Vermin in Ermine
Marc Almond · 1984
75 min · 12 tracks · new wave
A theatrical blend of dark cabaret and new wave, marked by dramatic vocals and lush, melancholic arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Shining Sinners Start here — This track opens the album with a haunting melody and provocative lyrics, setting the tone for Almond’s exploration of love and desire throughout the record.
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Hell Was a City — The song's vivid imagery and atmospheric sound encapsulate Almond's ability to fuse storytelling with his unique vocal style, making it a standout track.
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Gutter Hearts — With its blend of melancholy and danceable beats, this track exemplifies the album's thematic juxtaposition of beauty and darkness.
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Tenderness Is a Weakness — This track highlights Almond's introspective side, featuring poignant lyrics that delve into vulnerability and emotional conflict, showcasing his lyrical prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends theatricality with new wave elements, showcasing strong arrangements and a unique vocal style.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the fourth track introduces a more upbeat rhythm that contrasts sharply with the preceding songs.
- Several tracks incorporate theatrical spoken word segments, enhancing the narrative quality of the album.
- The arrangements often layer strings and synths, creating a lush soundscape that supports Almond's dramatic vocal delivery.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- theatrical storytelling with depth
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- introspective moments for reflection
- darkly atmospheric late-night listening
- dynamic journey through emotions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer straightforward structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut solo album established Almond's reputation and influenced dark cabaret.
- Themes
- theatrical love· vulnerable desire
- Career context
- Vermin in Ermine is Marc Almond's debut solo album, released after his time with the duo Soft Cell. At this point in his career, Almond was transitioning from mainstream pop fame to a more avant-garde, personal artistic vision, establishing his identity as a solo artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Soft Cell· David Bowie· The Sisters of Mercy
Tracklist
- 1 Shining Sinners Start here 6:39
- 2 Hell Was a City 4:03
- 3 You Have 5:38
- 4 Split Lip 17:14
- 5 Crime Sublime 3:13
- 6 Gutter Hearts 4:25
- 7 Ugly Head 7:56
- 8 The Boy Who Came Back 4:53
- 9 Solo Adultos 5:37
- 10 Joey Demento 5:49
- 11 Pink Shack Blues 4:49
- 12 Tenderness Is a Weakness 5:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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