| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Track Structure | 8 |
| Interest | 8 |
| Melody | 7 |
| Performance | 8 |
| Lyrics | 10 |
| Enjoyment | 8 |
| Recording Quality | 9 |
| Commercial Appeal | 6 |
| Overall | 8 |
One of the very best parts about reviewing tracks the way that I do is that every once in a while I can choose what I want to review and here's a case in question. It's been a long, long time since I last heard something new from me old mate Sean Boyle (aka Black Circles), although I've heard some new stuff from his collab band, The Dead Company. Regardless of which branch of his music I am dealing with - the solo BC work or the Dead Company archives - one item of clothing is highly important. Be sure, my friends, to be wearing your brown trousers before listening.
Music to scare the beejeebus out of you.
The key to getting into either BC or TDC lies in the very innovative way that Sean delivers what he brings to the party - vocals and lyrics. Sean almost singlehandedly pioneered this style of delivery (a laconic spoken vocal with extremely sombre overtones) that has been the trademark sound of both Black Circles and The Dead Company for many years now. Looking at this description on paper doesn't look much like something you may not want to listen to, so let me put this into perspective. As hard and often difficult as it is to listen to this kind of material (and it is) I believe both Dead Company and Black Circles offer something that is truly original - if a little sepulchral and doom-laden. Their music is dense, complex and often uncomfortable and yet - strangely enough - tremendously involving. Suffice to say that both Dead Company and Black Circles have been very highly rated by this reviewer ever since I first encountered them a couple of years ago.
Both BC and TDC have taken a long haitus while getting their debut CD together so when Sean told me about this new track, I leapt all over it. Sacrament starts with Sean intoning the Lords Prayer over a dense, bed of sweeps before delving into the black heart of the subject matter which - despite the lyrics - has nothing whatsoever to do with peace, love and harmony. Although the music is pretty much what you would expect from these extremely dark musicians, it's in the lyrical content and delivery that Sean ALWAYS delivers - he is a consummate lyricist (ie 'Jesus with the bible, calling my name. Sex and violence. feels the same') As always with BC and TDC material, first impressions will NOT give you a thumbnail impression. This is music that requires work on the part of the listener, and as such is not to be approached lightly. Although Sacrament isn't way up there with my BC favourites it IS great to see this very individualistic artist active again.
I repeat, music not to be taken lightly. Disturbing, moody and totally unique in every respect.
To listen to the track Click Here