[.ca] Cascade

sigh...:
Cascade is in the same vein as Holy Smoke in that Peter sounds all warm and fuzzy and content here. However, unlike Holy Smoke, this album sounds more like the real, uncomprimising Peter. Not to put down Holy Smoke, but it was a more commercial sounding album than this. This has more of an Enigma/Dead Can Dance, as well as a Portishead/Massive Attack vibe to it (Peter's a big trip hop fan, y'know). "Subway" and "Disappearing" are some of Peter's best work, and "Cascade", in my opinion, is Peter' best song. It really captures everything there is to love about Peter's music. It's strong and confident and warm and exotic and intoxicating and theatrical and gorgeous and sensual...It's a bit like, well...Bauhaus, matured. Everything you love about Bauhaus, the poetry, the theatricality, the dark, sweet, rich oppulence...it's all here (well, the insane, bisexual vampire-on-payote sexuality's not here, but that's about the only ingrediant missing, really). I'd say after Deep, this is the one. ...Although if you're reading this, that probably means you're already a fan and need no convinving. If you're not already a fan, well, you showed enough interest to check this album out, and I'm telling you to buy it. There's not a bad track in the bunch. Go for it; you'll thank me later when you suddenly start checking out skinny guys with prominent cheekbones and become fascinated with anything Turkish..... :)

a nice dreamscape:
a lovely album that showcases Murphy's unique baritone voice in gradually evolving tunes (some rockers, some ballads). Though I do not consider this album to be in the same league as Dust, it is an accomplished transition from the days of Holy Smoke and a nice prelude to the work he ended up returning to with Bauhaus' Resurrection. A nice album to revisit from time to time to enhance your visions and dreams.

Some great moments:
Cascade is an album of mostly mid-tempo ballads. Mirror To My Woman's Mind and Subway are pleasant enough but they don't really stick in the mind. Gliding Like A Whale has a stronger melody and evocative synthesizer where the vocals take interesting twists and turns to lift the track above the average. The chugging beat and prominent guitar of Disappearing gives this song more of a rock feel, while Mercy Rain is a mellow ballad and I'll Fall With Your Knife is a meandering number with atmospheric instrumentation. The tempo picks up for The Scarlet Thing In You, a passionate love song with great imagery that almost, but not quite merits a place amongst his great songs. Wild Birds Flock To Me has a complex arrangement and interesting tempo changes, but Huuvola is the real gem of this album. At last his divine voice gets to shine on a great melody line and a delicious blend of instruments for an eerie, transcendent feel. The title track has a spoken vocal introduction and a weird instrumental mix to make it quite an experimental and unusual arrangement I am a great fan of Murphy's but Cascade doesn't leave a strong impression. The problem might be the absence of memorable tunes and catchy hooks. With the exception of Huuvola, none of the tracks here match his greatest songs like Indigo Eyes, Canvas Beauty or Time Has Nothing To Do With It.

Mature Murphy:
Cascade is the culmination of all the elements of his career.The uneven effort of "Holy Smoke" is all but forgotten with this record.It is like Peter finally found out who he is and is comfortable with that person.This is a recording of a mature self aware musician.He went on to gain confidence from this one and put that confidence into "Dust".Starting with this record Peter no longer wrote like a man who wanted a hit but a man who wanted to make beauty and art.he suceeds beyond my wildest dreams.If you love PM..this is the one you keep on that desert island.If you hated Bauhaus...get this because that voice has been replaced by Peter's.Steal to get money for this.

Life after the band.:
Cascade was Murphy's first album after dissolving his live band, the Hundred Men. He did, however, keep songwriting collaborator Paul Statham around to create yet another unique collection of unforgettable songs. My favourites include Huuvola and I'll Cut With Your Knife the latter of which served as the end-credit music for a horrible teen movie called the Trojan War. For what it's worth I have had this album for a year and it can still bring tears to my eyes. Now that's powerful music.

	Custom Search