Silence Never Lies was first released independently in 1999. However, as Speaking of Sarah signed to Micah Records, the album was re-released with new artwork. I will be reviewing the original independent release, but as far as I can tell there is no difference (other than the artwork) between mine and the re-issue.
Speaking of Sarah's signing should not come as a surprise to anyone familiar with their music. Bands like Speaking of Sarah deserve a label: bands who do not focus on churning out the radio-friendly, hook-laden rock songs, but rather bands who make, quite simply, beautiful music. Silence Never Lies is not an album with just a couple of good songs. It's a record where each individual song contributes to the mood of the whole project.
"Angel," first single off the record, starts Silence Never Lies with a fierce wave of distorted guitar and a driving bass. The track reduces tempo as lead vocalist Diana Blythe near-whispers over an electronica texture. Blythe's ambient and tender vocals sound like those of Madonna on a number of tracks, at other times they are reminiscent of Sooi of The Miscellaneous. "Fades Away" follows with a simple bass line and a drum machine, with Blythe humming and mumbling, only to explode into soaring vocals and distorted guitars, accompanied by subtle background vocals, to create a goth feel. A more melodic track, "Images" continues the record with a hint of the Smashing Pumpkins. Next comes "Breathing," a quieter, slower-paced song, allowing for a bit of a breather (pardon the pun). With "Castle," Speaking of Sarah bounce right back into the heavy alternative format, following it up with some chick-punk not unlike Spiderbait. "Heaven" leans more towards the pop/rock side of the alternative spectrum, and flows effortlessly into the melodic pop of "Unchanging." "Easy" picks up the pace and injects a final dose of energy into the mix, before kicking back with enchanting "Waiting." "Not Our Home" rounds the album off acoustically, in Sixpence None the Richer fashion.
Besides featuring some beautiful music, Speaking of Sarah have also written pure poetry for their lyrics. Take for example the song "Angel":
Frozen still
Face to face
Burning chill
The sting of shame
Take my hand and lift my eyes
Take my world into Your heart
I'm no angel I don't have wings to fly
I don't sit on a cloud and shine the night
Your love is pure like a stream
It's crystal clear
No shadows here
Writing credits belong to the three males in the band, and each have their way with words (not to mention their instruments). "Images" explores the effects of our society's unbeatably high standards of what makes one beautiful. "Castle" describes how our emotional pain may go unnoticed to the world, but God can always see inside us. Other songs deal with the futility of material possessions ("Fades Away"), the unchanging character of God ("Unchanging") and waiting for the day when Jesus will return ("Waiting").
Silence Never Lies is a wonderful album. Much of the music here sounds like female-fronted Delirious? (Mezzamorphis), except perfected. You might even think of it as Sixpence with a distortion pedal. Overall, a very moody but enjoyable record that should please lovers of quality music.
5 tocks
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