Stray review on Gothtronic - 8.5/10
The reviews are coming in !
http://www.gothtronic.com/?page=23&reviews=5016
Erica Dunham is mostly known from the harsh electro project Unter Null. Since some time she also has a side project, named Stray, which already spawned some compilation appearances. No one however could have thought that Stray with Abuse by Proxy would deliver such a monumental album. On Abuse by Proxy, Dunham connects the spheres of Delerium with British icons such as Anne Clark, Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine. Abuse by Proxy is an electronic album that breathes emotion, whilst the music sounds both delicate and powerful. Especially the tracks ‘Kindred Soul’ and ‘Hold On’ are great examples of dreampop, with the vocals of Dunham, in combination with the sounds seem to almost desperately breathe it’s warmth in an attempt to break the layer of ice behind which they are hiding. ‘Intoxicate’ shows more the trance side and this appeals not as much to me although it does make the comparison to Delerium justified. ‘Lost Command’ however is an epic track which has no equal. Stunning! ‘Break Me Free’ contains a tribal touch, while ‘Does It Really Matter?’ is surprisingly completed by the sound of an acoustic guitar and ‘In Times of Misanthropy’ reflects cinematographic trance. Erica Dunham shows with Abuse by Proxy she has a many sided musical talent. The music of Stray is passionate and has musical depth. Miles apart from the artifical appearance that comes with Dunham’s Unter Null project. Abuse by Proxy is a very beautiful album with electronic downtempo music that really touches the listener. The regular version of this album contains three remixes of GenCab, Mothboy and Keef Baker.
http://www.smalltowncriminals.de/newsfl/content/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3739
[TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN]
(probably in a very poor way :))
I guess the name of the least likely STRAY readers a concept. UNTER NULL perhaps even more. Behind both projects is the American woman ERICA DUNHAM, the latest at the impressive UNTER NULL album "The Failure Epiphany" has demonstrated that they contribute to the creative minds of the electric scene to count. Where the album yet shone with emotional aggression, there is in the long-awaited "Abuse By Proxy" much calmer, but no less poignant to hear sounds. Where the album yet shone with emotional aggression, there is the long-awaited "Abuse By Proxy" much calmer, but no less poignant to hear sounds.
While harsh electrical UNTER NULL is presented Erica's STRAY in her quieter, gentler side. Somewhere between ambient and electric pop settled, the album sounds hypnotic in both areas, as well as driving beats and bass and some enchanting beautiful vocal lines and melodies.
Erica's vocals are only very rarely distorted ( "Intoxicate"), the music has an almost gentle nature, even if subliminally still latent aggression can be perceived.
With the positive "Kindred Soul" starts "Abuse By Proxy" unusually friendly and almost romantic, including some personal text. . Düsterer and in the truest sense of the word fascinating, "The Tie That Binds". Therefore, while the singing in extremely quiet "Fade Into You" a comforting showers on the back hunts.
This is not boring, has Erica floats some tracks produced by samplers next to the famous "Intoxicate" stings especially "Lost Command", with trance sounds and a up to a rock beat rhythm increasing enthusiasm.
Even before the sound of an acoustic guitar doesn't discourages STRAY back ( "Does It Really Matter?") As well as the combination of tribal rhythms and singing in "Break Me Free" I like extremely well.
A large part of the songs had in fact not an Unter Null sound, to the extent that it was logical that this child has another name. And I am curious to see how her musical career will continue to develop.
"Abuse By Proxy" in any event all the heart that are challenging and atmospheric sounds far from pure club music to appreciate.
And, as with ALFA MATRIX now usual, there is the album in the first edition as a double CD, on the second disc, there are four bonus tracks and seven more remixes.
That should be enough incentive to buy, right?
http://www.gothtronic.com/?page=23&reviews=5016
Erica Dunham is mostly known from the harsh electro project Unter Null. Since some time she also has a side project, named Stray, which already spawned some compilation appearances. No one however could have thought that Stray with Abuse by Proxy would deliver such a monumental album. On Abuse by Proxy, Dunham connects the spheres of Delerium with British icons such as Anne Clark, Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine. Abuse by Proxy is an electronic album that breathes emotion, whilst the music sounds both delicate and powerful. Especially the tracks ‘Kindred Soul’ and ‘Hold On’ are great examples of dreampop, with the vocals of Dunham, in combination with the sounds seem to almost desperately breathe it’s warmth in an attempt to break the layer of ice behind which they are hiding. ‘Intoxicate’ shows more the trance side and this appeals not as much to me although it does make the comparison to Delerium justified. ‘Lost Command’ however is an epic track which has no equal. Stunning! ‘Break Me Free’ contains a tribal touch, while ‘Does It Really Matter?’ is surprisingly completed by the sound of an acoustic guitar and ‘In Times of Misanthropy’ reflects cinematographic trance. Erica Dunham shows with Abuse by Proxy she has a many sided musical talent. The music of Stray is passionate and has musical depth. Miles apart from the artifical appearance that comes with Dunham’s Unter Null project. Abuse by Proxy is a very beautiful album with electronic downtempo music that really touches the listener. The regular version of this album contains three remixes of GenCab, Mothboy and Keef Baker.
http://www.smalltowncriminals.de/newsfl/content/modules/news/article.php?storyid=3739
[TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN]
(probably in a very poor way :))
I guess the name of the least likely STRAY readers a concept. UNTER NULL perhaps even more. Behind both projects is the American woman ERICA DUNHAM, the latest at the impressive UNTER NULL album "The Failure Epiphany" has demonstrated that they contribute to the creative minds of the electric scene to count. Where the album yet shone with emotional aggression, there is in the long-awaited "Abuse By Proxy" much calmer, but no less poignant to hear sounds. Where the album yet shone with emotional aggression, there is the long-awaited "Abuse By Proxy" much calmer, but no less poignant to hear sounds.
While harsh electrical UNTER NULL is presented Erica's STRAY in her quieter, gentler side. Somewhere between ambient and electric pop settled, the album sounds hypnotic in both areas, as well as driving beats and bass and some enchanting beautiful vocal lines and melodies.
Erica's vocals are only very rarely distorted ( "Intoxicate"), the music has an almost gentle nature, even if subliminally still latent aggression can be perceived.
With the positive "Kindred Soul" starts "Abuse By Proxy" unusually friendly and almost romantic, including some personal text. . Düsterer and in the truest sense of the word fascinating, "The Tie That Binds". Therefore, while the singing in extremely quiet "Fade Into You" a comforting showers on the back hunts.
This is not boring, has Erica floats some tracks produced by samplers next to the famous "Intoxicate" stings especially "Lost Command", with trance sounds and a up to a rock beat rhythm increasing enthusiasm.
Even before the sound of an acoustic guitar doesn't discourages STRAY back ( "Does It Really Matter?") As well as the combination of tribal rhythms and singing in "Break Me Free" I like extremely well.
A large part of the songs had in fact not an Unter Null sound, to the extent that it was logical that this child has another name. And I am curious to see how her musical career will continue to develop.
"Abuse By Proxy" in any event all the heart that are challenging and atmospheric sounds far from pure club music to appreciate.
And, as with ALFA MATRIX now usual, there is the album in the first edition as a double CD, on the second disc, there are four bonus tracks and seven more remixes.
That should be enough incentive to buy, right?