Search - The Mission UK :: Aura

Aura of dissatisfaction

D. Cross | Hollywood, CA USA | 08/18/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Way back in the day, the "Children" album made me a huge Mission fan and "Carved In Sand" continued that. I thought "Masque" was underrated, though did sacrifice much of their sound. I thought "Neverland" was a nice return, if a bit patchy. "Blue" was essentially a Hussey solo album and had some interesting songs but also had some really embarrassing lyrics.



So, 6 years later, the Mish finally return with a new album. The lead-off track is a good one despite some silly lyrics. The seond song, however, sounds like The Mission covering The Mission. I mean, the lyrics, melody, and music literally sound like pieced-together bits from other Mission songs. the third song displays precisely the problem I have with the Mish. the music is great, a nice slow-burner. The lyrics however... these are some of the worst lyrics I have ever heard, period. Example:

"I will fill every orifice." Seriously! But wait, it gets worse...

"I'm sick of masturbation

of playing with myself

I don't want to go blind

or be sent to hell."



Truly banal, laughable, embarrassing. From there, you get "Mesmerized" which again sounds like pieces from other melodramatic, over-the-top Mission torch songs of yore. "Lay Your Hands On Me" is a decent rocker, reminiscent of "Hungry As the Hunter," but again with stupid lyrics. "Dragonfly" is a gorgeous Cure-like ballad in which everything actually works well, though the lyrics still seem to be pieced-together from previous Mish tunes.

The rest of the album is typical of their output over the last decade. We get the poppy "Friday I'm in Love" type song. A short, almost spoken word piece. An instumental, etc. I have to say, this is the best sounding album since "Carved In Sand" but it really sounds like nothing has happened in Wayne's life in the preceeding 12 years worth writing about. he is simply repeating his favorite lyrical couplets and phrases over and over. I mean, to not know how stupid your own words sound... Jeez!

Overall, I would say that if you have the last Cult album and the last Cure album, you really have no need for this in your collection. Sorry, boys... Wayne, read some books, take a journey somewhere, anything that will give you some inspiration lyrically!"

Good

Scott Sweet | 12/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A good album. Allot of similarities between Aura and earlier work. Allot of the riffs are quite familiar sounding as well. The lyrics for the most part are once again strong and moving. I dont know how Slave to Lust ever made it further then words on paper but it did, its almost laughable. Aura is a strong album that will please Missionfans so there is no reason not to pick this up."