Sweet William – Laughter Filled With Pain (CD Album – Datakill Records)
Genre/Influences: Acoustic, ballad, chanson, gothic.
Background/Info: The German formation Sweet William has been driven since 1986 by Oliver Heuer. The band has released multiple productions, celebrated their 30th anniversary by some special releases and remained active. “Laughter Filled With Pain” is their newest opus featuring eight new songs. The album is also available as vinyl and a special edition featuring both, CD and vinyl.
Content: The main characteristic of this work is the acoustic format. It’s neither a new thing nor challenge for Sweet William, but the least I can say is that it sounds different and a bit ‘out of the box’-like. It creates a very authentic sound, the songs mainly written by guitar but still featuring violin and strings. The songs have something emotional, which is also reinforced by the vocals of Oliver Heuer. The last cut is featuring guitar, but you here also will hear noticeable synth parts.
+ + + : The work has something authentic and minimal. The songs are beautiful and there’s a deeply melancholic touch emerging at the surface. This work sounds a bit like a challenge, Sweet William leaving their comfort zone, but the result is surprising. It’s an artistic exposure featuring a few beautiful compositions.
– – – : This kind of releases always remains a bit like a challenge, but it might also catch the attention of potential new fans. I’m not a huge fan of the last song, which is less in harmony with the rest of the tracklist.
Conclusion: Sweet William decided to share a very intimate moment with their fans; the work revealing certain fragility emerging from the emotional side of the album.
Best songs: “New Wings”, “Memories”, “Laughter Filled With Pain”.
Rate: (7).
Artist & Label: www.sweetwilliam.de / www.facebook.com/sweet.william.dianthus.barbatus
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
