- Audio CD (23 Jun 2003)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Mute
- ASIN: B000024558
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 214,923 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a unique EP, as it marks Miranda Sex Garden's shift from traditional, classical-folk music to the noisy, alternative, almost industrial style that was to follow. Iris lies somewhere between the two approaches, yet it has a dominance of its own.
MSG met in a vocal music school, and the influences of classical music and singing were always apparent in their work. The songs on Iris start like classical or traditional a-capela songs, similar to Madra (the band's first album). But then they develop into something more: the voices rise as violin noises or drums break into the music, increase in speed and reach a peak of emotions and obsession. They then quiet down and return to the same calm, sweet singing the song began with. This effect repeats itself on the 3 best songs in the EP - 'Lovely Joan', 'Fear' and 'Iris'. The combination of angelic voices with expressive, dramatic music is breathtakingly beautiful and intense. I don't think that MSG has ever quite managed to re-capture the magic of this fantastic EP. Iris is not as extreme or industrial as Fairytales of Slavery or even Suspiria; it is a much more restrained work. But it goes further, and deeper, than any of MSG's other albums. It will make you shudder; it will bring you to tears. The only problem I have with Iris is that, as well as being too short, there are only three really good songs out of five. But they are three masterpieces.
MSG met in a vocal music school, and the influences of classical music and singing were always apparent in their work. The songs on Iris start like classical or traditional a-capela songs, similar to Madra (the band's first album). But then they develop into something more: the voices rise as violin noises or drums break into the music, increase in speed and reach a peak of emotions and obsession. They then quiet down and return to the same calm, sweet singing the song began with. This effect repeats itself on the 3 best songs in the EP - 'Lovely Joan', 'Fear' and 'Iris'. The combination of angelic voices with expressive, dramatic music is breathtakingly beautiful and intense. I don't think that MSG has ever quite managed to re-capture the magic of this fantastic EP. Iris is not as extreme or industrial as Fairytales of Slavery or even Suspiria; it is a much more restrained work. But it goes further, and deeper, than any of MSG's other albums. It will make you shudder; it will bring you to tears. The only problem I have with Iris is that, as well as being too short, there are only three really good songs out of five. But they are three masterpieces.
Format:Audio CD
Great album.Would get 5 stars is it was a full length album. The singing is supported by wonderfully simple organ riffs and sympathetic 'rock' instrumentation. Someone bought it for me as a leaving present nearly 20 years ago - still love it. That is the test of good music.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Essential stuff
26 Sep 2005
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
After the release as a female trio of "Madra" (1991), a collection of austere 17th century a-capella songs, Miranda Sex Garden moved away from their classical roots into a more experimental jazz/rock territory (to label their music is hard work, though).
"Iris" (1992) is a transitional album of capital importance for the band as they managed to develop here their own trademark sound. The almost unprecedented combination of classically trained vocalists and their instruments coupled with the abilities of new added musicians (Ben Golomstock on guitar and Trevor Sharpe on drums) produced, against all odds, hugely impressive achievements.
This mini-album is a little known masterpiece. An exquisite sample of lyrical and musical talent. The beginning of the record is conventional enough, a cover version of the traditional song "Lovely Joan". At this very point nothing really makes you suspect that the band was going to dramatically change their style that much with respect to "Madra", but suddenly the tranquil voices become progressively more and more menacing until exploding into a powerful climax of shouted lyrics. From then on, nothing was gonna be the same for this group. Theirs was a break with the past on behalf of risk. The real nature of Miranda Sex Garden's art, their true iconoclastic essence, had finally come into being for our listening pleasure.
The other songs in the track-list deal with the usual issues about loss of innocence, death, dreams, dread, escapism, etc. I think my personal favourite is "Fear", simply enthralling. As a whole, Katharine Blake's voice, between sensual and morbid, is very well accompanied here with the singing skills of Donna McKevitt and Kelly McCusker. This superb line-up will be present again on their next album "Suspiria". The most remarkable aspect in "Iris", apart from its evident artistic quality, is without a doubt the abandonment by MSG of tight classical conventions that allowed them to concentrate on a bolder and more powerful formula. A new approach exuding a dreamy and surreal quality which will be recurrent in this and other future releases.
A strangely beautiful and consuming piece of work. Very recommended.
"Iris" (1992) is a transitional album of capital importance for the band as they managed to develop here their own trademark sound. The almost unprecedented combination of classically trained vocalists and their instruments coupled with the abilities of new added musicians (Ben Golomstock on guitar and Trevor Sharpe on drums) produced, against all odds, hugely impressive achievements.
This mini-album is a little known masterpiece. An exquisite sample of lyrical and musical talent. The beginning of the record is conventional enough, a cover version of the traditional song "Lovely Joan". At this very point nothing really makes you suspect that the band was going to dramatically change their style that much with respect to "Madra", but suddenly the tranquil voices become progressively more and more menacing until exploding into a powerful climax of shouted lyrics. From then on, nothing was gonna be the same for this group. Theirs was a break with the past on behalf of risk. The real nature of Miranda Sex Garden's art, their true iconoclastic essence, had finally come into being for our listening pleasure.
The other songs in the track-list deal with the usual issues about loss of innocence, death, dreams, dread, escapism, etc. I think my personal favourite is "Fear", simply enthralling. As a whole, Katharine Blake's voice, between sensual and morbid, is very well accompanied here with the singing skills of Donna McKevitt and Kelly McCusker. This superb line-up will be present again on their next album "Suspiria". The most remarkable aspect in "Iris", apart from its evident artistic quality, is without a doubt the abandonment by MSG of tight classical conventions that allowed them to concentrate on a bolder and more powerful formula. A new approach exuding a dreamy and surreal quality which will be recurrent in this and other future releases.
A strangely beautiful and consuming piece of work. Very recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Alice in Wonderland on meds
13 May 2002
Format:Audio CD
If you haven't heard Miranda Sex Garden before, "Iris" is a dead-on first impression. Their siren songs lead you right into the jagged rocks. "Lovely Joan" and "Fear" start out gentle; as the voices remain angelic, the rock music builds up like a caged animal growing angrier. Other tracks, like "Falling" and "Blue Light" start right off with discord. The beauty of Katharine Blake's voice only magnifies the sense of something REALLY twisted going on. That big unbliking eye on the cover is troubling enough...
The instrumentation is often "The Who"-style drums, grinding church organ, echoey metal guitars and one other instrument thrown in (like a muted trumpet) to make the mood more sinister.
You can hear traces of The Doors and Pink Floyd.
Like all MSG albums, "Iris" is grim and beautiful at the same time. The really hot Wiccan priestess in your Art History class probably listens to this stuff.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Great intro to the world of Miranda Sex Garden
31 July 2000
Format:Audio CD
Five wonderful songs seemlessly blended together. 'Lovely Joan' starts out like one of the old english madrigal folk songs that filled their mostly-acapella first album 'Madra'. But then the singing gets louder and louder, then the guitars and violins kick in, changing into something very scary by the end. 'Blue Light' is perhaps the most relaxing, hypnotic, sleep-inducing song ever recorded. It's nearly impossible to listen to without drifting off into a dreamworld. After awhile, the ghostly harmonies at the end get quieter and quieter and suddenly you wake up and notice you are listening to the next song, the much louder 'Iris'. Brilliant songs, perfectly produced.
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