Customer Reviews

Infernal Love

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nonsense to anyone who thinks Infernal Love is a good album but not great, or a great album except for "Diane," or any of these other stupid remarks that people seem to attach to this record all the time. Infernal Love is amazing. It's the best thing Therapy? have ever done, and it's not about listening to this track, and then to that track, and then maybe to the last track, and then back to the third track--it's about listening to the whole thing, all at once. You'll see that this is every bit the start-to-finish album that Dark Side of the Moon is, meant to reflect the many different turns relationships can take. And to say that "Diane" is not a key part of that, or that it shouldn't be on this album, is like saying you love the beach but can't stand sand. "Diane" is completely appropriate for Infernal Love. After this album, Fyfe left the band, and Therapy? have never been the same since. This record is one of the most expressful, complicated, but ultimately rewarding rock albums I have ever heard. Unfortunately, there's too many people who just don't get it.

I know Therapy? fans aren't supposed to always be looking for another album like Troublegum, but I should warn listeners new to Therapy? who were introduced to the band through that album that this one may not be what they are looking for. A few songs (Misery, for example) show the bands sense of humor that they can tie to their rage. In Infernal Love and Bowels of Love we hear the same rage that defined them before, yet this time a desire to show off the level of musical proficiency sadly dilutes the raw passion found in Nurse, Troublegum and Hats Off to the Insane.

The album's one weakness, which is very noticable, is Diane. Originally a song by Husker Du dedicated to a friend of the band (from what I understand) who was the victim of the narrator in this disturbing piece, it makes the worst possible song to cover. Without knowing the victim, the song does not come through as an angry, confused young band's only way to make sense of an act of terror (as it did for Husker Du) and instead becomes a disturbingly sincere description of violence ending an album that, up to that point, had tempered its rage with humor.

Excellent music and lyrics. Good production. It's Therapy? at their best!

Granted, this is no TROUBLEGUM or NURSE. INFERNAL LOVE is Therapy?'s often dissed album but there is no reason for it, other than DIANE. This was Fyfe's last album with Therapy? and it is their most evolved. You won't find any "Trigger Inside" or "Neck Freak" here, the basic of this album is more melancholic than angry. So take your time, you'll need it to get used to this record.

Once it's got you, there are lots of great songs: "Epelepsy", "A Moment of Clarity", "Bad Mother", "Me vs. you", "Bowels of Love" or "Jude the Obscene" are all completely different from one another. But still, it's all Therapy?, just another side of them. Andy Cairns really shows off in the vocal department. From screaming to beautiful singing he does it all here and it's still the Andy you know and love you're listening too. With "Stories" there is even a great single in here, not commercial in the least but also hard to get out of your mind. Lyricalwise, this is (along with Semi-Detached) Therapy's least depressing record, more open minded allthough there is still disaster and fear all around, sometimes coming from places you don't expect. "Loose" sounds like a really happy tune, until the line "Just keep on taking the Happy Pills" sets in. Then you get that words like "Your Body is loose and you're going down" aren't all that happy and the song is really just sarcastic and ironic.

DIANE is the only real bad song on INFERNAL LOVE. Their live version is great however. Should have left that to Hüsker Dü. As it is, Infernal Love is an album that develops slowly. Don't expect love at first sight. But granted, after enough listenings, INFERNAL LOVE is deep in your Mind like all the other Therapy albums too.

There are lots of good songs in this one, but PLEASE try to find the previous album TROUBLEGUM which is worth at least six stars.

There are lots of good songs in this one, but PLEASE try to find the previous album TROUBLEGUM which is worth at least six stars.

Compared to evry other album ever made this is absolutely incredible but does not do THERAPY? justice. This album is amazing and if you liked this you'll be blown away by all the other THERAPY? albums that are better than this, especially the best album of all time TROUBLEGUM.

When I was in college, I met Therapy? In Lincoln, Nebraska of all places. They seemed to be really nice guys. Even shared their beer with me. So when this album came out, I made sure I had it right away. It didn't disappoint. Solid from start to finish, this band has definately grown and expanded their sound ever since their days of Nurse and the ealier albums. From nearly poppy sound, to hard rock, to the haunting "Diane" Infernal Love is a fantastic album to listen to in two ways. You can have it on in the background and let it fill the silence, or you can listen closely to the excelent lyrics. Love the band, and can't wait to hear the new album. Highly recommended to college students who like to rock! BUY THIS ALBUM.

Although falling short of the standard set by 1994's incredible 'Troublegum' album, 'Infernal Love' is a fine album. The album contains quite a mixed bag of songs which occasionally see the band diversifying from their usual pop-rock style. High points in the album are found through the classics 'Loose', 'Jude the Obscene' and the sinister 'Diane'. If you're already a Therapy? fan, buy this album, if not, buy 'Troublegum', listen to it, THEN buy this album.

Therapy? have been known to date as a metal band, but with Infernal Love, they sample some of the mellower tones of rock. Troublegum is the best album ever and is a must buy for any Therapy? fan, but Infernal Love is a great cd to add to anyone's music collection. Though the album has some obnoxious extras to it at the begining and ends of songs, the songs themselves rock. The lyrics are original and edgy. Bad mother is an example of original lyrics: "In your retirement home, watch you wanting to die. This thing has sucked all the dignity from your life." Infernal Love is the most available album to date. It is definately worth buying, but by all means, get Troublegum.