Customer Reviews

These Eyes Before

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For some time, Collide has remained below the mainstream radar, yet they have successfully crafted a musical career that has had their work featured in films and on Demand cable video's. Lead singer kaRin also maintains a high quality internet shop called Saints & Sinners, which even features specially crafted fragrances for men and women among some of the other great merchandise offered.
Prior to this release, those on the band's email list were able to watch the video footage of the photo shoot. Enchantress kaRin makes the final product always look so effortless, yet the video voyeur that we were able to participate in demonstrated that this band will ALWAYS take things to the highest level to reach as flawless a level as they can produce. This video clearly demonstrates just how hard this band works to get their art out to the masses.
So what about this new CD? 10 songs of "covers" might make some step back a moment and wonder if it is worth the price. These tracks excel beyond mere cover songs. Statik and kaRin recreated and recrafted these songs to fit the modern electronic dark wave soundtrack of our lives to make them all fresh and vibrant. If one had never heard these songs before, it wouldn't be too difficult to imagine that they were written exclusively for the band.
The beguiling vocals of kaRin glide across the lyrical scale while Statik punctuates each track with enough audio elements to make atoms want to smash in wanton abandon. If anything, this release could be called Collide PLUS because it is clearly a Collide project, but sonically, the band took things up a few more notches. Overall, it is hypnotically trance-like in some parts, seductively danceable and infused with more passion per song than any that have been released this year.
If you are a fan of Collide, then this purchase is a no-brainer. If you are new to the band, you may want to start here to get a feel for their alluring sound that has garnered fans across the globe. Either way, NO collection should be without this release. Highly recommended.

Collide has always done an amazing job with their music. When it comes to covering other artists they seem to take it up a few notches and smash it out of the park. I don't think I have heard cover songs done so well by any other artists. Collide makes the songs their own unique experience and put their collide stamp all over it. This comes through on every track. Their creative minds are hard at work and shine brightly on the entire cd. Full, lush, rhythmic songs await your listening pleasure. Why they are not more readily accessible is beyond my comprehension. The "alternative" music I hear on current radio is down right blah compared to that of Collide. Tracks like "I feel you", "Tusk", and "Baby did a bad bad thing" will get you out of your seat and grovin' for sure. Night's in White Satin always kind of sent a shiver down my spine...so did Collides version...the hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end, yes that is a good thing. If you want to help preserve the few excellent, creative bands out there you will run now to order this cd. Not only yourself, but your friends and family as well. Remember the holidays are coming up. CD's make good stocking stuffers. Lets push this band into the next level. They really deserve it for all the years or creative music they have put out. Definitely the best thing I have heard this year.

Expertly re-imagined songs, covered with an amazing amount of skill and love. Collide sounds better than ever- and so do these staples of radio playlists.

Noiseplus Music unleashes the latest: These Eyes Before; a new release by Collide revitalizing 10 classic rock favorites every music aficionado will recognize and cherish.

Truly something for everyone is reflected in These Eyes Before. I love it when I open up a brand new CD and immediately begin to sing along! Collide's talent shines with silky vocals and multi-faceted soundscapes creating a cavalcade of entirely unique and new experiences, melding both past and present audio delights beautifully.

If ever a band composed an entire CD of cover songs and, making them their own, without losing any integrity of the original work, then Collide succeeds within These Eyes Before. Take "White Rabbit" (Jefferson Airplane) covered by Collide on Chasing the Ghost [2000]; which rose in college radio and underground music club popularity until critical-mass, acquiring mainstay status at gothic clubs around the world. (Try `Goth Bowling' to Collide's rendition of "White Rabbit"!)

Most notable favorites include "Come Together", "I Feel You", "Creep", and "Tusk",

Statik's layers of synchopated noise march "Tusk" alongside the Putnam City North High School Marching Band, cohesively delivering a surreal, 50-yard-line gyration effect.

~Sonya Brown - [...]
Editorial consult by: Jett Black
[...]

I have been a fan of Collide for quite some time now. I own all of their albums, but wasn't sure how I felt about this one when it was announced. I'm not really a big fan of cover songs, but I have to say that this album tops my expectations. It's now one of my favorites. They've taken some of my old favorites, and added their own personal touch of Collide to them, and that makes it worth buying. These Eyes Before is definitely at the top of my list of CDs that I have gotten this year. I can't wait to hear what Collide has in store for us next.

I have long kept a mental wishlist of songs and people I would desperately love to pair up. Sometimes you just crave hearing someone else's take on a fantastic melody, or sublime lyrics. So when I heard Collide had crafted an album of covers, I could not wait to experience it. My curiosity was piqued at the prospect of seeing what they had chosen to cover... and how they approached the songs. My anticipation wasn't wasted.

The moment I heard the unmistakable Collide sound melding sinuously with the long familiar notes of Knights In White Satin, I was hooked. Statik and kaRin seduce this song in ways that leave me breathless, creating something completely and compellingly new.

I was floored by the selections. I loved the bravery of tackling Radiohead, David Bowie, and Pink Floyd... and doing it in ways that not only made me love the songs anew, but cemented my pure adoration for Collide. The way they crafted these songs make me forget I am listening to covers. It is a whole new audio adventure with Statik and kaRin.

And I have to say, even before I heard it, I knew I was going to love Tusk. Tusk is one of those songs that has stuck with me since childhood. Vivid memories of Fleetwood Mac on hot summer days at the lake are some of my prized soul possessions. And now to have Collide's version of it takes my imagination straight to a fabulous place of lusty, stomping rhythms and silken chants. My childhood memory all dressed up, and ready for a little rebellion!

Needless to say, the album in it's entirety is like sliding down an auditory rabbit hole with Alice. You won't soon forget the journey, nor will you want to!

Knowing the album will turn out well is one thing. Experiencing the album and having it far surpass your expectations is something else entirely. Nice work.

I never heard of Collide until I received a friend request on Myspace from them. I didn't immediately download them like I usually do with my fave artists. I kinda put them on the back burner. Then I got my one issue of Gothic Beauty with an interview with them. Let me tell you, if you don't know Collide, it is a band made up of two people. kaRIN has these sensual vocals that remind me of Toni Holliday from the popular band, Curve. And the musical genius behind Collide (Statik) just amazes me to no end.

This particular album is a collection of covers ranging from The Beatles to Pink Floyd to Fleetwood Mac to Radiohead. I'm absolutely in love with Collide and have downloaded almost all of their albums from Amazon. I hope to own my favorite albums in hard copy soon.

Not only is kaRIN a sexy vocalist, but she is creative and has her own online store called, Saints and Sinners. I'm a proud owner of one of her handmade pill caddies. I hope to own more awesome items in the future.

Great electronic music for those with a dark sense about them.

This album is outstanding. There is not one weak track. And to think I only discovered this band because I watched "Resident Evil: Extinction" all the way thru the end credits.

The "Nights In White Satin" cover is a standout.

I was blown away by this cd. I was already a Collide fan, but I never expect much from covers. I was really surprised by how well done this album is. It's really sad that this band doesn't get more recognition, because they're very talented.