Search - Lene Lovich :: Shadows & Dust

Interesting comeback

Steven J. Fritchie | Inglewood,CA | 07/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Lene Lovich is one of the late 70's-80's most underrated performers. The music in "Shadows and Dust" is Lene in a more gothic mood. Ocasionally,some of her playfulness with the music comes through such as in "The Insect eater" and "The Wicked Witch". "Gothica" and "Ghost Story" are lyrically more ...goth. Some people may take a few listenings to really get into this (me for one), but I think it's worth it. I took away one star because it drives me nuts when the songs are not in the same order as the song list. I'm sure that this is more the record companys fault than Lene's but... As a side note, this is just as good as her earlier albums including "March". I think that album was underrated. The only thing that threw me off was her vocals...I swear it was Nina Hagen and not Lene Lovich (I love both artistes enormously, so this would not have really been a bad thing). Anyway, for all of Lene Lovich's fans I say...go for it. You won't be sorry."

Fresh, Gothic, Entrancing, Absolutely Brilliant~!

William Scarbrough | Elkton, MD | 08/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite my age, I'd never heard any of Lene's work because I was more inclined to the hard rock sound during my youth. After recently checking out a broad list of Lene's compilations I have to admit this is one of the most genius women artists I've ever heard. The way the CD is put together is refreshing and welcome in a time when clipped sound bytes and layered drum tracks seem to be the norm in the music industry eg. boring, loathsome and repetative. Each song here carries you through a story and mindset like you've never been through.

One of the tracks that really grabbed me was "Gothica". The beat is reminiscent of the 80's wall of sound but with a grinding edge of guitar tastefully blended in and backing vocals that are layered just right so as to not distract the listener.

If Lene's voice and lyrics weren't enough there is also Les Chappell's fluid guitar work that adds the mix and bite that makes this batch of work so uniquely entertaining. It's incredible to hear how far along he's come as a musician from the days of "Lucky Number" (another brilliant and fun song). You hope musicians will mature and their sound will remain familiar in some ways and here Les has risen well above what I'd hoped for.

What I feel and hear from Lene's music in this compilation is exactly what had been missing from so many Goth wannabees (including Nena Hagen). It's eclectic, entertaining, fun, and eerily operatic in that it tells a theme and story. Not just a mindless diatribe of songs thrown together but an actual audio movie in your mind that absorbs you into a completely different thought process.

Lene achieves what no other New Wave/Goth performer is able to do in my opinion. She brings you into the Goth mindset and makes you think for yourself (Independently) while your filled with a feeling of enjoyment, unlike so many other artists who leave you feeling depressed and hateful towards the world.



The only sad part is that Amazon only allows 5 stars for reviews. In my own opinion this deserves 10 stars!

If you want to expand your taste in music to something that's new and horizon breaking I can't recommend this CD highly enough. This is pure genius from beginning to end!!!



"

EXCELLENT!

Nathan Christian | Pitcairn, PA USA | 04/20/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lene is back! And stronger than ever! Lene has released a new cd on the stereosociety web page run by Mike Thorne, the 80's producer. It's a startling come back....Lene is in top form just as if she never left! It honestly took me a few listens to like this cd...but it has grown on me, and in my honest opinion, it is Lene's best, right next to FLEX. Lene proves she is Queen of the fun gothic dance songs.



The cd is packed with sounds...voices echoing the the background...calls and shrieks, la la la's and sonic blasts of synth. Les Chappel's deep baritone echoes in places, and adds a dark atmosphere to the music. Lene's voice has never sounded better. It's full and rich as she sings, calls, speaks and shrieks through this 10 song set. I wish it had been a longer cd!



The cd begins with "Craze" a snewy, plucky song, with Lene's rich alto singing against the music...not with it...and she uses her voice as a squealing escalating trill up and down as a hook. A new, funky lene has been born! Possibly one of the best songs she has ever done!!!!



Lene touches darkwave with the passionate "Remember"....and once again her voice is rich and full...and lonely...



She then hits a fast pace with "Gothica"....a driving, guitar powered song....with her and les shouting "Goth-ic-ca!!!" as the hook. It's a fun, spooky song...with echoing voices and odd sounds popping in and out of the mix....this song should be the single. Les is also in top vocal form providing a deep croaking buried into the mix. It sounds like he is chanting "ooga shocka ah ooga shocka ah"



The song "The Insect Eater" is a brilliant masterpiece about Renfield, the crazed slave of Dracula. It's cartoony, and fun...and when Dracula speaks to Renfield, the production is top-notch, with Lene and Les's altered voices speaking...it's brilliant! Lene sings "earwigs in my fridge at midnight put me in a dancing mood" then Les screams "Earwigs!!!"



The cartoony, gothic fun contiues on "The Wicked Witch". You'll find yourself singing along to the chorus. It's a cross between the Wicked Witch of the West and horror movie witchcraft with blaring synth and guitar...and more voices and calling in the background. A memorable line "I'll do more than make you cry!"



This is a deep cd. the production is some of the best you will ever hear. It's thick, and sonic...and the vocals come at you from all directions, as screams, yodels, whispers, croaking, singing, chanting...and it all blends together into one startling masterpiece.

"