Album Details

• Artist: Brutus Faust
• Album: Vengeanance Is Mine
• Label: Independent
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: iamparadox on 2010-06-25

After urinating his way to fame back in the day, he is now embarking on a new journey towards artistic expression. Releasing a musical recording has long been a goal for the notorious photographer. According to his website, "fulfilling his lifelong rock and roll ambitions, Serrano adopts the alter ego "Brutus Faust" to create Vengeance Is Mine, an infectious set of originals and covers of classic songs as edgy and soul-provoking as his famed photographic artwork." The project may well have long been a dream of Serrano's, but what about listeners? Will it be a dream come true or a nightmare?

iTunes lists the genre as rock, which is probably the best fit although Andres, aka Brutus, thrives on stretching boundaries. Throughout the record, Andres's voice stretches the definition of singing. It sorta sounds like an eclectic mix of Iggy Pop and Henry Rollins, with a little bit of Tone Loc thrown in occasionally. The disc begins with a song written by his girlfriend, called "Bloody Laurels." While it certainly isn't the most upbeat way to start a record off, it does the job just fine. The second song is called "It's Now Or Never" and is one of the highlights. Clocking in at just two and a half minutes long, the blaring guitars scream out and demand attention. "House Of The Rising Sun" is a cover of a song by The Animals. It features great guitars, and the climax is at the end as the singer screams " Oh mother tell your children not to do what I have done". The song ends with some funky, groovy keyboard playing in the background. The title track is another original written by XXX and it's greatest feature is the jam session at the end that rocks out so hard you can get sucked into it like a black hole. Another cover song that you must listen to if you only listen to one song on this release: "It Was Just My Imagination" by The Temptations. NOTHING will prepare you for this!

Having to describe listening to Vengeance Is Mine for the first time is much like trying to describe a visit to a foreign country. It might be bumpy, have unexpected turns, and make you long for the familiar. Yet familiarity breeds contempt. Whatever your thoughts and feelings about this work, at least it's unique. In this economy, creativity is too often, unfortunately, one expensive luxury. Let's wait and see if this creative endeavor pays off.

User Reviews and Comments

on 2010-06-25 hstisgod Said:

From the book of what the bawgerk, comes Brutus Faust. Take a gander through his myspace and relating websites. I listened to a first few tracks of this rusty sounding NYC based artistry. The first few songs are merely a test of endurance. Though there are some enjoyable creations of sound, such as the closing track "Sounds of Silence" which has more of an atmospheric speakeasy vibe, Vengeance Is Mine, is something of an acquired taste to say the least.

"Bloody laurels" begins the recording with a bit of country twang and an unbearable lyricism. "Brutus Faust" or, otherwise known as Andres Serrano's pipes make me want to lock myself in a room of bad techonotronic. Though, the instrumentation is basic, simply put, has a bit more credibility. A guitar bridge and even light trio of backing vocals are introduced. Track two, "Now or Never" is an ugly attempt at a punk turned worse than a night at The Rocky Horror picture show.

So onto the juicy stuff, every artist, has the right to cover a few songs, and even redeem himself. Before clicking play on his three large cover songs, I read how this fellow has a bit of influence in other industries. That's good news, cause quite vulgarly, a cult crowd is all that will ever enjoy his music. IE; The last bar of "It's now or never"

I'm curious to know what the many artists who have covered "500 miles (I'm Gonna Be)" will think of this rendition. Simply unique in a wince kind of emotion. I was actuallly scared to click next, where "Black Betty"waited. Respectably done, but nothing you'd proudly present to Lead Belly or Ram Jam. And then "Bad Moon Rising", open your eyes, its ok this must be the one song that truly inspired this recording session, cause, well...it's not too shabby. A searing violin breakdown, and even a risque lyric change, not too shabby at all.

Not sure how far this project is going up the Heatseaker chart, and creepy as it may be, it only further develops a very independent musicianship in the industry today. Sorry about the album cover...I simply couldnt find one and quite honestly, I'm assuming this is the one Serrano would choose of what's available.
Rating: 4/10