Erin Fall

Item: Breathe
Author: Micah Liesenfeld

Breathe

(1997)

Reviewed by Micah Liesenfeld

Discogs YouTube

Label N*Soul RecordsThe LighthouseUnsorted 1998

electronic industrial industrial rock

"We live in an era when our cities are armed with steel and concrete. Computers and electronics barricade our minds." So begins the first track of Erin Fall's debut album, Breathe. It is a cheesy voice reminiscent of modern remakes of Twilight Zone. But once the cheesy narration is over, be prepared for blast off. Erin Fall kicks it in with "We Live In A World," so heavy and driving, it could make you forget that this album is on the techno music label, N-Soul.

In the world of industrial/computer music, there seems to be two different ways of creating a song. There are songs with a definite beginning, middle, and end; and there are songs that have a programmed "loop" until the programmer decides he/she has had enough. This album seems to be a combination of both. The title cut is definitely one of the former type. In fact, if it were not for two distinct computer "bass pops," this song might get away with being a straight-up rock cut. This is a very powerful song, and fans of Mortal's Wake album will probably like it. These types of songs are mixed in with the "looping" songs. Normally, "loop" songs bore me to death, but the guys at Erin Fall have managed to keep most of these songs interesting. Each one of them has a definite mood. For instance, "No One's Listening" is an incredible piece of work. The song has a "stomping" feel to it with plenty of controlled and interesting "pops," "bleeps," and "what nots." The guitars work very well on this track in much the same way as they do on the rest of the album. There is a breakdown in this song where a female voice says, "God is speaking," and suddenly, your room is filled with an electronic bass bubble that will vibrate everything off your china cabinet.

The lyrical content on Breathe is sparse but good. Smart phrases produce interesting double meanings:

Have you heard that the city has fallen Fear: I embrace it Night: I await it Love: I embrace it Life: I await it

There is a running theme going on the subject of the planet Venus as well. It almost makes me wonder if they were trying to make a soundtrack for C.S. Lewis' "Perelandra" novel.

Fans of Mortal's Fathom through Pura days might like this album. Over all, it might not impress "hardcore industrial" fans, and "techno/ambiance" fans might not be able to handle it. However, this middle ground that Erin Fall works with makes this a good computer music album. I do not know who "Erin" is or why she has fallen, but I am glad she is down here with us making good music.