This new album, which started out as a cassette-demo that we reviewed in these pages, received such a warm response that the band decided to go back in and master and release as a CD. Unlike the band's previous three albums, this one comes without national retail distribution (ie. it's indie). Musically it's pretty close to the self-titled third album, but some of the pop song sensibilities from Chosen can be slightly felt. Lyrically, Mike Pritzl seems to ride the line between spiritual and sensual a la Bono. "Berlin Kitty" is a good example of this. Then "Elaste," the lead-off track, starts off with very worshipful phrases of, "Lay your hands now on me / let your love cover me / Sing your sweet songs to me." It's reminiscent of those early albums, and it comes back as a hidden-track reprise at the album's end.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Keith GilesIf you own this disc, you already know how epic it is. If you don't, then you're probably curious about what Mike Pritzl has cooked up for his fourth Violet Burning extravaganza. After all, Mr. Pritzl is one of those rare geniuses who seems able to reinvent himself and his music with every collection of songs he releases, and yet somehow maintain his energy and passion like a perpetual…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinThere are some definite benefits of being on the fringe, and The Violet Burning are enjoying them. Freed of any label restrictions, main Violet man Michael J. Pritzl is able to make the kind of album he just plain feels like making. His fourth album, Demonstrates Plastic & Elastic, is the result of his desire to bring more of an alterna-pop sensibility and brooding balladry to his signature brand…Similar sounding releases
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