Various Lonely Is An Eyesore
4AD CAD703 1987
By Russell Garwood
4AD compilation Lonely Is An Eyesore features some of the labels most popular acts, managing to create a cohesive and flowing record in which the mood is maintained throughout.
Opening track Hot Doggie by Colourbox consists of a catchy guitar and drum backing, with samples from various films, for example "Let's hear some music! We've got us some good'uns." (2000 Maniacs), "Soon the frontier will be down, and they will bow to their new emperor!" (The Last Starfighter) and "You will die, lover boy, one by one" (The Evil Dead). This is followed by This Mortal Coils Acid, Bitter and Sad; an atmospheric layer-built song, in which violins and cello surpassing the dreamy vocals of Alison Limerick towards the end. Track 3, Cut The Tree by The Wolfgang Press is as bleak as the title suggests, with a sound reminiscent of both 80s goth and more modern EBM. Throwing Muses Fish is truly bizarre but rewarding, and Dead Can Dances Frontier is jarring and eerie. Next come the unmistakable Cocteau Twins with Crushed, their legendary guitar and drums ever present, and Dif Juz with Motion providing more of the same, with slight variations. Track 8 Muscoviet Mosquito by Clan Of Xymox is classic melancholy early darkwave. The album is closed by Dead Can Dances The Protagonist, a dark and unsettling eight minute track, which becomes a pleasure to listen to when you get to know it.
Altogether a remarkable compilation, Lonely Is An Eyesore is a necessity for fans of the 4AD sound, with all the tracks written exclusively for the album (with the exception of Dead Can Dances Frontier which is an original 4 track recording). It is also a good CD to buy for those who have never heard of 4AD and are intrigued, or are fans of any bands signed to the label it gives a great overview and essence of the label.
4AD CAD703 1987
By Russell Garwood
4AD compilation Lonely Is An Eyesore features some of the labels most popular acts, managing to create a cohesive and flowing record in which the mood is maintained throughout.
Opening track Hot Doggie by Colourbox consists of a catchy guitar and drum backing, with samples from various films, for example "Let's hear some music! We've got us some good'uns." (2000 Maniacs), "Soon the frontier will be down, and they will bow to their new emperor!" (The Last Starfighter) and "You will die, lover boy, one by one" (The Evil Dead). This is followed by This Mortal Coils Acid, Bitter and Sad; an atmospheric layer-built song, in which violins and cello surpassing the dreamy vocals of Alison Limerick towards the end. Track 3, Cut The Tree by The Wolfgang Press is as bleak as the title suggests, with a sound reminiscent of both 80s goth and more modern EBM. Throwing Muses Fish is truly bizarre but rewarding, and Dead Can Dances Frontier is jarring and eerie. Next come the unmistakable Cocteau Twins with Crushed, their legendary guitar and drums ever present, and Dif Juz with Motion providing more of the same, with slight variations. Track 8 Muscoviet Mosquito by Clan Of Xymox is classic melancholy early darkwave. The album is closed by Dead Can Dances The Protagonist, a dark and unsettling eight minute track, which becomes a pleasure to listen to when you get to know it.
Altogether a remarkable compilation, Lonely Is An Eyesore is a necessity for fans of the 4AD sound, with all the tracks written exclusively for the album (with the exception of Dead Can Dances Frontier which is an original 4 track recording). It is also a good CD to buy for those who have never heard of 4AD and are intrigued, or are fans of any bands signed to the label it gives a great overview and essence of the label.
