Search - Christian Death :: Sex & Drugs

A stunning goth classic, no matter how you rewrite history

REX | Chicago | 04/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Love it or hate it, S&D&JC is the album that established Valor as a creative auteur of his own making. There are no remnants of Rozz's early band here - this is simply a punk and hard-rock infused goth album that is alternately rocking, danceable, funny, creepy, and thought-provoking.



However, this particular edition is somewhat lacking. If possible, stick to the 1995 reissue on Jungle from the UK, which has all of the tracks here plus the Gitane number "Jesus, Where's the Sugar?" (curiously left off of this edition), plus the tracks from the B-side of the concurrent "What's the Verdict" single, "Ketzerei" ("Heresy" in German) and "This Is Not Blasphemy," another bluesy Gitane number. Also, "Ten Thousand Hundred Times" here is not the original version - it sounds as if it has been replaced by a newer, possibly live version.



The remastering here is a bit overzealous, as well. Whereas some of the other Cleo/Candlelight editions sound stunning (i.e. Catastrophe Ballet or Atrocities), the bass is too deep here and it distorts the music on most normal stereo set-ups.



Never mind the contingent of the goth subculture who categorically deny some of the Christian Death albums out of some sort of principle based on something that happened 20 years ago of which they weren't even a part -- S&D&JC and other latter-day Christian Death albums have been a fundamental part of the musical tapestry for decades. They're not going to go away now, nor do they necessarily deserve to. Anyone who's ever danced to "Sick of Love" or "Church of No Return" or "Incendiary Lover" understands why."

An Amazing Atmospheric Album

E. King | 08/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike the trash that most surf rock Goth kids enjoy, this album takes a slower more thought out view of things. Full of genuine masculine vocals, rich ambient noise, heavy bass lines, and sincere guitar playing. This album will lull you into a trance. It takes you into a haunted house of really creepy noise and angry voices always with a bit of humor and sarcasm. Gitane Demone female vocalist of Christian Death adds a wonderful sexual touch into this dark cauldron of hatred and frustration towards the meek and weak minded. This is a really great album meant for the activist mind. This album reveals something new with each listen. If you are looking for catchy pop that sounds old before the record is over buy The Iron Mask."