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Then and again

Erica Anderson | Minneapolis, MN | 10/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a big fan of Voltaire's music for four years since I have first discovered him through his second album "Almost Human". Voltaire has a wicked, dry sense of humor with an amazing voice. He is one of my favorite goth artists although his music is atypically goth like say The Sisters of Mercy. I was excited when I found out that Voltaire had a new cd coming out. I recently found out that his new cd "Then and Again" was a departure from his last three albums which were filled with biting humor. "Then and Again" drops the sarcasm and takes a serious tone. I bought the cd today. Lyrically the songs on this cd is not filled with the wit and sarcasm that I had come to know and love from Voltaire but nevertheless the songs are still a real joy to listen to. According to the liner notes, Voltaire had recorded these songs a long time ago but decided to resurrect them and put them on one cd because he felt that it would break up his next offering "Ookie Spookie" and thought that these songs deserved their own cd. Normally I don't like it when people cover songs by The Cure for the most part but Voltaire does a really great interpretation of The Cure classic "Lovesong". Unlike 311 (who does nothing with the song but literally copy the song note by note for a horrible Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore movie), Voltaire reinterprets the song with his brand of music which is heavily influenced by medieval and folk music. "Believe" is a gorgeous ballad, definitely my favorite track on this entire album. All the songs on this 38 minute cd is excellent. It is quite interesting to hear Voltaire take a serious turn on his songwriting. "Then and Again" is a good appetizer to hold this fan over until his next album which he guarantess to be chockfull of his traditional sarcasm."

Definitely Then Again- To My Relief

M. Mulcahey | Centerville, IA USA | 10/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been an avid Voltaire fan for the past few years now. My favorite album by far is Almost Human, which I feel combines the best of his sarcasm and the best of his band, while not feeling as "rough" as Devil's Bris does in places. If you are like me, then you where watching anxiously for the release of this album, and were probably quite nervous when the description revealed that this was going to be a tangent in his style. No witty, dark cynicism. Descriptions that "this is the Voltaire you parents will like!" I don't _want_ the elderly to love my Voltaire!



Well, having listened to the album, I feel it's my duty to do my best to alleviate your fears! Yes, there are no great one-liners in the lyrics, or delightful trips into the mind of a great dark cynic, but the lyrics are quite lovely on their own. I was also afraid this was going to be a sickeningly happy album, and this simply isn't it. Most of the songs are still in a minor (sad-sounding) key, his wonderfully weepy vocals are still a main feature, and best of all his band is back in full swing. I hadn't liked the more "electronic" sound of Boo-Hoo- in my opinion the gypsy-style violin and cello employed in his first two albums are the pinnacle of great accompianment. If you felt the same way I did about Boo-Hoo, you'll probably weep with joy when you listen to Then and Again.



So while a lot of my review was my opinions on what makes Voltaire great, I hope that at least my words have shown you that while the descriptions of the album might make you afraid, this is Voltaire being Voltaire, sans the piles of corpses."

Serious and Thoughtful

Natasha Quill | 06/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you were expecting this album to be like all the other Voltaire albums, think again. It is heartfelt, honest, and emotional. It's definetly the cd your parents will love. Highlights on this album include "Crusade", "Goodnight Demonslayer", and my absolute favorite, "The Happy Song". If you're looking for something different, pick this one up."