Songs For The Broken Ones

I'm usually a creature of variety, but after just a couple of listens, this musical 'tour de force' is dominating every playlist I own. For anyone who hasn't yet heard TEH, it should be said that comparisons are hard to come by. If I was forced to describe their sound, I'd have to include terms like symphonic, orchestral, anthemic, sexy, and rocky. It is primarily rock music, yet there are moments of gothic melancholy; traces of post-punk Souxsie & The Banshees, and faint echoes of bands like The Mission and Balaam & The Angel. My thoughts might even turn briefly to Danse Society, and it's probably no coincidence that they once covered 'Two Thousand Light Years From Home'. Above all else though, the vocal performances are what truly define TEH; they are always a thing of consummate beauty. This may also be their best offering to date. I'm blown away by 'One Heart', '12th Night' and 'The Ghost Of You', but there are no weak tracks. 'Second Skin' it should be pointed out, is not a cover of the Chameleons' classic, but is one of the more subdued tracks here and evokes Siouxsie from every pore. 'Let Me In' has a repeated melody that is immediately familiar, yet I can't recall where I heard it before. If you are already a fan, then this album should exceed your expectations. At 69 minutes duration, they aren't holding anything back. Many bands these days are returning to the old standard of 40-45 mins in order to embrace a vinyl format. If there is any gripe at all, it would be the cheapness of the digipack and the absence of any words or imagery that might have adorned a glossy booklet. Don't hesitate too long ... if this slightly offbeat, but wonderful album is one you'd enjoy, then you're already missing out.

Great new album from a really professional collective of classic band members. Highly recommended

It’s been a while since the release of Half Life, for a variety of reasons perhaps a lot longer than the band would have liked. I remember the first tasty taster “Skin Deep” being put up on YouTube in 2014, being the forerunner of “Skin Deep” on this release, with its thundering bass line, exploding into a fantastic meaty guitar riff, accompanied by solid Simon Rippin drumming. There was a long wait… until the excellent “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” with Keli Ali on vocals surfaced 2 years ago, followed a year later by “It’s Just a Death” with Anathema’s Lee Douglas doing fine vocal honours. Just as it looked like the new album could take as long as a Nephilim release to pull together.. circumstances improved with a seemingly creative surge by Stephen Carey and Tony Pettitt, along with the polished voice and lyrics of long time accomplice Monica Richards and new Eden vocalist ladies Meghan Pettitt and Louise Crane. We were treated to the haunting “Verdades, sung primarily in Spanish by Monica; swiftly followed by an emotional Louise Crane on “Misery”. Suddenly, the wait is over and “Songs For The Broken Ones” is available, including the above tracks and musicians, plus another 7 distinctive female vocal (primarily Monica) led Eden House tracks, maybe closer in style to “Smoke and Mirrors” than “Half Life”. The musicianship is excellent, with Bob Loveday’s violin adding extra colour and expression to Stephen’s soaring guitars and the mesmeric bass of Tony with the precise drumming of Simon, but never overpowering the all impotant vocals. It’s an album that grows more on me with each listen, such that the longest track on the album “Ardent Tide”, featuring Meghan and Louise dueting, has moved from least favourite to my favourite track (it also has some great guitar work near the end). Seeing them perform this album live, later this year, should be a great experience for those lucky enough to be there.

I was hoping this album was as good as the previous ones and I wasn't disappointed.

I love this album, the tunes and vocals are hauntingly beautiful which make for such pleasant listening and a wholly moving experience which you can completely lose yourself in!

Another awesome release from this excellent collaborative. 10/10

This is a truly gorgeous album that ebbs and flows from start to finish. There is a constant theme of dreamy gothic ethereal scenes running through each song, full of melancholy moods, songs and effects. The only weak point for me is the track Kiss Kiss Bang Bang which seems out of place but generally this album is superb. If you are a fan of the more ethereal elements of All About Eve or The Mission this album is tailor made.

Disappointing . Its not reall for me to say but this music needs a dark brooding voice with a messcge.musically it's very good but i find the vocals are superficial and all sound the same. I'm.sorry.i miss McCoy.