Search - Peter Murphy :: Unshattered

O sweet relief!

oompah_loompah | PA, USA | 10/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard a clip of Idleflow on Peter's website and my initial reaction was that of "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!" (shakes fist at the gods). I was not pleased with the direction I wrongly assumed he was going in. I was thinking, "He's trying to sell out with a VENGENCE!". Not only was I wrong, thank goodness, but I actually feel kinda guilty for assuming such things. I done disrespected The Murph, I did (hangs head).



I must admit, I was expecting (er, hoping for) a continuation of Dust, only with the Massive Attack-y/low fi industrialness amped up a couple more points. Silly rabbit. The Murph has NEVER in his recording history given listeners what they expect. There's a reason no two Peter Murphy albums sound alike. He likes to mess with your mind, man. He's a mystical dude. The Murph is stagnant for no one.



Right, so, the actual album...I was surprised in the lovliest way. I was expecting a straight pop album and got a "poppy" album that is also a very good album in its own right. "Emergency Unit" and "Blinded Like Saul" are just REALLY freaking good. "Breaking No One's Heaven" is the one that's going to make the most noise, though.



The only problem I have (and I'm still giving the album 5 stars because I think it'll grow on me) are the choruses of some of the songs. I really dug "Face The Moon" and "Idleflow" until the choruses came in. The staggeringly sentimental poppiness just doesn't work with my nervous system, I suppose. I don't know, I mean, I still hate "Hit Song", so maybe I'll never grow accustomed to it, but if you dig that sort if thing, this will remain a fairly perfect album.



This is just a flat out good album. After hearing ONLY the chorus to "Idleflow" at first , I must admit I was apprehensive, but I'm so glad I gave the whole thing a chance and I'm quite humbled. I'm more excited for when I chase Peter's upcoming tour all around the country now. :)



Note: I'll probably edit review later once I get to know the album more...



Update, 11/16/04:

After listening to all of my Peter Murphy albums, I realize that this album isn't any poppier than some stuff on Love Hysteria, Cascade, Should The World or Holy Smoke, and I've grown to love all these albums, so I don't see why this one won't grow on me as well. Yeah, in all honesty, I wish Peter had done something more innovative, as Dust gave me a lot of hope, but this really isn't that hugely different from past offerings. Let's hope the next one is another Dust or Deep, though, I know Peter has it in him. :)"

I'm blinded like Saul!

Frankland S. Strickland | Memphis, Tennessee | 11/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh God! Wow! Aaaaaahhhh! I could end this review right here because the preceeding interjections pretty well sum it up!



Okay, let me first address the concerns of this being a "mainstream" effort. When compared to the very "artsy" (some might say "pretentious") leanings of "Dust," this album is quite properly mainstream, but it is by no means any more mainstream than "Love Hysteria" or "Deep." With this being said, I'd actually compare parts of this album to "Should the World Fail to Fall Apart" or even "Love Hysteria." The majority of the album, however, actually seems to pick up where "Cascade" left off. The track "Blinded Like Saul," while quite good, doesn't seem to "fit" with the rest of the album. It is by far the most guitar-heavy track on the album and would have fit nicely on either "Love Hysteria" or "Deep." On second thought, it may have even fit well on "Holy Smoke."



The album opens with the second rendition of "Idle Flow." The original appeared on Peter DiStephano's "project" group, Rambient. On Rambient's only album, "So Many Worlds," the Godfather of Goth contributed two tracks: "Idle Flow" and "We Dive." I don't know which version I like better. I say get them both and enjoy them both.



Here's a breakdown of the other tracks since Amazon (at the time of this review) hasn't seen fit to provide the customary audio samples:



1. Idle Flow -- see above

2. Kiss Myself -- listen to it several times before passing judgement! The accordian (which sounds more like harmonica) really works my nerves, but the song does have a "Scarlet Thing in You" ring to it and that's a good thing to me.

3. Piece of You -- beautiful nylon-string guitar work contained herein. Sounds very "Cascade"ish.

4. Face the Moon -- think my "My Last Two Weeks."

5. Emergency Unit -- very melodic and sounds faintly like Bowie's "Wild is the Wind."

6. Thelma Sings to Little Nell -- absolutely gorgeous! The accordian here is right on target. If you liked "Strange Kind of Love," this is your thing.

7. The Weight of Love -- one of my favorite tracks. The bass guitar reminds me so much of Mick Karn's on the songs from Dali's Car "The Waking Hour." I think many of us may have forgotten about that one for a moment.

8. Give What He's Got -- my very favorite track. This one makes my spine get all tingly, just like "Indigo Eyes" always did!

9. Blinded Like Saul -- see above

10. The First Stone -- This is the one that reminds me of some of the stuff on Murphy's debut album.

11. Breaking No One's Heaven -- It is sort of this album's "Roll Call" with sound effects very similar to that on "Dust." Too hard to define, but good nonetheless.



Okay, well that's it! Go get it!"

Shattering delusions

Author Brian Wallace (Mind Transmis | Texas | 11/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After discovering that the usual sources for carrying works like this (local record stores) were having great trouble stocking this disc, I was reminded of the value of companies like Amazon. Anyway, I got the disc and ignored (wisely) all the negative reviews. I allowed my mind to become immersed in yet another grand and visionary audible voyage by Peter Murphy. Easily, there are at least four or five intensely beautiful and very nicely sung songs on this work, making the unreserved bashings ludicrous. Those listeners who always want rockin' goth from this guy will hopefully realize, over time, that artists evolve - especially seminal artists like Peter Murphy. Artists like this raise the bar each time and do something different (highly unique) each time they're up at bat.



Those who enjoy ballads and gentle, yet powerful, songs will be pleased. His trademark mysterious and thought-provoking lyrics are as intact and improved as his unparalleled baritone (despite the anti-smoking babblings of one of the previous reviewers).



Peter sounds wonderful on this work and ventures into marvelous new space that transcends the vast majority of other music out there. Go tell all your open-minded friends about this one so they show their support and convince the record company that it should be behind this artist 100%. There is nothing on the planet like seeing this majestic performer live.



Peter Murphy always shatters the competition, for he is in a league all his own.

"