Search - Virgin-Whore Complex :: Succumb

"Succumb": 13 Brilliant Songs by the Virgin-Whore Complex

c725854@showme.missouri.edu | Columbia, Missouri | 01/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Virgin-Whore Complex itself remains a mystery to me and many of its fans; what exactly can one make of a band that reportedly believes that live performances are an anachronism and shuns the press? This, however, is known: Spats Ransom, Deb Fox, and Charlie Fulton are diverse personalities who can write beautifully melodic, intelligent music, as can be seen on their two Emperor Norton releases, "Stay Away From My Mother" and "Succumb". The band tends to write their best songs as if they were short films about the lives of their subjects, human beings whose painful or problematic lives show us the harsh reality of earthly existence. The stand-out, very pop-ish tracks on the album would have to be "Cool Brunette", sung by Fox, "Casey", sung by Fulton, and "Unrequited Love", sung by Ransom. The first, whose subject is a beautiful cigarette-smoking musician who is ultimately betrayed by the nicotine that gave her the strength to live her glamorous life, might just be the most clever song I've heard in my life. "Casey", a rather quiet piano piece, focuses upon a speed-taking, burned-out truck driver who finds himself unable to escape his disappointing and deteriorating life. "Unrequited Love", an energetic journey through the world of love, confusion, and muted guitars, would probably be a great choice for college radio airplay. In addition to these, the tracks in between provide plenty of stimulation for the ears. From the acoustic quietude of Ransom's "Succumb" to the bizarre tale of displaced and distraught extra-terrestrials (or perhaps dillusional religious cultists?) on Fox's "Lullaby", this disc will both engage your mind and keep your body movin' every time you spin it."