SPLEEN AND IDEAL

Dead Can Dance

Prog Folk

3.69 | 145 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Dobermensch
Prog Reviewer

A mightily powerful and entirely memorable second outing from Dead Can Dance in '86, with a massive change in sound and style from their first album in '84.

Huge reverb is used throughout the 'Scott Walker' like vocals of Brendan Perry making this a very atmospheric recording indeed. Beautiful downbeat and original tunes in the most Gothic of ways pretty much sums up this dark masterpiece.

The incredibly powerful voice of Lisa Gerard on one half complements the 'High Priest' Brendan Perry on the other, creating a gloomy religious undertone to everything that occurs.

Some listeners might find Lisa Gerard's vocal performance very similar in style to the 'Trio Bulgarka' - which should be no surprise considering Peter Murphy of 'Bauhaus' fame introduced said group to the record label 4AD in the early 80's.

With lyrics based on the writings of Charles Baudelaire, this is one of my all time favourite records. I unhesitatingly give this five stars. Everything is drenched in reverb creating an eerie atmosphere throughout this astonishing album. Double bass, Cellos, Timpani drums, balalaika, gloomy keyboards and most of importantly of all - the incredible vocals.

This truly is the blackest of albums. To the uninitiated it may sound a bit 'Gregorian Chants'. Deliberately, Perry and Gerard never sing on the same tune on this recording - they're voices are so disparate and contrasting that they wisely kept them separate.

Interestingly - the front cover is actually a shot of a building which was currently being demolished in Manchester where, from a passing car somebody got out, plucked out a cloak and star from their boot and took the photo! Strange, but true...

Inspirational, completely consistent and close to perfection. As black as pitch, a masterpiece which would only increase one more time with their next release - 'Within the Realm', before the inevitable slide...

Dobermensch | 5/5 | 2011-3-4

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this DEAD CAN DANCE review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to Dobermensch
Report this review (#411087)
Buy DEAD CAN DANCE music online with PA partners
Show all DEAD CAN DANCE MP3/Stream
Go to DEAD CAN DANCE page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to Spleen and Ideal page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for DEAD CAN DANCE related discussions