OTTO'S DAUGHTER
Renew (Angelwhore)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Gothic darkness creepy enough to make good Halloween music for those who prefer to spend the evening alone with a bottle of Jack, seeing how hard they have to push the scalpel before they actually bleed. The playing is competent and heavy, and Jacqueline Van Bierk is one of the rare vocalists who can soothe you like she was mommy one moment and scare the shit out like she was Satan the next. Most interesting are the tunes like "Better" where Van Bierk double-tracks her voice in such a way as to project comfort and pain, seemingly in the same breath. This is not for the kids who thought WASP was scary. These songs, when actually paid attention to, are freaky and may keep one up at night. Not me, of course. Heh. I didn't mind "Cuts." Hey, it was just a short little instrumental. I mean, I think that was an instrument. Or something ripping. I mean it was just... I don't want to talk about it. Hey, what about "Showgirl," though! Talk about being "out!" With lyrics that basically yell "I'm a lesbian" and "I want to fuck your toe," I don't have to think about the sound in... that other song for long. What's really annoying is the next song, "Todestanz," is sung in German, and my first thought is "Really? After 'I want to fuck your toe,' the next part is in code? Thanks a lot!" End-of-CD analysis is easy, though: I'm a pushover for spooky, heavy music if it's played well and with conviction, and that describes Renew very well. Good album for All Hallows Eve, but leave the scalpel in the drawer.

© 2002 - DJ Johnson