Dead Can Dance Album: “Toward the Within”

A general rule of thumb, if it's by Dead Can Dance, it will be simply beautiful and amazing. The only exception to this rule, would most likely involve their very first album, a travesty even by Brendan and Lisa's own admission(s). This is absolutely no exception to the rule. It is beautiful, enchanting and truly captivating. The quality of the musicianship is beyond reproach. I remember this time in DCD's history well. I was fortunate enough to experience DCD live, here in San Francisco. Absolutely incredible would be an understatement. This cd does a great deal to capture that experience and reduce it to a recording. For those unsure, this cd is worth of the price of admission for Brendan's song "Don't fade away" by itself. But, of course, every single song on this release is amazing. Many, many times Brendan's voice seems to overlap and bring to mind images of Leonard Cohen (in his early years) and Tim Buckley. I find myself somewhat saddened by this release. Given that Brendan and Lisa have now gone their separate ways, moments of this cd can almost seem to foreshadow that event. It's weird, and probably doesn't make much sense, but the feeling is somehow there. If you are new to the DCD experience, it would be my recommendation to start with "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun." By far, that is the single best recording ever made by DCD, and that is saying a great deal. However, "Serpent's Egg" is a very, very close second. After that, "Aion" would be my next recommendation. It marks DCD's transition from a more classical based influence, to a more spiritual/celtic/tribal-esque approach that was later seen in "Into the Labyrinth" and "Spiritchaser." If you could only own three DCD cd's, those would definitely be my choices. However, definitely look into Brendan's solo release. It is extremely beautiful, and I was very glad to see it after having to endure two Lisa and Pieter releases. Not to say that Lisa's "solo" efforts are bad...I own both (as well as the soundtracks to "The Insider" and "Gladiator" solely for her work). Rather, after growing up on DCD and always having Brendan and Lisa together....it is hard to accept the two apart. Together, they acheived a certain balance that I don't think is acheived apart. It is almost, to sound trite, Yin without Yang. Also, for those who want to explore the DCD family tree further, check out Peter Ulrich's solo release. He was one of the percussionists for DCD, and featured prominently on "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun." His cd is very, very good. Keep in mind however not to expect a rehash of DCD. Rather, his approach is a very early Pink Floyd folk approach. Almost approaching the current folk-sound of some Current 93 stuff. Check it out.

This live-album of Dead Can Dance is simply the best live-album I've ever heard in my life. Not only sound the songs so alive and organic, the voices of Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry are just as on their normal albums: a privilege to listen to! This live-album not only presents a good sight of what DCD already made in their live, presenting some of their best songs, it also lets the listener find out how DCD sounds live-perfectionistic yet organic, full of enjoyment and creativity. This album therefore is a perfect chance for people who don't know DCD (so much)to discover their great music. With songs like "Rakim", "Yulunga" and especially "Cantara", this album lets the listener hear everything they want to hear: the bariton-like voice of Brendan, the magnificent voice of Lisa, a great range of instruments used (everything from ying'chan to viola, flute, clavecimble and sitar) and of course a lot of beautiful songs, in which you can dream away to another, serene, world... Songs like "Tristan" and "Sanvean" are so beautiful and emotional, that they just give you the creeps (and maybe some tears of happiness to). This fantastic album has it all, and it is a must for every music fan who likes brilliant emotional and atmospherical music, in which '80 pop is combined with film music, gothic, middle-age music and a very wide range of folk-elements from around the globe (Turkish, Irish, Arabian, Indian, Bulgarian, Native American...), togehter with all the necessary musical instruments. Discover this album, this band, your soul and your emotions.

One thing to bear in mind when choosing Dead Can Dance albums is that the duo of Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry went through at least four distinct stylistic phases, so you may find that certain albums appeal much more than others. This live album is a wonderful starting point, because it straddles a broad range of their musical styles and abilities. Also, while most artists' live albums simply rehash their existing popular work, of the 15 tracks on this album, only four (Yulunga, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Cantara, and Song of the Sybil), have appeared on previous DCD releases, making this an individual album in its own right. (Studio versions of two of Lisa's tracks, Persian Love Song and Sanvean, later appeared on her solo Mirror Pool release.) Both performers have never sounded better vocally, and are backed by a band of multi-instrumentalists with impeccable musicianship.

The album opens with one of DCD's all time best tracks, Rakim, long a staple of their live shows but making its first official recorded appearance here. Brendan and Lisa work as an integrated team here, melding her shimmering yang ch'in (Chinese hammer dulcimer) and lilting vocals with his rich Sinatra-like baritone over a driving percussion beat. Percussion is also used to great effect on a later track, Oman, which has a somewhat African and middle eastern flavor. Lisa shines on her vocal showpieces of Persian Love Song, Yulunga, Cantara and Sanvean, demonstrating her amazing multi-octave vocal range. Haunting flutes feature prominently on Desert Song, Piece for Solo Flute, and I Am Stretched On Your Grave; the last is a masterpiece of gloomy goth stylings resonantly delivered by Brendan over an ominous drone. Tristan and Song of the Sybil feature the group in its traditional medieval mode.

The most surprising tracks on the album, which have no stylistic counterparts in DCD's studio work, are three original songs by Brendan: I Can See Now, American Dreaming, and Don't Fade Away. These find Brendan in a singer/songwriter mode, primarily accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, conjuring up comparisons to Tim Buckley and some of Bruce Springsteen's more introspective work. The last two tracks mentioned are among the best songs on the album, but if there is any criticism of them it is that they really don't fit stylistically with the rest of the album or the group's overall oeuvre. In fact, these songs foreshadowed the musical directions Brendan would pursue in his later solo album, Eye of the Hunter.

Listeners finding that they like the medieval styled tracks on the album should check out Aion. Those drawn to Cantara, I Am Stretched On Your Grave, Persian Love Song, and Sanvean should check out Within The Realm of a Dying Sun, Spleen and Ideal, and The Serpent's Egg, along with Lisa's solo album Mirror Pool. Those drawn to Yulunga and the more middle eastern tracks may want to check out Into The Labyrinth, which also features some more straightforward pop songs by Brendan, as of course does his solo album Eye of the Hunter.

I don't know if words can truly describe what I heard when I first put "Toward The Within" in my CD player and pressed play. This CD shows the true beauty and eclecticism that music truly is and should be. It shows Middle Eastern and Celtic influences, mainly but the overall feel of it is like you went back to the caveman days because the beat of all the songs, especially in "Oman," is seductive and gets in your blood, making you want to dance all night long. Then you get to some songs like, "I Can See Now," "American Dreaming," and "Don't Fade Away." They are simple songs, just Brendan Perry and a guitar but they are probably the most beautiful songs on the whole album! They are TRUE love songs, simple melodies with the most BEAUTIFUL lyrics probably ever written and Brendan Perry's soothing voice, making them soar. These songs are for when you are laying in the arms of your significant other with candles all around you, just cuddling and relaxing all night. Lisa Gerrard isn't on here as much as Brendan but her presence is still felt on this album. Especially on "The Wind That Shakes The Barley." Overall, a must buy! Soft, eclectic, soothing melodies with exquisite lyrics....who could possibly ask for more?

About the Band:

Dead Can Dance is considered the seminal example of the ethereal (in the US) or heavenly voices (in Europe) genre. In fact, the name of the label, 4AD, which carried many of the 1990s DCD releases, is sometimes also used to describe this genre of music, which is a fusion of subtle electronics, vocals, drums, world music, and a near limitless count of instruments. Brendan Perry sometimes has been described as a gothic Frank Sinatra. Lisa Gerrard's enchanting vocals are often sung in a language only known to Lisa. I count myself among the many that hold these two musicians in the highest esteem.

About the Album:

Toward the Within is a live album from 1994, and though many music fans will often prefer the quality associated with a studio recorded album, I personally feel that heavenly voices music is designed to be emotional and moving ... and this album has a sincerity that will touch any listener. Toward the Within is one of my favorite albums. Fans of Brendan Perry's vocals will likely be more pleased by this album, as he provides the lead on the majority of the tracks.

Recommended Tracks:

- I Can See Now

- Don't Fade Away

- Rakim

- American Dreaming

- Desert Song

- The Wind that Shakes the Barley (I like this live version better)

- Cantara

In contrast to two very popular DCD offerings that are also worth checking out, Aion (which is very medieval sounding) and Into the Labyrinth (which is a bit remorseful and dark), I found this entire album extremely uplifting and inspirational. I can't stress enough how much I wish I could sing like Perry, and the truth is that I find myself doing so with this album. Fans of folk and romantic music will absolutely love this album.

Similar Artists:

If you love DCD because of Lisa's and Brendan's vocals, then I am confident you'll enjoy the following heavenly voices artists:

- Impressions of Winter (hard to find) - considered better than DCD, by many DCD fans lucky enough to hear them!!!

- Das Zeichen

- Love is Colder Than Death

- Deine Lakaien

- Qntal

- Helium Vola

- Corvus Corax

- Soil & Eclipse