Stabbed in the back of the heart! (Fall Of The Plastic Empire - Burning Brides)

Member Name: Kepler

Product:	Fall Of The Plastic Empire - Burning Brides
Date:	23/03/04 (119 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great lyrics, Varied vocal styles, Catchy melodies

Disadvantages: Not exactly mainstream

Background
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The Burning Brides are undoubtedly the most underrated band that I ever come across, their debut album Fall of the Plastic Empire was released in 2001 on a small Indie label and sold just over 5000 copies. The world simply wasn?t ready for this hell raising three piece from Philadelphia and their debut album didn?t even make a perceptible dent in the music world. Moby reigned supreme as the resident visionary and boy bands inhabited every corner of the Earth. It seemed that there was no place in the music world for such a raucous and bare bones band as The Burning Brides. But times change and as Moby was swept away in a torrent of rock music, a little known band was signing to V2 records and preparing for the re-release of their debut album, Fall of the Plastic Empire. In September 2002 the album was re-released and it was met by a furore of media attention, NME called it ?Dirty, sweaty, loud - just the way rock was meant to be? and Kerrang awarded the album 5 out of 5 and claimed that it was ?dangerous, sexy and addictive stuff to sway hips or suck blood to?. Finally it seemed The Burning Brides had arrived, but several minor awards later and they are still relative unknowns. Their musical influences range from The Rolling Stones, The Stooges, The Beatles to Nirvana the band they most idolise. But if I had to nail down their sound I would describe them as a mix of the Queens of the Stone Age with a little dash of Led Zepplin and a touch (just a touch mind you) of AC/DC. The Burning Brides are:

Dimitri Coats - Vocals and guitar
Melanie Campbell - Bass guitar
Mike Ambs - Drums


The Tracks
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1. Plank of Fire - 9/10

This song opens with distorted guitars which are joined by a pounding drum beat closely followed by Dimitri Coats? strained and violent vocals. This song has a great feel to it, something sinister and angry, which really strikes a chord and makes me sit up and l
isten. This track is a great opener that sets the pace for the rest of the album.

2. Glass Slipper - 9/10

This song carries on where the previous one left off, lifting the pace slightly and pitting a mangled guitar riff against Coats? slightly more easy on the ear vocals. Melanie Campbell on the bass guitar provides backing vocals for this track and this song has a slightly more upbeat feel to it. The drums on this track are particularly good and they really pound out a great rhythm, which keeps the track chugging along.

3. If I?m a man - 8/10

A rolling drum beat and slightly dulled guitars open this track with vocals that have a distinctly gravely feel. There is a great solo about one minute into the song which shows off Coats? skills on the guitar and is followed by a slightly more subdued part featuring some rather diverse half spoken, half sung vocals:

Plastic, down second street
Crushing buildings fall on fat meathead all in black
While lifting Volkswagen to save young blonde Barbie
Gather round for the downtown clown

4. Artic Snow - 8/10

This song has a much more rounded and polished feel than the previous tracks and is the nearest The Burning Brides get to mainstream pop rock. Smooth and melodic vocals overlay a fairly standard guitar rhythm, which plods along in the background. The best part of this song is near the end when the vocals disappear and the guitars become a lot heavier and Coats ekes out a strangled guitar riff which ends the song brilliantly.

5. At the Levity Ball - 7/10

Another track in the same sort of mould as ?If I?m a Man?, which starts with a rolling beat and a patient rhythm which is desperate to break out into something louder and more raucous. About half way through the song, Coats? previously quaint and harmonious vocals become strained and bitter and he promptly shouts his way through the rest of the track which makes for a great ending to th
is song.

6. Stabbed in the Back of the Heart - 10/10

This is definitely my favourite track from this album, it has a dark and threatening feel to it and Coats? vocals fit right in with the mood of the track. You can really feel the underlying malice in this track and when Coats sneers ?stabbed in the back of the heart? you know he means it. It also has some great lyrics

You got the tongue of a snake
You fought your way to my plate
And now you hang with the liars
While I get higher and higher

7. Rainy Days - 7/10

Some great vocals on this one as Coats switches back to his angelic mode and the pace is slightly slowed. This track has a much happier feel to it and it has a great beat that always makes me tap my feet along in time. Not one of the best tracks from the album but a good song nonetheless.

8. Elevator - 9/10

A much more cheery track that starts ferociously with Coats literally spitting out the vocals on top of a heavy mix of guitars and drums. Another one of my favourite tracks just for the sheer noise and confusion it seems to create, a really great blend of heavy guitars and thumping beats. The song is a bit on the short side though and limited as far as lyrics go which is why it only gets 9/10 instead of 10/10.

9. Blood on the Highway - 8/10

It?s hard to believe that it?s the same person singing this song considering his vocals on the last track but Coats goes into hyper angelic mode for this one and sounds more choir boy than rock singer for the most part. A much more down beat track, which plods along at a steady rate and the lyrics have a noticeably happier feel.

All my life all I wanted was a best friend
Then I looked into the sun
A white light took me far away again
Far away from my little ones

10. Plastic Empire - 10/10

An upbeat ending to the album and the second 10/10 track from the album. A fast paced song with a grea
t central riff, which is the basis for most of the song. Again this song has a menacing feel and Coats? vocals are once again strained and threatening but this time intermingled with bouts of more melodic singing. A fitting end to a brilliant album.

The Verdict
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Without doubt one of the most underrated albums of all time, you will struggle to find a band who have produced as solid a first album as The Burning Brides have here. If you like your rock music closer to the edge and a little outside of the mainstream than you should certainly give this album a go. I bought this way back in 2001 on the original File 13 Indie label but it is now available from V2 records though you may be hard pushed to find it in stock anywhere. www.101cd.com have this in their catalogue but they don?t have it in stock so delivery usually takes between 1 and 2 weeks and it will cost you £12.99.

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