12 satisfying tales

If you're into ethereal and melodic Goth music and don't mind some shoegazer and very subtle glam rock thrown in the mix than why not take a chance and buy this? The price is affordably low so it's definitely worth checking out. I promise you won't be disappointed, and if you are, well, you don't have much to lose - only something to gain so look at it that way. Not every song's a gem but it's a well put together compilation and it's a great introduction to a lot of amazing groups, such as The Cranes (Alison's childlike voice fits right in here), the eclectic Bitstream Dream, Miranda Sex Garden, and many others that are far less known but just as talented in this underground arena of stars. "The Hunter's Kiss" by Rasputina is a fantastic song but the production is so gritty I can hardly stand the torture of it. Not every track is like that though which leads me to believe it was their intention for the instruments to sound raw that way instead of polished (?). "O! What A Dream It Was" by Future Bible Heroes is probably the biggest highlight for me and I'm absolutely enthralled with the deep, enchanting male vocalist. The dark, hypnotic "Slipping Away" by The Creatures, the trip-hop blues of "Purr La Perla" by Violet Indiana, the harmonious guitar and drum swirling of the alternative "Flying" by Livid Kittens, and "You Could Walk Forever" by Devics, which is a sad yet gorgeous tune with an underlie of pop sensibility are other personal favorites that I otherwise would have never heard before if it hadn't been for this purchase. What truly makes the merit of this album laudable, however, is how every track includes illustrations by the often-quirky Amy Brown with short tales written by Melora Creager to accompany each picture. I therefore recommend this to fans of faerie lore as well.

[Cover art: Cloak Of Stars by Amy Brown]

fantastic mix

Don't hesitate to hear some familiar favs and learn about new bands on this mix cd. Rasputina's gritty love-death-hunted song can be found on their album Cabin Fever, and if you like the second track "Oh What a Dream it Was," browse through Stephin Merritt's other works from the Magnetic Fields and the 6ths - no one else brings such glamour to darkness. The Flir's song "Lick" is one of my favorites and has a great beat and haunting vocals. Some tracks will remind you of goth roots like Souxie and the Cure, but the overall mix is well constructed and flows from song to song. Quite enchanting, and a great bargain for the 12 tracks you get.

Worthwhile buy- maybe even twice

I recieved this cd as a gift over a year ago, and I still absolutely love it. I have a feeling it was bought for me because I was a Rasputina fan with nothing left to buy, (ha-ha) however the rest of the songs on this c.d. are just as epic and lovely

It's absolutely beautiful in it's entirety. The most outstanding songs are "Hunter's Kiss" "Purr la Perla" and my ABSOLUTE favorite "O What a Dream it Was" by Future Bible Heroes.

My cd is already starting to skip (from repetitious play) and- now this should tell you something- Im thinking of obtaining a REPLACEMENT copy!

so yes nothing but glowing reviews for this cd.