A simple yet detailed collage of music setting the mood for David Quinn's dark yet sometimes romantic lyrics. Without sounding trite, his vocals have a very Andrew Eldritch feel to them, and I say this in the best possible way (seeing as Quinn's seems natural, unlike the dozens of copy cats that have come across as sounding forced and silly). Add to this his lyrical stylings similar to Michael Gira's of Swans fame, and you have a great new combination.
The album does have a heavy guitar reliance but it is almost equally balanced with electronica. This electronic sound also shows an influence of old, without sounding dated. This is a new album. If one considers that Quinn wrote, performed and produced the whole album it's that much more impressive. He has given me a little inside information on the album's creation via a short e-mail interview.
First, a bit of background on Quinn: "(He is) a classically trained musician and was part of the Australian music scene for many years before moving to the UK in 1999. He has had more than 30 releases on labels such as Amphetamine Reptile (USA), Glitterhouse (Germany), Normal (Germany), Megadisc (Holland), KK (Belgium), Aberrant (Australia), Waterfront (Australia), Cicada (Australia) and Black Hole (Australia). He has also played in some of the more challenging and innovative bands that have emerged from Australia, notably Madroom, King Snake Roost, Kaktus Mantras and Deathless (which still exists as a side project)."
He listed as some of his influences, especially while recording this album "Republica, Curve, Type O Negative, Oasis (yeah, I know...), Bathory and Suicide, as well as some usual all-time favorites as Joy Division, Virgin Prunes, Swans, Cop Shoot Cop, Debussy, Killing Joke, Godflesh, Head of David, The Cure (circa Fiction), Public Hanging (totally underrated Australian band), some David Bowie, Bauhaus, very early Sisters of Mercy and March Violets, Cramps, Test Dept, Laibach..."
"Most of the album was written either just before or just as I was starting to see (my wife) so a lot of it is either related to limerance (the initial infatuation - sorry I did Psychology 101!) or about the uncertainty that goes with a new relationship."
The first track, "Rain" was on the benefit compilation Nature of Gothic put out earlier this year, titled "The Whitby Collection." A relationship tale with a seemingly sad ending...one which we all have felt in some form. "Will you ever love me, it's what we knew...but at least we saw it rain." This one shows the stong Sisters influence and between the hard dance floor beat and the powerful and dark vocals it is made to be played in a goth club.
"Eternal" is the third track and has some evidence that other reviews i've read are correct in comparing Quinn's vocals to that of Joy Division's Ian Curtis'. A tale of tragic relationship, another one that I believe many can understand. This is a slower song with the emphasis on a constant shoegazer type of guitar part with drums and some synths well in the background. Heavy and almost droning the track trudges along and makes you feel better for hearing it, but wondering what else is there to the story.
Quinn had a bit to tell me about the track titled "Why I Hate Children."
"I don't actually hate children. It's childhood that I dislike - and the worst thing about it is that as a child you are helpless and not capable of *knowing* that you are being shat upon - I always assumed that everyone's childhood was like mine. It wasn't until I was older that I realised mine really was out of the ordinary. I must admit though that I like the idea that a title like that can so easily upset people who are only capable of taking it literally."
I could go on and describe each track, but I just have to say this sound, these lyrics, this album (or at least this type of album) is what made me take hold of this culture and lifestyle. It will touch you if you let it. It's truly the first "gothic" album i've heard in ages that immediately sounded right. Some have grown on me in the past 5 or 10 years, but usually faded from my listening stacks...this one I believe will have some true holding power.
To hear more come by Kult ov Bela on a Tuesday Night or go to the Nature of Gothic Website. As far as touring, Quinn has said he is working on putting together a band to possibly tour the U.S. sometime in early 2002. So keep an eye out and check back here or TNoG site frequently for updates.
