This was the first album that Sibyl Vane released. It was in 2012, got a 2022 remastered version + early demo's and outtakes. As they also played in Tartu (see review) on the same spot as where they launched the CD for the first time on stage I found it a good idea to celebrate it with a new review, extra's included. This album got me in touch with a really cool band and on top Heiko Leement (bass guitar)handed it over to me in person, so I promised that I would review it. So here we are ...
I labeled this album in 2012 as straightforward indie-rock which can match with the greatest. Today I would add a bit of post punk and a vocal slice of Depeche Mode. It was already back then hard to find something negative to say, even if I'd wanted to. Instead, I heard one nice song after the other. 'Door in the Floor' is for example the perfect opener: simple and laying out what to expect. A door that brings you towards very special music, suddenly opens for you, like this album suddenly and out of the blue got on my desk in 2012. 'Get Out of Town' and Sugar High’ have a slight No Doubt flavour and sounds almost addictive, making you slightly move along with the beat and sing out loud. Another thing is that the bass guitar is really into the game, up-fronted. ‘Quit Tellin’ Me Crazy’ has a nice sound and gets lifted up by the guitar play. In 2012 we indeed ain’t seen nothing yet, but in 2026 we see all the potential revealed. ‘Honey Tree’ mixes sweetness with nicely rocking guitars and bit of a trembling voice (that would become Helena’s famous vocal touch). The song also has a nice solo guitar momentum. 'What's My Name' is a song that would fit with the opening track of the series of True Blood, I love the bass guitar-line and the little bluesy/country and rock sound. I hear a bit of melancholia and that's just the way I love it (this was by the way the first single). I'm totally into the flow.
'Supersonic' is a bit more rock-minded and I like the lyrics, just as the way they are sung. Being the support act of Garbage will help them a lot and get them more airplay, that was my wish in 2012. By now I also know that it’s a real must to be performed on stage as you can literally feel the energy. Just like on 'E & A', where I can almost hear a live sound and can easily imagine them on stage and, to me, this is how a good record should sound! Pure, energetic, Helena Randlaht doesn't need computer trics or manipulations that correct her voice... her voice this is pure gold, just as the rest of the band members!
But hey let’s not skip tracks, so let’s go back to the song called ‘Sibyl Vane’ a nice rocker where they present themselves, not needed in 2026, but it’s still a great track with a great sound. ‘I Don’t Want To Know’ has a slower tempo in the beginning, a bit of bitter sweetness and a bit of a trembling voice towards the end. ‘On ‘till Dawn’ is a great track and well chosen as last one. Just listen to the roaring guitars, feel the high tempo, the bass, … It’s what we call ending on a high.
Now comes the second album:
Get Out of Town (December 2011 ERR Studio version) keeps the sweetness and the No Doubt slices. It’s still a great version. …And The Sun Never Went Down is a demo outtake but sounds do good I’m wandering why it was taken out? The sound rocks nicely, the vocals are good, maybe the middle of the song is a bit too long (without vocals). Guilty As Charged sounds like a classic rock song with a good tempo and a nice title. If produced properly it might even become a hit. It has the potential needed to make it. Jungle Fever rocks nicely, has cool retro touch with a great guitar sound and a good tempo. I would just add a few jungle sound touch and tiger crawling kinda sound. Krishna Sisters is a strange title, but has something mysterious. State of Mind (S.O.M.) shows us here that the released version is indeed very strong as this one simply shows the potential it had, so yes it’s good to hear what it sounded like before getting the final version. Same can be said from Almost Gospel (made it on their second album). This one is a nicely stripped version. Cool Kids is a rehearsal demo version, has the potential to make it and nice lyrics. So maybe one day it might get a real studio version. Another rehearsal demo comes with Opaque. The rock sound and guitar play is great, just wandering what it would have become with a decent recording for sure on the vocal side). As last one we get a 2012 acoustic version of Door in the Floor. It’s almost like campfire time and maybe campfire versions might also be something for the future.
Well the second part opens a lot of doors and possibilities for the future. It also brings back a lot of memories and going back to the place where you launched this album makes it even more special. I’m glad I was part of it and can share my thoughts and feelings, but most of all: share my love for this great Estonian band.
As Abba sang in the past: thank you for the music. Thank you for the great times and memories. Hope to see you one day in Belgium and otherwise I’ll try to meet you with the next album release or so. Thank you!
check the original 2012 review here:
Check review of live gig in Tartu:
https://www.snoozecontrol.be/english/15095/
