Track Listing:
Dolce Vita
Jet Fighter Plane
Blackbird Pie
Lady Darkness
Miss Pastis
Shallow Graves
Jerusalem
Stiv & Johnny
Never
Blue
Rock n’ Roll Junkie
The 69 Eyes are perhaps one of favourites of the gothic rock genre. While they haven’t been an underground or lesser-known gem for some time now, ‘Universal Monsters’ is a throwback to those days. Touted as a return to the near-perfection found on the ‘Paris Kills’ album, this particular album does a pretty good job of capturing some of that magic. It is also reminiscent of the ‘Devils’ album in a few places.
Full of the melodic qualities that one has come to love about the 69 Eyes, ‘Universal Monsters’ surpasses the last few 69 Eyes releases in terms of feeling unforced and natural. This album doesn’t have that strain to reach new audiences by changing characteristic sounds, which is likely something that the older fans can truly appreciate. It really feels like a return to the days when the 69 Eyes were known and loved in Europe, but not-so-much in North America. Personally, this is the era of the band that I fell in love with and have a hard time not comparing every subsequent release to.
“Dolce Vita” and “Jet Fighter Plane” provide a strong opening for the album. The former is guitar driven, while the latter is slightly more melodic. Both tracks hold that very characteristic 69 Eyes sound. “Lady Darkness” is that one darkly romantic track on the album that really stands out as such. Jyrki’s vocals hit higher notes in this song which is something not often heard from the enigmatic frontman. Not to downplay any of the talents of Jussi, Bazie, Archzie or Timo, but it is Jyrki’s vocals that do provide so much of that distinctive sound that this band has pumped out for over two decades. Tracks like ‘Miss Pastis’ and ‘Rock n’Roll Junkie’ add elements of some of the 69 Eyes earliest material, when they were much more of a sleazy rock band than a gothic rock band that the Helsinki Vampires are perhaps best known as. The opening to ‘Jerusalem’ introduces a very compelling keyboard section that continues throughout the song. It’s a little reminiscent of ‘August Moon’ from the “Devils” album in sound. Overall, this album is a solid release, combining the best elements of every era of the band to date.
Best tracks: Dolce Vita, Lady Darkness, Shallow Graves
