CD Review: Monica Richards (Infra Warrior) - The Strange Familiar

Written by Björn Butzen Wednesday, 01 June 2011 12:22

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Artist: Monica Richards (Infra Warrior)
Title: The Strange Familiar
Genre: Alternative / Indie / Other
Release Date: 13th May 2011
Label: Danse Macabre Records

Album Review

Some artists may proof themselves their existence by releasing new material. Some artists are blessed to scoop off a massive pool of creativity. And some are just workaholics… I don’t know WHICH kind of artist Monica Richards belongs to, but after a successful worldwide tour with FAITH AND THE MUSE and the DVD ‘shoumei’, now she’s back with an EP preparing for the upcoming album ‘Naiades’ that will be released in autumn 2011.

‘Armistice’ is the opener of the EP ‘The Strange Familiar’, pure up-tempo Gothic Rock with a powerful guitar sound referring to FAITH AND THE MUSE or SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES. According to Monica Richards it is about true self-empowerment, facing your life and its hardships with courage, bravery. Followed by ‘The Mighty’, a song with a “new soundscape with spoken word that explodes into warrior drums. It is about the lifetimes of one life, those future and past lives we feel we have lived. I speak as the Muse, the warrior, the bard, the king, the pauper, the farmer… all personas that ebb and flow in our worlds…”, so Monica. The song is embossed by a deep atmosphere that mirrors the situation of a ritual.

‘The Strange Familiar’ is “about finding yourself again, coming back full circle to your roots“ and the third track of the eponymous EP. First continuing the ambient of ‘The Mighty’ develops during the songs into a song that really forces you to get on the dance-floor. ‘A Good Thing’ from the first release of INFRA WARRIOR is presented to the audience as a remix, that is very danceable although it’s not that big hit. The EP ends with ‘Oreiades’, an amazing live piece, with Paul Mercer, the violinist from the FAITH AND THE MUSE tours. Both artists were in the caves beneath Schloss Cotteneau improvising during the recordings.

Monica Richards says: “What came out is almost called from the depths of the tunnels, there is an old world folk singing that I can't even say where it came from…“ In my opinion, this is the most impressive song on this EP and deserves to be heard at live performances! All in all, ‘The Strange Familiar’ makes you to want more. Monica Richards showed again her talent beside FAITH AND THE MUSE and leaves the audience with a great hunger for the upcoming release ‘Naiades’.


Tracklist

01. Armistice
02. The Mighty
03. Strange Familiar
04. A Good Thing (Strange Ones remix)
05. Oreiades


Line-up

Monica Richards - Composing, Vocals, Instruments
Steve Niles - Bass (Armistice)
Steven James - Guitars (Armistice)
Marzia Rangel - Cellos (The Mighty & The Strange Familiar)


Website

http://www.monicarichards.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/monicarichardsmusic / http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monica-Richards/150195811666344


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10