Music: Peter Murphy - 'Silver Shade'
New music is on the dark horizon from the charismatic icon of modern rock
The hypnotic sweeping tones of alternative rock are blowing back into focus, brought forward by the prince of baritone beauty known as Peter Murphy.
His 17th solo effort Silver Shade is a polished, churning, and at times familiar foray into what we love about the former frontman for Bauhaus: nuanced shades of industrial beats, sonic waves that shimmer in the night, and above all, an unwavering presence that catches hold as it vibrates inward and upward.
Known primarily for 1989’s anthemic alternative hit “Cuts You Up,” Murphy remains present in the 21st-century music world. Beginning with 2014’s Lion, he started a collaboration with producer and Killing Joke bassist Youth that has wound its way up to the present, and if we as an audience are being honest, this latest venture (his first new material since then!) arrives not a moment too soon.
Peter Murphy – “Swoon”/℗© Metropolis Records/YouTube
While not outright abandoning his Bauhaus days (he continues to play one-off gigs under that banner), Murphy has had the capacity to, in essence, never be out of style. With the 11 tracks (and a bonus/previously released duet with Boy George “Let The Flowers Grow”) Murphy has pierced the membrane of dreams and daylight, not afraid to navigate in a storm from the driver’s seat with Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor as the passenger in “Hot Roy” and the slow burn snark of the title track. In many ways, the past is never from his peripheral vision, as heard in the ‘80s-style synthwave of “The Artroom Wonder” featuring Tool’s Justin Chancellor.
Peter Murphy – “The Artroom Wonder”/℗© Metropolis Records/YouTube
That ballet-style swooping and undulating cadence that has been Murphy’s 40-years+ hallmark still resonates strongly throughout the album. The standout tune “Cochita Is Lame” hits the right balance of old-school sounding Murphy in his long drawn-out vocals coupled with pulsing keyboards meshed to a catchy approach in his reading of the lyrics that portray a world-weary cynicism – a sentiment that appears timeless and universal in the world of modern rock.
Silver Shade releases May 9 on Metropolis Records. Pre-orders are available on digital download, CD, and limited edition 2LP black vinyl here. A limited edition 2LP silver vinyl is exclusive to Bandcamp.
Amy, I used to know the members of Killing Joke before I met Robin. Interesting collaboration with the bassist and Peter Murphy in those deep tenor tones. Thank you for reminding me. You find some interesting gems! ***