AMG Review of Renew

Lynne Bronstein
All Music Guide

From the sound of this album one would suspect Otto's Daughter to be the offspring of Marilyn Manson and Shirley Manson, with Trent Reznor as the obstetrician. Moans, groans, shrieks, sighs, yawns, clanks, and spooky horror movie synth effects season the tracks, creating gloomy and occasionally compelling goth rock. There are some sonic experiments like "Cuts" (which sounds like someone is indeed being cut up) and "Venus Asleep," which suggests the audial experience of trying to wake up. On the vocal tracks, voices are often overdubbed and electronically altered to sound rather like #ET. Of note are the scatologically silly "Showgirls"; "Todestanz" (Death Dance), sung in German; the surprisingly tuneful "Hail"; and a cover of Depeche Mode's "Stripped" which is competent but lacks David Gahan's charismatic vocal style. Renew is a good party record for goth fans. Other listeners may find some amusement, but will also find some tracks to be snoozers.