static

the mirror

teen

miss you

bow link in e minor

n.ss

shut up

blah-blah

blind date

cant' you hear

at ease

yours faithfully

out of the great book of fairytales

barbara jedovnicky : vocals
rok kolar : violin
tine èas : guitar
luka verdnik : guitar
lenart jerabek : bass
mitja melanšek - mic : drums

review by Matthew "Newbreed99" Haumschild___

Despite what other critics have said about this album, I rather found this CD and this band entertaining. To be honest, there are several parts to this band. What I mean is that in some songs they'll sound like Lullacry and other times they are as original as can be. The violin definatly adds a new dimension to the band, although this isn't the first time I have heard a metal band with a violinist, I felt that Kolar's contribution to the band and their overall sound to be very enlightening. The most interesting part in my opinion is the singer. There are some songs where she sounds like an 80's pop singer, other times when she reminds me of Tanja of Lullacry and of all people, she sounds like Gwen Stefani! 

I must say this first before I examine the good parts of this CD, if you listen to Death Metal, Black Metal, or anything of that nature, and that's all you listen to, you will not like this band. However, if you like to have some diversity once in a while and you like bands like Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, Within Temptation, Lullacry, or bands with female singers that sing, then you'll like this band. 

To be honest, this band isn't that happy, but they are entertaining. The first song I really liked on this CD is "Teen" Although I hate the name of the song and I don't have a lyric sheet to know what Jedovnicky is singing about I can't imagine why this song is named "Teen." But it's catchy as hell! Kolar is all over the place with his violin adding more melodies than an In Flames song and matches the energy of a Lacuna Coil song. Catchy chorus with grooving guitar riff, too bad it's only a 2:42 minute song. 

N.SS, another song title I don't understand, I guess this has something to do with the bands name? This is another song with a catchy chorus and a grooving guitar riff. Of all the songs, Jedovnicky sounds like Gwen Stefani the most. The lyrics are very popish and very feminine sounding; I would understand why most guys probably won't like this song. But if you get past this, the song has a lot of dimension to it. During the song, virtually the whole band stops and plays this background-esque sounding melody, not to mention the engineer through some effects on the Violin as he was soloing, I'll get to that later.

Now, Shut Up. I have read so many bad things about this song. Jedovnicky is virtually rapping in this song, trying to show attitude, but in this song I feel the band sounds the most metal. Although there are elements of rap metal in this song, it can't be immediately dismissed as a bad song. It's not bad to listen to really, I'm not sure how else to explain it really. I'm starting to realize that most of these songs have just crappy song names, the next song I really like is "Blah-Blah." It has an up-beat guitar riff and a catchy chorus. This song reminds me of something that could have been created in the 1980's. I would say that this is a great driving song. What I mean is that it's fast paced and the lyrics are up beat, I've sped more than once when this song is on. The post chorus of this song is a bit unusual too, the band goes back to this rap-metal thing and it's a bit confusing as to why, it almost doesn't make any sense. Good song though, I swear! 

Sound quality, I rather liked. I could hear everything. Maybe not in every song, but I could tell that whomever mixed this CD did a good job and put a lot of time and effort into it. It's really hard trying to mix in Violin into a heavy sounding band like this. I felt that the engineer and the producer did a wonderful job. However, in some songs, I could hear the violin but it was more in the background than anything else, I was a little confused, but I suppose I would have to hear those songs again and decide what kind of effect it would have the song if the violin's levels were up. I also noticed that Kolar was using an electric violin. Being that I am a classically trained violist, I think this is cheating. At least on the engineer's part. I think this whole album would sound completely different if they got Kolar in a nice open room with tall ceilings and a nice wood floor and mic'd a real violin and not an electric one. And no effects! Wind instruments like that do not need effects and I noticed them throughout this disc, sometimes they would sound good, sometimes I just scratched my head wondering why. I can understand an electric for live settings, but oh well. The CD, sonically meets my approval in all other areas. 

I am going to buy it. It's a nice addition to the collection and if you are a guy reading this, your girlfriend will like this CD too. Go for it. 

rating: 8.5/10

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