PETER
MURPHY
WILD BIRDS 1985-1995
ALBUM BEGGARS BANQUET RELEASE: FEBRUARY
22, 2000 REVIEW: APRIL 10, 2000
This record comes along shortly after Bauhaus' reunion concert live record. Perhaps
in the hopes that it will be able to surf the newly created interest in the legendary
band. Singer Peter Murphy has released five full-length solo albums since his
pack of decadents threw in the towel.
The highlights of those can be found on this record, and they paint the picture
of a gifted artist fumbling for a foothold of his own. Murphy's admiration of
David Bowie is well known. With his endless stylistic ch-ch-ch-ch-changes and
laconic storytelling, Bowie is the most obvious musician to compare Murphy with.
They are both captivating stage personalities, writing intellectually ambitious
songs and loving mysticism. And of course they are both great singers.
At times Peter Murphy sounds a lot like Bowie, at others he makes an attempt at
Leonard Cohen-like vocals. At most times, though, the sound is his own and impressively
catchy and timeless. He might not reach up to quite the same heights as the formerly
mentioned artists, but if you've heard "Hunky Dory" about a thousand times, this
is a damn good alternative.
Getting rid of Bauhaus, Murphy also left the last traces of punk behind him and
delved into the progressive musical field. Instead of the cocky artistic attitude
of Bauhaus Peter Murphy appears as an inspired troubadour and storyteller. On
the tracks from his latest album "Cascade" from 1995, the music has turned more
introspective, oriental and meditative. Perhaps reflecting both his growing interest
in sufism and his move to Turkey, where he currently lives.
