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Rating: Let's put it this way. End of the 20th century. You have just published the pop (indie?) masterpiece of your generation. It is your opus magnum. 3 albums. 69 love songs. Encyclopedia of styles. Splendor of melody. The live commitment in itself is remarkable. But you string together the second album of the 6ths, the original soundtrack for the film "Eban & Charley", the EP "I'm Lonely (And I Love It)", and the second full-length under the name Future Bible Heroes. You title it "Eternal Youth" (Instinct, 2002). You don't lack creativity.
The Future Bible Heroes are one of the lo-fi projects of Stephin Merritt, of the Magnetic Fields. The synth pop "Heroes" alongside the new weaver are Ewen and Gonson. They were vaccinated in 1997 with "Memories of Love".
"Eternal Youth" is faithful to their electronic and mildly romantic design. They confirm and mature it. The approach remains playful, while also grappling with dark and serious tones.
The trio splits the tasks clearly. Merritt writes the lyrics with his usual dark humor and a dry and ruthless lyricism ("I'm neither sweet nor sincere/ and I prefer to drink blood rather than beer/ because I'm a vampire"). He wishes, but cannot, be cheerful and carefree. Christopher Ewen composes synthetic and impeccable sound textures, not overly lo-fi, and atmospheric interludes (see the enchanting "Bathysphere"). Claudia Gonson, with aplomb, lends her gentle voice to all the tracks, charming and slightly sinister, bitter and sweet. Little voice, colorless yet caressing. All of it expresses a generalized dreamy disillusionment.
The shadow of Merritt and company's loves is short: Phil Spector, ABBA, Human League.
The album has its own cohesion and balance. Without dips, the indie pop of "Eternal Youth" is reflected in sharp tracks like "I'm a Vampire", where Gonson beautifully identifies with social outcasts and the dissatisfied ("Damn it/ I am what I am/ what I am/ and I am incredibly glam/ and I’m happy as a clam"). Like the tempered electronics of the bright "Loosing My Affection", dedicated to true love ("I'd rather be the queen of the guillotine in a bloody insurrection/ than lose your affection"). After the polygamous lament of the diffuse "Thousand Lovers in a Day", "Smash the Beauty Machine" could be a track by Stereolab.
Sophisticated and simple, ironic and melancholic, mocking and dreamy. These are the pairs of adjectives that best describe this work.
The 2013 follow-up, "Partygoing", will somehow complete the triptych.
Tracklist
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