INTO THE LABYRINTH

Dead Can Dance

Prog Folk

4.00 | 163 ratings

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Bonnek
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator

After the medieval statement of Aion, Dead Can Dance took 3 years in between releases and came back with plenty of ideas and inspiration on Into the Labyrinth.

Yulunga is an entrancing opener, full of dark strings, Lisa's Arabesque vocal mannerisms and subtle percussion. The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove is Perry's answer to Lisa's ethnic stylings, it's a singer songwriter oriented psychedelic piece that shows his grown interest in the psychedelic music of '67. Lisa continues with an 18th century Irish traditional. The Carnival is Over contains a few nods to Joy Division's song The Eternal, both in the lyrics and in the music. Despite of my love for Joy Division, this song has never really gripped me. After two short ditties, the album steps up a gear and let's us relish trademark DCD material alternating between Gerrard's ethnic influences and Perry's songwriting Towards the Within is a gentle and moody ethnic piece, Tell Me About the Forest is an enjoyable Perry track with another Joy Division quote. The next track is from Lisa again, showing her ethnic Indian influences. Emmeleia is an amazing a capella duet and How Fortunate The Man is a moody closer, sometimes it sounds slightly repetitive to me, at other times it's really entrancing.

The album gives ample proof that Perry's and Gerrard's musical directions were developing into entirely different directions. Luckily it doesn't create an inconsistent album but makes up for a very diverse and rich experience.

It isn't a perfect album but given its 55 minute length and its level of excellence, this is a recommended Dead Can Dance album. It's not as consistent as Within the Realm of the Dying Sun, but with it wide range of styles, attention for detail and room for instrumental arrangements, it might be the most alluring album for progheads. 3.5 stars

Bonnek | 4/5 | 2009-12-31

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