Customer Reviews

Elyria

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Appropriately enough, this was the First F&TM I got to hear. The tribal chant of "Elyria" lets you know the album has both drama and savvy. The mythology and literary touches on this debut are a trademark of the now-married duo. Though their first album together, neither was new to the scene. William Faith is an alumnus of Christian Death and Mephisto Walz, while Monica got her chops in bands such as Madhouse and Strange Boutique.

Track two, "Sparks," is just a damn good song. Most F&TM reviews on this site mention the song at least once. A balanced, waltzy rocker with bells, wet guitar and vocals that show energy AND restraint. The third song ("All Lovers Lost") shifts the CD into a Celtic gear for awhile. The guitar instrumental "Interlude: Annabell" is worthy of Jose Feliciano.

The Celtic tracks are right out of a Renaissance fair. The coolest thing I've seen yet in a live show was when F&TM played in Denver, and not ten feet from me a guy in full Native American dress and facepaint strutted his stuff to "The Unquiet Grave," a bouncy Celtic lament.

William brings his A-game on the thunderous rock epic "The Trauma Coil." Here again, smart mixing; he's yelling but mixed lower so you can hear all the instruments. A trace of Rozz Williams pervades the song. "Mercyground" is a good cool-down from the intensity of the last few tracks. It's slower, and allows Monica to showcase her full vocal arsenal. Then comes "Heal," their first song as a team. A tasteful, pleasant ballad of voice and acoustic guitar. "Epilogue: Twilight" is a soothing close to a great album that led to 1996's great and mighty "Annwyn, Beneath The Waves."

Listen to the samples on this site just so you can say "Yeah, I'm a smart consumer." If you like goth/ethereal/rock/Celtic in any combination, you're gonna end up buying F&TM's catalog anyway.

Faith & the Muse must be one of the greatest bands ever to hit the gothic scene. The combination (Mr. Faith an ex-Christian Death, and Monica Richards coming from Strange Boutique) is explosive; indeed, the couple is now running its own music label. Although Faith & the Muse have produced three albums, 'Elyria' is definitely their masterpiece.

Elyria by Faith & The Muse is an absolutely beautiful addition in the gothic music scene today. While I still like Evidence of Heaven a wee bit more, that's not to say that this one is a second rate product at all. Gorgeous melodies, wonderful vocals, and a real understandment of the feeling of "renaissance" music make this a treasure of a CD. Personal favs include "Elyria", "The Unquiet Grave", the Shakespearean themed "Iago's Demise", and the various musical interludes between songs with vocals. If you like Faith, but don't have this CD, you are missing out!

Simply put, Elyria is an outstanding album. It draws from the best styles of the Gothic genre. For instance, "The Unquiet Grave" demonstrates a neo-celtic flare, while "Iago's Demise" has a modern call-and-response/chant sound. However, "Sparks" is reason enough to buy the album. It has a steady hard hitting power that just creeps up on you. Well, I'm not to sure this review has been very helpful, but if you enjoy the more hard edge goth sound then you'll appreciate this album.

I bought this cd for one song, Iago's Demise, and ended up liking the majority of them. Even my boyfriend likes it and he doesn't usually like female vocalists. I will be purchasing more of Faith and the Muse.

When i first heard the song "mercyground"..i love it immediately.The drums are so striking, the arrangements are so gorgeous, especially the last part..the background vocal matches the song exquisitely.

Led by William Faith of ex-Christian Death fame and with Monica Richards from Strange Boutique this band are one of the very innovative in genre.Don't miss this album!

I know the Cocteau Twins were way ahead of their time and they influenced many many bands. So, maybe I shouldn't feel insulted by Faith & the Muse. Isn't Imitation a form of flattery?

This band does not have anything original to contribute to this genre.