first and last and always


This is -the album- that has defined the final meaning of gothic rock.

Sisters of Mercy is a band that has changed a lot in all of their releases. This album has very little do with the earlier works of the band, just as it has even less to do with the later releases.

The music is based on a melodic bass-line and a beat of a drum-machine that no one would mistake for real drums. On top of these are the melodic fragile guitars. The structure of the songs are simple and basic. It is hard to define the music as it deserves, as any definition falls short of the effect it has. The music is worth a lot more than the sum of its parts.

The lyrics of Andrew Eldritch are in the league of their own, when comparing them to any other gothic-band's scribblings (with an exception of Joy Division). A healthy dose of despair, tragedy and lost hopes entwined together with such poetic genius and beauty leaving all competitors miles behind. Eldritch has declared himself being the best lyric writer in the world and he is closer to the truth than not--judging from this album, anyhow, with all the little twists and sarcastic remarks and references to other poets.

And his vocals include both strength and depth. Technically, he may be a very bad singer, but so what? He is able to express every nuance of his lyrics.

The album makes a deeply coherent whole without a single weak spot in it. A very beautiful and aesthetic piece of art with a glimpse of philosophy. "Kierkegaard meet Elvis?" No. Elvis had no depth in him.



no time for tears
no time to run and hide
no time to be afraid of fears
and i keep no time to cry



		black planet
		walk away
		no time to cry
		a rock and a hard place
		marian
		first and last and always
		possession
		nine while nine
		amphetamine logic
		some kind of stranger