Customer Reviews

Iris

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After the release as a female trio of "Madra" (1991), a collection of austere 17th century a-capella songs, Miranda Sex Garden moved away from their classical roots into a more experimental jazz/rock territory (to label their music is hard work, though).

"Iris" (1992) is a transitional album of capital importance for the band as they managed to develop here their own trademark sound. The almost unprecedented combination of classically trained vocalists and their instruments coupled with the abilities of new added musicians (Ben Golomstock on guitar and Trevor Sharpe on drums) produced, against all odds, hugely impressive achievements.

This mini-album is a little known masterpiece. An exquisite sample of lyrical and musical talent. The beginning of the record is conventional enough, a cover version of the traditional song "Lovely Joan". At this very point nothing really makes you suspect that the band was going to dramatically change their style that much with respect to "Madra", but suddenly the tranquil voices become progressively more and more menacing until exploding into a powerful climax of shouted lyrics. From then on, nothing was gonna be the same for this group. Theirs was a break with the past on behalf of risk. The real nature of Miranda Sex Garden's art, their true iconoclastic essence, had finally come into being for our listening pleasure.

The other songs in the track-list deal with the usual issues about loss of innocence, death, dreams, dread, escapism, etc. I think my personal favourite is "Fear", simply enthralling. As a whole, Katharine Blake's voice, between sensual and morbid, is very well accompanied here with the singing skills of Donna McKevitt and Kelly McCusker. This superb line-up will be present again on their next album "Suspiria". The most remarkable aspect in "Iris", apart from its evident artistic quality, is without a doubt the abandonment by MSG of tight classical conventions that allowed them to concentrate on a bolder and more powerful formula. A new approach exuding a dreamy and surreal quality which will be recurrent in this and other future releases.

A strangely beautiful and consuming piece of work. Very recommended.

If you haven't heard Miranda Sex Garden before, "Iris" is a dead-on first impression. Their siren songs lead you right into the jagged rocks. "Lovely Joan" and "Fear" start out gentle; as the voices remain angelic, the rock music builds up like a caged animal growing angrier. Other tracks, like "Falling" and "Blue Light" start right off with discord. The beauty of Katharine Blake's voice only magnifies the sense of something REALLY twisted going on. That big unbliking eye on the cover is troubling enough...

The instrumentation is often "The Who"-style drums, grinding church organ, echoey metal guitars and one other instrument thrown in (like a muted trumpet) to make the mood more sinister.
You can hear traces of The Doors and Pink Floyd.

Like all MSG albums, "Iris" is grim and beautiful at the same time. The really hot Wiccan priestess in your Art History class probably listens to this stuff.

Five wonderful songs seemlessly blended together. 'Lovely Joan' starts out like one of the old english madrigal folk songs that filled their mostly-acapella first album 'Madra'. But then the singing gets louder and louder, then the guitars and violins kick in, changing into something very scary by the end. 'Blue Light' is perhaps the most relaxing, hypnotic, sleep-inducing song ever recorded. It's nearly impossible to listen to without drifting off into a dreamworld. After awhile, the ghostly harmonies at the end get quieter and quieter and suddenly you wake up and notice you are listening to the next song, the much louder 'Iris'. Brilliant songs, perfectly produced.

This is Miranda Sex Garden's best recording so far. It withstands the test of time. It is an unusual and unique combo. It features traditional pieces and classical voices with rock,strings, and electronica blended (well) all together.

Beauty is the only word that can come close to even describing this CD. The voices, the tones, the chords....everything is stripped of complexity, the void being filled with simple and strong sound....when listening to this, you will feel as if you have been transported to a magical place, where you lie naked within the arms of trees and rain... -- Morrigan (ScreamOfRa@AOL.com)

You will not go wrong...A unique blend of talent and artistry