Various - Silhouettes and Statues: A Gothic Revolution

by Erick Mertz

published: 12 / 8 / 2017

Various - Silhouettes and Statues: A Gothic Revolution

Label: Cherry Red Records
Format: CD Box

Definitive five CD box set from Cherry Red which explores the history of Gothic music

Review

Everyone has that dark little secret, whether that is dim fetish or a wrenched confession. Schoolboys indulge under breathy tones. Housewives daydream of blood stained roses. At one time or another, we all stare at the empty sea and ponder the undertow. Gothic rock has always been the thorny haven for those boldly willing to dream those dreams out loud. Kids who read dog-eared paperbacks, too dangerous to show the cover; boys who liked lace; girls who could quote Dario Argento films, word for agonizing word. Drawn out of punk rock’s soft and loud underbelly, the material that forged this revolution was gnarly but vulnerable, hard but feeling. It was always a series of pale contradictions that only sometimes served to compliment one another. On Cherry Red’s new, five-disc set, 'Silhouettes & Statues', "the Gothic revolution", as they sub-title their collection, is explored from its wretchedly lovely source in the roots of Joy Division ('Shadowplay') and the Birthday Party ('Release the Bats') and Nico, 'Saeta') whose 1969 album, 'The Marble Index' is often called the first Gothic release. Collection curators know their material and seem to care deeply for it, the thoroughness on these five discs, it’s core strength, chalks up as remarkable. What this collection acknowledges (that others do not) is that Gothic music has taken on a great many forms, and evolved wildly over years. What falls under the dark apron of Gothic rock includes elements of folk and punk, shoegaze and industrial, and even managed to delve into metal; all of those find inclusion here. With a history as rich as UK Gothic headlined by bands as beloved as the Cure and Bauhaus, the single-track controversy becomes an inevitability. Does 'Hanging Garden' stand as the quintessential Cure song? Perhaps. And does 'Stigmata Martyr' represent Bauhaus. These five discs are not beholden to singles, to the most popular or recognizable songs by any particular band (at least by stateside standards…) rather they seem to be a tribute to something more genuine, perhaps to that feeling of undertow. Enchanted could describe the inclusion of 'Screaming (For Emmalene)' by Gene Loves Jezebel over their poppier, more popular, 'Jealous' and the same could be said for the Mission’s 'Stay With Me' and 'Burning Skies' by Tones On Tail. Where this box set really triumphs is its depth. Cherry Red has created a thoroughly invigorating collection by including bands whose glitter and leather exploits could have been lost to obscuria, namely gems like Zero Le Creche, Fields of the Nephilim, and In The Nursery, bands that I missed but have alas, become fast staples for my collection. In fact, it’s difficult to imagine that anyone exploring this collection feeling it either shallow or lacking. Rare as rubies are collections as breathtaking, surprising and utterly beguiling as this. Drop your toes in, let it sweep you out. To sea, perhaps. Hold your breath. Here comes the undertow.

Track Listing:-

1 SHADOWPLAY
2 RELEASE THE BATS
3 REMA-REMA
4 SHATTERED GLASS
5 CHARNEL GROUND
6 FLOORSHOW
7 THE FEMALE MIRROR
8 THE BLACK CAT
9 DEAD AND RE-BURIED
10 SEVENTH DREAM OF TEENAGE HEAVEN
11 Q QUARTERS
12 CARNIVAL OF THE GULLIBLE
13 FEELS LIKE DANCING WARTIME
14 VAGUELY HUMAN
15 CROW BABY
16 D FOR DESIRE
17 BEAUTIFUL MONSTER
18 FLOWERS OF ROMANCE
19 BED CAVES
20 MOYA
21 CAGED
22 THE HANGING GARDEN
23 SOLITARY HABIT
24 THE ARCANE
25 SAVING FACE
26 BREACH BIRTH
27 THE TENANT
28 GHOST
29 CUTS OF LOVE
30 ICE COLD IN
31 NIGHT CREATURES
32 AMONG THE RUINS
33 FRIENDS
34 CREATION
35 TABLETALK
36 THE DARKLANDS
37 LOVE PUPPETS
38 INTO THE GARDEN
39 GIRLSOU
40 IN SHREDS
41 FUGITIVE KIND
42 BY THE RIVER
43 SCREAMING
44 GALLERY OF SHAME
45 OUT OF THE MOVING LIFE OF CIRCLES
46 IS STILL
47 HEROIN
48 ANGEL OF VENGEANCE
49 STONE HEROES
50 L.A. RAIN