12 Tales [Limited Edition]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 12, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Instinct Records
• ASIN: B00005Y1TS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,424 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Hunter's Kiss

2. O! What a Dream It Was

3. Lick

4. Flute Song

5. Impossible Gardens

6. Slipping Away

7. Purr la Perla

8. Andera Sempre

9. Room of Sixteen Shimmers

10. Flying

11. You Could Walk Forever

12. The War of Silence

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 12 satisfying tales, November 19, 2003

By 

Clarissa "MoonGoddess" (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: 12 Tales (Audio CD)

If you're into ethereal and melodic Goth music and don't mind some shoegazer and very subtle glam rock thrown in the mix than why not take a chance and buy this? The price is affordably low so it's definitely worth checking out. I promise you won't be disappointed, and if you are, well, you don't have much to lose - only something to gain so look at it that way. Not every song's a gem but it's a well put together compilation and it's a great introduction to a lot of amazing groups, such as The Cranes (Alison's childlike voice fits right in here), the eclectic Bitstream Dream, Miranda Sex Garden, and many others that are far less known but just as talented in this underground arena of stars. "The Hunter's Kiss" by Rasputina is a fantastic song but the production is so gritty I can hardly stand the torture of it. Not every track is like that though which leads me to believe it was their intention for the instruments to sound raw that way instead of polished (?). "O! What A Dream It Was" by Future Bible Heroes is probably the biggest highlight for me and I'm absolutely enthralled with the deep, enchanting male vocalist. The dark, hypnotic "Slipping Away" by The Creatures, the trip-hop blues of "Purr La Perla" by Violet Indiana, the harmonious guitar and drum swirling of the alternative "Flying" by Livid Kittens, and "You Could Walk Forever" by Devics, which is a sad yet gorgeous tune with an underlie of pop sensibility are other personal favorites that I otherwise would have never heard before if it hadn't been for this purchase. What truly makes the merit of this album laudable, however, is how every track includes illustrations by the often-quirky Amy Brown with short tales written by Melora Creager to accompany each picture. I therefore recommend this to fans of faerie lore as well.

[Cover art: Cloak Of Stars by Amy Brown]

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing Compilation, January 10, 2006

By 

K. Franklin "aeternal" (Yonkers, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 12 Tales (Audio CD)

For fans of the spell-like quality of medieval rock and shoegazing/dreampop, 12 Tales is a rare little must-own. It's probably my favorite compilation CD ever made. It initially attracted me by the cover art (I'm a huge Amy Brown fan) and then pulled me in by the track list--Rasputina, Cranes, Violet Indiana, and Miranda Sex Garden all on the same album? Sweet! I was immediately made a fan of the lesser-known artists on 12 Tales, such as The Flir, Bitstream Dream, Future Bible Heroes, and Livid Kittens. A booklet insert is a neat little feature, as mini-story and a piece of Amy Brown's fairy art accompany every track listing.

Don't except anything too heavy here--rather, the CD consists of 12 atmospheric tunes that will take you straight to Dreamland. Highlights are the Crane's "Flute Song," which has melodic aching quality set to a soft baseline; Bitstream Dream's "Impossible Gardens," which carries trace-like vocals set to a mid-eastern vibe; Violet Indiana's "Purr la Perla," which has this faraway, wistful texture; and David Sylvian's "Room of Sixteen Shimmers," a darkwave, fantasy gem.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid deal for tunes this good, June 22, 2002

By 

Scott Sweet "Music Freak" (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: 12 Tales (Audio CD)

At this price, "12 Tales" eases the risk of giving lesser-known bands a listen. Amy Brown's art should please any faerie fan. The songs are mostly sung by women and share a 2 a.m. melancholy. If you like "The Unquiet Grave" sampler series, grab this CD now.

Rasputina's "Hunter's Kiss" is a good opener, and dance clubs should run this in place of the band's beaten-to-death "Transylvanian Concubine." The Flir's "Lick" is a nice blend of Cocteau Twins and a shoegazer beat.

Standouts:
Cranes - "Flute Song": Gorgeous; sounds like a serial-killer slow-dance.
The Creatures - "Slipping Away": Siouxsie and Budgie continue to flirt with a Beatles style.
Violet Indiana - "Purr La Perla": Desolate and dreamy; perfect for a David Lynch movie.
Miranda Sex Garden - "Ardera Sempre": An oldie but goodie. Katharine Blake is one of the great goth sirens.
Livid Kittens - "Flying": similar to "Purr La Perla." A slow, sultry ballad.

The last four songs aren't as memorable, but none of them are awful. This CD is a good value, and like any decent collection, it sparks your interest in the bands' own stuff.