Search - Mind Over 4 :: Goddess

Wierd. random metal

Worgelm | United States | 11/18/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"(4-1/2 stars) This beast has a most peculiar construction. I have never been fully able to embrace any of the three Mind Over Four records I own completely - but at the same time I love everything that they do. Part of it is lead singer Spike Xavier's "boldness" is definitely an acquired taste ( but in a good way, like Peter Hammill or Fish). Mike Jensen's Iommi-meets-Fripp guitar work is very unorthodox. This is definitely the boldest plate of their catalog - its possible to get completely lost in the dense, beautifully bizarre arrangements in both "The Goddess" and the ultra-heavy "Gemini." And you just KNOW that any metal album with "Hell's Bravest Song" has gotta rock silly."

A rock/metal MASTERPIECE

- Durrkk | Ohio/PA border USA | 04/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mind Over Four is an alternative metal band from the Los Angeles area that put out six albums from 1983-1995. I've only heard 1990's THE GODDESS and 1993's HALF WAY DOWN. All I know is that THE GODDESS is a hands-down masterpiece; it deserves a worthy spot in everyone's rock/metal collection.



What sets Mind Over Four apart from the common heap is their originality and expert songcraft. As noted above, their style is quirky alternative metal mixed with pop and jazz. By "pop" I mean that practically every song is filled with powerful hooks. Both "12 Days of Wind" and "Autumn's Here" should have been huge hits for the band. I'm talking "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Welcome to the Jungle" territory here.



Another thing that sets this band apart is their well-written and thought-provoking lyrics. You don't have to worry about enduring moronic lyrics like "Dr. Love" or "We're Not Gonna Take It" with Mind Over Four. Their words are REAL and have spiritual depth; they're also ambiguous enough to leave breathing room for interpretation.



Their song structures are unorthodox. You might as well throw out any quaint ideas of verse/chorus/verse/chorus/lead because that's not how they write. Despite this, every song seems to flow naturally. It's almost like they allow the songs to write themselves.



They also have a strong free-syle jam element to their songwriting and delivery, similar to, say, APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION. Needless to say, the listener doesn't have to worry about overly contrived, sterile, not-one-sound-out-of-place crap like Metallica's THE BLACK ALBUM. (How long did it take 'em to record that album -- 2 years? Absurd).



Here are some thoughts on the six best songs:



"Prayer for the Dying." This one's pretty frantic with wild, punk-like vocals; but the verses feature a highly melodic and hooky sliding octave riff. The lyrics reflect on the fall of American society through the window of a young man dead on the floor. The ending is potent as the singer cries out: "Light the light of the scapegoat, light they eye of the world, give them hope, give them future, give them all that you caaaaAAAAAAAAAaaaaaan!!"



"The Goddess." This one starts out in a plodding manner topped with unorthodox lead licks. It then takes a mid-paced shift culminating in sliding power chords. The 'Goddess' is obviously a metaphor, but I haven't figured it out yet. It might refer to America, who knows?



"12 Days of Wind." This is an incredible piece. As noted above, it should have been a huge hit for the band. It sort of sounds like Iron Maiden's "Another Life" from the Di'Anno era, but way better and more radio-friendly. The lyrics are easy to figure out. What do ya think "wind," "rain," "the good house," and "lie right here" refer to?



"Ice, Water, Steam." This one starts with some great frenzied riffing and killer drums/bass. Within 45 seconds the song shifts to one of the most catchy pieces you're ever likely to hear. I'd call it a chorus, but Mind Over Four obviously don't believe in choruses.



"Autumn's Here." The song starts out mellow and acoustic and then the hanging power chords kick in. Like "12 Days of Wind" this should have been a huge radio hit. The lyrics are potent as the singer laments the death of a friend as the Autumn season ushers in.



"Airplanes." The final cut is largely a melancholic acoustic piece, although there are some heavy parts as well. I suppose you could call it a 'ballad,' whatever that is. Anyway, the mood, words and vocals are incredibly moving. One line addresses a mother telling her son "I'm sorry about this world" almost like she's apologizing for being the decisive channel that brought her offspring into this screwed-up piece of excrement. (Don't take that in the wrong spirit, I'm not hopeless, pessimistic or nihilistic, far from it, but who can deny the insanity of this world?). Another powerful line in the song is the expertly delivered "love flows just like water through our fingers."



The other four songs aren't quite as good but they each have their moments and are overall decent alternative metal songs.



BOTTOM LINE: If you don't own Mind Over Four's THE GODDESS or have never heard it, sell everything you have and pick it up. Sellers here at Amazon are offering it fairly cheap. Trust me, THE GODDESS ranks with the best rock/metal albums of all time, including these ones:



Pink Floyd DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Metallica RIDE THE LIGHTNING

Guns n' Roses APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION

Black Sabbath PARANOID

My Dying Bride TURN LOOSE THE SWANS

U2 WAR

Agalloch THE MANTLE

Bathory HAMMERHEART

Death SYMBOLIC

Slayer SEASONS IN THE ABYSS

Queensryche THE WARNING



Yeah, it's THAT good. Needless to say, it's a crime against humanity that THE GODDESS never attained the recognition that it deserves.



Oh, by the way, if you're not quite sure what to make of Mind Over Four's name, it refers to the four members joining together to form one mind musically."