Graveyard flowers, crippled valentines
gonzobrarian | 09/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Soulsavers is a blessed rock n' roll enigma. Out of nowhere the group has released another breakthrough album, Broken. Continuing their darkly ethereal It's Not How Far You Fall, It's the Way You Land, Broken soars from Ian Glover and Rich Machin's continued enlistment of Mark Lanegan's vocals, plus those of surprising newcomer Rosa Agostino. Though technically a group focusing within the electronica genre, Soulsavers excels simultaneously as a rock, neo-soul, even folk ensemble, depending upon whom the founders collaborate with from album to album, even song to song.
In what would otherwise be a typical Mark Lanegan record, I truly believe his performance on Broken has cemented his vocal skill and style on a level shared only with Tom Waits and Nick Cave. All three sing with the dark intensity and gravel-pitch of the weary, redemption-seeking sinner or castaway. The lyrics on the album, like those of these three musicians, are eerie, haunting and cathartic, evoking a Sisyphus-like salvation that's ever close yet perpetually out of reach. Though Broken is a production of Glover and Machin, it is wholly owned and mastered by Lanegan.
That being said, this album is more than just Mark Lanegan. Several tracks seem inspired by a sparse Nick Cave/Warren Ellis film score, while the others alternate between a hard, resounding electric guitar and soft piano combined with muted brass. In addition, it hosts a very powerful selection of guest performers, most notably the seductively subtle Rosa Agostino. Death Bells, Unbalanced Pieces, Some Misunderstanding, Pharaoh's Chariot, Can't Catch the Train, and Rolling Sky are epic standouts. Broken is a complete record."
A lighter sound wit more honest real instruments this time!
Cinema4 | LA CA | 08/20/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I love this group, and on 'Broken' they are showing their ability to collaborate once again with artists from all over. Again, the delectable Mark Lanegan has woven his voice and influence (there is a remake of 'Praying Ground' from his album 'Scraps at Midnight') in the album, but its the group's main players who have lightened the sound of its faux American Roots vibe from their previous album with less synthetic music, and more honest live instruments.
The switch makes the album sound cleaner, and beautifully flawed as you hear the crisp pops, plucks, and strings of the musicians, a sound sorely missed in this genera of music. There is still a roots feeing in some of the songs, but there is a greater diversity of influences on this album, more musicians, vocalists, and mixers.
I love the dirge and heaviness of 'Its Not How Far You Fall..', but this is a nice lighter progression in their sound. Im curious to see how it develops."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1