Switchblade Symphony - Serpentine Gallery CD

 Goth-Industrial at its best...Serpentine Gallery
Growing up in New York City, there’s a little taste of every kind of music that exists (or at least you think there is). Floating around the chaotic Times Square, having silly bubble-gum pop, weak rock (or the current excuse for rock), screaming metal artists that don't know what they're doing and more mainstream music thrown in your face that really only appeals to people trying to fit in with everybody else. Whatever happened to good original music? I gave up on music for a while...didn't think there was much out there worth my time. Then out of nowhere I did some random searches online, looking for female singers (that's my own personal taste)... I came across Switchblade Symphony. It was categorized as Goth. Goth? What the hell is that? I've heard of it, but never really actually heard it. I forgot about Switchblade Symphony for a while. I came across it again one day and noticed that the name sounded very familiar but didn't know what there sound was. So I clicked on a little 30 sec music sampler and it was at that moment I discovered something really amazing that had almost slipped between my fingers. The opening track on debut album Serpentine gallery, "Bad Trash" blew me away. Full of fast heavy beats and great guitar sounds, plus the voice of opera-trained singer Tina Root. I was so amazed at how well the band had put one song together I forgot that there were 10 more tracks on the album. The next track "Dissolve" really displays their gothic melodies. Slow and melodic, seductively tasteful. Tina really shows how talented of a singer she really is. Overall the CD is amazing but certain tracks seem to stand out a little more. Track 5 "Clown" makes your core shake, you really start to feel a little scared of every upcoming second of the song. Track 7, "Dollhouse" is filled with a slightly upbeat mood and pretty, high-pitched sounds in the background in addition to Tina's opera-like vocals as the track progresses. I never thought anyone would throw opera vocals over industrial-goth, or any kind of music. Bonus points there for originality!!! Track 9 "Gutter Glitter" may have to be the most interesting of the album. The beautiful lyrics sang by Tina Root give a little twist to a popular children’s rhyme..."London bridge did fall down, my fair lady nearly drowned, what is the reason to lock her up when already she has such rotten luck". Brilliant! I strongly recommend this album if you are already into goth, industrial, nu-metal, alternative, or simply opened-minded to new sounds. Also check out "Bread and Jam for Frances" and "The Three Calamities" by Switchblade Symphony.
Submitted by swallowthepill (New York, NY, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  1 of 1 found this helpful.

 A gothic must-have
This is the best of the Switchblade Symphony CDs and I think it's a goth must-have. I can't even begin to describe it, just buy the thing!
Submitted by gothic_superstar (San Marcos, CA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  1 of 1 found this helpful.

 serpentine gallery
this album is, in my opinion, alright at best. if you like dreary voices and humble musical skills, then this album is just the ticket. its not the best ive heard, but not the worst either.
Submitted by Shelli (South Plainfield, NJ, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  0 of 1 found this helpful.

Have you heard this album?