Customer Reviews

Ashes in Brittle Air

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album contains great ambiance with keeping to beautiful and simplistic harmonies. Black Tape for a blue girl never ceases to amaze me.

I've never been a great fan of Black Tape, nor 'ambient' music in general (though I have corresponded with Sam Rosenthal, the band leader, who albeit famous is a very down to earth person).
However, I consider this CD a fine piece of art. One of Black Tape's most acclaimed interpreters (Sue Kenny Smith) plays here, and you wouldn't want to miss her sweet voice and guitar arrangements. Or what to say about Oscar Herrera (just listen once to his 'Across a Thousand Blades' and you will be appalled by the superb quality and intensity of this song. This is serious rock music.

Sorry, this CD is very far from truly being Goth (and I've been listening to Goth for a very long time). There is too much Lite FM sounding folk on it and other light moments. Sue Kenny is terrible and if she had continued on with BTFABG, they would have become one of the most horrible bands of all time (and definitely not considered Goth). Now don't get me wrong, I don't think it's bad because it's not Goth...I love many styles that are not Goth. I just don't like it because it basically isn't very good. "Across A Thousand Blades" (just about the only Goth track on here) is good, but even that track isn't as good as the updated version of the song they released as a single years later. Do yourself a favor, pick up "This Lush Garden Within", "Remnants Of A Deeper Purity" or "The First Pain To Linger" instead. Far superior releases.