Search - Martyn Bates :: Letters Written & The Return of the Quiet

Two Albums, Same Artist?

D. B. Rocca | Parkland, FL United States | 02/18/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Putting two albums together as fundamentally different as Letter Written and The Return of the Quiet is, simply put, just odd; of course, given the nature of Martyn Bates' career, with his shifts in genre and musical approaches, it shouldn't come as a complete surprise.
Letters Written was released in 1982 in the middle of two turning point releases for Eyeless in Gaza: Drumming the Beating Heart, and Pale Hands I Loved So Well. Little more than MB's passionate vocals soaring over church organ, Letters captures a stark and lonely quality. Themes of past reflection, changing ways, and enlightend solitude embue these ten songs with the spirit of a man finding his life's path. However, it is a shorter album (originaly released as an ep), and the songs feel somewhat fragmentary.
The Return of the Quiet was released in 1987, after Eyeless in Gaza's final release (of the '80's), Back from the Rains. Return tries to pick up where Rains left off: lengthy, over-developed pop epics with a somewhat melodramatic delivery. Being a huge fan of Martyn Bates (EIG is my favorite band of all time), it pains me to say this is, by far, his weakest album. Many of the songs tend to drag (Last Chapel Picnic), while others border on Morrisey-style histrionics (Sad Song of Almost, You've Got to Farewell). But, that's not to say it doesn't have some good songs: the title track's soulful sound stands out, as does She Will Know's great guitar and pop hooks. Mostly, Quiet is seeped in an 80's pop ethic that was far too limiting for MB's talent.
I recommend this compilation only for those big fans of EIG/MB who are looking to gain the bigger picture of their musical career. New fans should stick to the more accessible material (Voice, Rust Red September, or MB's releases on the Integrity Label, if you can find them) to get their feet wet."