Customer Reviews

Signs Of A Vacant Soul

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My wife and I heard a few of the songs from this album on a WWF video and knew we had to find this CD. We weren't disappointed. There isn't a bad song on here. Some hot spots are "Gain", "More", and "Kiss my Disease". This is definately one to own.

Had it garnered more recognition upon its release, "Signs of a Vacant Soul" would have probably melted into the grooves of all the other modern rock that was coming out in 1999, and Virgos Merlot would have been seen as just another generic alternative goth-rock band. And knowing how record execs are, they would have been pressured to produce more of the same formula, and Virgos Merlot would have lost their originality. So maybe it's for the best that "Signs of a Vacant Soul" didn't immediately gain the success it had the potential to reach (though 'Gain' was moderately successful on the Mainstream Rock chart). Listeners can now analyze the album by itself, without any other "standards" set by critics to compare it to.
A textbook-perfect recording for 1999, "Signs of a Vacant Soul" is an album rich in melody and accessibility, and boasts a careful detailed production ethic for a band in their debut...or for any band for that matter (the vocal spots are particularly well engineered). What's most remarkable though is despite the fact that the instrumentation is narrowed down to a vocal-guitars-bass-drums formula, there is an amazing amount of flexibility in the music. The material of course benefits from this, opening with 'The Cycle' and demonstrating irresistible but layered textures on songs like 'Winning' and 'Trouble,' which has a chorus of simple catchy lyrics which sound like those of 70s classic rock, while there are more complex elements elsewhere; there is a (perhaps intentional) themed interplay between 'More' and 'Knowing Burns,' neither of which seem complete without the other. The musical body and form of 'Beautiful Lie' hints at a prog-rock influence, but the album's two best tracks are also its most beautiful and inspiring; 'Gain' and 'Kiss My Disease' contradict Virgos Merlot's spooky-looking image as seen in CD's foldout. 'Disregarding' meanwhile spots an amazing, driven guitar sound that closes the album.
The music of the five-man Virgos Merlot can best be described as a battery of heavy rhythms and crunching guitars, out of which emerge beauty, bravery, and a driving force. "Signs of a Vacant Soul" is a top candidate for an album that could become a true "lost" album in ten to twenty years.

Brett's voice is strong, clear and very powerful. The music and lyrics of Virgos will move you in a positive and thought-provoking direction. Anyone near the Orlando-area should try to see this band in concert. What a show!! (PS-Brett Hestla, lead vocals and lead guitar, is currently touring as bassist for Creed. Pretty impressive, huh?!?!)

You have to love the look of the "Lost Boys" scheme. These vampires create some damn good music. Very hook-filled, with melodic vocals and crunchy guitars(no solos). Next to Doubledrive, this was my favorite cd from 1999.

I think V.M. are a result of corporate america, musically speaking, that got no support from their record label. They fallen off the face of the earth. Their website is not even running anymore. I am afraid to say they are no more. Damn shame. Nonetheless, this cd should be in your cd player by now.

I also first heard a couple of these songs on a WWE highlight real back in 1999, I went and got the Album and still listen to about half the songs 8 years later, "the cycle", Beautiful Lie" "Gain" and "Kiss my diesease" are most most noteable. Used for $4 is a must have.

I wouldn't give many albums 5 stars. Truth be told, if this album was mainstream popular it would only get 4 from me. But, since these guys never made it big (with the exception of Brett in Dark New Day) I think they deserve a 5 star rating.

The musicality of the album is by no means astonishing. The songwriting is nothing short of brilliant -- Brett Hestla simply knows how to write a great song. I have suggested this disc to friends, and almost all of them have at the very least enjoyed it. One of my friends was floored by 'Kiss My Disease' when she first heard it.

On a tangent... It is criminal that bands like these don't receive more recognition (From fans, not industry-killing MTV and the like) While they don't shun gimmicks (i.e. uniform attire etc...) they certainly don't write music with the intention of being on MTV. There is more thought in one Virgos song than guys like Fred Durst have in a month.

Not going to do a song by song analysis, they are all great in their own ways...

If you happen to buy the CD and don't like it the first time through, do yourself a favor and give it 2 more listens. By the end of the 3rd time I guarantee you will have fallen in love with it.

I AM NOT GOING TO WRITE A LONG REVEIW ON THIS ALBUM. THERE IS NO REASON WHY THIS BAND DID NOT HIT BIG WITH BRETT'S VOICE. THE SONG "GAIN" IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS OF ALL TIME . I WAS CHECKING OUT CLINT'S (FROM SEVENDUST) NEW BAND "DARK NEW DAY" AND I GOT I GREAT SURPRISE. BRETT FROM V. MERLOT IS THE SINGER OF DARK NEW DAY AND HE SOUNDS GREAT. SO FANS OF VM NEVER FEAR BRETT IS BACK!!!! GOOD LUCK TO DARK NEW DAY.

This is one of those CD's that just about anyone can listen to, and come away with the feeling you might just want to hear it again.. real soon. I havent heard many CD's like that in my time, and sure as hell would like to hear more like this. If you are looking for something that can go from melodic, to downright good old rockdom and everywhere in between, this is the CD for you.

Bryan, I think i was at the Jan 20 show too, in Philly?

Anyway, this band has alot of talent and it is a crying shame that they broke up. Brett's voice is definately something you do not hear on the radio today, and I mean that in a good respect. The creativity of this band deserves far more recognition than they got while together. The opening in "Beautiful Lie" gives me the chills while listening to. Very entertaining live as well.

This is album is definitely worth for who likes of a kinda "alternative metal", but sadly the band broke up, and I dont know if they will be together in the future, the members are separated playing in other bands, so its kinda sad, but this album is very good, every song in this album have quality and very good melodies, "kiss my disease" its a beautiful song, dont waste your time, buy now this!