Customer Reviews

Burning Season

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Burning Season" is the fourth and best studio album from one of the trailbreakers in goth. The lyrics are exquisite, and the additional programming and treatments by Chad Blinman take the band to a new level never reached before. Every track takes the band to a new level of grandeur that succeeds beautifully, making Faith and the Muse goth royalty forever. As well, Monica Richard goes all out with her voice and reaches new notes I've never heard before, especially in "Visions". Talk about getting the tingles every time I hear it! She's dreamy in "Boudiccea" and "In the Amber Room", intimate in "The Burning Season", jazzy in "Gone to Ground" and she rocks out in "Sredni Vashtar" and the "Relic Song." Of any project Faith and the Muse have ever done, "The Burning Season" is Monica's finest and clearest vocal performance yet. The same goes for William Faith. He's left the spoken word poetry behind and comes through with one of Faith and the Muse's most incredible songs ever: "Failure to Thrive." Hypnotic and disarming, it'll haunt you for years after you hear it. Get ready for "The Burning Season"--Faith and the Muse's most fully realized album yet!

I hope everyone who reads this checks it out --especially anyone who misses Siousxie and the Banshees. "The Burning Season" is magnificent. By the way, if you haven't heard Faith and the Muse's remake of "Running up that Hill" off their "Vera Causa", you have not lived!

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Where to begin?

Since 1994, William Faith and Monica Richards have created romantic myth-rock with flashes of their shared punk roots. Their only real stylistic contemporaries are Eric and Lisa Hammer (Mors Syphilitica).

After the consistent elements among the first three albums (and one retrospective, "Vera Causa"), "The Burning Season" is a sharp slap up the side of the head. All the usual emotion and drama are present, but with a fiercely updated atmosphere. Ain't no "Sea Angler," ain't no "Reine La Belle." The beats are faster, the vocal tactics are more varied, and there's an honest-to-God guitar solo!

The intro "Bait & Switch" is a warning shot of deathrock across the bow. Then POW!-"Sredni Vashtar" has an even faster beat and relentless rhythm. Seven years ago, Monica sang "Come to life my second skin / Come protect the madness locked within."
Well, now: "Time to drop the seventh veil and let some madness wander in."

The trappings of Renaissance and Celtic music I've come to expect are stripped away, even on songs of historical legend like "Boudiccea." Much of the instrumentation and song structure runs 1980s-present. A notable exception is the funeral-jazz "Gone to Ground." A controlled weariness creeps into Monica's vocals here, and it works.

The title track has a very cinematic feel, with Creatures-style drum programming. Overall, this CD has less low-end thunder and music layering than the previous releases. It sounds like the greenery has been burned away. Still, it isn't a TOTAL departure; Monica's vocals on "Boudiccea," "Whispered In Your Ear," and "Visions" are in that gentle, comfortable mid-range she and the late Kirsty Maccoll own. William's acoustic guitar is as soothing and intricate as his electric guitar is energetic. Speaking of which, the old-school punk declaration "Relic Song" features the aforementioned solo, with a hilarious sample of a cheering stadium crowd. It's gallows humor (exhibit A: page 2 of the lyrics, bottom right corner), and it works for me.

"In The Amber Room" is a seductive ethereal piece, with NIN-esque electronics and soprano vocals that harken to Liz Fraser (Cocteau Twins). William puts a twist on the wrath he brought to "Trauma Coil" with "Failure To Thrive." He doesn't yell this time, but the anger and admonition are clear: "A torch to the error and a cold hard look in the eye." The truth-seeker Diogenes would like this tune.

No, this CD isn't a retread of the first three. Faith and The Muse are artists; it's not SUPPOSED to be. They don't sound tired - they just sound tired of the petty aspects of this big, cyclical journey we endure. ("This is not a darker age / Just the turning of the wheel.")

As for the gentle closer "Willow's Song:" this may be the ultimate Third Date Song. Monica wore bells on her ankles while recording this one. After about two minutes, ankle bells may be the ONLY thing you're wearing. Trust me.

As an appreciator of F&TM, I find their latest release an unexpected and welcome departure from their "usual" musical stylings. Monica Richards and William Faith are the ultimate artists; not only musically but visually as well. The music on
this release couldn't be more exquisite and the visual is just as equal and fitting to the music. The album is an eclectic mix of music that validates that the talent of these two has evolved. As true artisans, they know not one limitation and are driven by their own instincts and talent. They prove over and over again that they are in control without interference; they choose to be true to themselves. I have no doubt that this new album will stir up controversy amongst the die hard F&TM appreciators. I believe that is exactly what Monica Richards and William Faith thrive on! The Burning Season is not to be missed!

Wonderful new album! This one starts off with more of an edge. A high energy album that shows off more of William Faith's talents. Monica Richards' vocals take on a harder edge, and the groups musical versitility shines through yet again. ("Compare Sredni Vashtar" and "In the Amber Room") This album steps away from their familiar Medaeval and Early music themes for a bit and jumps full force into the 21st century's Techno/industrial world.
Definately another triumph showing the groups talent as musicians.

So. Story of this one.

Amazon actually recommended that I buy this album. So I did.

WOW. Can I say, this album is nothing short of amazing. Most of it. Some of the songs are a bit strange and not my type of music, but otherwise, this album really caught my attention.

I never really paid any attention to the amazon reccommendations, but I did on this one. It sounded interesting, and I'm so glad that I followed up on it.

The album itself envelopes many different genres. It really shows how versatile they are as a band. They seriously can do ANYTHING. The different genres embraced in this album go from heavy industrial sounds to general folk kind of music, to ambient sounds and voices, almost like Enya.

This alone, gives the album 5 stars, showing how versatile they are and that they can do all these different genres WELL. Not just cheap rip off copying stuff, it's THEM, they are adding their own spice to these genres, but it's all different and they do it well.

I am definitely looking into some of the other albums. I want them all if they are like this, though I see that they aren't, so I'll have to just stick with what people here say is good.

I've been exposing myself to a lot of Goth and Industrial music lately but this stands out among my growing collection for in terms of everything (music, lyrics, vocal performances) it's such an incredibly brilliant album that's layered with a crossbreed of many diverse styles and I just can't get enough of it! Aside from `The Burning Season', `Vera Causa' is the only other CD I own by Faith and the Muse but they're both extremely different. `Vera Causa' is far more subtle while this, their latest effort, simply rocks! Monica's whispery, temptress-like vocals can still be found crooning on slow, dreamy numbers such as "In The Amber Room" and "The Burning Season" but the highlights for me include the faster tempos; many of which give off a post punk vibe that mix in well with the dark swirling melodies. However, whether the playing be harsh or soft all the instrumentations are hypnotic and filled with a distinct surge of energy. William Faith even sings on "Failure To Thrive" which is enriched with darkwave rhythms. My absolute favorite tracks, though, have got to be the light spirited "Visions" where a slight dance beat is present and their amazing cover of "Willow's Song", originally sung by Brit Eckland from the British horror classic "The Wicker Man".

All Faith and the Muse need to do now is play a concert in Southern California somewhere because I'd love to see them live!

Great album and possibly their best. Anyone noticed the song "Willow song"? Is this a cover of Sneaker Pimps "How do"?

Very accessible, your friends will love it too. I bought it over three years ago and still enjoy it. I don't know why it did not do better commercially, I am sure they are asking the same question. I only say that because I have never heard it on the radio or in films etc. "Burning Season" is smooth, polished and every song (almost) is listenable-it is one of those rare CD's that you can play with out skipping too many songs. I am sooo waiting for a new album. Hey, it has been over five years-maybe it is time. It also is very original- I don't find my self saying:" They are trying to sound like "dead can dance", or "The Cocteau Twins" or he is trying to sound like "Joy Division." Peace and Joy-Hapton

This recording by FAITH AND THE MUSE is by far the most coherent. Not enough to say that it is their best, since I still believe ANWYYN BENEATH THE WAVES is their best rendition to date. Certainly it is more than worth listening to. It catches and surprises. You may be hooked with the power that springs from the initial tracks and then be transported literally to "The Amber Room", maybe only a step away from heaven. The guitar work is excellent, not to mention the interplay between the voice and the walls of sound. Enjoy it.

Faith And The Muse never fails to surprise me with a new image of their vision. I do not know which is better, Monica's voice or her lyrics. And you can not leave William Faith(Christian Death,Live-Shadow Project) out when he creates the beautiful sounds. I hope this band never ends. Check out all of Faith And The Muse's work, especially "Evidence Of Heaven".