Casino

Violet Indiana

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 22, 2002)
• Original Release Date: January 22, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Instinct Records
• ASIN: B00005UF2H
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #257,289 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Casino blends the ethereality of '80s Cocteau Twins with the funky gloom of '90s trip-hop, so it should come as no surprise that Violet Indiana's lineup is composed of ex-Cocteau Twins frontman Robin Guthrie and former Mono vocalist Siobhan De Mare. Both Guthrie and trip-hop tend to favor darkly romantic lyrics, lush textures, slow-to-medium tempos, and highly stylized female vocals. Guthrie's once innovative and influential guitar sound is the central musical element on this album, a collection of previously released material plus three unreleased tracks. His chorus/delay/reverb-drenched guitar floods the sonic spectrum with shimmery, almost aquatic, tones. De Mare's singing takes on many forms: she's sassy on "Bang Bang," wispy on "Poppy," and unabashedly dramatic on "Chapter Three." Unfortunately, Casino sounds a tad stale; it's a slightly updated, watered-down version of musical styles that were once quite striking. But Cocteau Twins devotees and trip-hop fans should like it just fine. --Fred Cisterna

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It just doesn't sound right., July 25, 2003

By A Customer

On paper this CD looks like a can't miss. But while Siobhan De Mare's vocals were perfectly matched to the retro trip-hop of Mono's "Formica Blues", they sound strangely awkward here. Robin Guthrie's music is pure Cocteau Twins, and maybe that's part of the problem. After the first few notes you just can't wait to here Elizabeth Fraser's unique brand of gibberish floating dreamily over the ambient waves. But here, de Mare attacks and ultimately overwhelms the songs. It's grating to the ears and sadly unenjoyable.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I really want to like this CD...I really do., May 9, 2003

By	Patrick Roberts (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Like Roulette, the music on Casino is strong, but unfortunately, unlike Roulette, I can't say the same for the vocals. Siobhan has a great voice, but the lyrics and melodies on Casino are unimaginitive and uninspired. "Bang Bang" is the best example of the fantastic music distracted from by the uninspired vocals treatment. I would recommend picking up Roulette if you don't already have it or waiting for Violet Indiana's next relese.

1.0 out of 5 stars Oh Dear, October 11, 2006

By	KA "BearMan" (NYC Metro) - See all my reviews

Let's get this on the table: I'm a huge fan of the Cocteau Twins. The crazy kind that will bid for Cocteau Twins items on e-Bay. It was the first Violet Indiana CD I had ever bought and all I wanted to do was like it. I didn't have to love it and I certainly wasn't expecting Cocteau Twins quality. I knew it wasn't the Twins but I was willing to be open minded and give it a shot.

This CD is abysmal. It's more abysmal and even cloying after several listens. Siobhan de Mare's voice is pretty enough but had literally no dynamic quality to it. Awful, simply awful. I had purchased an iPod and was burning CDs to my library and could not bring myself to burn this one. Robin Guthrie writes arrangements in such interesting and dynamic ways and Siobhan's voice simply doesn't fit. She is in way over her head here showing little ability or artistry whatsoever. Who knows what Mr. Guthrie was thinking when he decided to collaborate with Siobhan. Her voice and his music simply do not go together.