Search - Switchblade Symphony :: Serpentine Gallery

Bad trash? I think not!

Clarissa | Ontario, California | 12/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's a pity how Switchblade Symphony broke up after only bringing three albums out of brand new material but at least they left us Goth junkies with some memorable tunes that shalt not be forgotten. 'Serpentine Gallery' is a notable CD that should be in the collection of all those who enjoy the darker side of music, but without sounding satanic. This album contains some sure classics, such as "Dollhouse", "Mine Eyes" and "Gutter Glitter" (the chorus being a gloomy mantra of the children's play rhyme, "London Bridge Is Falling Down", which still gives me the creeps), but I personally feel that 'The Three Calamities' is an overall better record that's less redundant and more consistent, although I'm sure many people would love to disagree with me and I'm totally cool with that. To each their own, right? Tina Root is the main vocalist and she reminds me of The Creature's Siouxsie (a common comparison in this specific genre). Susan Wallace sometimes underlies and harmonizes the singing parts that accent the brooding melodies but she mostly takes care of the synthesizers and programming while Robin Jacobs provide the guitars, bass and drumming on "Wrecking Yard" and, one of my favorite tracks, "Clown". And if you're obsessed with the words, the lyrics are all included inside the booklet. I really hope that Switchblade Symphony team up again but it's very unlikely... However, wishful thinking can't hurt ... much, anyway."

Quite simply, an absolute must-have

noctros | 12/10/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had never heard of Switchblade Symphony when I bought Wired Injections, a Cleopatra various artists disc. The song of theirs on that disc, "Clown," had me completely entranced. It took me months to find the elusive disc that was mentioned in the liner notes on WI, and when I did finally see it, it was mine. While I was searching for it, I heard "Wallflower" on Gothic Rock 2, which only made me want the disc more. Since the day I got it, it has become one of my all-time favorite discs. If it were a tape or record album, it would be totally worn out by now. This is a disc that you can put in, turn the lights down low, sit back and just drift to. Even my fiance like them, and she doesn't like "goth" music. It's almost impossible for me to pick a single favorite from it, although I'm tempted to say "Clown." It was the one that first entranced me, and it continues to do so to this day. However, it has very strong contenders in "Sweet," "Gutter Glitter," "Mine Eyes," and "Dollhouse." The ending instrumental, "Bloody Knuckles," is the perfect way to end such a perfect album. Bravo, ladies. 5 out of 5."

Textbook example of a good goth album

Scott Sweet | Colorado Springs, CO | 02/11/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I wish Switchblade Symphony had stuck with this mid-90s sound rather than going trip-hop. Why? I'm a whinybutt, THAT'S why. "Serpentine Gallery" is a great "how to" darkwave rock album. The opening track, "Bad Trash" is a goth dancefloor classic. The songs are a good balance of guitar, 80's synth and spooky vocals. They don't all sound the same, but it sounds like the band's having fun all the way through. The lyrics are better-than-average goth poetry. "Bad Trash," "Dissolve" (dramatic tune, I must say) and "Wrecking Yard" cover a lot of ground and Tina Root's faux-operatic vocal style is cool. Sorry for using "faux." They moved into more Miranda Sex Garden-type music with the next two albums, but the lyrics stayed pretty close to the mood of "Serpentine Gallery." Switchblade Symphony is more about beguiling songs than Fitting Into Goth."