Customer Reviews

From the Land of Volcanos

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have owned a copy of Lucia Cifarelli's "From the Land of the Volcanos' for the past few months. I bought it through Metropolis Record's website but it was recently re-released through a different record label (because Universal Records, who was originally set to release the album, backed out of the deal. Thankfully Lucia was able to buy back her album from the corporate monster.) I have been waiting for an eternity to get a chance to review the album. The only differences between the original version and the recently released second version is the cd cover art and the KMFDM remix of "Monkey Puzzle Tree". For KMFDM enthusiasts, you would know that Lucia Cifarelli is the female vocalist from the legendary industrial band. I was completely taken aback (in a good way) when I first listened to "From the Land of Volcanos". The music was a complete departure from what I have been used to hearing with KMFDM. Lucia actually gets the opportunity to showcase her vocals which reminds me of a mixture of Collide's kaRIN and Curve's Toni Halliday. The reminds me a lot like Garbage minus the Scottish accent of Shirley Manson as well as Curve. I particularly enjoy the ballads like "I Don't Care", "Northern Star", and "Feels Like Summer". Lucia also rocks out on this cd with "We Are Angels" (another personal favorite song of mine on the cd) and "Monkey Puzzle Tree". There are elements of KMFDM in the music, just not obvious. If you can listen hard enough, you can hear Sascha's musical influences in Lucia's music. Sascha also contributes his songwriting skills on a couple of the songs on the cd. If you like bands such as Garbage and Curve, "From the Land of Volcanos" is definitely worth checking out. It is one of my personal favorite albums in the past six months.

I'm only familiar with a handful of KMFDM songs but when I found out that their female vocalist Lucia Cifarelli was releasing her first solo album I knew it was something I had to check out! However, because of legal issues with her record label (or something like that) the release date was unknown for quite some time. Then 'From The Land Of Volcanos' came out and I suddenly felt reluctant to buy it since I couldn't find samples for it anywhere. So, not knowing what to expect I bought it on a whim when I found it, surprisingly, at Best Buy and couldn't pass it up. I stood in line questioning this purchase for I was pretty much broke at that point but I'm glad I decided to go ahead and get it. The price of this CD was worth every penny spent! I've been listening to it nonstop since I brought it home a couple days ago.

It's hard to slump her music into one category for there's many different influences heard here, showing that she obviously has eclectic tastes, but I must warn all you die-hard KMFDM fans that, aside from both versions of "Monkey Puzzle Tree" and maybe even the dark Gothy moments found on "What You Become", this is hardly going to resemble them! Some may be disappointed by that fact but it's, IMO, a very good thing. It niches her own impression; enabling her to create a name for herself as an individual artist with her own divergent brand of style, although I'm sure she's still trying to find her sound as it at times can feel unbalanced.

This album features some undertones of electronica but you won't find any hard rock or industrial flourishes here. In fact, this is far from anything most fans are used to hearing from her. Many might cringe when I say this but I believe this album will appeal to fans of the "new" Liz Phair and maybe even Dido. And the only reason I say that is because most of these songs are accessible pop-rock tunes. Don't let that disgruntle you, though. Lucia has more of an edge to her voice with beats that are slightly more melodic sounding than those previously mentioned. It also seems that she is capable of attracting people from all stretches of life and I really see her going places if she continues down this path. Almost every track is a winner (the only song I don't care for is "Feels Like Summer") but my favorites include the aforementioned tracks as well as "Northern Star", "Fear", "We Are Angels" (she sings this with so much emotion, it gives me goose bumps), and the strange yet infectious "Little Rose".

There are many ways to describe this surprising electro-pop release by Lucia, the screaming siren of KMFDM. [...] Take a singer known for screaming and put him or her in an electronic song production. Ron Halford almost succeeded where Lucia soars here. To be fair, Lucia has the advantage of sounding as good as Shirley Manson or Toni Halliday (who knew, right?), and she keeps the CD sounding fresh and not embarrassingly bad (J-Lo or late Cher album this is not). It's rock, dance, pop, and some goth. If you like garbage and Curve, you will love this CD. It even has an Eric Bazilian ("What if God was One of Us," The Hooters) song that does not suck. So go figure. The brunette who "screams like a banshee" on the KMFDM discs has a solo CD that is as good as any dark electronic pop release from the mid 90's. It is a wonderful CD to discover.

I was never really a big fan of KMFDM, but usually when members of a band break off to do a solo album you end up with something completely different. [ala Corey Taylor and Stone Sour]

So when I saw this album at Best Buy for a mere $10 I had to pick it up. At the time I wasn't even aware that Lucia was making a solo album.

Anyway, on the music. The many comparisons she is getting to early Garbage are pretty accurate, but I'd throw in a little kidneythieves and maybe some Kelli Ali as well. Her voice is remarkably similar to Free Dominguez. [which is a very good thing]

The highlights of this album are "Fear" which has a stunning piano intro/chorus. Easily the most beautiful song on the album.

Then there is "Feels Like Summer." A song that hits you hard and sweeps you away. "Northern Star" is a beautiful piano piece that would make Tori Amos proud, and "Monkey Puzzle Tree" which is the heaviest song on the album.

All in all, I'm very impressed. Even if you're a hater of pop music, this album deserves a chance. Its artists like Lucia that can help turn the genre around and make people realize that there are some true talents out there.

I fell in love with Lucia the second i discovered her existance. I'd been a fan of KMFDM for a short while and heard samples of Lucia's record in early 2003. When I heard the samples of the album, the thunderous emotional and musical passion hit me. Keeping in mind i'd only just heard of Lucia minutes earlier.
I kept track of what was going on as the album had releasing troubles. When it was released on Suki Swift i got it instantly, even though i'd already been sent a promo. Then it was released for the last time on TCG with all new artwork and the KMFDM monkey puzzle tree remix.
Lucia is my favorite solo artist. Her music is different and each track on this album is unlike the other tracks. Lucia wrote the album with a bunch of different people including Sascha of KMFDM. Lucia describes it to be "the soundtrack to my life". The album is a mix of synths, electronics, slowish guitars, awesome piano and all the other stuff. It's pop, but with that taste of industrial.
This album may not appeal on a first listen, you need to give it time to sink in. I assure you some tracks took me a while to adjust to, like with KMFDM, but it's an awesome CD.

The monkey puzzle tree remix by KMFDM has not so much the industrial feel but more of a Rock sound. The guitars and drums are much like "Bullets Bombs & Bigotry" from KMFDM's WWIII. The song is faster too, very much KMFDM.
If you're reading this, don't doubt my words, i tell truth! This album is worth a look, even if your a new or old fan! I can't wait till the next one, which i think Lucia was possibly hoping to release early 2005, but it's only a rumor.

Lucia is a member of KMFDM and she decided to make a solo album which is amazing in it's own way. People buy it, this will not be a bad buy I guarntee it in everyway, whether your listening to it in your car, home with friends, or alone, her voice will put goosebumps around your body and put you in a amazing Utopia. Music hasn't been amazing in a good while but this will take your breath away. Lucia thank you for everything. (Fav song: So Clever)

What a fantastic cd! I fell in love with this cd before it even came out, from its 30 second samples. The lyrics are beautiful and the listener get a feeling of intimacy with Lucia, very quickly. Of course, I am biased...I got to meet Lucia after a KMFDM concert in Tampa...she signed my shirt, too...she's very approachable and has a down-to-earth nature. Thank you for a wonderful cd, Lucia!

Everyone here seems to think that life began for Lucia with her KMFDM/MDFMK association... not true! Many years back I owned the self-titled album "Drill" by her first band. She was an excellent singer, and a contemporary of Toni Halliday and Shirley Manson... not an imitator. In fact, her vocals on that album exhibit much more vocal range than either of the aforementioned sirens (both of whom are favorites of mine). Compare the "Drill" album to Shirley's "Angelfish" recordings, or anything Toni did prior to "Come Clean", and you will see what I mean. This solo album by Lucia is a great piece of work, though at this point I am still fonder of the work with "Drill" than the role she has played with KMFDM, and this is closer to that. What about a "Drill" reunion, Lucia? Naaaa... strike that. Anything you do is fine by me, so long as you keep making kick-ass music. I do like you better as a frontperson, than a backing vocalist, for sure. Anyone out there who tries to revue Lucia as if she's a newcomer needs to do their research!!!!!!!!!!

After much delays and bumps, "From the Land of Volcanos" gets released. Lucia Cifarelli, of Drill and KMFDM, delivers a pop record that considering every current release is perfect. The only problem, this record might be a couple of years too late. Six out of the twelve tracks on this record sound like they were written and produced so Lucia could get a spot on the Lilith Fair. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way knocking down "FtLoV" it's a great record, but the truth is the truth. Tracks seven to twelve put Lucia in an excellent place, her voice powerful, commanding and dominant. The lyrical content of the record is clever and fearless, filled with heart felt confessions and life stories.
KMFDM's remix of Monkey Puzzle Tree is the cherry on top, not completely necessary but it's a great way to support their girl. Watch out for "Little Rose", "Monkey Puzzle Tree" and "Ordinary Girl" they will leave you with a wonderful after-taste

Lucia fans, and everyone else..

Prepare yourself to travel to
the 'land of volcanos'...

Or rather, an aural explosion...
hot lava flow about the best way
to describe the seismic activity on this album...

Each track surpasses the next
in style, audacity, and flavor..

Lucia, vocal chanteuse extraoridinaire,
(ex-Drill, and current-KMFDM vocalist),
has concocted just the right amount
of material to create a stunning debut
album...

Fans of post-punk, alternative, new-wave,

rock, and yes, even softer noise, will
be able to dig through the ashes after
the explosion, and unearth lyrical treasures
buried in each track..

Still don't believe me? i dare you to
buy the album, and not like it...
You won't be disappointed...

Watch out though, you just might get
burned from the sizzling heat radiated
from this 'volcano'..