Search - Patton & Kaada :: Romances

Mildly romantic

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 05/10/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"A few tracks into "Romances," you'll probably find yourself asking the question: What movie is this from? With all that gothic ambience and sudden ups-and-downs, it sounds like the soundtrack from a surrealist vampire flick. As a result, it's a pleasant if unexceptional listen.



To some degree, it's what you'd expect of Fantomas frontman Mike Patton, when he collaborates with Norwegian melting-pot master Kaada. The opening song is a dense, built-up colossus of ghostly vocals (either high and creepy or deep and foreboding), weird synth and over-the-top organ. It sounds like Patton and Kaada are trying to scare you with the woo-woo effects.



That flavour sticks around in lesser forms in the songs that follow, which generally pair ambient effects, bells, steel guitar, electronic wibbling and some seriously sad songwriting. Patton is more restrained here than in his main band, and he is able to croon in a suitably mournful manner.



Despite the dark tone, there is some unexpected hilarity in "L'absent," which sounds like the Polyphonic Spree misplaced their meds. I've never heard "la la la" sung with such gloom. And "Pitie Pour Mes Larmes" mixes in hymns, uplifting pop with that ambient sound and some heavy crashing drums. Just try to classify that!



"Romances" is an interesting listen while it's actually on, but with at least half of each song made of gothic ambience, it feels somehow incomplete and insubstantial. A few songs have a solid sound to tap into -- such as the opening song "Invocations" -- but most of them meander with lots of creepy sound effects.



It is a pretty listen, though, with some solid instrumentation in the form of bass, steel guitar, drums, and clarinet, with multilayered washes of sound sweeping over it all. And Patton's mournful wails are suitably creepy, just the sort of thing you'd expect in a haunted castle, abandoned palace, decrepit opera house, or something of the sort.



"Romances" is not exactly a revelation, but it is a moderately entertaining piece of gothic ambient music. Patton and Kaada could have done better, but at least they did well enough."

Simple, Fasctinating, and Weirdly Romantic

Robert Clifford | Long Beach, CA | 05/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I would consider myself a semi-fan of Mike Patton's past work. I've loved albums such as Mister Bungle's California, but found much of his music to be self indulgent and clever, rather than inspired. Romances blows my mind, however. Overall, this work would probably best be described as a collection of soundscapes rather than songs; and within this context it suceeds brilliantly. Throughout this album layer after layer of shimmering instrumental and evocative vocal tracks create of mood that can only be described as dreamy, sensual and yes -- romantic! In fact, what Patton & Kaada may have produced here is the most bizzare makout album of all time! If you're looking to rock out stay away from Romances. But if you're in search of something different and could use a soundtrack for getting hot and bothered with the coolest and weirdest significant other possible, I highly recommend this album."

Boardering hallucination

Mark Lyon | CT, USA | 03/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album, because I'm a big fan of Mike Patton's work with Faith No More, Bungle, Fantomas, and Tomahawk. I know Patton is a complete nut. However, I was not familiar with John Kaada at the time of my purchase. Even though, I'm very familiar with Patton's other work, what this album had in store was very unexpected. It is possibly the creepiest, trippiest, most intriguing album I've ever heard. It is not for your average listener, by any means. This is the type of music that will take hold of one's mind, give extremely vivid hallucinations of what is going on, and wrap around the brain, squeezing it into insanity. There are abrupt dynamic and instrumentation chnages that will either confuse the hell out of you, or make you more and more curious as to what will happen next. Buy this album if you are looking for an emotional rollercoaster. It is one of the most interesting soundscapes in my collection. I personally love it. Most probably wouldn't know what to think of it."