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Rating: It seemed only right to close the studio album trilogy of the Sisters of Mercy with a review of what some considered as the only blemish in the band's career, that is the controversial "Vision Thing". After yet another line-up change, due to the departure of the captivating Patricia Morrison and her replacement on bass with Tony James, known for being part of Billy Idol's punk band, Generation X, at a very young age, Eldritch once again surprised all of his fans by offering them a very different album from the previous two. It was characterized by an almost total absence of electronic references and a significant reduction of the gothic character in favor of a more conventional rock sound, so much so that Andrew himself said at the time that he was inspired by the ZZ Top for some compositions.
Even the voice of the black angel itself in some songs is noticeably different from those from the past, as evidenced by listening to the title track that opens the album, where perhaps the most "angry" vocal performance by Andrew can be heard, accompanied by a guitar riff more rock than gothic, all masterfully produced by the genius known as Jim Steinman (noted for his collaboration with Meat Loaf). The following "Ribbons" is the darkest of the entire work and stands out for the relentless and obsessive rhythm of the drum machine (I remember that at the beginning Andrew played the drums but, due to his lack of skill and the lack of funds to recruit a real drummer, it was decided to buy an electronic drum set that was considered a real member of the band and was called D. Avelanche), the electronic sound of the guitars, and Andrew's voice, deep and cavernous as in the good old days. "Detonation Boulevard" faithfully reflects what was said about the new style of "Vision Thing". What is most impressive is its calmness as it is a song that is quite different from what one might expect, distinguished by a sound that has lost all dark references, and indeed, it can rightly be said that it is a light, almost carefree song. Next comes "Something Fast", a melancholic ballad, where the more romantic aspect of Andrew's voice is predominant, accompanied only by an arpeggio on classical guitar. "When You Don’t See Me" continues the discussion of "Detonation Boulevard", this time in a hard rock key. Calm atmosphere, subdued but engaging choruses, well-played track. With "Doctor Jeep", the obsessiveness of the drum and the endlessly played guitar riff resumes, but unlike in the past, even in this song, the atmosphere is not gloomy but almost relaxed. The highest point of this "Vision Thing" is reached with "More", where once again Steinman's production influence is felt. A rock gallop characterized by the perfect mix between the hard sound of the guitars, the powerful stride of the keyboards, Andrew's superb voice contrasted with the pomposity of the choruses. The album, and unfortunately the studio recording career of the Sisters, closes with the ballad "I Was Wrong". What is most moving about this song is the deep contrast between its serenity, which leaves the listener with the idea of continuity and artistic evolution of the band towards a sound different from the past, and the harsh reality represented by the awareness that "Vision Thing" represents the last chapter in the group's history.
In conclusion, even though "Vision Thing" disappointed many fans of the time, in my opinion, one cannot avoid listening to the work in question to fully understand the maturation which, sadly, stopped at that point.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Vision Thing (04:36)
Twenty-five whores in the room next door
Twenty-five floors and I need more
I'm looking for the can in the candy store
Two thousand Hamburg four
And colours I ain't seen before
It's a small world and it smells funny
I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money
Take back what I paid
For another motherfucker in a motorcade
In a long black car
With the prettiest shit
From Panama
When the sirens wail
And the lights flash blue
My vision thing come
Slamming through
It's a small world and it smells bad
I'd buy another if I had
Back
What I paid
For another motherfucker in a motorcade
Slamming through
Slamming through
What do wee need to make our world come alive?
What does it take to make us sing?
While we're waiting for the next one to arrive?
One million points of light
One billion dollar Vision Thing
Another black hole in the killing zone
A little more mad in the methedrome
One blinding flash of sense
Just like the president's
Well, I don't mind
Out of my mind
Blizzard king
Bring it on home
It's a small world and it smells bad
I'd buy another if I had
Back
What I paid
For another motherfucker in a motorcade
And a vision thing
And a vision thing
And a ...
Sha la la la
What do we need to make our world come alive?
What do we need to make us sing?
While we're waiting for the next one to arrive?
One million points of light
One billion dollar Vision Thing
Sha la la la
02 Ribbons (05:29)
I'm lying on my back now
The stars look all too near
Flowers on the razor wire
I know you're here
We are few
And far between
I was thinking about her skin
Love is a many splintered thing
Don't be afraid now
Just walk on in
(Flowers on the razor wire)
(Walk on in)
Her eyes were cobalt red
Her voice was cobalt blue
I see no purple light
Crashing out of you
So just walk on in
(Flowers on the razor wire)
(Walk on in)
Her lovers queued up in the hallway
I heard them scratching at the door
I tried to tell her
About Marx and Engels, God and Angels
I don't really know what for
But she looked good in ribbons
So just walk on in
She looked good in ribbons
So just walk on in
Tie a red red red red red red ribbon
Love is a many splintered thing
Tie a red red red red ribbon
Don't be afraid
Just walk on in
Just walk on in
(Incoming...)
(Incoming...)
Just walk on in
Just walk on in
Flowers on the razor wire
Just walk on in...
INCOMING!
03 Detonation Boulevard (03:49)
On Detonation Boulevard...
Through the angel rain
Through the dust and the gasolene
Through the cruelty of strangers
To the neon dream
Long distance information
Just tell me where the manholes steam
A little girl waits on my station
With a new machine
On Detonation Boulevard...
I got wrecked out here
In a Eldorado
I got wired, white-walled
This hot-wired sedan
I caught something weird in Encenada
I've a brother of sorts in Torquemada
Long distance information
Disconnect me if you can
On Detonation Boulevard...
Pink noise, white noise,
And a violet whining sound
It burns inside this car
No cops, no signs, no left, no right
No stops, no turning round
Well you can run but you can't ride
You won't get far
On Detonation Boulevard..
Bang Bang
On Detonation Boulevard...
Through the angle rain
Through the rust and the gasolene
Through the cruelty of strangers
To the neon dream
Long distance information
I'll take the same
I got the fuel for the transformation
I'm a naked flame
On Detonation Boulevard...
Bang Bang
04 Something Fast (04:37)
All the things
We never needed
I don't need them now
All the things
Were always confidential
And hidden from me anyhow
You can stand all night
At a red light anywhere in town
Hailing maries left and right
But none of them slow down
I seen the best of men go past
I don't want to be the last
Gimme something fast
God knows everybody needs
A hand in their decision
Some of us are not so sure
I seen his own held out
For a ride on television
I think he's still in Baltimore
You can stand all night
At a red light anywhere in town
Hailing maries left and right
But none of them slow down
I seen the best of men go past
I don't want to be the last
Gimme something fast
08 I Was Wrong (06:05)
You say stay and never leave
You say meant for ever
I could believe you, but I don't
You say we're almost all alone together
All alone
You say
You say you will
I know you won't
I was wrong
I was wrong to ever doubt
I can get along without
I can love my fellow man
But I'm damned if I'll love yours
In a bar that's always closing
In a world where people shout
I don't wanna talk this over
I don't wanna talk it out
I was quite impressed until I hit the floor
Isn't that what friends are for?
Pain looks great on other people
That's what they're for
I was wrong
I was wrong to ever doubt
I can get along without
I can love my fellow man
But I'm damned if I'll love yours
You say stay and never leave
You say meant for ever
I could believe you, but I don't
You say we're almost all alone together
All alone
Yeah you say
You say you will
I know you won't
So I was wrong
I was wrong to ever doubt
I can get along without
Oh I can love my fellow man
But I'm damned if I'll love yours
In a bar that's always closing
In a world where people shout
I don't wanna talk this over
I don't wanna talk it out
I was quite impressed until I hit the floor
Isn't that what friends are for?
Pain looks great on other men
But that's what they're for
I was wrong
I was wrong to ever doubt
I can get along without
Oh I can love my fellow man
But I'm damned if I'll love yours
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