A few of you may remember a band waayyy back in the eighties called Veil of Ashes? Others have no idea what I'm talking about. Don't worry about it..
Sean Doty, former front man for the now defunct Veil of Ashes, has released a solo album of sorts under the name Unveiled featuring a few of his friends on backing instruments. It just so happens that some of Sean's friends are Mike Roe and Mark Harmon of the 77's, a band I'm pretty sure many of you have not only heard of, but may be fans of as well.
For that reason alone, it may be worth checking out Unveiled. Musically, you can almost never go wrong with the Roe/Harmon match-up. But, it's the other half of this equation that this review will focus on; Sean Doty.
Sean's voice is very distinctive and is well-suited for the "sometimes seventies mixed with eighties pop-rock" sound of Unveiled. The real strength of this recording is found in Doty's remarkable lyrics. Take the following lyrics from "You're to Die For" as an example: "You could kill a million Jews/ Make the evening news/ Take a gun and shoot your mother/ Sleep with your brother/ Lie about your past/ Always finish last/ Live with the rich, take from the poor/ Baby you're to die for/ Baby, baby..you're to die for/ You're between Earth and Grace/ And Mercy extends to every place/ You're to die for". When was the last time you heard lyrics like that on a CD you bought at the local Christian store? Or maybe try the lyrics on "My Town" where Doty sings, "..An old man speaks of prejudice/ How everyone hates the Blacks/ But as a black man he hates us/ He lifts a finger to our backs/ In my town.."
Still, as powerful and refreshingly brutal as Doty's truthful lyrics may be, there's much here that may be too truthful, or "on the edge" for some to handle. Take for instance the word for word cover of the Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil," a song which many Christians feel is demonically inspired, or at least is pro-Satanic in its message. Doty disagrees and even takes the time to address this specifically in the liner notes by saying "As for the song, Truth is Truth! Think about the words!" He even goes so far as to curse in the song, which many may feel crosses that imaginary line between Truth and vulgarity.
Sean Doty has produced an album which stands the test of musical integrity, even giving Doty a chance to shine himself in many places vocally and lyrically, which is especially commendable considering the band-mates he must compete with for our listening pleasure! However, the audience for his music may be limited by his insistence upon expressing the brutal, and sometimes offensive, Truth. This album may fall into that same slot with some earlier works by the Vigilantes of Love and the Violet Burning that's labeled as "Too Christian for the secular crowd, and too secular for the Christians". Still, that's not bad company to be in, no matter how many records you sell.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #77Reviewed by Doug Van PeltThe long awaited return of Veil of Ashes singer, Sean Doty, returns (with The 77's as his back-up band, no less!) and it's a good, good thing. We hear a couple covers, including the groggly "Eve of Destruction," and several other glimpses of his musical personality. "You're To Die For" is an infectious pop / love song with all the swagger of a Rattle and Hum era U2 number. These backup musicians…Similar sounding releases
1999Lost DogsThe Best of the Lost Dogs
1995Mad at the WorldThe Dreamland Cafe
1998The LemonheadsThe Best of the Lemonheads: The Atlantic Years
1997Tonio K.Ole
1996Vigilantes of LoveV.O.L.
1998U2The Best of 1980-1990
