Search - Miranda Sex Garden :: Madra

Madrigal Heaven

S. Gustafson | 03/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay...admittedly, the madrigal form isn't like anything else out there; but if you enjoy a capella female voices, and the idea of Shakespearean songs peaks your interest, this is THE cd for you! Miranda Sex Garden's singers have voices that are best described as ethereal and haunting. Their music is soothing and deeply evocative; it's the kind of music that makes you want to light every candle in the house and shed the stress of the day. The songs may not be headed for the top 40 anytime soon, but they were definitely in the top 40 of the 1500's...give it a try if you like, for example, the 90's cd of "Chant" monastic music."

Too Subtle to Be Satisfying

K. Franklin | Yonkers, NY | 11/06/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"First off, the volume on this album has to be turned up several notches in order to hear much. Then, the mood doesn't really change. The inflections change, but there isn't a range of emotions. Maybe this is due to too much of a soprano emphasis and lower keys never come bellowing through--the small traces of them just dangle in the background.



I understand that the madrigal nature of Madra is not intended to be the same Miranda Sex Garden as seen in later releases like Susperia, Carnival of Souls, or Fairytales of Slavery. But after hearing these delightful albums, Madra is too much of a letdown. For fans of MSG who are considering buying this album, I suggest you listen to samples and decide if it's for you.



It does get points for the concept (I admire any artist who visits medieval culture), the beauty in the voices themselves, and the composition. It takes a lot of organization and proper synchronization to accomplish this effect.

"