Fears In The Water - Vincent Black Shadow (The) > Reviews > The fear is in the water!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	The strange but cool lyrics .  .
Disadvantages:	The repetitiveness in some of the tracks .  .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The 5-piece, The Vincent Black Shadow, were formed in 2000, through the collaboration of Cassandra Ford and good friend Rob Kirkham. The pair met in a bar and became musical collaborators, over the time Rob enlisted his brothers Chris and Anthony to join the band. Later on Mary Ancheta joined the group as keyboardist, in 2006, the group were enlisted by Bodog records and this summer went on the Vans Warped tour with bands like; Paramore, New Found Glory, Hawthorne Heights and Funeral For A Friend.

The line-up at present is as follows;
• Cassandra Ford - Lead Vocals (2006-present)
• Robbie Kirkham - Guitar (2006-present)
• Anthony Kirkham - Drums (2006-present)
• Chris Kirkham - Bass (2006-present)
• Mary Ancheta - keyboards (2007-present)

Their debut album, Fears in the Water, was released in the United Kingdom, on the 11th July 2006. They have already released two tracks from this album; Metro and Control. Both have been underground tracks that have received better reception in the United States than in the United Kingdom. Metro was the best faring single reaching number one in Fuse's guilty pleasures chart.

There are 13 tracks on this album and it is 50:56 minutes long.

~~ Metro - 4.26 ~~
The opening track to the album, a great introduction to Cassandra's spectacular voice, and the alternative - perhaps even fair ground style musical talents. This track told me from the first time I heard it, made me want to sing, a lot and very loud..! The lyrics, sound amazing against the back drop of the organ background. 'The drugs don't work no more,' sounds like the band have inspiration from The verve and their famous track, 'Drugs Don't Work Anymore.' Not that this is in anyway a bad thing it shows the band have taken some great inspiration from those around them. The guitar riffs are constantly solid and do leave you tapping your foot.

~~ Control - 3.16 ~~
A particular favour of mine as it has some awesome lyrics, 'time time the glove is latex.' Sounds like a kinky song, but is never the less an amazing sounding song. The lyrics are just a basis for how good this song is, the keyboard skills of Ancheta are inspiring as she as such a talent for creating innovative music. Even though this song is a little repetitive at time is is still a great song.

~~ Bullet on the Tracks - 3.08 ~~
Continuing the quick paced lyrics and guitars that has been throughout. I have to say this song despite it obvious production quality does annoy the hell out of me it repeats itself so much, the lyrics go on and on. Unusually for me I have to say I don't like this song as much as I feel I should. The lyrics 'Don't call me bad…' bore me to tears I'm afraid.

~~ Don't Go Soft - 4.59 ~~
Slower tracks than previous songs on this album, again the lyrics to this song, are so good 'hope your lock fits with her key.' Showing a little resentment to a new relationship from an ex, although this song is quite slow, it does provide some strong drumming work from Anthony Kirkham - providing a good beat and even more reason to sing along.

~~ Valentine - 3.26 ~~
This track slightly reminded me of an Evanescence track, with its ferocious guitars and exited drum beats. I do think through Cassandra's voice as slightly similar to Amy Lee's. this track again is quite representative, but not enough to annoy. It is quite a good track for playing loud to annoy your neighbours and family…!

~~ Broken - 3.48 ~~
Track number 6, already sounds familiar even from the first listening. It is hard to place who this song sounds like but it is easily the catchiest track on the album. The whole musical line - up is solid, and for a band only producing music for release for a few years, they sound a very tight band with great enthusiasm. Especially live, the band have so much energy, on what I have seen from the Vans Warped Tour, this band were as lively on stage as they are with their lyrics.

~~ The House of Tasteful Men - 3.34 ~~
Somehow this title always reminds me of some old horror flick, filled with evil but good looking men… Not entirely sure why! However, this is a good track again sounding a little far ground, the keyboard skills on Ancheta are very prominent throughout this album, but the guitar of Rob Kirkham is so electric it sets the song and event he album off perfectly.

~~ Surgery - 3.13 ~~
One of the lyrics from this song has been on my myspace pages for a long time now… 'Cut a piece of skin for me I don't remember how I looked before he got to me.' Just sounds like some mad cosmetic surgery..! A brilliant set of lyrics followed up with some talented guitar work, followed by the stability of drums and talent of keyboard. You really can't get much better than this!

~~ Ghost Train Out - 3.37 ~~
The most sing along track of the album, but don't sing too loud, it is so suited to Cassandra's voice. There is not much to say about this track as it is quite boring but I do still like it regardless of that, as the riffs near the end are so well fitting to the song.

~~ Fears In The Water - 3.59 ~~
A more upbeat song, that gives you the idea, through the lyrics of an demon or dragon coming at you from the sea or any mass expanse of water. Could scar a small child!! The keyboards are again quite fairground like but the whole song has some fun qualities, from the guitar riffs that impaired me to take up guitar again.

~~ Dream - 4.23 ~~
I always have to sing to this song, it has some interesting lyrics and again a very fairground style keyboards. As usual the guitar riffs are strong and the lyrics are inspiring. This band make creating new music seem easy, but they don't seem to become complacent about it and keep producing amazing tracks.

~~ This Road is Going Nowhere -3.18 ~~
This track and Valentine seem to be slightly out of place in the album, but that makes a nice contrast. To the usual albums that have similar tracks all the way through. The music on this track is so good it has such a tension build up with guitars and keyboards ¾ of the way through, the change in pitch of Cassandra's voice just sets this track off..!

~~ Letters To No One - 3.19 ~~
Seemingly about another break up, Cassandra appears to be singing about, the problems and the finality of killing a relationship and having someone to blame. For a good track this song ended on a very repetitive note. Never the less it is a good end to the album and I am now looking forward to the next one of which the band are beginning to work on!

This album is pretty elusive to find unless you know where to look..! it is available on Zavvi and play.com if you're lucky…. The prices are fairly varied anything from £8 to £15 depending on where you look. It is also obviously on eBay! As is everything..!

I would recommend this album to any one who is a fan or Evanescence or Paramore, as it has strong beats and is a catchy album if you can get hold of it!