I dunno what kind of idiot I looked like when I was randomly walking around FYE the other day, not really expecting to find anything cool, when I suddenly seen the TWO DISC EDITION of Comalies - Italian sixpiece rock band Lacuna Coil's flawless 2002 release - for only $16.99. AHHH! I flipped out, but I'm used to getting weird looks from CD store employees. Can I even begin to express to you how long I'd wanted to hear that other disc...with all those live/acoustic tracks...
Okay, so much for that.
I looooove Lacuna Coil. They won me over when I caught them on the P.O.D./Blindside tour in the spring. I don't know if they can really do much wrong. Sure, their self-titled EP might have been "same-y" sounding at some moments, and their earlier demo efforts may have lacked zest in terms of sound quality. But other than that? I'll continue to shake my head adamantly and insist that everything this band does is captivating. Dreamy, captivating, and without a flaw.
Cristina Scabbia - vocals
Andrea 'Andy' Ferro - vocals
Cristiano Migliore - guitar
Marco 'Maus' Biazzi - guitar
Marco Coti Zelati - bass
Cristiano 'Criz' Mozzati - drums
///DISC 1: Comalies///
Let me begin by saying quite honestly that Comalies is one of the most beautiful albums I've ever had the privilege to hear. My first review at Epinions was a crappified review of it that did it no justice, so now with this 'box set', so to speak, I can go into more detail. Bwahaha. Comalies gets off to a jaw-dropping start with "Swamped". The music is trance-like, only to become even more so once Cristina Scabbia starts singing: "When you're taught through feelings...when you're ta-a-aught through feelings..." There are extremely nice, quick transitions from insanely headbang-worthy, chunky guitar riffs to the dreamy, flowing sounds that accompany the verses. Male vocalist Andy Ferro's growl that sails through the song's verses is a nice contrast to Scabbia's defiant, beautiful trill. It is mind-blowing, to say the least. Everything soars quite wonderfully, and Scabbia's voice is so strong, resonant and clear. Without a second thought, I'd say she is my favorite female vocalist. "Heaven's a Lie" is perhaps Lacuna Coil's best known song. Believe me, there is some pretty good reasoning behind that fact. The guitars sound like they are singing. Can I even begin to tell you how great the sing-songy chorus is, with both Scabbia and Ferro passionately wailing, "Set me free, your heaven's a lie / set me free with your love, set me free, yeah!" If that isn't goosebump-evoking, I'll shrug and surrender, saying I have no clue what is.
"Daylight Dancer" is mesmerizing and awe-inspiring in every single aspect. With that tinkly intro giving way to an earthy mix of pretty guitars and possibly Ferro's best vocal performance on the disc as he cruises through those enchanting verses . . . with Scabbia showing off her incredible range and versatility . . . that untouchable drumming by Criz . . . yeah, I'd call it perfection without a glimmer of hesitation. "Humane" takes down the pace a notch, and it is quite beautifully wistful. Ferro takes a large chunk of the vocal work here, and does everything perfectly. Scabbia comes in, her soaring voice ascending wonderfully, and it's really chilling. I'm particularly fond of Ferro's two screams at the very end of the song; I always turn the volume up during that part. "Self Deception" is a touch grittier than the four tracks preceding it, and Ferro's gruff vocals during the verses are actually somewhat reminiscent of James Hetfield (you might have heard of him). This song is abnormally catchy, as Scabbia belts out emotionally, "Liar... you tempt me / Oooh, I don't know what to doooo / No guilt is in my heart / I don't know what to dooooo...". Stunning.
An eerily pretty, dainty acoustic song comes in the form of the two-minute "Aeon". Don't worry, your CD isn't skipping (I think we all probably thought that upon first listen), but those fluffy guitars are just stuttering deliberately. And it sounds prettttttttty good, if you ask me. Scabbia holds her own, doing all the vocal work on this song: "There's a sort of inner dance trying to seduce me..." she nearly whispers. Before you know it, the track fades out and gives way to the electrifying, energetic "Tight Rope". Oh, my. This is a Lacuna Coil fan favorite, and it's what many would call one of their 'heaviest' tracks. Massive, major, insane amount of props to guitarists Criz & Maus and bassist Marco Coti Zelati. These guys know their stuff. Ferro's voice is spellbounding and without a flaw in the verses, and Scabbia takes over the hypnotic chorus, sounding just as good as always. This song is such a stand-out, and I love it possibly more with each listen. "You want it all...the greatest smile / who wants to deny forever? You're made of ice / I pay the price," Scabbia cries.
"The Ghost Woman and the Hunter" . . . what I would give to see this song performed live. They need to add it to their setlist (oh, I shouldn't complain, their setlist is just fine the way it is; I'm just a greedy fan). Okay, you know how I mentioned those other songs are entrancing/mesmerizing/etc. etc.? They've got nothing on this one. This song is simply mourning. Painful, beautiful mourning. Scabbia does all the vocals on this rhythmic ballad, and everything works soooo perfectly. Lyrically? Oh, fuh-law-less. "You're moving on / we'll never be apart / just drain my tears, I cry aloud," she begs. "You're moving on / you'll never be apart / of all my tears, I cry aloud." It's a bit of a tearjerker, but oh my, is it ever gorgeous. I guess you could accurately state that "Unspoken" is the most simple song from the album. By no means does simple mean average or boring -- this song is actually quite gripping. A nearly bouncy, gleeful sounding rhythm collides with Scabbia's voice, coated with perfect emotion. Ferro's subtle backup vocals during the chorus add so much to the song's coolness factor. "You're clawing up my eyes / I'm feeling your arms around me on the other side / It's time to go / I'm hearing your voice without words / on the other side..." It's actually quite addictive.
"Entwined" is so incredibly beautiful, and is probably the best showcase of Scabbia/Ferro harmonies. Scabbia starts the ballad off, in which guitars seem to turn into a tidal wave of sorts, cascading the listener into a sea of Lacuna Coil beauty. When Ferro comes in with backing vocals, only to soon cry out along with Scabbia, the two sing in gorgeous harmony: "And you take me over, over again / and you take me over, over again..." Oh, did I mention that bassist/main songwriter Marco Coti Zelati is a sheer genius? Well, there you go. 'Tis fact. And this song is amazing. AMAZING. In terms of guitar work, "The Prophet Said" seems very late '80s/early '90s. I'd have to call it my least favorite, although it has its great points: Ferro's vocals work really well here; the song just doesn't really seem to build up to as much as the others do. I guess you could say it lacks...dynamite? Punch? Whatever the case, it's still great - I'm into the part near the end where the music suddenly stops and Scabbia wails, "This is my harmony / I'm in your heart again...". "Angel's Punishment" makes the most out of a creepy intro and distorted vocals. Scabbia's soft voice soon comes in, and she speaks the words, "War...destruction...war destruction," in what I'd call a desolate moan. Out of nowhere, Ferro comes with these BONE-CHILLING great roars, then back to Scabbia speaking softly...then back to the roars...then Scabbia unleashes her amazing range...ahh, this is good stuff, people. I kid you not. The title track "Comalies", partially sung in the band's native language of Italian, is another easy highlight -- one of the best of the bests, I suppose. An emotive, lush, pretty ballad of sorts, Scabbia handles most of the vocals, switching beautifully from Italian to English. Suddenly, Ferro comes in every once in a while, chanting "Walk on by / you walk on by", and the pace suddenly quickens. As Scabbia begins to sing again, the song goes back to lush/pretty ballad form. I'd have to call these lyrics some of the most gorgeous lyrics ever, laced with perfect emotion and regret: "Wandering from you / falling at your side / wandering from you / healing my desire / stumbling in your soul...give yourself to me / hurting your desire... healing mine." Agonizingly beautiful.
That concludes Comalies the actual album, and might I add the disc is also enhanced. There is an entertaining six-minute clip of the band doing -- among other things -- Tae-Bo, speaking rapidly in Italian to one another, goofing around, making funny faces, and recording the album. Not only that, it also includes really cool photographs of the band on tour and shooting promotion pictures for Comalies. Not only that, it also features e-mail addresses in which you can contact the band members personally! (They answer, too, and they're simply dolls, to put it frankly.)
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///DISC 2: THE OTHER STUFF///
Yessssss! Now we get to the reason why I bought the limited edition version, although I already had the original Comalies. 'Disc 2', as I'll call it, begins with the radio edit of "Heaven's a Lie". You might also recognize this as the version you see in the band's video for this song. It's about forty-five seconds shorter than its original version, as it cuts out some guitar work and some vocal work. Also, it appears that Scabbia's voice is not as lost in the background as it is in the original version; the re-recorded vocals seem to be louder and enunciated more clearly. I love both versions, to be honest, so *shrug* it's all good... Next comes the radio edit of "Swamped". When I first heard this, I was like, WHA!? What happened to that blissful, mysterious intro? Instead, this radio edit chooses to go RIGHT into Scabbia's enchanting wails. Does that work just as well as the 'original' version? Hmm, well, I dunno. They're both good, hahah. I do kinda wish they left in that blissful, mysterious intro, so yeah...I guess both of the radio edits lose a little bit of their perfection here. But not much! Moving on... "Heaven's a Lie" ACOUSTIC. Okay, the English language doesn't seem to want to loan me the words for this one. Seriously. This is...this is...you know those cartoon characters...how their jaw drops and their eyes bug out? Yeah, picture a much goofier, stupider (?) looking version of that, and you get me when I first heard this. It will chill you to the very bone. Gentle, feathery guitar work, but Scabbia and Ferro's voice just as powerful as ever. Instead of half-screaming along the chorus, Ferro ops to use his "Unleashed Memories voice" (that looooow-pitched voice, ya know what I'm talking about) and it's all good, folks. Toward the end of the song, the music gets even lighter, and Scabbia almost WHIMPERS, "Set me free..." Who couldn't love her voice? That's probably the most perfect she ever has sounded. Impossibly wonderful. Next up, "Swamped" ACOUSTIC. Okay, maybe it's because this one is placed after the undeniably, ridiculously, makes-perfect-look-like-crap acoustic "Heaven's a Lie", but this one just doesn't get to me like I figured it would. Now, remember, these are Lacuna Coil standards, so does this mean that this is a bad song? NO! I actually love the thing. In fact, the lyrics "Just another day / the shame is gone / hard to believe that I've let it go, let it go, let it go" were always sorta crying out, "Make me acoustic! MAKE ME FREAKING ACOUSTIC!" So everything falls into place really nicely in this one, really. "Unspoken" ACOUSTIC is probably my least favorite of the acoustics. I never realized how much I adored the punchy OOMPH of the original "Unspoken" with every fiber of my being until they were gone. :( Scabbia and Ferro still sound great here, though, and this song is really soothing and relaxing.
"Senzafine" ACOUSTIC is marvelous. In case you don't know, "Senzafine" is an Italian song featured on the band's 2001 release, Unleashed Memories. It's always been beautiful, and I think I might even like this acoustic version better - simply because Ferro doesn't shriek "Maaaaaaadre!", but he beautifully, quietly intones it along with Scabbia. You almost get a Spanish-like feel -- which is actually understandable since Spanish and Italian are pretty close -- not only from the lyrics and the vocalists' pronunciations, but also because of that feathery guitar work. Bliss, I tell you, bliss! "Heaven's a Lie" live acoustic on WAAF doesn't GET to me as much as the earlier acoustic of "Heaven's a Lie". Are you confused yet? Yeah, I probably am too -- but anyway, just know that this is a different acoustic version of "Heaven's a Lie". K? K. So the sound quality on this one isn't as good, the vocals aren't as loud, and Scabbia doesn't whimper as well here. Remember that chilling, goosebump-evoking beautiful part with "Set me free..." yeah, it doesn't really happen as much here. Oh, well. Same goes with the WAAF acoustics of "Senzafine" and "Aeon"; don't get me wrong, they're really pretty, but I think the studio acoustics are...well, prettier. So there.
And that concludes 'Disc 2'. I wish I could call it something else, hahah. What an ugly name. Anyway, 'Disc 2' is reeeeeally cool for even another reason (this band, I swear -- too perfect): it's enhanced! Yay for good enhanced CDs: this one features the MUSIC VIDEOS for "Swamped" and "Heaven's a Lie". I was super/ridiculously/insanely excited to see the "Heaven's a Lie" video, as I'd never seen it before. Fans of the band are sure to love it. Every band member is awesome-looking, they soar, you get to see them in motion...yippee. Just make sure ya have Quicktime (although, let's be realistic - you'd download Quicktime to see these guys' videos, right? RIGHT?)
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Comalies: easily one of the most untouchable, consistent albums ever. 'Disc 2', the same goes for it -- some of those acoustics, in particular, will make your love for Lacuna Coil not only triple, but like...octuple. Nontuple. Whatever the case, don't walk but RUN to go check out Lacuna Coil; Comalies (and 'Disc 2') are rock music masterpieces. Lacuna Coil transcends the boundaries of what has become commonly known as "typical rock music". Why even categorize, actually? "Goth metal", "goth rock", "progressive rock"....forget it all, the only real way to lump Lacuna Coil into a category is to just call it Lacuna Coil. They rule.
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