Search - Future Bible Heroes :: I'm Lonely & I Love It

A step below "Memories Of Love," but still very enjoyable.

Pope Penguin | Southern California, United States | 04/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Perusing some of the other reviews of this EP, I wonder if the other reviewers are even aware that FBH came out with a brilliant full length LP, "Memories of Love," in 1997. Additionally, I feel other have been unduly harsh on this EP release. "Memories" was one of a scant few recordings that almost instantly entered my top ten of all time after hearing it. I've called it a "perfect album": adventurous synth pop with incredible lyrics and fitting vocals (Stephin Merritt's mellow...baritone and Claudia Gonson's breathy alto trappings). It's no wonder then that as soon as this EP was released I had to have it. I see it as merely a teaser for great things to come from FBH; almost like a promo more than a proper EP release. It took me a bit to get used to the subtly different approach from "Memories" (a bit more dancy), but I ended up loving it all the same. The title track is a breezy synth pop tour de force - a perfect break up song. "My Blue Hawaii" grated on me at first, but after a bit I found I couldn't get it out of my head. The lyrics may be trite, but it's camp fun (and sounds exactly what you'd imagine a synth pop song about Hawaii to sound like). "Cafe Hong Kong" just knocked me right out. A slow, swaggering piece of night time alleyway synth jazz, anchored by Gonson's desperate, gentle cherubic vocals. "Good Thing I Don't Have Any Feelings" sounds as if it could have been an outtake from the "Memories" LP, thereby making it my favorite track. A concise three-minute synth pop nugget, again returning to the theme of breakups (Stephin seems to be at his best when using "brevity" as his watchword). The "Hopeless (remix)" marks the *third* occasion the song has been released by the group, so they're obviously fond of it, but it does little to improve on the already fabulous "Memories" LP version. If you're a Merritt addict, this is definitely a required purchase (aren't they all?). If my review has piqued your interest, I'd suggest starting with the LP "Memories Of Love," or perhaps delving into Stephin's amazing main musical vehicle, The Magnetic Fields ("Get Lost" makes an excellent starting point)."

You just can't stop the hits (I guess)

Pope Penguin | 07/19/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"One would think Stephen Merritt would be too exhausted to punch out a melody on his Yamaha after last year's expansive and moody cabaret epic, 69 Love Songs, yet here are 5 more for the inevitable future box set. This project expands on Mr. Merritt's love affair with new wave music and all things ABBA, and the production is so well-done compared to the Memories of Love LP. Drum machines boom over layer after catchy layer of synthetic melodies, while Stephen drones about lost love, Martin Denny, and (of course) the moon.Don't get me wrong, this is by no means brilliant, but it will satisfy the average Merritt fan, and wet your appetite for the long awaited 6ths album (to be honest I might be the only one waiting, but don't let my obsessive compulsive disorder deter you)."