Search - Switchblade Symphony :: Serpentine Gallery

Excellent introduction and first album that was never succee

Bob X. | 11/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard for me to describe this band to people who've never listened to music of this type. To be honest, I had never heard this genre myself. I liked it so much once being introduced to it, however, that I did a search for other, similar bands. I didn't find too many that were like this, but I will say it opened a door to some new bands I ended up really liking as well.



Tina Root's vocals are hypnotic, both beautiful, hypnotic and haunting. The music lends to this feeling and tracks like "Doll House" and "Gutter Glitter" are perfect examples of this style. The only tracks I tend to get bored with are "Wallflower" and "Dissolve" maybe "Sweet." None of them are bad tracks, however.



This album has a sound all its own, and none of their later efforts succeeded this(not that they were bad).



Anyone interested in Switchblade should start with this 2-CD version. The bonus disc has some good songs that (so far as I know) were never released on another album. If you really like the band and end up wanting all their releases, you'd have to buy it eventually anyway to get those tracks. "Blue" quickly became one of my favorites and the other "new" songs on that CD are really good as well. I never bothered to listen to the interview. Some fan I am. And for the record, I don't think I've heard a "remix" I liked.



Still, this version is only $3 more, so there's no arguing that it's a better deal."

A Quality Re-Issue Deluxe Edition of The Bladies' Debut

Timothy | The Black Lodge | 09/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A very impressive re-issue of The Bladies' classic full length debut. A Nice Double Disk Digi-pack format with gorgeous photos of Tina and Susan on the fold-outs. The remaster of SG sounds rich and fresh, crisp and clear. Finally, Cleopatra gets something right and gives the fans what they want: A second disk of (mostly) raraties! Some sublime leftovers from TTC sessions (particularily the darkly danceable synth-groove of 'Waiting Room') as well as early gems such as 'Rain' and 'Numb' are sure to please fans who have waited a long time for pre-SG material to have a proper release. In general, reissues are with out a doubt cash cows and a way for record companies to double-dip into a band's catalog and fan's wallets, however, the deluxe edition of Serpentine Gallery is definitly worth every penny, and fans of SBS and the dark-wave genre will not be dissappointed. Five stars - Keep the SBS material coming Cleopatra!!!"

Ethereal music

Shiloh Kremer | 04/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Switchblade Symphony can be compared with Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Serpentine Gallery is a fusion of orchestral sounds with heavy synth sequences and ethereal vocals.

Switchblade Symphony disbanded in November 1999



After the band parted ways, vocalist Tina Root started Tre Lux.

In 2008, Tina Root and George Earth formed SmallHalo."