Customer Reviews

Some Kind of Strange

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't like much electronic/darkwave/whatever this is music, but this group is pretty straight. Their music could be really hypnotic if the whole album didn't sound like one long song. All of the songs are played at the same tempo and really lack a whole lot of distinguishing features. I've heard some of their other stuff and might buy other albums because they sound more varied than this one. Basically, if you only listen to one or two songs at a time, this is worth having in your collection. If you like a lot of this kind of music, then you probably already have this, but if not you'll love it.

By nothing less than an accident I discovered Collide through the Litany.net website, which is normally a Skinny Puppy news site. I blindly followed a link to the Collide website (Collide.net) and for some unknown reason I purchased this album without ever hearing any of their music before (my PC speakers are broken so I was not able to D/L any of their sample music). I can only say that I am exceedingly glad I did buy this CD.
While the vast majority of the music is synthetic none of it ever falls into any of the boring molds that so many electronic bands seem to fall into these days. Instead they seem to progress into their own dark waters by utilizing slow pulsating rhythms, which can border on hypnotic, along with subtle injections of harsh static-like distortion to create a most unique balance. Effortlessly flowing over this musical landscape is a feminine voice that I can only describe as simultaneously erotic and devious, (in a pleasantly intriguing sort of way). While unfortunately the music of Collide may be to unconventional for mass consumption the fact you are reading this suggests you have an active interest and I would suggest you take the plunge and purchase this audio journey into the outer limits. I promise you will not be sorry.

As of today (and next to Garbage), Collide is hands-down my favorite group. Seeing how the majority of today's rock is dominated with alternative-punk and wretched nu-metal, you can't help but turn in the opposite direction, desperately seeking something raw, inventive, and untouched by the masses. I hate to be blunt and concise with my point here but most music being played on mainstream radio reek of something other than smell. A slew of acts out there inevitably destined for one-hit-nothings can learn a thing or two from groups like Collide if only they'd open their minds and stop listening to the greedy guys above them who are simply interested in making money and then moving on to the next big thing. The music industry is hardly about talent anymore and that's why so many underground artists are being recognized now (Evanescence is a perfect example of that) as a wonderful relief to the less deluded. 'Chasing The Ghost' is a brilliant masterpiece and will probably never be passed in magnitude but 'Some Kind of Strange' is a worthy follow-up and I think all the 5-star reviews prove that. Leading lady kaRIN is an amazing songstress with an incredibly sexy voice that is sultry, evocative, dark and sensual. And don't you dare compare her with any other singer because she's got her own unique sound and she cannot be duplicated... Swirling in and out of Statik's instrumental arrangments, kaRIN is multi-layered and even more haunting amidst the 'noise'. You have your heavy melodies with harsh, distorted guitar riffs and powerful drum percussion (note of interest: cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy and Danny Carey of Tool are guest musicians on "Euphoria" and "Somewhere") but in the blink of an eye the texture changes to lush, acoustic atmospheres. "Inside", for instance, is a slower jazz inpsired tempo drop, showing growth in diversity as Collide strive to assort their mix a little, but without driving their fans away. 'Some Kind of Strange' is a cross between the rock-oriented 'Beneath The Skin' and the industrial-tinged electronica used on 'CTG' but it isn't until "Temptation" and "Complicated" that you hear them shift in the direction of their gothic roots, which twist to fit the gloom of their lyrics.

The newest offering from Collide features kaRIN with her sultry, lush vocals backed by a masterfully layered collage of music composed by Statik. Their sound could be described as a sort of "noir jazz" ~ envision a wicked soundtrack for a shadowed lounge draped with velvet tapestries, and bejeweled with overflowing strands of sparkling gems, where some might be dancing, in a dream-like trance. With the added bonus of collaborations by guest musicians ranging from such reknowned bands as Purr Machine and Tool, as well as the legendary gothic/industrial visionary Cevin Key from Skinny Puppy, these talented musicians all work together to create soundscapes of lilting melodies and imaginative percussion. Some tracks include "Euphoria", where kaRIN's delicate, lulling voice is contrasted by the powerful electric guitars and synthesizers, "Modify" slips flawlessly into it's unique minor key chorus, and "Somewhere" is a place where kaRIN's voice travels from a high soaring style of singing to her creeping vocalizations amongst the lower depths. "Slither Thing" would be a great track for the dj's to play in clubs for all of those lovely slithering midnight dancers to glide and creep along to. "Tempted" is a true standout! This song has such an elegant flow to its composition, painted with mystical touches in both the luxuriant, soothing vocals and the grand near-eastern musical strains. "Some Kind of Strange" features incredible production overall, not only in the music, but in the cd's elemental graphics, and the booklet's stunning portrait photography which is found throughout - all working together to make this a necessary addition to your gothic/industrial music collection!

Collide's music is an amazing blend of haunting vocals and electronic sounds that creates a unique and captivating musical landscape. After hearing "Chasing The Ghost" I bought "Some Kind of Strange" and now I have all their CDs. I'm hooked! If you're considering this purchase, think no more - buy it! You will not be disappointed.

Normally, I'm not into this kind of music. But Collide is my exception to it.

I love bands like Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, Within Temptation, Tristania, After Forever, Midnattsol, Flowing Tears, Epica, The Sins of Thy Beloved, Leaves Eyes, Elis, Sirenia... oh I'll shut up now!

I heard somewhere that Collide had a female singer. Well that was good enough for me! So I made an impule buy with "Some Kind Of Strange". And at first I was very dissapointed. I was expecting Collide to have a doomish sound like Tristania or The Sins of Thy Beloved.

But a couple weeks later I gave them another chance. I can't believe it took me that long to figure out how good their music is! In a way they sort of remind me of the new Theatre of Tragedy, only darker and without any lame English accent attempts.

Here are some of my favorite songs on the CD

Crushed- 5/5. A creepy and ambient way to open the CD. This is probably my favorite song on the CD
Euphoria- 4.5/5. The single off the album. It starts out slow and then gets faster.
Mutation- 5/5 An awesome song that switches between soft accoustic guitar and distorted heavy guitars.
Complicated- 4/5. Much better than the one by Avril Lavinge. I has a creepy intro, and then goes into keyboards.

I'm glad I bought this CD. I think it's nice to have some industrial in my collection.

IF you like this album, I also recommend

AMBEON- Fate of A Dreamer
L'AME IMMORTELLE- Gezeiten
THEATRE OF TRAGEDY- Musique

I originally found out about collide after a series of cross references originating from Evanescence (another great band). I just recently started listening to this genre of music. Let me tell you one thing, BUY THIS ALBUM. Static and kaRIN put together the hypnotic "Chasing the Ghost" album a few years back (which contains my favorite "Razor Sharp". This album,though, fills indefinately the voids that "Chasing" contained. Every time I play this album for someone they immediately ask "who is this" followed shorty by "Ive never heard anything like this, I love it!"
The disc opens with "crushed" a heavy industrial track where kaRIN induluges us with her slow breathy vocals. Track 2 is "euphoria", which is somewhat slow getting started but gets you prepared for what is to come. "Modify" is a techno-backed groove-type song in which the vocals and a backing guitar compliment each other harmoniously. I find myself with this song constantly stuck in my head. kaRIN is so sensual sounding you just wish she would climb through the stereo and into your bed (kaRIN is hot, check out the web site). "Somewhere" is a somewhat upbeat song, not a personal favorite, but statik has some decent programming that makes it worth while. "Slither Thing" is a funky-jazz-synth track unlike any other Collide song i've ever heard, smooth vocals, cool effects, really sonds more band-oriented than any of the other tracks. "Inside" is a beautiful track, where kaRIN showcases what she really has, talent and sexuallity. This song is probably my favorite on the CD, making me feel a different emotion after every listen. This track is absolutely mesmerizing! "Mutation" hosts some more of the same sound as the first track, but lighter, more airy. Very reminicent of the programming of NIN or Stabbing Westward. The guitar incorperation of this track is interesting, (it has a guitar outro.) "Tempted" is probably the most radio-friendly song (Yeah like they would ever play music this good on the radio!) What I mean is that it is very melodic, and somewhat cachy, again beautiful vocals. "Shimmer" is a dark track that has some upbeat sections and seems to be one of the other reviewers favorites. It is a good track but falls short of songs like "inside" or "crushed". "Complicated" is very cool. This track is fueld by great effects, a hard industrial-techno beat. Although i dont dance, if i did, i would choose this song to dance to. This song gets me doing the obigatory head bob in my car, due to it's infectious beat. "So long" is somewhat an ambient trip, a good closer since this is probably my least favorite song on the album, but it's not bad. For some reason when i coppied this CD from someone it had an extra track on it that was some intrumental done by Statik, I wonder where this track came from because it doesn't fit with the rest of the CD and i kinda wish it wasn't on there, but oh well, 11 out of 12 is nothing to sneeze at!!
If you like this album check out "Chasing the ghost" then check out "Beneath the skin"--in that order. "Chasing is very revolutionary in the types of music that it brings together (trip-hop, jazz, goth, darkwave it has everything). "Beneath the skin" is alot heavier and is the most obscure of the three. But if you've heard this album, you'd know that you cannot go wrong with a hot goth chick that is a singer, a photographer, a painter, and clothes/jewelery designer, (God i want a kaRIN of my own) and Statik is a very lucky man!!

This CD is full of powerful sounds that will sway the listener on a voyage into the inner walls of what we could call our hearts or our emotions. The Music of Collide is very moving at times, gripping, powerful, melodic and hautingly familiar. As if they are playing to the very soul of every listener. Upon trying to describe this band to those who have never heard them, I am always at a lost. Take some machines mixed with melody dashed with gothic undertones and frosted with spellbinding vocals and you will experience the music that Statik and kaRIN make. I know that I go through a whole range of feelings when I listen to this album. The beats seem to come into time with my own pulse, the sounds and machines electrify my soul and the vocal seem to amplify those feelings we all have; love and lust, sadness, hope, wonder and imagination. I highly recommond this CD as a must have in anyone's collection. I won't attempt to compare this band or CD to anything I have ever heard, because I don't think they can be. As Unique as a Fingerprint, they are to me and I am so glad I found them.

I was eagerly anticipating the follow up to Collide's extraordinary album "Chasing the Ghost". If they could live up to past reputations I knew this would be one hell of a cd.
Collide has proven themselves once again with "Some Kind of Strange".Out of the gates comes the first track "crushed" and knocks you back into your seat with Statik's full rhythmic sound accompanied with kaRIN's outstanding vocals. Collide had some guest musicians that are a bonus to the cd. Kevin Cey and Danny from Tool add their special unique rhythms respectively to a couple tracks, don't worry you won't be disappointed. As you move through the cd some tracks that particularly stand out as notables and make you wanting more are "tempted", "euphoria" and "shimmer" all showcase Collide's unique blending and mixing of vocals and interesting rhythmic music. Collide can be proud of their latest effort because they stand true to their form. Collide truly has a unique sound that doesn't let you down. Their music lifts you up and expands your mind as only they can do. Both kaRIN and Statik have become that more polished in their musical abilities that make Some Kind of Strange a cd difficult put down. Finally, the last track "so long" ends the cd with a bang. It builds, grows, weaves and expands into a truly amazing track that begs you wanting more. I believe that track is a perfect example of the definition of Collide, a true blending of music from different avenues composed in an interesting form. Personally, I think Collide would shine on stage with their latest efforts and I don't think I am the only one waiting to see Collide live. This cd is a must have in anyone's music collection. Good luck to both the both them, as they greatly deserve it with an effort such as Some Kind of Strange.

I have never been a heavy listener of industrial/gothic/electronica until I found Collide. "Crushed" was the first song I ever listened to and after that I was hooked. Despite other reviews that I have read about being repetetive or lacking in meaningful lyrics, I believe every song on Some Kind of Strange is unique and takes you on a trip you'll never want to come back from. I love every song, though I do have my favorites which include Crushed, Euphoria, Inside, Tempted, and Complicated. But I promise you, every song is worth a listen!
Collide is quite possibly one of the best bands I've heard in a while. I can't listen to modern radio much anymore. Everything sounds the same to me. But Collide stands out with their trippy, dreamlike songs and sounds and deep and sometimes completely random lyrics.
kaRIN's sexy, dark, soft, yet powerful vocals alone should lure you in. I'd try to compare her to another singer, but I don't know of any that come close to sounding like her, making her all the more enjoyable to listen to! Combined with Statik's "noise", which consists of multiple beats, instruments, and sounds that clash in such a way that it can only sound good coming from him. I was impressed how Statik used sounds that alone, one would normally dislike or find annoying, but added to a beat could make music out of it! Truly amazing and unique. I highly recommend this band!