Saturnalia

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Saturalia, the debut album by The Gutter Twins, brings together two long-standing veterans of the '90s alternative rock scene--Greg Dulli, the soulful voice behind the Afghan Whigs, and Mark Lanegan of psych-tinged grungers Screaming Trees and latterly, Queens of the Stone Age. Both gentlemen being, shall we say, personalities, Saturnalia could easily have come off as the musical version of the town that ain't big enough for the both of them. Agreeably, though, the pair appear to have learnt to live--indeed, thrive--in one another's company. The name The Gutter Twins may be something of a misnomer: "The Stations" and "Idle Hands" might unfurl in a thunderstorm of sludgy, blackened guitars, but there's also stately orchestral arrangements and quite grandiose, anthemic touches that suggest Saturnalia is more than a sleazy busman's holiday. Mostly, the pair let their vocals echo one another, which is a strange choice: their voices are so distinct, and it would be nice to hear a little more interplay. Still, at this album's level best--"God's Children", perhaps--it simultaneously recalls the psychedelic gospel of Screaming Trees' epic Dust and the gallows-bound soul of Afghan Whigs' Black Love, and as any fan of either band could tell you, that's a great thing. --Louis Pattison

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-11-20 rating:
Stunning, dark and a little twisted...
This is the first thing I've ever owned by either of the artists, and I love it. It's been playing constantly since I got it a week ago, and the range of styles makes it constantly intriguing. From intense, rocky 'The Stations' and the dirty 'All Misery' right through to the bluesy 'Seven Stories' and the melodic 'Front Street' this is an album that grabs the listener and doesn't let go. Yes it's dark, yes the tempo drops now and then, but that's a very good thing!
And even my mum likes some of it!
If you're looking for an antidote to the banal, bland repetition of the radio, buy this.

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review by: nick.digital date: 2008-11-12 rating:
THE album of 2008
I'm amazed that this record has gotten some poor reviews on Amazon. It's far and away the best record of the year. Perhaps the problem is that it takes time to reveal its brilliance. Like The Afghan Whigs' records, you have to give it time. One listen just isn't going to do it - otherwise songs like Seven Stories Underground or The Body are going to pass you by. The really great albums are the ones that grow and grow on you. Those that are instantly accessible generally lose their sheen pretty quickly. Thankfully, Dulli and Lanegan's recordings fall into the former category and Saturnalia is no exception. They're fantastic live as well, by the way.

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review by: date: 2008-11-05 rating:
New (Lanegan)solo work please
Compared to the worst Lanegan album this album is ten times worse.Even after giving it more then 10 chances I don't like it. The albums together with Isobel Campbel are also not as good as his solowork, but at least I can play it when my mother visits me. Saturnalia is not good for anything.
Please go solo again. Let Greg and Isobel make an album together. I hope for a new Mark Lanegan solo album.

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review by: date: 2008-08-26 rating:
Dull!
There's really nothing to say about this album but.......it's dull. God's Children & Idle Hands are the only 2 tracks worth listening to, the rest is utter tuneless garbage.


review by: date: 2008-06-07 rating:
Suprisingly excellent
Some superb reviews here, not much more you can add really. A fine album, and so much more than "Idle Hands", which as a single is quite misleading as to how rest of the album sounds. Having purchased it on the strength of the Screaming Trees/Queens of the Stone Age connection, I was perhaps expecting something a bit heavier. I honestly only expected something that sounded like a QOTSA side project, somewhere between Masters of Reality's "Deep in the hole" and the Desert Sessions 7/8. But Saturnalia stands on its own just fine. It's terrific hearing Lanegan's vocals again, and probably the best album i've heard this year. Just don't expect anything as up-tempo as "Hangin' tree".

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