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Velvet Chain was getting Warmer...

01/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Made up of recordings at five different studios with twice as many mix masters, you get the impression that Velvet Chain was still looking for their sound when they made "Warm." If you arrived here after hearing the single "Strong," you may be frustrated by this album's inconsistency. All I want is to be wrapped up in the layers of Erika Amato's vocals, so that I'm bound tight when Jeff Stacy starts building up from the bass line. But on "Warm," VC can abruptly switch to En Vogue and then to Natalie Merchant. It's all quality, and this is obviously a very talented group, but it's not what I wanted. I would direct "Strong" fans to "The Buffy EP" first (not the soundtrack), which is a recent release, and to come back to "Warm" later."

One of the best unheard of bands in the country

09/24/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The style of music that Velvet Chain produces can be compared to a rainbow of colors. From the darkest hue to the most funky feet movin' jams, The Chain does not disapoint. Most people like to identify with the voice of Erika Amato as the driving heart and soul of the group. However, I believe there is an underlying secret to the groups overall success. To begin with, the songwriting technique brings us into an era of Jim Morrisonesque and Pink Floydish style. It grabs you by the hand and demands that you listen to the story being told. But it is not forceful like a mother grabbing your ear, but like the Lion from the Chronicles of Narnia, basically enticing you to experience this hypnotic wonder. Secondly, the music and the people that let the magic arise from the instruments introduce us to another feeling, almost dreamlike. Bass player Jeff Stacy is an individual with a knife like feel. Smooth in the middle but very sharp on the edges, Stacy knows how to control the strings with precision but he is also not afraid to let it ride. The guitar riffs from Tom Calzini bring you to a fork in the road. The melody looks like it is going one way, but then takes the road less traveled by and comes up and bites you in the ass. Craig Van Sant has an eerie sound with percussion like Stewart Copeland from the Police. He relies on it heavily through many songs which emphasizes the other sounds and brings them all together. With this type of musical backing, you would be led to believe that it is to cover the mediocre lead singer. Not a chance. Erika Amato is a singer with the song of a bird but the roar of a lion. Her voice captivates, intimidates, and leads you into a hypnotic lair that you wish you could never leave. All in All, Velvet Chain is a talent that will continue to live, thrive, and survive, whether a 1000 people here them, or the world. The opinion offered is based on talent, the talent of Velvet Chain."

Good

evil-bunny | 06/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It really depends on what kind of music you like. If you are a Buffy fan you might be familier with there song strong the version on this cd was even better I thought then the original version. I thought this was a great cd."