apparent in the songs NEVERMIND and WOULD YOU BE SO HOT?

The production of the album is superb, and really brings out the best - the inclusion of sound samples and snippets really add to the whole scheme. The apparent film dialogue dubs in Absinthe, the church bells (and is it cash registers?) in Amen, are extremely cool and well placed.

There are some excellent time-changes in the songs too... Would you be so hot? for example floats off into a psychedelic jam towards the end of the song. Fantastic...!

This is without a doubt, one of the finest Damned albums of all time. I can't decide whether or not it's the best - it's perhaps a tie between it and Machine Gun Ettiquette.

The return of Captain Sensible seems to have injected a much needed shot of adrenaline. Dave Vanian's vocals and charisma are better than ever.

True - Rat Scabies is no longer in the band, but the combination of very talented new drummer Pinch, and the very powerful sound (and look!) of Patricia Morrison more than make up for it. Also Monty adds a depth and texture of sound never heard before.

I can safely say, that in my opinion, this is the BEST line-up they have had, and it seems that they are the happiest too. Long may it stay that way.

It's just a shame that Nitro don't seem to have promoted the album enough... A band this good, this fresh and eager, and this relevant should have been snapped up by a major label years ago.. especially when other bands keep churning out the same stuff for years on end... ... Read more

Album Description

Buried drums, echoed guitar, and soft cries suddenly transform into a blasting romance number; the rhythm section work easily rivals that of any other early '80s post-punkers, while the almost mandolin-like arrangements on the chorus are a lovely touch. Add in the Astons' passionate lyrics to a missing love and the glammy rush of the song, and Immigrant is off and running. Like Promise, variety is part of the album's appeal, ranging from the slow punch and chanting of "Stephen" to the giddy blasts of "Worth Waiting For" (with an intentionally hilarious spoken-word break in the middle) and "Cow," Immigrant's underrated highlight. When at their most mystic and tribal, the Astons nail it more often than not; the title track connects especially well, sounding like Echo and the Bunnymen's slightly more florid cousin with an especially catchy chorus. The group isn't afraid to let humor sneak through in other areas, as they prove in naming the last three songs "The Rhino Plasty," "Deep South Wale," and "Coal Porter." That final tune is especially good, a lovedrunk remembrance of the past with evocative imagery and a lovely arrangement; its soft percussion and electric guitar are carefully filled out with piano and backing vocals. BBG. 2005. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Cult has made it safe to head-bang again with their first disc of new material since 1994. After penning 60 new songs, the reconstituted band went into the studio with longtime producer Bob Rock to chisel their brand of hard-rock bombast into the lean, mean dozen songs found here. Falling somewhere between the raw power of Electric and the sophisticated message and melody of Sonic Temple, Beyond Good and Evil pairs Ian Astbury's lofty themes of temptation and spiritual regeneration with Billy Duffy's fierce guitar attack and a antediluvian rhythm section that recalls the days when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Hard-won spiritual battles color the sometimes nightmarish lyrics on songs such as "American Gothic" and the spooky "Ashes and Ghost," but just when you're about to reach for the light switch to banish the shadows, he sings a simple love song to the late and sometimes great chanteuse Nico. --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Reviews (92)

Powerful rebirth
I wouldn't have thought it would be that heavy! Guitarist Billy Duffy plays like a dervish from underground, using heavy rock riffs in the 'Sonic Temple'-style, eighties-goth-wave-sounds like on the earlier albums and cold power-chords that even some nu-metal-kids will like. Add to this the unique voice of Ian Astbury who sings about war and ghosts like a dark angel, and you have the sound of The Cult today. Their new drummer does more than just keep the beat, and Bob Rock finishes it with a fat production. All in all a powerful rebirth after all these years. Maybe the album lacks a bit of diversity, but if you liked the heavier seattle sound of the nineties you must give this record a listen.

Rock...alive and well
Beyond Good and Evil is a masterpiece, a truly great hard rock album. Personally, spiritually, politically, philosophically and most importantly musically it is great. It hits hard on so many levels. Coming from someone who writes songs and plays guitar, I the lyrics extremely powerful and deep. As I was listening, I though, this is what rock should be about. The way Astbury delivers them only helps, this guy has to be one of the most underrated voices in rock. The guitar work by Duffy is so hard driving, especially on Rise, Ashes and Ghosts, and My Bridges Burn. The best part, however, is that all of the songs, with the exception of Nico, are original. This could be the best rock/metal/alternative album since Nirvana's Nevermind or Metalica's black album, and hopefully it will spawn more of the same. This album changed the way I listen to music, so much so I ditched a lot of old material I had written being only 17, I had never heard a lot of The Cult, besides She Sells Sanctuary, until I heard rise, as soon as I did I needed to know what it was. I went from listening to a wide variety of Everclear, Nirvana, Metalica, No Doubt and Lonnie Brooks to this CD and this CD alone. It has left my CD player a few times over the past month and a half, but now for long. I hope to get some of there older work in a while, but for now, I am still hooked on Beyond Good and Evil.

Now this is rock!
This is one of the best rock albums I ever heard, and will certainly be for many years to come. The Cult make an impressive, earth-shattering, sound. The lyrics are fabulous. What more can I say? Get it now!!

The return of The Cult
2001's "Beyond Good & Evil" marked the comeback of The Cult; one of hard rock's best and most underrated and underappreciated acts in recent memory. The album carries a re-energized vibe throughout; with vocalist Ian Astbury sounding better than ever and guitarist Billy Duffy pumping out razor sharp riffs like never before. Standout tracks include the catchy hit single "Rise", the slower love song "Nico", the near excellent "American Gothic", and the creeped out "Ashes & Ghosts" which showcases Astbury howling like he hasn't done in years. All in all, "Beyond Good & Evil" was undoubtadly the best comeback album of 2001, and I am anxious to hear what else The Cult has up their sleeve.

THE CULT KICKS ASS
IVE ONLY HARD A FEW CULT ALBUMS BUT I THOUGHT THEY WERE DONE UNTIL THEY MADE THE ULTIMANTE CULT ALBUM CALLED BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL ITS A ROCKER FROM START TO FINISH I LIKE WAR THE PROCESS ITS A POWERHOUSE SONG YOU HAVE TO HEAR IT IT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY ... Read more

Reviews (1)

definitely $$$ well spent!
I own the original release of this album, which is quite an extraordinary collection of telemetries and melodies, but the sound quality of the old version was not quite as good as I'd wished for. This new version of the album is great, the sound quality is very sharp and clear, and makes the songs all that much more fun to dance to. "Walk Away" is all that much more haunting. There are also a few little extras on the CD... a music video, and a flash gallery of ancient band pics! New life has been breathed into an already amazing album! ... Read more

Album Details

Includes Bonus Track ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Flour Power
This cd should be a mandatory listen for all these "neo-goths" that think that Goth music and culture is all about techno and S&M. This is raw, in your face, Gothic Rock & Roll. The Nephilim still seem to be one of a kind. No other band has used their Spaghetti Western influenced image or sound. The dusty, decaying, floury Cowboy outfits, the slide guitar and slight twang, and those sore throat growls still sound completely fresh today. And what other band has taken on the task of covering an Ennio Morricone theme as they did with Harmonica Man? (Taken from Once Apon A Time In The West) Sure there are a FEW similarities to the Sisters but to say that this is a rip off is simply too narrow minded (not to mention inaccurate) for me to stomach.

Great nephilim
Fields of Nephilim's first CD is as original as anything ever heard before, and 16 years later it sounds as brilliant as ever.The Morricone touches are a real treat and their unique sound may be compared with others but can never be a good as them. I originally bought the Revelations compilation as my first Nephilim CD and immediatally had to go back and buy them all after hearing the title track live on that CD. This band has had a huge influence on me,I even bought the controversial "Fallen" CD as well as the later Nefilim "Zoon", Rubicon "What starts ends" and Last Rites "Guided by Light" disks all by ex-Fields of Nephilim members.This is a highly influential band. Discover them and enjoy.

Just Scratching the Surface of Their Depth
Dawnrazor is certainly an excellent power Goth album, and it is the one FotN release where the comparisons to the Sisters make sense; The deep, snarling vocals and throbbing bass guitar were TSOM trademarks to be sure. However, where the Sisters' Floodland was a majestic work of stylized synth-Goth reminiscent of that typical Euro-Victorian aesthetic, Dawnrazor is an original blending of Goth force and the romantic Old West where lawless desperados walk alone. Carl McCoy is that desperado, half-cowboy and half-shaman, roaming the mysterious badlands within his own soul, continually crossing the line between life and death, consciousness and dreams, reality and occult mysticism.

There are any number of hard-hitting rockers here: Laura, Power, Dust, Preacher Man and Reanimator. The centerpiece and crescendo is the towering title track, though in truth the live version on Earth Inferno is probably better. There are also a couple of darkly wistful slower tracks like Vet for the Insane and Secrets - both are strong. Given the quality of all of the tracks, this is a must-have for Goths and those who like their rock with an edge of mystery.

Still this is clearly not Nephilim at their most powerful. At this time, the band and Carl had not fully developed the musical depth, emotional range and sense of grandeur that would become their calling card. I feel very sad for the reviewer who cast them off as a Sisters clone and never looked beyond this album; that review will make him look like a fool to all who know the genre well and understand what FotN would become.

Hard to take seriously now
I don't know what to make of this group. I mean, it's obvious that they are a Sisters of Mercy ripoff through and through, and basically came to popularity immediately following the breakup of the real Sisters in the mid-80s. They filled the gap and picked right up where the Sisters, clad in Western gear, were. Carl McCoy and Co. kept it going, giving these guys a dark Spaghetti Western gothic persona. I wasn't around when it first appeared, so I don't know how it came off back then.

But listening to it today, it's difficult to take McCoy's vocals seriously in all of this. I don't know, I love Eldritch's voice, but this is very strange.

However, the fact is that they have some very good songs, and it's difficult not to really like some of the tracks. So it's the presentation, whatever. I would recommend checking this out if you must, you might dig it. Basically, it has what I would call the cliched gothic rock sounds, which is not to say bad but just typical. There are better bands out there who don't need a dark "Whoooooo oooh luh luh luh luh" howling to create a dark and mysterious atmosphere.

The Flowers in your kitchen weep for you
Probably my favorite line of the whole CD appears in "Vet for the Insane--the flowers in your kitchen, they weep for you, I'm gonna shred them all to pieces, like I did to you, relax" Ahhh the majesty of Carl McCoy's growl is enough to make me relax while he dons the claws! I highly recommend this CD as a jumping off point for new Neph fans. This CD was their tribute to spagetti westerns. If I had to catagorize this music (and I do so hate to label things), I would say Gothabilly. Just buy it and you won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Voltaire - Not your typical goth artist
I have been anxiously anticipating the release of "Boo Hoo" for some time now. I never thought that it would ever see the light of day. I fell in love with crooning of Voltaire with his second album "Almost Human", an album I can never tire listening to. When I saw on the back of the cd case that Voltaire covered Bjork's "Bachelorette", I was almost afraid that Voltaire would ruin the song for me but he didn't. His cover of one of my favorite Bjork songs remains faithful to the melodies yet makes it sound fresh and new with his brand of goth music and sarcastic wit. I have already heard his version of Tori Amos' "Caught a Lite Sneeze" from a Tori Amos tribute album. It took me a few times to adjust to listening to his vocals on a classic Tori Amos song, nevertheless I think he does a swell job on "Caught a Lite Sneeze". As far as original material goes, I absolutely adore "Irresponsible", "Future Ex- Girlfriend", and "See You In Hell". In the past couple of years since "Almost Human", Voltaire hasn't lost any of his sharp wit and sarcastic sense of humor. "Boo Hoo" definitely was well worth the wait. Voltaire just proved to me that he gets better and better with each album. He is definitely not your typical goth artist.

No Reason To Cry
I initially grabbed this disc based on Projekt's reputation and to hear Voltaire's covers of Tori Amos' "Caught A Lite Sneeze" and Bjork's "Bachelorette." I was pleased to see that with Boo Hoo, Projekt's reputation has nothing to worry about as Voltaire mixes his witty and sarcastic lyrics with a campy blend of lounge-pop and quasi-goth musical stylings. Much of Boo Hoo was written following the end of a twelve-year relationship and surprisingly Voltaire doesn't seem bitter at his loss but uses the material for comedic fodder (as if the Keanu Reeves reference wasn't humorous enough) on "Future Ex Girlfriend." The goth scene is not out of his critical eye also as "The Vampire Club" tells the story of what happens when one calls a goth by their real name: "Fangs were flying, capes were torn / Hell hath no fury like a vampire scorned." Also included on the disc is his dark hep-cat tune "BRAINS!" from Cartoon Network's Grim and Evil. Vocally reminiscent of David Gahan (Depeche Mode) filtered through a Reno lounge, Voltaire's string-heavy aforementioned covers would make their originators proud, while his irony stays fresh with "See You In Hell" as the album's brightest track. Although Boo-Hoo's weakest aspect is the lack of variation between tracks, Voltaire more than makes up for it with his vivid lyrical wit and imagination.

A great dark romance soundtrack
whooo hooo..... this album from Voltaire is veerryyyy goood. It has unique sound, an the most important is it's lyrics. ranging from Vampire to a necrophilia. Ewwww.... so sick. But the music itself is.... mmmmm what can I say? quite unusual?. A Gypsy style folk? So if you want to hear something new, buy this CD!!

woo hoo!!!!
I had recently been reminded of Voltaire's existence when my friend played me a couple tracks from his most recent attempt Boo Hoo. His wit and words were inspiring and the music lush. I swore I would posess it. I was finally able to do so after several of my friends departed not to be seen for another year at least and I turned to Voltaire's music for entertaining comfort.
I was not disappointed.The two cover songs (Bachelor-ette and Caught a Lite Sneeze) were wonderfuly interpreted ( this coming from a fairly hardcore tori and bjork fan).I will say that i think my favorite track is "I'm Sorry" the melodic strains that are present in Voltaire's voice so perfectly expresses the emotions conveyed in the oh so poignant lyrics.Heart rending to be sure. After hearing "Vampire Club", I could not get the phrase "gay captain morgan" out of my head. The strings are to die for. Gregor Kitzis(violin) and Matthew Goeke(cello) animate the strings bringing to the songs such life and beauty.
I must say that my enthusiasm for Voltaire has only increased with a recent encounter at Dragon-Con. I was able to purchase two more of his albums which I have listened to non stop for the past two days. I also got to see him perform. He was great live & solo. i loved the little stories in between. I can't wait to see his next artistic endeavors.

Keep them coming Voltaire.....
Seems a different road than his other albums in the music department: while the strings/guitar are still there, there are sometimes big band sounds and a tad bit of lamenting. Don't get me wrong, they're beautiful songs but I prefer those that are of a faster pace. Excellent Bjork and Tori Amos covers as well (much better than the original Tori one, but then again, I really don't like her music.)
A lot of these songs are fairly realistic in reaction to V's breakup and rebound but luckily keeps the listener's spirits up with his signature silly (though intelligent) songs (The Vampire Club, BRAINS! and Irresponsible.) ... Read more

Amazon.com

You can litmus-test yourself with the name alone. If you don't appreciate the stained-glass humor of a trio of corseted female cellists warping the moniker of the Mad Monk, chances are you're going to despise the creepy, Gothic-edged sonatas on this sophomore CD, easily one of the year's most curious releases. Get the gag? Good. You're in for one hell of a strange sonic trip, with campy bandleader Melora Creager as your wisecracking guide. "Strange" as in a nimble plucking of Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me" chestnut. Or an intensely fiddled send up of the DeBeers jewelry commercial, "Diamond Mind," with Creager commanding: "I want that diamond!/I want that thing!/A tennis bracelet, a ring!" Elsewhere, the disc is alternately jarring ("LeechWife," "Olde HeadBoard") and gentle ("Rose K," "Herb Girls of Birkenau"). Creager's subject matter gets downright sinister at times. Where else can you hear yarns concerning the ancient medical practice of leech application? Heel to shovel, Creager digs deep into the catacombs of the surreal until you have no choice but to dig Rasputina. --Tom Lanham ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Encore!
Rasputina isn't for everyone. They weave strange tales, sometimes dark, sometimes humorous, sometimes both, with an atmospheric blend of Victorian affectations and pop music sensibilities. Their music is inspired, if somewhat uneven. Some of the songs are narrated in a deliberately stilted, Victorian schoolmarm style, or with a little girl's voice. The remaining songs are sung by the thin, high, haunting voice of Melora Creager.

Their first album, "Thanks for the Ether" had the tone of a scary tale whispered over a campfire. Although there were a couple of fast-paced, near rock songs, the album created its atmosphere through the slow, portentious sounds of the cellos.

How We Quit the Forest puts the cellos to use as rock instruments. They do this brilliantly. Personally, I find that Ether is a more consistent and haunting album. The rock cello has its limitations. However, I'm pleased that the band is moving on to new sounds, and maintaining a high level of quality throughout.

My favorites are the slower songs that might have been included on Ether - Herb Girls of Birkenau, Sign of the Zodiac, and Rose K. If you're a fan of Ether, you should get this just for those songs. The album has a couple of misses - Dwarf Star is just plain annoying, and Diamond Mind is a lame joke that goes on far too long. The more rock-inspired songs (Olde Headboard, Leechwife) are catchy and fun. I'd love to see these performed live.

Rasputina isn't just a "goth" band, but has a quirky inventiveness that can't be easily labelled. Not for the faint of heart, but another rewarding album from Rasputina

Not what I'm used to
As a more mainstream person, I generally don't listen to the off-centre bands. But Rasputina was recommended to me on a message board, and so I listened to a couple of tracks and decided I loved them. Hence I ordered 'How We Quit the Forest' (with 'Thanks for the Ether' and 'Cabin Fever' coming later). I've been listening to it, and it takes some getting used to. I'm still not sure I like 'Dwarf Star' or 'Christian Soldiers', but there are some songs on the album that are amazing. 'Signs of the Zodiac', 'Rose K.' and 'How we Quit the Forest' are probably my very favourites, with Melora's voice fitting well into every mood. The cellos are amazing. The women give them incredible range and they are lovely in some places, and a tad creepy in others. Overall, a purchase I am pleased with. Australian stores should make Rasputina more widely available.

Another great album from Rasputina
Finally, I have the second album from Rasputina. I wasn't really sure what to expect from this album having owned and listened to all of their other albums before being able to purchase this one. Having listened to it fully, I can honestly say that 'How We Quit the Forest' is a high-class, beautiful album full of wonderful songs that will make you laugh, possibly cry, dance and enjoy to the fullest.
If your a fan of 'Thanks for the Ether', Rasputina's first album, you will definitely love the softer and more flowing sounds of 'The New Zero', 'Rose K.', 'Signs of the Zodiac' and 'Herb Girls of Birkenau'.
If your a 'Cabin Fever!' fan, you will definitely love the rocking vibe that emanates from songs like 'The Olde Headboard', 'Leechwife', 'Trenchmouth' and 'Things I'm Gonna Do'. Of course Melora has included some joke songs, which are 'Dwarf Star', 'Diamond Mind' and 'Christian Soldiers'.
All of the other songs...which only amounts to 'You Don't Own Me', 'Mayfly', 'How We Quit the Forest' and 'Watch T.V.' are what I like to call pure forest. You couldn't really mix them in with any other album. They sound beautiful on their own and they fit perfectly with the feel of the album itself. They have a sort of haunted quality to them. I swear I get misty every time I hear 'Watch T.V.'. It is such a wonderfully written and played song.
On this album, Melora really explored the notion of cellos as being able to sound like a guitar in many songs. I think it really shows how the band has grown over these past few years. They continue to produce good quality music that I will always enjoy.
Here's a quick synopsis of the songs on this album.
The Olde Headboard-3 stars This song has great lyrics and a beat you can really dance to.
Leechwife-3 stars This song is the first of the 'hard-core' songs you'll find on this album. It has quirky lyrics and a great melody.
You Don't Own Me-3 1/2 stars Excellent cover of a great song.
The New Zero-4 stars This song has such a haunting melody. You can't help but fall in love with this song.
Rose K.-3 1/2 stars Such a sad song with a beautiful tune and sweet lyrics.
DwarfStar-2 1/2 stars This song makes me laugh every time I hear Melora say famous.
Signs of the Zodiac-4 stars Also a beautiful song. Another chilling melody with wonderful lyrics and an interesting topic.
Trenchmouth-4 1/2 stars I absolutely love this song. It makes me laugh and I love the lyrics. They have a sort of 'Plantation' feel to them.
Herb Girls of Birkenau-4 stars Another song that gets me teary. If you really listen to the lyrics and hear the music in your head, you can almost picture the scene. It's amazing.
Mayfly-3 stars Another silly song. It also gets me a giggling.
Christian Soldiers-2 stars The only reason I give this song 2 stars instead of three is because its so short. I think Melora really could have taken off with this song.
Things I'm Gonna Do-3 1/2 stars The lyrics alone give this song a point. They are quirky and beautiful all at the same time. And the rocking melody really makes you want to dance.
Diamond Mind-3 stars This song is a perfect insight into the mind of any woman. So enjoy.
How We Quit The Forest-4 stars Being the title song, it has a lot to live up to. But it fills the shoes of the role perfectly.
Watch T.V.-5 stars This is my favorite song on the whole album. It is soft and rocking, beautiful and quirky all at the same time. During the verses, it is a slow quiet song. But the bridge is loud and harsh while still keeping the lovely sound of the rest of the song. A perfect finish!
To sum up, this album is a perfect example of the variety of Rasputina's work and talent. A definite must for any fan or for anyone looking to become a fan.

You don't own me
I can't honestly say I am a big fan of Rasputina. Their music has always been an acquired taste. I only own "How We Quit the Forest" and "Lost & Found 2nd Edition" ep. I loved "Lost & Found" but I have never been too sure what to think of the trio's brand of chamber pop on "How We Quit the Forest" because sometimes I get the impression they play and sing off-key on purpose. The first couple of songs on the cd "The Olde Headboard" and "Leechwife" made me scratch my head. I didn't think that the guitars really had any place on those songs. Plus the girls' singing sounded off-key. Nevertheless I have heard much worse singing from the likes of Twitney Spears and Hilary Duff. Thankfully the cd gets much better after "Leechwife", beginning with "You Don't Own Me". My favorite song is "The New Zero". I thought the band sounded really tight musically on this song. It had a really nice melody. I also loved "Rose K.", another great song. I wasn't too sure about "Dwarfstar". "How We Quit the Forest" is one of those cds that have its ups and down through out the cd. Definitely not one of the most consistent cds I own but it is still a solid album. It sure beats listening to the garbage I hear on the radio nowadays.

Perfect for your collection.
Rasputina has done it again. This would be one cd you would not want your Raspy collection to be without. Their beautiful music is amazing on cd..imagen them live! They are 1,000 times better in person and really...what band can truely say that? Rasputina will always be in my heart. They are the most important musical influence in my life. A must have for any true fan! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Easily the best L&R record
I bought this when it was originally released and I still listen to it today. I realized what a great record this was when on several occasions, when I was listening to it at my job the time (I worked at a Radio Shack in Akron, Ohio) I had someone ask me who it was and they wrote it down because they wanted to go buy it. I found the lyrics on this album the most personal of any L&R record. Although they went on to more comercial success with their self titled "Love and Rockets" release, I think this album stands the test of time as their strongest.

Their Best!
While many claim that Seventh Dream Of Teenage Heaven is the best Love and Rockets album, Earth Sun and Moon is the REAL best recording by the band. This album took Love And Rockets a bit away from the meandering psychedelic-goth fest of their two previous albums and brought in a more pop, which made this work so exciting to listen to (and I HATE pop!). The acoustic guitars dominate, and the production brings them out to the forefront even stronger than on previous albums. The songwriting is additionally much better. No "New Tale To Tell" is a classic alternative guitar rock staple, while "Waiting For The Flood" is as great a ballad as "All In My Mind" from EXPRESS, but much more captivating. "Mirror People" and "Lazy" are riff-roaring guitar and bass workouts, while Daniel Ash's sax playing on many songs is beautifully imperfect and dirty. "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" is a solemn work backed with minimal instrumentation to wonderful effect. The remaining tracks are just as excellent in quality and songcraft. While the follow up to this album spawned the big hit "So Alive" and an equally satisfying self-titled album, Love And Rockets took many years to get this energy back into their music with LIFT, but by trading in the acoustic guitars for our modern age of techno-styled Alternative rock. Most interesting is that about the same time this album came out, the Bubblemen (who's artwork is scribbled all over the liner notes), a very strange alter-ego project, invaded.

One of Love and Rockets best
This is one of the band's best albums. While it contains the popular hit "No New Tale to Tell" (a staple of 120 Minutes early years), it also has the Beatlesque "Rain Bird", the light shuffle of "Lazy" (which brings to my mind the "Singin in the Rain" sequence of A Clockwork Orange for some strange reason), the experimental jazz of "The Telephone is Empty". "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" (easily the album's best number) is a catchy pop ballad which examines one's inner spiritual beliefs. "Here on Earth" covers a similar philosophical theme, but neither song preaches, allowing the listener to come to his/her own conclusions. "Mirror People" is a whirling little psychedelic pop dance number, reprised on the last track in a slow version. "waiting for the flood" has one of those catchy, sing along verses. The album flows seemlessly from moody Goth-pop, acoustic aural landscapes, to all-out rockers without sounding forced.

So-so
"Earth Sun Moon" could not help but be a little bit of a disappointment after a great album like "Express." Love and Rockets return to the more acoustic-dominated sound of the dark and magnificent "Seventh Dream Of Teenage Heaven" (my favorite L&R album) but with less satisfying results. "Mirror People" and "No New Tale To Tell" were the obvious - well, only - choices for singles. Along with these two, I liked "Waiting For The Flood," the somber "The Light" and the soothing title cut, but the rest seems uninspired and falls a little flat. "Earth Sun Moon" is not a terrible album by any means, but it is not an especially good one, either. Still, it was much better than the subsequent self-titled effort.

my favorite L&R album
I bought this album 11 years ago (on the strengths of "Mirror People" and "No New Tale to Tell") and still listen to it regularly; most of the other albums I bought back then are in boxes now.

The songs alternately feel spacy, glittery, sad, and hopeful, yet they all flow together in order. Beautiful!

Daniel Ash is the best (and cutest) guitarist ever.

(I agree with the headphones suggestion, but the first half of the album--"side one" in the olden days--makes great driving music, too.) ... Read more

Album Description

Following the successful "Nightingale" single series, the long awaited new full length album from Mephisto Walz has arrived! Fans of classic goth rock will not be dissapointed by this veteran band's latest undertaking. An adroit, hot, and aggressive melange of memorable songs that hook the listener into a world of melancholic ethereal guitars, voices, and rhythms. A bold release from one of the few remaining classic gothic-ethereal-punk rock bands. This collection will inspire nostalgia while touching the heart of fans who desire a more emotive and passionate quality to their music. This domestic edition comes presented in a luxorious digipak format with a different cover design than the European version published by Dark Dimensions. Featuring beautiful cover photography by Elisa Lazo. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As Greatest Hits--and particularly the busking pavement jazz of"Lovecats"--reminds us, the best Cure singles were very often tangentialexercises; they offered a goth-free playtime divergence from some of theweightier studiousness of those early albums. Or, as smudged frontman RobertSmith says of this 18-track collection, "Songs that are sung with a smile." Thiswasn't always true--witness the refrigerated fogginess of the classic "AForest," the Blair Witch Project of its day. What this compilation doesis focus attention on the Cure's perennial unpredictability--the breathlessclaustrophobia of "Close to Me," the New Order-lite of "The Walk," the brass- section embellished thrust of "Why Can't I Be You." Oddly, chart-wise, theCure's lost weekend began immediately after "Friday I'm in Love," their mostebullient melodic moment and the ultimate "clocking-off to kick those heels"anthem. But at least the inclusion of two new songs, "Cut Here" and "Just SayYes" (with Saffron from Republica), indicate that the Cure remain a healthy,ongoing concern.--Kevin Maidment ... Read more

Reviews (80)

Cure 101
This album shows the Cure marking time; it doesn't represent any kind of artistic advance whatsoever. Of course, it's a "Greatest Hits" as the title says, and the CD does offer an archive of the more radio-friendly Cure output from 1979 to 1996 (plus two new songs, one of which is good). I personally would have preferred that the band had released a box set by this time. A lot of the Cure's live performances are engaging: many of them are found so far on videos only, such as "Play Out" and "Cure in Orange." And some of the early b-sides are good too; e.g. "I'm Cold" and "A Man inside My Mouth" from the b-sides side of the now deleted cassette issue of "Standing on a Beach." But anyways, "Greatest Hits" does contain the band's best-known hits (or semi-hits, if you prefer), and if there is a Martian out there whose DNA tests positive for an inclination to new wave music, then "Greatest Hits" is obviously the best introduction. The album doesn't contain the darker, more gothic side of the band's output; these I think are best heard on 1985's "Head on the Door" and 1987's "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me," or on the earlier compilations "Standing on a Beach/Staring at the Sea" (1986) and "Galore" (1997).
As for the second disc, it's somewhat fascinating as the document of what seems to be this great band's decline. The acoustic tracks are not live, in the style of MTV's "Unplugged" series, but played on what sounds like cheap instruments in the barest of stripped-down versions. On the "Play Out" video again, there is a charming kazoo version of "The Walk," but none of that fun is evident here. The whole disc sounds like a blueprint for music rather than music itself. You can hear all the guitar notes so clearly that the disc wouln't be a bad instructional tutorial for someone learning to play guitar, I suppose. But the first disc is an adequate one-stop shop for Cure music. Despite this compilation's complete lack of artistic interest and indifferent organization, I can see myself listening to it more than once, but not much more after that.

If you want this pointless release get this 2 CD edition
I already reviewed the one CD version and I thought that version was and still pretty much think that it is just a marketing ploy to cash in on the fanbase during the Holidays. The Cure already put out two previous singles collections Galore being only about 4 years before this so called Greatest Hits collection. Some of these songs weren't even hits at all. Has anyone ever heard of Mint Car before? NO! And why did they leave off Pictures Of You?! That is one of the Cures most evocotive compositions to date. Maybe it was so to keep 1989s Disentegration in print. The title sure doesnt fit this release too well. I would consider this more of a sampler collection that is more suitable for the newbies.

On the flip side of this I wrote a review awhile back and said the Bonus CD was ok well I gave it another listen and what I have to say is that the bonus CD I find to be quite good. It's nice to hear some of their older songs played on different instruments. The only thing that kind of dogs down the Bonus CD is that each unplugged track begins with the same annoying repetitive stick hitting sound effects. But brushing that aside I would say that while this release is pointless for veteran fans the bonus CD is worthy of checking out. If this version is limited I would suggest that if you want this Greatest Hits set get the Bonus CD edition because if it's no longer available this Greatest Hits collection will be pretty much shelf fodder.

Reverse the discs and you'll like it a LOT more.
Yes, as posted here by many others, this is not a really strong representation of The Cure. It completely zaps a few important songs that WERE hits, like "Pictures of You" and "Hot Hot Hot," and hardly scratches the surface of the pre-MTV era Cure. If you need those songs, get "Staring At The Sea" and "Galore" as a twofer.

On the other hand, if you're a Cure buff, the bonus disc is a treat. All 18 songs from the "Hits" disc, played out acoustically and live in studio. The band sounds loose and chipper, obviously having a jolly good time with songs they've done to death. I'd have bought THAT as a single disc without any complaints! So just consider the live CD the main attraction and the studio "A" disc as the bonus. You'll like "Greatest Hits" a lot more that way.

Greatest Hits? Pfft....
This collection is abject piffle. No "10:15 on a Saturday Night"?

Relegate this one to your circular file.

Don't Get Me Wrong
Don't get me wrong, I love The Cure but this collection falls short. Since I am a fan I already had all but two of these songs from their original albums and the bonus acoustic disc isn't that great. Essentially this money goes to purchasing two songs: Cut Here (which I love) and Just Say Yes (which is a good Cure song too). It all comes down to how much you want to own the missing songs (if you're a fan) or if you're new to the Cure. If you're new this might be the place to start, but I'd still recommend getting the standard one disc version. ... Read more

Album Description

Limited edition release of their 2000 album with a bonus CD including 6 live tracks, 'Right Here In My Arms', 'YourSweet 666', 'Poison Girl', 'Death is in Love With Us','Wicked Game' and 'Join Me'. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

German special edition
if you want something special, this CD is it. with the exeption of missing "one last time" this special CD includes a different mix of "wicked game" & the song "your sweet 666" from the 1st H.I.M. cd (which is out of print apparently)if you're unsure about the quality of the Live CD that comes along with this, well it is immaculate. H.I.M. live is as good as you can get. it is 1 set that is uncut from a show they did a fiew years ago. the fiew extra dollars that this CD costs from the regular version is well worth it. & once H.I.M. (HER) comes to the U.S.A. im sure this CD will be a rare find.
If you like "Billy Idol" type music that goes more on the heavier side, im sure you'll fall in love with H.I.M.
I have not heard a song by this band yet, that wasnt anything but breathtaking.

THIS ROCKS EVEN THO I DON'T GOT IT YET
dudes or chicks i love all the CKy movies and got cky's new cd so i got like 50 bucks and i'm gonna buy HIM's new cd Razorblade Romance for like 27 bucks. then gonna but Cky3. But anyway you have to listin to them it's just sensactional. i heard some tracks like Posion Girl,Right Here in My Arms(fav), and razorblade kiss. so when i get it i'll put another review so hope you gtet it too.
Later! ROCK ON!

Pathetic
A truly pathetic CD. The only good song was "Right Here In My Arms". Of course, you might like all of it if you're a suicidal goth, but.. it's not for those who enjoy any part of life or who even tend to avoid stupid lyrics like, "My sweet 666!" and "Join me in death!" Come ON.

My new obsession!!!!
I took a chance on this CD after seeing the video for "Join me in death" I fell in love with this album instantly as well as Ville Valo who has a beautiful voice and is gorgeous himself! Not one bad song! I hate stupid conformity pop music that always sings stupid love songs, but these love songs are very different and actually have depth! You won't be disappointed, and I haven't disliked one thing that this amazing band has done.

Ville is the man!
This album gets listened to at least once a week in my car. I know you think I will play it out, but I've owned it for over a year now! I can count on my one hand how many albums get that much play.... lets see there's this one (Razorblade Romance) and then there's Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights (again by H.I.M.) and lastly............ Oh Yeah - Love Metal also by H.I.M. I have introduced a lot of people to their music and I have never had any negative feedback. Their music is amazing! ... Read more

Album Description

Import edition of their double CD live album recorded in London & originally released through Beggar's Banquet in 1999. Includes 18 tracks. Highlights include, 'She Sells Sanctuary', 'Fire Woman', 'Brother Wolf, Sister Moon', 'Love', 'Lil' Devil' & many more. 1993. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Real Rock, no hype!
This album is badd!! Anyone who is a cult fanatic or even a mild admirer of this influential rock, punk band will be interested. The best thing I found about this double disc set is that a large proportion of the set list includes pre-electric tunes. There is a large degree of Love songs on this set and what's even better is that you get to hear how these tracks have "mutated" and changed since the early 80's. There are parts where you can obviously tell that Ian's voice is going out, but hey, if you sing like this on a 200 date tour you're voice is going to sound a little ragged also! I also need to mention that on the cd sleeve, there is a statement that there were no overdubs or studio cleanups involved in the production of this album! What you hear is what was there! For anyone who questions the validity of soul, feeling and no hype attitude of the Cult, this 2 disc set will confirm all that these guys have been saying and doing all along, Rock is alive and the cult is proof! 101 ... Read more