Artist: Death in June Album: The Guilty Have No Pride

Year: 1983
Duration: 26:42

A Critical Review of Death in June's Album 'The Guilty Have No Pride'

Death in June is a band that formed in the 1980s, and they are known for their post-punk, industrial, and neofolk sounds. The Guilty Have No Pride is one of their early albums, released in 1983. This album is one of their most popular works and has influenced many modern alternative acts. With its experimental and unique sound, it has become an icon in the underground music scene. Here, we will dive into the music of Death in June's The Guilty Have No Pride and explore its history, music genre, best songs, most innovative portions, and a critical analysis.

The album starts with an intro piece, Heaven Street, which is an instrumental that sets the mood for the rest of the album. Although it's just an instrumental, it feels epic with its grandeur yet ominous-sounding. It is followed by Crush My Love, which is gloomy and more on the post-punk side of things. The song is depressing yet beautiful with its atmospheric tones and repeated lyrics. We Drive East then follows, which has more of a new wave flavor with its synth sounds. It has one of the catchiest choruses on the album and manages to still convey a sense of somberness despite its upbeat melodies.

One of the highlights of the album is the song All Alone in Her Nirvana. It is one of the most unconventional songs on the album, as it is played on Chinese traditional instruments. It's very calming and peaceful, yet a sense of unease grows throughout the song. It's like a meditation session, and the listener is just waiting for something terrible to happen. It's Not Orthodoxy follows, featuring raw guitar riffs that contrast well with Douglas P.'s spoken vocals. The song has a certain aggressiveness but still has a pleasing melody that bounces along. Lastly, The Guilty Have No Pride, the title track, closes the album with its dark undertones and haunting soundscapes. Even though it is the last song, it feels like the fitting end to the album that began with Heaven Street.

The Guilty Have No Pride has many innovative and groundbreaking aspects. The instrumentation is primarily focused on acoustic guitar, piano, and synth, all blended together to create a unique soundscape, which was not common for the time. The album also used unconventional percussion instruments, such as a woodblock, bells, and a gong. Many tracks contain sampled speeches, noises, and sound effects, which add layers of texture to the songs. Douglas P. experimented with various styles of singing, from spoken word to classical voice, and some tracks even featured female vocals.

Although The Guilty Have No Pride is considered a classic and influential album, it is not perfect. While the album has many highlights, some songs may feel repetitive and monotonous, lacking some diversity in sound and vocal delivery. The album is geared more towards those interested in the world of post-punk and industrial music, so fans of other genres may find it difficult to fully engage with the tracks.

Death in June's The Guilty Have No Pride is a must-listen for anyone interested in the post-punk and industrial music scene. The album's unique sound and innovative use of various instruments make it stand out from other music of its time. With its somber tones, haunting soundscapes, and unconventional song structures, there is a lot to appreciate in this works of art. The Guilty Have No Pride is a testament to the limitless possibilities of music when the artist embraces experimentation and pushes the boundaries of music.