Wishfire in Bloomington, MN

Returning to the
industrial
/
goth
programming of
Chris Brantley
and the wraithlike electronic violins of
Rachel McDonnell
,
the Cruexshadows
' fifth full-length re-established the North Florida band's admired dark
dance-pop
intent. Fronted again by a traditional haunted monotone, the music was tenser than on earlier outings -- with a fuller approach -- and consequently a little more overbearing.
Rogue
's voice played up the callous seriousness of the band, but in a way that sounded well-rehearsed rather than born from believable personal misfortune. Standouts like the Top 20 European hit
"Tears"
were still strong -- a moody, shimmering thing of
electro
-
house
and stadium
rock
overkill, like an exclusively
new wave
Wall of Voodoo
, and an unlocking of a whole new possible direction for the band. ~ Dean Carlson