My review of the album FLOODLAND by the Sisters of Mercy
Released November 1987

A brilliant piece of work, Floodland came about after Andrew experimented with lots of keyboards for the Sisterhood release:GIFT. From the first song (Dominion) to the last (Neverland) there is a sense of dark glory hanging over the soundscapes of the reverb laden work, while the message gets driven through like a railroad spike. Andy's delivery is more precise and fluid than his previous work. The production is as good as it should be for the overall feel of the album, while the collaboration with Meatloaf producer Jim Steinman for This Corrosion and Dominion yielded great results.

DOMINION/MOTHER RUSSIA, has strong political overtones since Eldy was Somewhere in central Europe when he penned it. A sympathy towards Russia Is evident while he openly snobs the U.S. "stuck inside of Memphis in a mobile home". I wander what this song would have sounded like without Steinman's dramatic touch. Probably more guitars. I rather like those (synthesized?) Violins like sounds. A great song just the same.

FLOOD I, explores his water fixation as does Flood II on the other side. This is a very liquid like, flowing song with all the power of a destructive flash flood. The thought of being surrounded by a dark ocean , gives me the feeling of giving Up or giving in to an emotional flood that's already beat you before you even Had a chance to fight it.

LUCRETIA, from the first beat to the last I'm in heaven. Probably my favorite song to dance to. An excellent serving of dark compassion with a side order of devotion. Beautiful overlapping keyboards with Patty's solid bassline, are as solid as the rock of Gibraltar (or the Doctor's driving beats). Did I mention this Is probably my favorite song?

And closing the first side , 1959. Wow , what a song. Although I'm not sure Who's singing with him (is it Patty??? naaawwww, it's Andy on lawyered vocals) , 1959 is a powerfull brooding ballad. It's filled with such kindness and a child-like naiveté that most of us secretly wish we never gave up. Just electric piano (I think it's electric) and voice. That's it. And that's all the song needs to sound great. Highly recommended listening.

THIS CORROSION, is the first song of the second side. The chorus that starts this song belongs to the other Steinman collaboration. Layer over textured layer, beautiful vocals and the omnipotent presence of Doctor A, work another miracle. This was the Sisters first really big hit and rightfully so. An unbelievable ass-kicker of a tune. Love the ending. Those long repetitive passages really work. Question is who is it written for? Sorta makes you go hmmm??????

FLOOD II, continues where Flood I left off, but with a greater ever-present sense of urgency. You just gotta love the flow of the background melody Throughout the whole song. Yep! This one's a keeper.

DRIVEN LIKE THE SNOW, yet another musical stormfront that's building up in A distant gray horizon. Another textured cry for a lost love. The melancholic and Yet sweet bassline rhythm leaves a pleasant bitterness in your mouth. At least it does so in mine. There is this electric violin like sound in here too, floating in the background that I like very much.

NEVERLAND, closes the album. It's an opposite song. Angst and joy are the two key emotions I grasp listening to it. A slow burn of deep-rooted passion waiting to surface. A trustworthy old computer, a steady bass player and an Eldritch in top form is all the ingredients needed for this offering. Borrowing bits and pieces from the rest of the album, it mixes it all up in a glass of 100% proof rocket fuel.

Overall; FLOODLAND , has a very heavy and burdened feel. Like Atlas, you'll bear the weight of the world on your shoulders when you play it. I know because I play it often. In some interview long ago, Andy said he could see a northern Lights explosion as a video to the album. I'd say a black hole, swallowing everything and increasing to unimaginable weight is more like it. The guitars have been pushed to the back of this bus to make room so the layers of keyboards can seat up front. The solid rhythm tracks on all the songs Keep everything in place, in a deep clear and loud gut-wrenching groove.

This is my review. I'm not good with words but I tried to be as descriptive and profound as I could. Hey… I'm not a music critic either, I'm just a music fan. If you want a better description you should listen to the album your self. FYI: It does sound better on vinyl.

On ANDREW

We all know Andy is a perfectionist and in general a hard guy to work with. The question is does he have to be?
We should've been enjoying a new album by now. Where is it? I can't believe that in this day and age he can not find a label he can work with. Especially with all the independents and alternative companies around. It's great to see him do new songs at concerts when given the chance, but how about recording them?
Personally I think that all of us are anxious to see him release something new before our pensions kick in. We will always go to the shows, that's for sure, but the time has come to put some of the new songs on vinyl (or whatever they use to make C.D.'s). And if he can't find a company he likes, why not put one together with who ever he actually likes to work with? There is this expression that goes" don't bite the hand that feeds you". The hand(s) deserves better Andy so stop biting and procrastinating and do some recording.

WE WANT "MORE"!!!!

About G**H(s)

Although I do not consider my self a goth, I can't help but wonder why all this aversion towards goths? If you believe that your music is not goth related, think again. The Sisters are a major influence on 3/4 of goth bands. Like it or not, the Sisters helped define and expand the genre, (maybe un-willingly) and still are considered a major component of the dark machine.
When someone who doesn't know better asks me if I'm goth, I usually answer yes, just to get it over with, without having to analyze things. As for musical taste, I usually answer "dark stuff" and let it be at that. If the person seems open minded I would have a conversation with and explore the issue.
I remember going to a goth club after the 99 Sisters gig in Toronto, and asking the d.j. what kind of stuff he was playing that night. "Goth" he answered, to which I replied "Yeah but Goth is lots o' things to a lot of people". To me gothic, is an architectural style descending from the goths of north central Europe, and it's subsequent influence on design, art and literature. But still, many things can be associated/included in there. It's just a name discribing a style of music for the masses to consume. And there is too many of those names as it is don't you think? Let's not try to create any new ones. It would only add to the confusion.
For f**k's sake , i went to church in leather pants, a white lacy ruffled kind of shirt and crushed velvet jacket for my son's baptism and i still don't concider my self Goth. But if it makes it easier for people to understand what i'm about and where i'm coming from, then by all means , call me a friggin' Goth.
So Andy if I'm goth, believe me so are you. And don't be so pissed you're considered goth. What if you were categorized "modern rock" and your name was mentioned in sentences that include, Aerosmith and Riky Martin? Does GOTH sound all that horrible??