The 1999 release of
Murder Your Darlings is the seventh album from Mark Doyon's
Wampeters, who in 2004 changed their name to Arms of Kismet. The music is as dark as the cover photograph of a little victim requesting silence, with the band going out of its way to be as obscure as possible. Make no doubt -- this is the prolific Doyon's vehicle, the lyrics to the songs printed in red type so tiny it is impossible to read them against the black backdrop of the CD booklet -- meaning one has to listen closely to get the message. "I'm Thinking of My Darling" has a futuristic
Velvet Underground-third-album-feel; the light-hearted content of this tune is a bit twisted when the cover indicates a
Marilyn Manson power onslaught -- something you won't find on this disc. It was written by
Kowtow Popof, one of the Wampus label's recording artists and, as a backing vocalist here, part of the "Murder Your Darlings Chorale." As professionally presented as this is, one gets the feeling the music and inside jokes are meant for a potential cult audience rather than a quest for world domination. The opening track, "Alternate," gives a better indication of the music, and would have been a more appealing title for the disc. Sparse guitar, bass, and drums hold Mark Doyon's lyrics and vocals throughout the pleasantly performed set of ten songs, mostly composed by the singer. "Crumble" and "Bloodline" get the nod as interesting and unique essays on a bipolar musical journey. ~ Joe Viglione