Not His Best, But Still Pretty Damn Good
I can't say I regret my purchase. I bought this album along with Devil's Bris as the result of a recent trip to Amoeba Records. While as far as I'm concerned Boo Hoo may very well hold the record for dumbest opening track I've heard in quite some time, it definitely has its moments. I agree with an earlier reviewer who said that a lot of the tunes on this album are filler material, but hell, what I would give to write a song like Graveyard Picnic or BRAINS! .
Beautiful
Angst and amusement in equal parts, with some random goofiness thrown in for good measure. Gotta say, while I'm not what anyone would call a goth, I adore this cd.
"Future Ex-Girlfriend" almost made me do a spit-take first time I heard it, it was that funny. "#1 Fan" walks that fine obsessed line between tragically pathetic and kinda creepy. "Where's the Girl". . . kind of a surprise-ending song, definitely sums up the sad bewilderment of seeing someone you love inexplicably change for the worse. And then. . .
And then there's "The Vampire Club," which, given that I hang out with both pirates and vampires (and ninjas, but we won't get into that), was absolutely hysterical to me. This was actually the song that got me into Voltaire in the first place. Clash of the subcultures, man. Can't go wrong. And then there's "BRAINS!" Love it, love it, love it. Kudos on the gratuitous use of the word "sweetbreads. " And then - of course - there's "Graveyard Picnic. " I haven't heard too many other reviewers comment on this one; maybe I'm the only one who's this tickled by literary references. Oh well. I liked it.
As for the sound: I'm not familiar enough with Voltaire to compare this to his other albums, so I'll just call it as I see it. First of all, his singing voice could make "Mary Had A Little Lamb" sound sardonic and twisted. He does this elaborate, exaggeratedly passionate thing with every word he sings, and the songs fairly drip with sarcasm. The overall effect is as if he knows some great cosmic joke, at once highly disturbing and deeply amusing, and he'll let you in on it - if he feels like it. Secondly, the instruments are just - lush. That's the only word for them. Whether it's the dark baroque style of (say) "#1 Fan" and "Vampire Club," or the smoky, swingin' big-band feel of "BRAINS!" or "About A Girl" (or even the lighter, more innocent-seeming melodies of "Future Ex-Girlfriend," which is a warm breeze on a spring morning compared to the rest of the album), the music is always intricate, evocative, and unusually beautiful.
Best moments on the cd: the taut violin intro to "I'm Sorry. " The line "Bela Lugosi's still undead!" in "Vampire Club. " And, of course, the bit about Keanu in "Future Ex-Girlfriend!"
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Somewhat bored........
I first got hooked when I bought Devil's Bris and from there I had to have more. I adore Voltaire and his overly genius sense of humor. When I got Boo Hoo my admiration slowed. He droned on incessantly with a alot songs almost slipping me into a coma. I do however love his cover of Bjork's "Bachelorette" and Tori's "Caught a Lite Sneeze". Overall this CD for me is only good on bleak days. .
Amusing at Points, not his best
I think of it as more of a transition album, because it holds some satirical songs like DB and AH, but also some downright silly ones like "BRAINS!" and "Vampire Club". This album has a few highlights on it, but generally is not as strong as Devil's Bris or Almost Human. And don't forget the Tori Amos cover of "Caught a Lite Sneeze". It's a bit shorter than the original, but I like Voltaire's version better. .
Not his best, but a must have for the completest.
He's pure genius. That being said, the worst of Voltaire's work easily makes a mockery of what passes for the best of today's music - processed talentless, thoughtless, crap. Definitely check out his older work as well; it's the cream of his career, and you'll be addicted.
You can see a complete list of all Voltaire discography, or go back to the Voltaire tabs
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