Search - Clan of Xymox :: In Love We Trust

Strong Male Fronted Darkwave / Future Pop Album

M. Mierzwa | Davis, CA USA | 12/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"About the Band:

Founded in the Netherlands 1983, the band is considered something of a staple in the gothic / darkwave music community. The band has since moved to Leipzig, Germany (home of the annual international Wave Gotik Treffen darkwave festival) and has done a remarkable job staying on top of the darkwave sound. While Xymox's sound has evolved since the 1980s, they are still true enough to their roots that many fans of their older material love or enjoy their new releases as well. Though there have been some changes in the bands line-up since the 1980s, front-man, vocalist, and guitarist Ronny Moorings has remained with the band through its history.



About the Album:

First, I bought this album based on the amazon.com samples. One day I was debating purchasing a few select Xymox mp3s and decided to try out this album. I ended up liking all the samples and figured I'd just buy the entire package. I debate if I like In Love We Trust more than their 1999 release Creatures. One could argue that I enjoy their more modern sound, but I too like and also recommend Medusa. Like Creatures, In Love We Trust is upbeat and positive, whereas Medusa was more sober in pace and quality.



Though the overall album is upbeat, the album is still a classic darkwave album, meaning the music has a darker, regretful, and introspective quality. The liner notes include easy-to-read English lyrics for all 10 songs, though the order of the notes is different than the order of the tracks.



If you do not plan to purchase the album, but consider yourself a fan of older gothic rock or darkwave, I absolutely love the following three tracks. "Emily" reminds me of earlier guitar heavy Sisters of Mercy songs (think First and Last and Always era). The upbeat track "In Love We Trust" is similar to other Xymox's own material. Finally, "Love Got Lost" has an 80s new wave sound (keys heavy, think Gary Numan or Thomas Dolby) that I would use as a gateway to Clan of Xymox and darkwave in general for people new to the genre. "Love Got Lost" is energetic, fun, and will appeal to fans of the newer future pop genre (think VNV Nation). Though it did not make my list of recommended tracks, the closing track "On A Mission" is another strong example of future pop's influence on the Clan. It too sounds more like VNV, Assemblage 23, Angels and Agony or a host of other future pop bands.



Recommended Tracks:

- Emily

- Love Got Lost

- In Love We Trust



Similar Artists:

- Sisters of Mercy

- The Cure

- Diary of Dreams

- VNV Nation

- Tear Garden / Edward Ka-Spel



Overall there are some tracks that I loved and others that were OK. That said, I think I'm picky and that other darkwave / future pop fans will really enjoy this album. There is no doubt that all of the tracks, when mixed into my iTunes rotation are fun to listen to.

"

The everchanging Clan.........

Nathan Christian | Pitcairn, PA USA | 01/04/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ronny Mooring's vocals are better than ever...and not lost to far in the dramatic guitar/synth driven songs. This is far better than Breaking Point, although Breaking Point was good too. In Love We Trust is just a deeper, more emotional album, and easier to access.



1 Emily-- nothing really new here...but it's a darkly pleasing peice as only the Clan can deliver



2] Hail Mary-- a toss back to the first Clan cd all those years ago



3] Desdemona-- is a even closer toss back to the old days



4] Judas-- a lovely slice of modern Dark Wave



5] In Love We Trust-- catchy, a little funky with really good deep vocals



6] Sea Of Doubt-- this cd's "Consolation" like track....Ronny's vocals are amazing



7] Morning Glow-- possibly the most stirring song on the cd, and possibly one of the best tracks ever by the Clan. With eerie piano and sorrowful lyrics, it seems like a song about the morning dawn...but it's really about going into the light...and dying



8]Home Sweet Home-- my least favorite track, but i like it, veers close to Siouxsie And The Banshees in thier "Killing Jar" phase



9] Love Got Lost-- the closest to EBM the Clan get on this CD...reminds me a little of thier Phoenix days



10] On A Mission -- dark Gothic Techno!



I honestly feel this cd will rank in my to 30 all time favorites"