“He was only 33/He was only 33/He was only 33” – Frankly, I’m unsure as to whether TRCOT3SOF has been particularly inspired by Mel Gibson’s recent foray into religious filmmaking, or whether one man prophet Hugh McKenna is taking the piss. Either way, the artwork of The Wounds… composed of graphic images of Christ’s crucifixion, and the album’s coldly religious titles (‘Let All Mortal Flesh Bear Silent Witness’, ‘Procession Of The Icon’, ‘Into Your Gothic Arms’) are unsettling, perplexing and not remotely entertaining.
A word of advice – if one feels compelled to make an album with such a grandiose, epic concept at its heart, a sensible approach would be to think suitably big. An album about the crucifixion of Christ is perhaps best not composed on solely a drum machine and antiquated keyboard. Furthermore, if the album is meant to be an exercise in irony, a little more flair and humour is essential to making the project work.
You’d have to admire the gumption, and the determination shown by Hugh McKenna, in getting a record like this into the shops.
Sadly, the pallid electro effect of The Wounds… is cold, clinical, one-dimensional and unfeeling, neither remotely endearing nor engaging. In all, it’s hardly a fitting tribute to its subject… or even irony itself. Still, I suppose it makes for an interesting diversion from the usual singer-songwriter imitators…