Search - Hungry Lucy :: Apparitions

An Engaging Ode to the ones we've Loved and Lost

Clarissa | Ontario, California | 02/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""I would like to dedicate this album to all those who are no longer with us. I believe that sometimes, wandering spirits are the loneliest kind. I hope they eventually find what they're looking for..." Hungry Lucy was formed in 1998 when War-N Harrison approached Christa Belle and asked her to lend her vocals to "Blue Dress" for a Depeche Mode tribute album. When she agreed to the task, the duo found themselves working so well together that they set out to record the eerie "Bound In Blood", which was then released at mp3.com (supporter of indie music). The track did surprisingly well and was the jump-start of a massive response by new, demanding fans, which eventually led to their first full-length CD: 'Apparitions'. I suppose (to some) that the theme can be thought of as a bit disturbing, for the soul is said to move and not to linger after the passing of one's life, but the love between Alfred and Lucy is so strong that even death cannot win to keep them apart, which, to me, is beautiful yet ultimately sad for the heart cannot truly find happiness in the soul of one who's lost... So, with that said, I find the music's style to be an interesting companionship to the story because Hungry Lucy is considered "perky goth" with mellow trip-hop grooves set to synthpop/industrial beats when several of the remixes come to play. And while that idea may sound like filler talk to some, many of the remixes are actually better than the originals and only helps in hooking the listener to this melancholy (not cryptic) experience with dark (not sinister) lyrics."

Ethereal with a beat - haunting and lush

Patrick M. Rodgers | Philadelphia, PA USA | 01/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first Hungry Lucy track I heard was the first track on the disc, "Alfred." It was one of those tracks that grabs your attention immediately and makes you realize that you're hearing something special. I had to get the disc.My first listen to the entire album left me a little lukewarm - the soft, slower, ethereal songs are positively spellbinding, with rich female vocals, lush instrumentation, and a haunting, somber tone. Some of the other tracks, though, went in a slightly more trip-hop direction. Not quite as jarring as some trip-hop can be, the tracks were still very smooth, but the change in tempo and tone was a bit disorienting.Subsequent listens have demolished those reservations. As soon as I'd put my expectations aside and approached the album on its own terms instead of mine, I "got it." The versatility of the material will allow for some club play, but the faster tunes are not so terribly at odds with the ethereal tracks that they will bust your mellow groove. If you're fond of female vocalists / Heavenly Voices style material, and to a lesser extent if you're a trip hop fan, this album is positively a must. "Alfred" alone is worth the entire retail price of the disc and ethereal fans will be hard pressed not to adore this track completely; consider any other tracks appreciated to be an unexpected bonus (and there's plenty to appreciate!)"

The Darker Side of Heaven

Patrick M. Rodgers | 04/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, I purchased "Apparitions: Revisited," the version of the CD released in Europe, not the exact "Apparitions" CD noted above. They are basically the same CD, except that the "Revisited" version has some slightly different remixes on it (i.e. remixes of "Stretch" "Alfred" and "Grave", etc.). Not wanting to place this CD into a specific genre, (it crosses many), I will simply tell you who they reminded me of upon my first listen (and subsequently thereafter). The first Hungry Lucy track, "Blame," reminds me of SINGLE GUN THEORY (i.e. the beat, the voice). Christa Belle's voice is similar to that of Jacqui Hunt's: pure heavenly bliss! Christa Belle's voice sounds a little bit more higher-pitched (?) than Jacqui Hunt's voice, though. Hungry Lucy also sounds much "darker" than SGT, as SGT has a "World" sound and uses various voice samples, however, Christa Belle's voice does remind me of Jacqui Hunt's. The CD also reminds me of NO COMMENT, with more of a synthpop twist on things, at times. In fact, the CD contains a remix of "Grave" by NO COMMENT - perhaps one of the best songs on the CD. I can also hear a little DELERIUM in there, as well (i.e. the CDs "Poem" and "Karma"), but I feel Hungry Lucy is far more interesting to listen to. They also sound somewhat like COLLIDE, having a harder edge to it, but again, HL is far more interesting to listen to! Comparisons have also been made to MASSIVE ATTACK - I can hear that, too, as far as some of the beats go, however, you'll be pleased by how original sounding Hungry Lucy is, despite all of these comparisons. All-in-all, the songs range from upbeat, multi-textured dark trip-hop (and synthpop at times) to slower, "darker," more ethereal sounding tracks. There are two tracks, "Alfred" and "Bed of Flames," containing male vocals, although the CD is 99% female vocals. The last two tracks, "Ode" and "Goodbye" sound somewhat anemic after listening to the previous 13 percussion-ladden tracks, however, they still sound cool and you'll appreciate them for what they are.This is the type of CD that you appreciate instantly! EVERY song is engaging. It gets inside your head and becomes a part of you the minute it hits your CD player. If you go to their website and check out the story behind the band's name (i.e. how they came up with "Hungry Lucy"), then listen to "Alfred" (carefully noting the lyrics), the song sounds that much more haunting! Don't go on living another minute without buying this CD - it is a must have!"