Toward the Within [Re-Mastered]

I admit to liking the faster world songs with upbeat percussion, which usually feature the vocals of Brendan Perry, over the slower more somber pieces that LG tends to sing but they balance it out so well on 'Toward The Within' - a record filled with live performances taken from their concert in Santa Monica, California - that it flows without notice as every track keeps you captive. Plus they both have such enticing voices that run deep with emotion and, despite how different they are, it wouldn't be the same without one or the other.

The fact that this isn't a studio album but something given straight up and raw makes the experience of listening to this that much more personal. If they messed up they messed up but the musicians played impeccably and in turn made a masterpiece that just might be deemed as the best work they ever did. That will always be an argument never settled, though, as every fan has their own opinion for the darkly lavished 'Within The Realm of a Dying Sun' along with the renaissance fair of 'Aion' were also very good and those two were later released.

Point is, whether you have all these songs or not, this is an album worth having for the sheer unraveling of talent unfolding.

Every track is great with A+ production quality but my absolute favorites include "Rakim", "Desert Song", "Yulunga (Spirit Dance)", "American Dreaming", "Cantara" and "Oman".

{Also check out the VHS version}


Beauty and Excellence, as always...   August 28, 2001
Jack Dempsey (South Miami Beach, Florida)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

A general rule of thumb, if it's by Dead Can Dance, it will be simply beautiful and amazing. The only exception to this rule, would most likely involve their very first album, a travesty even by Brendan and Lisa's own admission(s). This is absolutely no exception to the rule. It is beautiful, enchanting and truly captivating. The quality of the musicianship is beyond reproach. I remember this time in DCD's history well. I was fortunate enough to experience DCD live, here in San Francisco. Absolutely incredible would be an understatement. This cd does a great deal to capture that experience and reduce it to a recording. For those unsure, this cd is worth of the price of admission for Brendan's song "Don't fade away" by itself. But, of course, every single song on this release is amazing. Many, many times Brendan's voice seems to overlap and bring to mind images of Leonard Cohen (in his early years) and Tim Buckley. I find myself somewhat saddened by this release. Given that Brendan and Lisa have now gone their separate ways, moments of this cd can almost seem to foreshadow that event. It's weird, and probably doesn't make much sense, but the feeling is somehow there. If you are new to the DCD experience, it would be my recommendation to start with "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun." By far, that is the single best recording ever made by DCD, and that is saying a great deal. However, "Serpent's Egg" is a very, very close second. After that, "Aion" would be my next recommendation. It marks DCD's transition from a more classical based influence, to a more spiritual/celtic/tribal-esque approach that was later seen in "Into the Labyrinth" and "Spiritchaser." If you could only own three DCD cd's, those would definitely be my choices. However, definitely look into Brendan's solo release. It is extremely beautiful, and I was very glad to see it after having to endure two Lisa and Pieter releases. Not to say that Lisa's "solo" efforts are bad...I own both (as well as the soundtracks to "The Insider" and "Gladiator" solely for her work). Rather, after growing up on DCD and always having Brendan and Lisa together....it is hard to accept the two apart. Together, they acheived a certain balance that I don't think is acheived apart. It is almost, to sound trite, Yin without Yang. Also, for those who want to explore the DCD family tree further, check out Peter Ulrich's solo release. He was one of the percussionists for DCD, and featured prominently on "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun." His cd is very, very good. Keep in mind however not to expect a rehash of DCD. Rather, his approach is a very early Pink Floyd folk approach. Almost approaching the current folk-sound of some Current 93 stuff. Check it out.


Probably best just to skip right to the album's second half   June 8, 2001
Christopher Culver
14 out of 22 found this review helpful

Giving their growing audience a glimpse of the power of their famous live shows, Dead Can Dance released TOWARD THE WITHIN in 1994, a fifteen-song recording compiled from a two-night invitation-only concert in California's Mayfair Theatre.

Opening with the strong "Rakim," the disc at first excites. However, it's soon apparent that Lisa's formerly-angelic stylings have become too esoteric and loopy. Brendan, similarly, had turned to folk singing which makes several tracks mediocre. A live album from Dead Can Dance would have sounded better if it was recorded around the time of their 1987 album WITHIN THE REALM OF A DYING SUN, when the duo was working in a classical and baroque idiom. Instead, this live album was recorded during the tour for INTO THE LABYRINTH, which is the band's weakest album because they explored a world-music style they were not entirely proficient in.

But why have I given the album four stars? The second half of the disc, from "Cantara" to "Sanvean" is beautiful. "Oman" features fantastic polyrhythmic percussion, "Song of the Sibyl" is another version (this one doesn't have the original Catalan lyrics, just glossolalia) of the track from AION. "Tristan" and "Sanvean" harken back to DCD's glory days in the late '80s.

Not the best introduction to Dead Can Dance, as I will always recommend first WITHIN THE REALM OF A DYING SUN. Once one gets past the nearly-unlistenable first half of the disc, TOWARD THE WITHIN ranks among DCD's best output.


Their best work   March 28, 2004
Jon Norris (Oregon, USA)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

Toward The Within is the high point of Dead Can Dance's catalog, IMHO. I discovered DCD with the video from which this soundtrack was taken. Discovered is an understatement. It was more like knocked on my backside by a bolt of lightning.

I have not heard anything like this mixture of music before or since. This band would be equally at home in ancient Egypt, on Babylon 5, or in Valhalla. The way they weave Celtic, Germanic, Turkish, Egyptian, African, and who knows what other influences and instruments with synthesizers and electric bass is unique beyond verbal description.

Lisa Girrard's voice is unbelievable. You really have to see the video because they do closeups while she is singing, and it is quite powerful to see her actually producing these sounds. Her voice is like one would imagine a valkyrie - the power of a tsunami with the delicacy of a hummingbird all at the same time. When you hear some female singers, like Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Enya, etc., you see goddess archetypes like Diana or Isis. With Lisa it is more like Kali. This is feminine energy, but it hits you like a freight train in the chest. Which is not to say it is harsh or ragged. Quite the contrary, she exhibits a control over her voice that is remarkable. She weaves soft Celtic lilting notes with deep, powerful tones, modulated by a Turkish or Berber-style vibrato that is amazing. Think German opera blended with belly dancing music and you will be in the ballpark, although that description really misses the true power and beauty of the songs. This is a woman who makes you feel the goddess in your gut as well as your heart, like Ann Wilson, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, etc., but with a decidedly surreal twist. Lisa often sings in a language she creates herself, which adds to the mystique of their music. In some ways, she reminds me of Nina Hagen, although Hagen went from opera to more average punk rock. The power and control of their voices seems similar to me.

I don't care for the more traditional folksongs, although they are very well done. The quality of the other musicians is superb, and again, watching them in the video gives you an added perspective to the way all the different influences weave together.

If you like world music with a touch of other-worldliness, try out this CD. It is not for the faint of heart or those who like common, run-of-the-mill music of any flavor. This is very different stuff indeed.