Customer Reviews

Signs of a Vacant Soul

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Had it garnered more recognition upon its release, "Signs of a Vacant Soul" would have probably melted into the grooves of all the other modern rock that was coming out in 1999, and Virgos Merlot would have been seen as just another generic alternative goth-rock band. And knowing how record execs are, they would have been pressured to produce more of the same formula, and Virgos Merlot would have lost their originality. So maybe it's for the best that "Signs of a Vacant Soul" didn't immediately gain the success it had the potential to reach (though 'Gain' was moderately successful on the Mainstream Rock chart). Listeners can now analyze the album by itself, without any other "standards" set by critics to compare it to.
A textbook-perfect recording for 1999, "Signs of a Vacant Soul" is an album rich in melody and accessibility, and boasts a careful detailed production ethic for a band in their debut...or for any band for that matter (the vocal spots are particularly well engineered). What's most remarkable though is despite the fact that the instrumentation is narrowed down to a vocal-guitars-bass-drums formula, there is an amazing amount of flexibility in the music. The material of course benefits from this, opening with 'The Cycle' and demonstrating irresistible but layered textures on songs like 'Winning' and 'Trouble,' which has a chorus of simple catchy lyrics which sound like those of 70s classic rock, while there are more complex elements elsewhere; there is a (perhaps intentional) themed interplay between 'More' and 'Knowing Burns,' neither of which seem complete without the other. The musical body and form of 'Beautiful Lie' hints at a prog-rock influence, but the album's two best tracks are also its most beautiful and inspiring; 'Gain' and 'Kiss My Disease' contradict Virgos Merlot's spooky-looking image as seen in CD's foldout. 'Disregarding' meanwhile spots an amazing, driven guitar sound that closes the album.
The music of the five-man Virgos Merlot can best be described as a battery of heavy rhythms and crunching guitars, out of which emerge beauty, bravery, and a driving force. "Signs of a Vacant Soul" is a top candidate for an album that could become a true "lost" album in ten to twenty years.

Bryan, I think i was at the Jan 20 show too, in Philly?

Anyway, this band has alot of talent and it is a crying shame that they broke up. Brett's voice is definately something you do not hear on the radio today, and I mean that in a good respect. The creativity of this band deserves far more recognition than they got while together. The opening in "Beautiful Lie" gives me the chills while listening to. Very entertaining live as well.

This is album is definitely worth for who likes of a kinda "alternative metal", but sadly the band broke up, and I dont know if they will be together in the future, the members are separated playing in other bands, so its kinda sad, but this album is very good, every song in this album have quality and very good melodies, "kiss my disease" its a beautiful song, dont waste your time, buy now this!

This album is amazing. Before these guys, i only listened to creed and nirvana (what a combination). These guys opened my mind up to new music, and now i own like 200 CD's. I first heard these guys on Jan. 20, 2001 at the Creed Concert with Virgos Merlot and Tantric (another awesome band) on the show list too. I love brett's voice. he has a very powerful voice, and the lyrics on the CD are awesome too. The only bad thing is that this band broke up.

I was introduced to the band shortly after I found out their lead singer (Brett Hestla, who, by the way, has the most awesome voice I've ever listened too. He gives Scott Anderson (Finger Eleven) a run for his money) replaced Creed's bass player on tour back in 2000. After that I just had to have the CD, there was no stopping me, though it was extrememly obscure here and still is.
I was awestruck after listening to songs like "Beautiful Lie" and "Parasite" by far the best on this CD. The others blew me away too, the lyrics, like Finger Eleven's, are deep (words can't describe them) songs like "The Cycle" and "Disregarding", the opener and closer, respectively, seem to bring this point across easily.
I recommend their 2nd album, under the name of Virgos, though it is only available through bandrags.com, it is even better than the this one. This is a must buy, both are, take the chance and discover something new!

This is an awesome album that never got its due. People should have given it a chance. The band had style too...you should check out their matching contact lenses.

Reminds me of All-Talk.

This is one of the best bands to come out of the 90's. The cd DOES NOT have one bad song on it. I'm a musician myself, and I'm rather hard to impress. Virgos Merlot (Now called "Virgos.") not only impressed me, they blew me away! Great songwriting, killer players, and a great live show. (I was lucky enough to catch them at a club in Ft.Lauderdale.) The best band I've heard since Alice in Chains. If you couldn't tell...I kinda like this band.

I think this cd is weel worth the money. Virgos Merlot is a great rock band. The layered guitar lines really take you in. The vocals are great and compliment the lyrics well. Virgos Merlot has become one of my favorite bands. Their new cd is great, too. I just wish it was easier to get my hands on their older stuff.

i seen them live feb. 4 with CREED and tantric in michigan
after heared them i bought their cd. I have to say there a sweet band.

My cousin told me about this new band from Alabama called Virgos Merlot. I listened to the cd, and now they are one of my favorite bands. They now go by the name Virgos, and their new cd is going to be great. This is a great cd!