Search - Violet Indiana :: Casino

Casino
Violet Indiana
Casino
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

Casino blends the ethereality of '80s Cocteau Twins with the funky gloom of '90s trip-hop, so it should come as no surprise that Violet Indiana's lineup is composed of ex-Cocteau Twins frontman Robin Guthrie and former Mon...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Violet Indiana
Title: Casino
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Instinct Records
Release Date: 1/22/2002
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Style: Indie & Lo-Fi
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 720841059325

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Casino blends the ethereality of '80s Cocteau Twins with the funky gloom of '90s trip-hop, so it should come as no surprise that Violet Indiana's lineup is composed of ex-Cocteau Twins frontman Robin Guthrie and former Mono vocalist Siobhan De Mare. Both Guthrie and trip-hop tend to favor darkly romantic lyrics, lush textures, slow-to-medium tempos, and highly stylized female vocals. Guthrie's once innovative and influential guitar sound is the central musical element on this album, a collection of previously released material plus three unreleased tracks. His chorus/delay/reverb-drenched guitar floods the sonic spectrum with shimmery, almost aquatic, tones. De Mare's singing takes on many forms: she's sassy on "Bang Bang," wispy on "Poppy," and unabashedly dramatic on "Chapter Three." Unfortunately, Casino sounds a tad stale; it's a slightly updated, watered-down version of musical styles that were once quite striking. But Cocteau Twins devotees and trip-hop fans should like it just fine. --Fred Cisterna

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CD Reviews

It just doesn't sound right.
07/26/2003
(2 out of 5 stars)

"On paper this CD looks like a can't miss. But while Siobhan De Mare's vocals were perfectly matched to the retro trip-hop of Mono's "Formica Blues", they sound strangely awkward here. Robin Guthrie's music is pure Cocteau Twins, and maybe that's part of the problem. After the first few notes you just can't wait to here Elizabeth Fraser's unique brand of gibberish floating dreamily over the ambient waves. But here, de Mare attacks and ultimately overwhelms the songs. It's grating to the ears and sadly unenjoyable."
I really want to like this CD...I really do.
Patrick Roberts | Los Angeles, CA USA | 05/09/2003
(2 out of 5 stars)

"Like Roulette, the music on Casino is strong, but unfortunately, unlike Roulette, I can't say the same for the vocals. Siobhan has a great voice, but the lyrics and melodies on Casino are unimaginitive and uninspired. "Bang Bang" is the best example of the fantastic music distracted from by the uninspired vocals treatment. I would recommend picking up Roulette if you don't already have it or waiting for Violet Indiana's next relese."
Red hot.
powercorruptionandlies2002 | Southern California, United States | 10/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not necessarily an LP, this is a compilation of EP songs, put together on one record. All the songs are pure gems, and I believe that the songs should have been released as an LP in the first place. Just like "Roulette", this record is best under a red light.It's not the Cocteau Twins. But, it's [darn] good."