Call Me Silent. Ciel

Just under two years ago Ciel was on this blog with its second EP of the year 2023. Both EPs and their singles were all reviewed positively, while the comparisons with Blood Red Shoes, also from Brighton were all over the reviews. Today the, by now, duo returns with its first full length album.

Dutch singer and songwriter Michelle Hindriks and drummer Tim Spencer worked with Steven Ansill as producer. The Blood Red Shoes drummer and co-singer gave Ciel a tough sound with strong 80s overtones. The synths are all over the place, making the duo wind up somewhere between alternative rock, Depeche Mode, and, yes, Blood Red Shoes. The rock sound suits Ciel quite well. A song like 'Thinking Of You' is a dead giveaway here. It just rocks so well, that I'm allowing all these influences and more. This is Ciel in its strength and power, able to unleash it all into the ears of the fans (to be).

The album opens with an eerie sound that is overtaken by a bass and drums that set the pace of the title song and the album. The song sets the intention of the album. Fast-paced rock with a lot of melody and swaths of synths bringing the music four decades back in time. When in 'Won't Obey' influences from The Cure come in, things fall even more into place. At the same time, the vocals could never have sounded like this at the time. In this way Michelle Hindriks brings Ciel's sound into the current decade.

'Hear Me Out' is the fourth song but again a highlight on Call Me Silent. By then it's also abundantly clear that Ciel can never recreate the music on its record to a live situation, without help from live musicians that is. There's no shortage of extra's in the music and the background vocals, which are superb in this song. Simple, yet so effective these a-ha's are.

Promo photo

Call Me Silent is not only rock and roll. Alternative ballads can also be found on the record. Swaths of synths and effect ridden guitars fill the background, while the rhythm is down. The change of mood changes the feel of the album as well, but does not break its strong back. It shows the other side of Ciel. Successfully at that. 'Hold Onto You' is a superb ballad and yes, it will remind you a little of the triphop song 'Teardrop' by Massive Attack, as far as the mood is concerned.

By then it's time to pick up the pace again. Ciel does just that. You will also notice that the electronic element has replaced the dominant guitar/rock sound of the album by then, showing yet another side of Ciel. 'In Your Arms Again' is a successful example of this. And then the rock side returns. In the final song 'Cruel' it all sort of comes together. Dark synths, a softer rhythm and the rock guitars.

With Call Me Silent Ciel sets a giant step towards a secure future in alternative rock. The album may not be 100% convincing, but more than enough to make the album stand out with a promise for much more in the future. The promise of the two EPs has certainly been delivered upon.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Call Me Silent here:

https://cielcielciel.bandcamp.com/album/call-me-silent