Customer Reviews

Breedless

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before starting the review, I will make a full disclosure that I am a big fan of Ego Likeness and have been anticipating this album for a long time, since May of last year actually when they mentioned a new album was coming out within the year. So I may be a bit biased. That said, I also tell it like it is, and if I don't like a favorite of mine's music, I'll say so, because not everything will be good. As a fan of Ego, there are songs from Dragonfly, Order of the Reptile and Water to the Dead that I don't care for. Not many, but a few.

All that being said, I received Breedless, the new Ego Likeness album in the mail awhile back. I opened it with a bit of trepidation, as I wondered if it could possibly live up to the hype and to Steven's belief that it was their best work to date. That always makes me a bit nervous because I have heard bands say that, when it turned out that wasn't the case. My fears were put to rest almost immediately.

The opening measures of Sirens and Satellites is a call to arms right off the bat. It pulls you in and you can hear the passion, the rhythm of the music. Not only does it rock you, it has a very danceable feel to it as well. The best song on the album, in my opinion. From there, the band proceeds with anthems like Breedless, the title track, and the Lowest Place on Earth, to the sorrowful Song for Samael and the epic closer Thiry-Year War which features Donna's vocals at their finest.

Steven's programming and guitars have taken another turn for the better. Both are more focused, a tighter feeling. Inferno, a frenetic song is one of the most intense and in your face songs that the band has done. Séance and South are good blends of previous works with the new found intensity.

The music on this disc is more dark than most of their previous work. All their work has always been intense and somewhat dark, but this time around you can feel even more anger and sadness at the way the world is and the demons that haunt us.

I would be remiss to leave out the mixing work of Dan Clark, who did an excellent job with Everything is Poison in particular and for helping make the songs work even better.

In closing, I would have to say that this album is the culmination of all of Donna Lynch's and Steven Archer's work in Ego Likeness. Clocking in at 55 minutes, this CD takes you on a wild ride through the imaginations of Ego Likeness which will leave you exhausted yet wanting even more. If you are a fan of dark wave or dark electronic rock, you need to get this. Even if you just like rock, you should definitely give this a listen.

Grade: A

This is the best Ego Likeness album to date in my IMHO. Even though I haven't listened to it for a week, many of the songs are still bouncing around in my head and haunting me in my sleep. It really is just that good. Now if they could just perform as well on stage as they can mix in the studio... OK that's really not fair you can't get good acoustics in most clubs. Well worth the purchase price, I highly recommend this if you find any of their music to your liking (or even if your looking for something new) You can't go wrong with this one.

This is the first album that I have purchased by Ego Likeness and I have to say that I am now a fan for life!

The music is solid, the lyrics creative, insightful, and chilling all at once. The blend of the two put together made for something really magical for this album. The story of Lilth coming through in the music is another thing that makes this album so enjoyable because now listeners get to know a little bit more about the history of Lilth (if they didn't already know).

Perhaps I did enjoy this album more so because I have been going through a rough patch at the moment and I needed to hear some new music as a way to de-stress, but the art of this record stands on its own! Music is supposed to be created to make the listener feel a connection. People want to identify with good lyrics and musical expression. These songs don't disappoint.

I highly recommend that fans of electronica check this out. (Also, if you have a gothic streak, like me, then this will most assuredly be identifiable).

Breedless is an intelligent, well put together record that is solid from the first song to the last. VERY well done!!

I usually listen to most goth/dance bands for a few listens and then move on. Started listening to this while waiting on Lady Gaga's new cd to come out. Well, now that its out, I'm still listening to this. This might be the best thing I've heard in the past year other than the Kills' new release. Its not perfect, but they won't let me rate 4 1/2 stars. Still, its a really solid CD from start to finish. If you like dance/club and/or goth, give this a try.

brillient vocals ,lyrics and background music truly unjustly not supported by the music industry.i enjoy hours and hours of ego likeness. cant get enough of them.pity the radio and dj,s arnt more supported and give them the exposure they deserve

I am new to Ego Likeness. I recently picked up their new album Breedless on a whim. I have been meaning to check out their music but never got around to it. I am glad that I bought Breedless. I have been listening to it non-stop at home and work. The music certainly has an element of trip hop here and there like on the title track however they are subtle. Most, if not all of the album has more of a industrial/rock edge. There were moments during the album when I felt like I was listening to early Diva Destruction courtesy of Donna Lynch's seductive vocals. The lyrics are meaningful and often thought-provoking like on "Song for Samael". There is one line in that song that sends chills down my spine. As far as songs that stood out for me on the album, it is so difficult for me to pick a favorite. Every song has memorable pop hooks and Donna's polished vocals were excellent. I definitely think Breedless is one of the best releases of 2010. I could find no wrong with it. Ego Likeness definitely gained a new fan in me.

You will read a lot of reviews of "Breedless" stating that it's not only an excellent album, but also the most "dark" work by Ego Likeness to date. It's dark in that the melodies are haunting and eerie, and also because the lyrics are peppered with Biblical references- and social/political references- that question what is good and what is evil, and ultimately, if the human race in its current state is worthy of salvation. Unlike many so called "gothic" bands, Ego Likeness seems to create their songs from their own fears, concerns, and visions of how they view the world around them. They do not simply combine loud noises with silly, trite lyrics about good and evil and call it "goth." Rather, they write from the heart; sharing their fears and what disturbs them most- something that not all people are willing to do. The centerpiece of "Breedless" is "Song for Samael," a work that is at once beautiful, sad, and frightening at the same time. Donna's voice is beautiful as she petitions Samael to take care of what has become of humanity. Samael is an angel who is seen as both good and evil- is Donna asking him to save or destroy the world? By the end of the CD, you'll be thinking the latter. Dark stuff indeed... But as she goes on to say in the song "The Lowest Place on Earth," "I hear you begging it's best if I come up for air/ This well is dry I guess you were unaware/ You could join me in my world below and come what may/ But then again, I'd reconsider/ You wouldn't like what's down here anyway."
Disturbing as they may sometimes be, the lyrics are easy to empathize with; given the state of the world we currently live in. The music itself is fantastic; it will have you dancing and moving- though sometimes you'll stop and think "what did she just say!?" Sometimes it's cathartic to take a walk through the dark; or in the case of "Breedless," to stomp, dance, crawl, and ultimately run through it. The overall sound of the CD is very accessible and listenable; it does not get lost in overly produced feedback and noise that other bands pass off as music. The superbly enjoyable music and Donna's amazing voice make the darkness of the lyrics easier to swallow. A terrific and thought provoking work of art that will have you going back to listen over and over again.

Once Sad, Dark, Wistful and Playful. I love the brooding sadness of Song for Samuel and the smooth beat of South.

This is Ego Likeness's fourth release and their best to date. The title track is both haunting and damning and you can use those words for most of the rest of the album. This music is their most accessible to date and the melodies are beautiful, if dark. The instrumentation is excellent as well. As far as individual songs go, there isn't one on this recording I don't like. The lyrics are excellent and the singing beautiful and emotive. I don't know if I'd call this music trip-hop, it seems to me to fall into the "rocktronica" category. If you've never heard Ego Likeness before, this is a great place to start and if you are familiar with them you are in for a real treat.

Just received this cd in the mail today. And with months of anticipation of hearing these new songs Ego Likeness does not disappoint. With addictive beats and addictive lyrics any dark music fan will not be disappointed. I am so addicted to the lyrics of Sirens and Satellites. Simply brilliant song writing. So go ahead let your mind be filled with these incredible songs but just remember, The Devils In The Chemicals!