Presence - Inside - CD (1993), U.K.

The next oddity for this month is another band from the U.K., called Presence. After Laurance "Lol" Tolhurst departed acrimoniously from The Cure in 1989, he went on to form this very short lived act with former Fools Dance vocalist, Gary Biddles and bassist, Michael Dempsey, who was also formerly of The Cure. Other members included Chris Youdell (keyboards) and Alan Burgess (drums). Rob Steen (guitar) and Roberto Soave would later join to replace Dempsey on bass to complete the line-up.
Free from the reigns of control of Robert Smith, Lol was able to meld his own sound. For those who are curious, Presence in some ways sounds how The Cure would've sounded if they evolved into an alternative rock band, but with the traditional dream-pop sound still intact. Don't believe me? The tracks taken from their album Inside, such as Act Of Faith, Pause and Missing are very good stark examples. This also makes a good argument for Cure fans to critique on Lol's influence or lack of influence (whichever you believe) while he was with The Cure.
Before anyone took notice of their brief existence, Presence released a very modest discography, which only included three singles and one critically acclaimed (but commercially unsuccessful) full length album. Nearing the end of this post, I'd like to point out the album I'm presenting here, was originally released in 1992 in the U.K. first (obviously) and then released in the U.S. a year later with two additional exclusive tracks (what a surprise!). Unfortunately, by the time the album was released in the states, the band had already split.

Details:

Presence - Inside - CD (1993), U.K.

1. Never
2. Fragments
3. Act Of Faith
4. On Ocean Hill
5. Revolve
6. Highest Peak
7. Pause
8. Raindown
9. Missing
10. In Wonder
11. All I See
12. Inside

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Caifanes - Caifanes (Edición Especial) - CD (1993), Mexico

Hopping around to the next country to launch the first month of the new year, here's a group who are credited for being one of the most critical in helping make the Rock en Español (Spanish Rock) movement to go mainstream in Latin America during the late 80's and early 90's. Caifanes, formed in Mexico City, Mexico in 1987, included Saúl Hernández (vocals/guitar), Sabo Romo (bass guitar), Alfonso André (drums) and Diego Herrera (keyboards and saxophone).
Their self-titled debut album, also known as Mátenme Porque Me Muero (Kill Me, Because I'm Dying), which I'll be presenting, was originally released in 1988 on vinyl record and then re-released in 1993 on CD as a "Special Edition" package with two extra tracks. These two tracks are actually the singles La Negra Tomasa (The Black Girl Tomasa) and Perdí Mi Ojo de Venado (I've Lost My Deer Eye) released in 1989.
Truthfully, I think the addition of these songs ruin the overall atmosphere of the album, especially La Negra Tomasa, which is actually a cover of a fiercely popular cumbia song (I shamefully admit dancing to when I was young). Trying to mix a tropical dance song into a post-punk/new wave album is not something anyone should EVER attempt. My guess as to why they included it was so the label could capitalize on the major success the band was having at the time and including that particular song into the mix would generate more sales to a wider audience on an otherwise "dark" album.
Fans of The Cure, The Essence and the like, will love this album, despite the band's strong insistence in claiming they were more influenced by prog-rockers, King Crimson. Nevertheless, The Cure reference is very hard to ignore.

Details:

Caifanes - Caifanes (Edición Especial) - CD (1993), Mexico

1. Mátenme Porque Me Muero
2. Te Estoy Mirando
3. La Negra Tomasa
4. Cuéntame Tu Vida
5. ¿Será Por Eso?
6. Viento
7. Nunca Me Voy a Transformar en Ti
8. Perdí Mi Ojo de Venado
9. Amanece
10. La Bestia Humana
11. Nada

Review

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