Liquid [Enhanced, Limited Edition]

Recoil | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 2000)
• Original Release Date: March 21, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Limited Edition
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B00004RJ1G
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #272,503 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Black Box, Pt. 1

2. Want

3. Jezebel

4. Breath Control

5. Last Call for Liquid Courage

6. Strange Hours

7. Vertigen

8. Supreme

9. Chrome

10. Black Box, Pt. 2

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inside the Black Box, May 3, 2000

By 

Anna Otto (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Liquid (Audio CD)

I bought this CD in good faith, relying simply on the reputation of Alan Wilder and my memory of some marvelous tracks from the previous Recoil release, Unsound Methods. While I expected certain things, such as emphasis on lyrics and some beautiful harmonies, what I didn't expect were the gloominess and unrelenting darkness of all songs. As a fan of the more moody releases of Depeche Mode and goth music in general, it was a pleasant surprise. Liquid can be almost frightening, however, with as much anguish and terror as it projects on the listener. Some numbers are a bit overdone, such as Strange Hours or Vertigen, but even they possess an ability to haunt for hours afterward. Chrome, especially, is uniquely and beautifully dark - "life doesn't mean telling lies, it means enduring what you despise" seems a defining theme for the entire CD. I believe this isn't for everyone. I'm certain that even fans of Recoil or Depeche Mode might have a hard time listening to Liquid. Before you buy this, sample it if you can. But if you find a certain appeal in the poetry of darkness... you won't be disappointed. I, for one, can't wait for more.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit confused in direction, April 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Liquid (Audio CD)

It seems for the latest Recoil installment that the music has taken a backseat and this album is more a showcase for vocals. I must admit, while the album has its moments, I fail to see the supposed theme. A pilot, who is killed in a plane crash, sees his life flash before him in the contents of the music, which is bookended by an intro and outro. However, his life is apparently filled with stories of twisted seductresses, murderers and the wife of Ahab, Jezebel. I fail to see the connection. If you like soft and hard textured voices, spoken word and urban trash stories than this is for you. If you like more of an electronic, sophisticated, layered sound, go with the '97 album "Unsound Methods". It is worthy to mention that "Liquid" has great artwork and a very consistent image, physically. As for the music...

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wilder at what he does best..., March 23, 2000

By 

Algorhythm (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liquid (Audio CD)

This latest outing from the former Depeche Mode maestro does not disappoint. Continuing in the direction of "Unsound Methods," this album is basically a continuation of the musical motifs from the previous album, but is certainly more narrative. There is a much stronger emphasis on the lyrics than on "Unsound Methods," stressing that the words take center stage. Nicole Blackman's tracks are the best in my opinion (but that is mainly because I have been a Blackman fan since Golden Palaminos), and her readings take on a sinister erotic nature here, almost moreso than on anything else she's ever done. She sounds like a seductress ready to chew you up and spit you out. The same can be said of Samantha Coerbell, especially on the semi-title track "Last Call for Liquid Courage" (interesting to note that she was drunk when she recorded that track). Diamanda Galas takes on the track "Strange Hours," the first single, and probably the best track on the album. This song most closely resembles the formula of "Unsound Methods," not unlike "Red River Cargo," but with a more New Orleans-y feel. Galas' voice carries the song to many levels, from a passionate southern songstress, to the quiet angelic tones in the chorus, to an almost evil melange of random vocal snippits in the closing, not unlike some of the devices employed by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. A very malevolent, but still potent track, and one with a subject that could stir some controversy among listeners. The album also contains a great deal of harsh guitar sounds as well, usually with lots of echo and distortion. To put simply, this album sounds much like Maggie Estep's tracks from "Unsound Methods," street poetry read amidst anarachic soundscapes of violence and subtle eroticism. The emphasis on the lyrics on this album does however take away from the music somewhat, but this is the album's only real flaw. Overall, it is a worthy follow-up to it's predecessor. An album of fine sonic craftsmanship and poetic ecstasy.