Customer Reviews

Past Presents the Future

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

 

 

I can't think of a better title for this album, since it is very evident that Her Space Holiday is moving on from their established sound and themes of deep desperation, loneliness and love. Luckily they do this without losing the personal connection that is so much a part of what makes Her Space Holiday one of my favorite bands. Few people have come close to putting such true and honest feelings into such beautiful lyrics as Marc Bianchi, with the help of his laptop.

His past albums seem to have been centered on love affairs, drug abuse, and always deep depression. This album seems to move into a brighter light, yet keeping with serious subject matter. Bianchi's lyrics now touch on powerful themes, such as his own exploitation of his feelings on his album and acceptance of sexual orientation differences in America.

If you have listened to The Young Machines, this album is the perfect follow-up. If you are new to Her Space Holiday, be sure to check this out, and all of his other albums, especially the amazing Manic Expressive.

I cannot stress how personal a connection all of Her Space Holiday's albums make, and this one is no different.

Why do most reviewers have to blab about Manic Expressive?! Most of the comments show no attention was truly paid to his new lyrics, while they go on and on about "His lyrics are about being depressed/He's sold out and catchy now". For one thing, if you had opened your brain/ears at all- Marc IS NOT depressed anymore, nor is the reason he's poppier now strictly due to trying to get airplay. The lyrics clearly reveal this: He's "seen the light". He was a human on his knees with pain, and he has ended up on top- Something most people would admire (as few people seem to learn the positive messages from negative experiences). He pulled out of his nosedive. He started his career heading into heavier and heavier depression, lovers hurting him, etc. On "Young Machines", the love of his live screws him over, and his mother dies. This new album is all about love, the truth, how we are all playing blind in society, etc. Marc Bianchi is now focusing his career on pointing out all of the bull$h!t that he used to live by, and encouraged. He doesn't protect or hide anything- and that is an honesty SO rare in a modern musical artist that I am amazed at him. I find the whole obsession with "I prefer mopy, depressed music the best" pretty lame actually- life is hard, why dwell on it over and over? Marc's revealing, exploring and sharing things now that most people would be afraid to. I commend him!
I will agree, however, that this album at first came across as not so good (Too "catchy"), but after repeated listening and actually paying attention- he's right on track, and is quite ahead of many artists right now.

I wanted to like this cd so badly. I gave this several listens and still could not begin to even start tolerating this release. I liked Manic Expressive, I even liked the Young Machines but this one was a bit of a stretch. His lyrics are garbage, don't kid yourself otherwise, I overlooked it in Young Machines but this is inexcusable. Someone needs to tell Marc to stop writing about the pains of being a musician because its not relatable, and quite frankly if you can't handle the criticism stop putting out records.

If home is where you hang yourself, then Her Space Holiday - take your own advice. I agree fully with the reviewer before me regarding lyrics. They are absolutely absurd and wow, the woh's of being an indie artist. What is this, the Marshall Mathers LP? Get over yourself. I used to really like Her Space Holiday. All the earlier material from The Astronauts Are Sleeping (vol1 & 2), etc. is brilliant. I think the reviews should be a little hard, because of the many successes and potentials that have surrounded Marc. Manic Expressive at this rate will be the record HSH is known for. The Past Presents the Future seems to have no continuity or flow, almost like fragments. I want to just slay myself when I hear Weight Of The World. Honestly, there is not one good song. At least on Young Machines the musical compositions were sound - this is rubbish.

It's more or less a discarding of past accomplishments in favor of future experimentation with the mainstream ear. "The Past Presents the Future" could be called the bigger, more flamboyant brother of "The Young Machines," which I'd call HSH's first stab at reaching out to the pop-friendly, radio, mainstream public.

While I believe that Marc Bianchi's greatest achievement ever was the emotionally powerful "Manic Expressive," threads and tiny tidbits of said album do exist within "TPPTF." However, each track is highly lyrical, like "...Machines," and terribly difficult to swallow. We all understand that Marc is depressed, but does he have to be so forward with it?

"Manic Expressive" is an atmospheric trip through dreamy electro-soundscapes touched with beautiful string arrangements. Vocals are not overdone, as they are carried by the music itself. HSH's last two albums, do not follow suit.

Musically, this album is neither catchy, nor appealing. Too much time has been spent on making the lyrics the stand-out strength and even that's annoying. His whispery voice, though perfectly fitting for an album such as...oh..."Manic Expressive," is a headache when coupled with awfully-mixed electronic pop that just isn't very fun to listen to.

If anything, "The Young Machines" and "The Past Presents the Future" are the two launch pads in which Marc can break out of obscurity and finally attain the popularity, notoriety and money that he apparently wants. I've lost a lot of faith in him since, I'll say it again, "Manic Expressive," and I just don't see any change ahead. The slope is steep when you lose your touch.

Strangely enough, though, even though I'm disappointed with HSH these past couple of years, both said albums are still better than what you'd hear on the radio or through scanning the Billboard Top 500. When a man sets the bar so high ("Manic Expressive") and then misses his mark so horribly ("TYM" and "TPPTF"), you can't help but think that the good days are behind us and we're in for a tiresome and depressing period ahead. ..but deep within both releases are tiny remnants of what Marc is truly capable of.

It's just sad you have to weed through the garbage to get to the treasure.

If you liked "The Young Machines," then by all means, pick this up. I'd even venture to say that if you enjoyed disc one of "Home is Where You Hang Yourself," you *might* like this one. If you were captivated by "Manic Expressive" and are expecting more of the same, run the hell away in the opposite direction...quick!