Out of our Minds, the second solo release
from Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole, Smashing Pumpkins), takes us on a captivating musical
journey from start to finish. The new album, released six years after her self-titled effort, was recorded over a period of
three years in multiple studio locations. So in a way, it serves as a musical diary in which we witness first-hand the musical
growth that has come over MadM during the last few years. Where she basically put out
a full-on rock album in 2004, Out of our Minds is loosely a concept album, except it's
not pretentious and self-serving. Accompanied by a comic book and fantasy film (not included with the album), Out of our Minds holds your attention from the first push of play, drawing the listener in as the consummation
of music and lyrics build with intensity from one song to the next. Stylistically, each track flows well, even with the use
of multiple producers (Alan Moulder, Jordon Zadoronzy, Mike Frazer) and from an engineering standpoint, each instrument blends
well, without competition. Auf der Maur's vocals are in top-form and often times sound
as if she's chanting at you from the darkness of a black forest. There are a few instrumentals which actually hold the album
together, rather than just serve as useless fillers. You will also be pleasantly pleased by the gripping duet with Glenn Danzig
on "This Would Be Paradise." All-in-all, this is a sexy album, where it can
be enjoyed as a full body of art, not morseled into a few .99 cent tracks here and there. It's a wonder albums like this are
still made, but you'll hear no complaints from me! (Rob Watts)
