Customer Reviews

Fear & Bullets

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

 

 

I heard some of the songs from the original version of this CD that was released with the limited edition hardcover of THE CROW graphic novel. After purchasing Trust Obey's last album and anticipating the re-release of "Fear & Bullets" for almost 2 years, I have to say that this album is a breath of fresh air in comparison to the last album.

"Hands of Ash" was a good album that I think probably suffered because of John Bergin's evac from Nothing Records (can you imagine that Nothing didn't know what to do with his material?). All of the songs sounded alike, ten minute long mostly instrumental hardcore anthems that is more likely to crush the bones and incite riots. Now we have the follow-up, the remix/re-recording of "Fear & Bullets." There are some new tracks here, and some reworkings of old tracks. In relation to the previous album, this has more shorter songs that do not lack in agression, but somehow carry more emotion.

"Lead Poisoning," "Seven Blackbirds," "The Tides of Sin," "Fear and Bullets," and "The Blessing of the Pig" are the longer tracks, which mirrors "Hands of Ash"'s formula, but for some reason, these songs are more appealing and easier to listen to. "C17H19NO3" (a piece that apparently scores a gunfight scene in the comic), is appropriately fastpaced, loud, with distorted vocals (sung in an almost punk style screaming). It immediately grabs you and throws you over the edge of a monolithic tower of guitar-driven pain. The same can be said for "True Love Always," which apparently inspired segments of the end gunfight and carchase in the comic. "Sleeping Angel (The Dreaming)" is my favorite track for more reasons than one: a) It is the most different, carrying a goth bassline with ambient synthesizers and a sad yet heart-warming melody sung by Paved in Skin's (another John Bergin-related band) Patrick McBride. (this song is the "It Can't Rain All the Time" for this album); b) the original version of this song was much grungier, carried by guitars more reminiscent of Jesus & Mary Chain. "A Murder of Crows" is also a deviant from the typical Trust Obey hardcore formula. With a dirge-like beat, sinister whispered vocals (which end up making the song sound like Marilyn Manson...in a good way, if that can be said), this is a rather scary song. Finally, the two instrumentals, "The Crow," and "Now, Forever." I'm not sure as to whether or not these were newly written, but if they were it would certainly explain their remarkable similarity to Graeme Revell's score music for the films. They are very dark, ambient, and even frightening, but they carry the atmosphere of the Crow with great emotion and power.

The less formulaic approach on this album and the reworkings of the old songs (unfortunately, all copies of the original limited edition version of this album are no longer available, not even from John Bergin himself), make this a step above "Hands of Ash." There are still some moments of boredom in the grinding guitars and repetitive vocals that sound like Bergin swallowed a tanker of broken glass. The lyrics are not much better, considering they made better poems than song lyrics (most were written by James O'Barr, taken directly out of the pages of the comic, while others were written by Bergin...which is not saying much when taking into account the sloppy lyrics of the previous album). However, as a soundtrack to a comic book (an unorthodox medium in itself), it is exceptional. The songs carry a very visual atmosphere, making the listener actually SEE the sequences in the pages of THE CROW. There are times when I feel this should've been the soundtrack to the first film (not that the soundtracks to the films are not great...they are!!!), but overall I would give this album five stars for its improvement on John Bergin's style, its innovative concept, and for just being a damn good album!

I am a big fan of "The Crow" movies and soundtracks. When I saw this CD, I purchased it mainly for the novelty of it. To be honest, this CD took some time for me to warm up to. It does not have the mainstream bands/titles on it that have gotten radio time like on the soundtrack of "The Crow" and "The Crow - Salvation" I'd say this CD comes somewhere between the original "Crow" CD and the instrumental "Crow" soundtrack by Graeme Revell. "Fear and Bullets" has good vocals and good instrumental tracks. Now that I've warmed up to the CD, it's probably one of my personal favorites in my collection. If you enjoyed the dark tones in the other crow soundtrack CDs, you will like this album.

No words could explain how I felt the first time I put this cd into my cd player and pushed play. You know that feeling you get when you at peace, that like chill of calm that runs over your body <- That is what I felt.

It took me a little while to get into this album, but I've been a fan of the Crow since before the movie, so I figured that I would give it a shot. As I said, it took me a little while to get into the groove, because this album was pretty different from just about everything that I normally listen to. Reminds me a little of Joy Division, which I can dig, because they were one of Barr's influences. Anyway, it's a really good album, even if it isn't one that I will find myself listening to a lot.

Ever since I picked up a copy of the, then as yet to be release Crow movie soundtrack, and then a copy of the graphic novel, I've considered O'Barr's work a modern masterpiece for the ages. Nevermind all the trashy sequels designed to capitolize on the original soulfulness of the original. Fear and Bullets is a dark opus that takes you to another world, while some of it may be a little too metal/industrial sounding for some, it is none the less the perfect accompaniment to the graphic novel.

back in '94 i found the promo of this album. limited to 1500 copies. i'm both surprised and pleased to discover that it's been released and others can enjoy it.

I have been waiting 5 years to get my hands on this, and it came in the mail today. Driving home in a storm, stereo cranked, this is worth the wait. I know this isn't the original release, and that there are alot of changes, not having heard the first release(poor college kids can't afford the price they wanted for the limited edition), I don't know what I missed. If your a fan of the Crow, and of hard pushing, turn the stereo up and blow your eardrums out music, then this is the CD for you. I'm not going to list favorite tracks, cause everyones tastes are different, so buy the CD, listen, and pick your own.