| |
|
|
Review Summary: Mid. We all know Liv (or do we?), she is known for her work in Leaves’ Eyes. Now normally I wouldn’t call a lady a nympho in a professional setting, but these lyrics are straight Madonna, and not in a subtle way. In the title track she says, “Undress me now”, and it’s not because she wants to explore the mystical power of invisibility — she wants dick. Why mention the lyrics? It’s because they are mid, pop-tier trash served in a gothic pop/rock album. The fact she is so horny in such a slow, understated album makes the lyrics stand out, but the lyrics are not good. On the bright side, I am reminded of the power of sex.
But what of the music? River of Diamonds explores a safe sound, with safely strummed acoustic licks. The album borders on catchy but doesn’t quite reach it, while Liv’s gothic tone controls the setting. It’s exactly what you’d expect from Liv in a project that’s not Leaves’ Eyes. That’s not a compliment, that’s expectations being reached in a bad way. No manner of delicate electronic usage gathers interest.
It’s time for compliments, because otherwise I’m pretty much calling Liv a sympho nympho and leaving it there, and some may not consider that a compliment for some reason. You see, she doesn’t just love sex and adult toys, she is also a fantastic singer. Her vocals remain as classical, eery, and beautiful as ever. She sounds unwaveringly passionate, and with such a compelling performance, she sounds like she is captured in an erotic wonderland where the dick is plentiful. Magic is captured in a bottle as she indulges in her river of, um, totally diamonds.
If this album is for you, then you are a fan of Liv as a singer. The instrumental portion is forgettable enough that it’s serviceable, but not creating much nuance beyond that. Attempting to find out what instrument is used where is too much digging in a basic album. It is only a pale, ghostly shadow of the gothic/symphonic scene, the basic elements put together in a generically acceptable way (minus anything bombastic). The album doesn’t rock hard, or pop much, it dishes out ordinary, un-spiced melodies that are just pretty enough. Long story short: not essential listening, but decently nice.
|
Album Rating: 3.0
Insert review.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Nice review. I didn’t have high hopes to begin with, but now they’re even lower. I hoped her collaborating with the Theatre of Tragedy guy would make for a better album. All her solo stuff has been somewhere between average and garbage.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I like the Theatre of Tragedy inclusion but it doesn’t add much.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Her very first solo release gave me hopes, but then she dove into this shitty pop sound on future albums that just wasn’t good.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Great singers deserve equally great bands.
| | | I'll check this out, but I've never been too impressed with Liv's work outside of ToT. And her lyrics have always been, uh, questionable. I believe Assembly was the first ToT album she wrote her own lyrics for and they were not impressive.
>I hoped her collaborating with the Theatre of Tragedy guy would make for a better album.
Hot take but I love Raymond's spoken-word delivery on late ToT albums.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I got no issues with Raymond, his style is unique. Glad someone else noticed Liv’s interesting lyrics.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I also liked Raymond's vocals whether they were spoken or growled. My hot take, the electronic albums with Liv are better than the doom album with her replacement.
| | | -- she is known for her work in Theatre of Tragedy
fixed
As far as I’m concerned, Liv is where Theatre of Tragedy at.
Might check this out.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Agreed. Leaves Eyes were never all that good.... better than this, though.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
she is perfectly good mom age i'll help her out ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
| | | The two ToT albums with Nell are actually my favorites, lol. I do like Assembly, though, despite Liv's lyrics. Musique is a bit hit-or-miss.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Look at that. I reviewed a Liv Kristine solo release way back in 2008. I gave it a 2.0 -- I don't even remember writing that review
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Ahhh our youthful days
| | | thanks, I will skip this now
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I think she did a great job here. Working with the Aegis guitarist Tommy Olsson she achieves the 80s goth rock sound with pop elements. I really like the composition, her vocals, and dynamic of the album. And it is really disrespectful to write a review like this you little trash. She is a kinda pioneer of this goth metal area. Have dignity.
Overall it is a good listen, takes me back to the 98 Aegis era. I really enjoy the first 6 tracks plus Love Me High. I wish she didn’t share vocals with her husband which is kinda lame. Would like to have it on vinyl.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I gave Liv the same amount of dignity she gave to herself with her lyrics. Learn that this is a critique site and you may survive the process of having your heart stomped. If not, there is always the option to misread reviews/context and be a condescending prick about it.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
--And it is really disrespectful to write a review like this you little trash. She is a kinda pioneer of this goth metal area. Have dignity. --
He's not reviewing her history, he's reviewing her present... and her solo work continues to suck. Velvet Darkness can only save you from so much.
--If not, there is always the option to misread reviews/context and be a condescending prick about
it.--
Maybe in a few weeks, but for now...
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
??? none of these lyrics are actually sexual
| | | Travel you are big mad lmao get ratio'd+cope+seethe+thanks for the laugh
| | |
|
| |