Customer Reviews

In Love We Trust

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You can pretty much anticipate the release of a new Xymox album like the changing of the seasons. Here I was just thinking that it was about time for a new Xymox album to come out and behold... here it is! Yet another traditional purchase made on blind faith and as always the Clan does not disappoint. Ronny's passionate droning vocals and electro-goth synth keeping the alternative movement going in the 21st century without sounding archaic or dated nor should we come to expect anything less from the brilliant Clan from Amsterdam, with elegant cover art provided courtesy of the ever talented Mojca.

In Love We Trust begins with the obsession of "Emily" and is evocative of Xymox's elemental ecstasy and the Emily single EP makes an excellent companion piece with brilliant remixes (Emily, my Emily, my Emily...) and continues with the hymns of "Hail Mary," the deception of "Desdemona" and the betrayal of "Judas." You can hear Ronny's bitter sorrow on "In Love We Trust" to the downbeat yearnings of "Sea of Doubt" and the melancholy of "Morning Glow" will leave you longing for more. The ballad-like "Home Sweet Home" follows about a disembodied soul transitioning to the elegiacal melody of "Love Got Lost" and concludes with "On A Mission" which was released previously on the Heroes EP and is slightly altered and improved here. There's really no need for comparisons to their previous works because each consecutive release in their repertoire is just consistently good especially coming off their last album, 2006's brilliant Breaking Point, but "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

The Clan keep forging ahead making the music they want to make and we just keep loving them for it. Past and present collide with a resplendent timelessness and It's hard to believe this band has kept going for 25 years and they never get old with a longevity and sustenance that consecrates their music like fine aged wine. In Love We Trust should more than satisfy your wanton Xymox thirst until their next imminent release. In the meantime, pour yourself a glass, put your playlist on REPEAT and enjoy.

About the Band:

Founded in the Netherlands 1983, the band is considered something of a staple in the gothic / darkwave music community. The band has since moved to Leipzig, Germany (home of the annual international Wave Gotik Treffen darkwave festival) and has done a remarkable job staying on top of the darkwave sound. While Xymox's sound has evolved since the 1980s, they are still true enough to their roots that many fans of their older material love or enjoy their new releases as well. Though there have been some changes in the bands line-up since the 1980s, front-man, vocalist, and guitarist Ronny Moorings has remained with the band through its history.

About the Album:

First, I bought this album based on the amazon.com samples. One day I was debating purchasing a few select Xymox mp3s and decided to try out this album. I ended up liking all the samples and figured I'd just buy the entire package. I debate if I like In Love We Trust more than their 1999 release Creatures. One could argue that I enjoy their more modern sound, but I too like and also recommend Medusa. Like Creatures, In Love We Trust is upbeat and positive, whereas Medusa was more sober in pace and quality.

Though the overall album is upbeat, the album is still a classic darkwave album, meaning the music has a darker, regretful, and introspective quality. The liner notes include easy-to-read English lyrics for all 10 songs, though the order of the notes is different than the order of the tracks.

If you do not plan to purchase the album, but consider yourself a fan of older gothic rock or darkwave, I absolutely love the following three tracks. "Emily" reminds me of earlier guitar heavy Sisters of Mercy songs (think First and Last and Always era). The upbeat track "In Love We Trust" is similar to other Xymox's own material. Finally, "Love Got Lost" has an 80s new wave sound (keys heavy, think Gary Numan or Thomas Dolby) that I would use as a gateway to Clan of Xymox and darkwave in general for people new to the genre. "Love Got Lost" is energetic, fun, and will appeal to fans of the newer future pop genre (think VNV Nation). Though it did not make my list of recommended tracks, the closing track "On A Mission" is another strong example of future pop's influence on the Clan. It too sounds more like VNV, Assemblage 23, Angels and Agony or a host of other future pop bands.

Recommended Tracks:

- Emily

- Love Got Lost

- In Love We Trust

Similar Artists:

- Sisters of Mercy

- The Cure

- Diary of Dreams

- VNV Nation

- Tear Garden / Edward Ka-Spel

Overall there are some tracks that I loved and others that were OK. That said, I think I'm picky and that other darkwave / future pop fans will really enjoy this album. There is no doubt that all of the tracks, when mixed into my iTunes rotation are fun to listen to.

In Love We Trust seems to owe more to Medusa than Creatures in my opinion, especially the slower songs. This is Ronny's least club friendly album in years which is why its a nice change of pace. Of course, there is no way to truly revive the 4AD sound of the band but this album pays homage to the early years with songs like In Love We Trust, Judas, and Love Got Lost. Not as good as Breaking Point (one of my favorite COX albums), but better than Notes From The Underground. In Love We Trust is a true electro-goth album. Retro and modern all at the same time. If you liked the dark atmosphere of Medusa, but also the new synthy qualities to Farewell and Breaking Point, then you are bound to find something here to enjoy. However, you will find familiar themes and sounds because Ronny is obviously not trying to re-invent the wheel. This one is for the fans.

'If your a long time fan like me, you should at least give this a listen and make up your own mind. My first impression of the CD was that of boredom. It kind of reminds me of the softer and dare I say it, whiny side of the band. I like the darker, more indifferent side like Creatures. I was really looking forward to this and bought it new. I wish I had waited awhile for a bargain buy. All in all it may grow on me, but for now it seems like a mediocre effort from Xymox.

Ronny Mooring's vocals are better than ever...and not lost to far in the dramatic guitar/synth driven songs. This is far better than Breaking Point, although Breaking Point was good too. In Love We Trust is just a deeper, more emotional album, and easier to access.

1 Emily-- nothing really new here...but it's a darkly pleasing peice as only the Clan can deliver

2] Hail Mary-- a toss back to the first Clan cd all those years ago

3] Desdemona-- is a even closer toss back to the old days

4] Judas-- a lovely slice of modern Dark Wave

5] In Love We Trust-- catchy, a little funky with really good deep vocals

6] Sea Of Doubt-- this cd's "Consolation" like track....Ronny's vocals are amazing

7] Morning Glow-- possibly the most stirring song on the cd, and possibly one of the best tracks ever by the Clan. With eerie piano and sorrowful lyrics, it seems like a song about the morning dawn...but it's really about going into the light...and dying

8]Home Sweet Home-- my least favorite track, but i like it, veers close to Siouxsie And The Banshees in thier "Killing Jar" phase

9] Love Got Lost-- the closest to EBM the Clan get on this CD...reminds me a little of thier Phoenix days

10] On A Mission -- dark Gothic Techno!

I honestly feel this cd will rank in my to 30 all time favorites

One of the Clan's best in my opionion. The lyrics draw forward many images and feelings. The wall of sound that is the music pulls you in with it's mood setting keys,driving bass lines and eligantily placed guitar progressions. It's not one of those "I only like two songs" albums. The whole thing is great.

my all time favorite is subsequent pleasures! but this one is real nice so far! clan of xymox are gifted individuals. A+

Electro-goth fans rejoice, the dark wall of sound is back, with plenty of catchy synth-laden mood and atmosphere. Recommended.

It has been awhile since I have listened to Clan of Xymox. The last time I bought their music was when FAREWELL came out so it has been awhile. I decided to check out their latest album IN LOVE WE TRUST on a whim. I had heard samples of the album and really liked what I heard. I immediately fell in love with IN LOVE WE TRUST. I had almost forgotten how much I have always enjoyed their brand of brooding, electro goth music. After two decades plus some years together, Clan of Xymox still puts out good, quality music. Singer Ronny Moorings sounds as good as ever after all these years. Listening to Ronny sing after a 3-4 hiatus is like putting on an old sweatshirt that hasn't been worn in years. I was quickly reminded why I liked Clan of Xymox. I really enjoyed songs like "Emily" and "Home Sweet Home". The melodies really stood out for me in this case. Another great song is "Morning Glow". I really liked the atmospheric sounds to the song. I can imagine the song being used for a vampire themed film. I liked all of the songs in general although I think songs like "Sea of Doubt" could have been better. I didn't feel that particular song was melodic enough. Overall IN LOVE WE TRUST is a solid Clan of Xymox album. It is always nice to hear from the band every few years.

I first caught on to the Clan with the "Creatures" album, considered by many, including me, to be their best work. Unfortunately, their subsequent releases "Notes from the underground" and "Farewell", just didn't do it for me. Then along came 2007's "Breaking Point", a much-improved effort, with strong songwriting and those sorely missed goth-meets-pop qualities I love about CoX - and minus their penchant for club-friendly songs that belong in the clubs and not on my home stereo. But this new one is a real step above even that excellent album, adding back a very 80's synthesizer approach to the mix, not unlike the direction Depeche Mode took on their new album. But all that would be nothing without great, catchy songs, and that's exactly what we have here. Generally upbeat, but still darkwavish and gothy, there's also one song "Sea of doubt", the album's only real ballad, that The Cure's Robert Smith could take a cue from for their next album. In fact, if Ronny Moorings decided to do an album's worth of songs in this vein, we'd have another "Disintegation" on our hands! Overall, one of the best CoX albums ever - maybe not as strong as "Creatures", but defintitely up there (and even surpassing) the other classics like "Medusa". Not bad for a band who are still around after 25 years!