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Band: Saigon Blue Rain
Album title: What I Don't See
Release date: 5 September 2014
Label: Cold Insanity Music
Tracklist:
01. Queen Ephemeria
02. So Cold
03. Corps Astral
04. Borealis
05. I Wanna Be You
06. What I Don't See
07. Beyond The Stone
08. Break The Disease
09. Lovelorn
10. L'Offrande
Saigon Blue Rain, formerly known as Stupid Bitch Reject, who were formed two years ago and since then the duo which consists of Ophelia (vocals, keyboards) and multiinstrumentalist Franck released one self-titled EP last year (read the review over HERE), are back with their debut album. Not so many things, beside the bands name of course, changed in the musical style of the two French artists, yes, we have the same kind of ethereal vocals, highly emotive new/cold wave with some post-punk, darkwave, shoegaze moments and a couple of ventures into gothic rock. But anyway, this albums shows a step forward as the whole picture became even more luxurious, sensitive and in a way more elaborated. What I Don't See is an ode to all things immaterial and imperceptible, it's an introspective work for all who dance in the solitude of their minds.
Already the first starting rhytms of "Queen Ephemeria" takes you with its ethereal vibe into kind of a peculiar, somehow magical world, it's kind of a step out of reality and it's obvious that this kind of music has only two options how to be best consumed, or by a complete devotion of the listener, or as a background chill-out music, otherwise it could lose all the charm and will turn out just as a kind of bland linear sound. Those rather upbeat tracks, like "Corps Astral" or "I Wanna Be You", to name a couple have kind of a strange danceable character and follow the same simple receipt as the two crafted on their first release, but there's still a lot to be found in there. Cold ambiance and mesmerizing depth of atmospheric shoegaze tunes like are "Borealis" or dark and calm waving "Break The Disease" are a fine example how to unite passion and sadness to create an extravagant emotional soundscapes, sometimes even similar to the things that Autumn's Grey Solace or even Lycia did in the past. Maybe the instrumental side sounds at some moments too sterile and artificial, but most of the times it's saved by lovely ethereal Ophelia's voice and dreamy melodies, strong vibrant reverberate bass lines and occasional 80s inspired guitar passages.
This album gets its high peak in the albums title song with some nice experimental electronic loops and haunting drive with quite rich palete of sounds all combined well into one captivating composition. The closing track "L'Offrande" is not an exception and the harmonies in this one are simply breathtaking, plus add here the most dynamic Ophelia's vocal performance and the positive result is there. Anyway, What I Don't See is an album that shows two sides, one is showing a band that is able to take the listener out of everydays reality with its magical flow, but on the other side has a lack of intensity and drama, it risks to became too linear with most of the tracks sounding the same. Nevertheless is a step forward for the two and fans of ethereal-wave sounds like done by Cocteau Twins, Lycia, early Dead Can Dance, Miranda Sex Garden and Autumn's Grey Solace should give it a try, but also those digging up The Cure (era Disintegration or Bloodflowers), Chelsea Wolfe, Depeche Mode and Siouxie And The Banshees would probably love this album.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 7,5/10
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