"(Slave To) Lust"...I'm sorry, but [dirty] lyrics sound goofy coming out of Hussey's mouth. Doesn't hurt to try it once, I guess. Even the title of "Dragonfly" suggests how much it sounds like "Butterfly on A Wheel" from about a decade ago. "Happy" sounds like the soundtrack to an 80's Molly Ringwald movie. Most of the songs are radio-catchy. "To Die By Your Hand" sounds like a disturbed teenager's love letter. "Trophy/It Never Rains" is pretty cool, and the way the music changes gears midway through gives it some real drama. Cities that have more than 30 goth residents will probably play "Burlesque" in their strip bars. "Cocoon" sounds like Sgt. Hussey's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Part of The Mission UK's strength has been the lyrics. No change, there: "Every blessing ignored becomes finally a curse/ and this war of attrition just makes her feel worse."

"Aura" is standard Ye Olde Mission UK. No law against that when the songs are this good, especially the unlisted track at the end (just piano and voice).


Aura of dissatisfaction   August 18, 2005
 4 out of 8 found this review helpful

Way back in the day, the "Children" album made me a huge Mission fan and "Carved In Sand" continued that. I thought "Masque" was underrated, though did sacrifice much of their sound. I thought "Neverland" was a nice return, if a bit patchy. "Blue" was essentially a Hussey solo album and had some interesting songs but also had some really embarrassing lyrics.

So, 6 years later, the Mish finally return with a new album. The lead-off track is a good one despite some silly lyrics. The seond song, however, sounds like The Mission covering The Mission. I mean, the lyrics, melody, and music literally sound like pieced-together bits from other Mission songs. the third song displays precisely the problem I have with the Mish. the music is great, a nice slow-burner. The lyrics however... these are some of the worst lyrics I have ever heard, period. Example:
"I will fill every orifice." Seriously! But wait, it gets worse...
"I'm sick of masturbation
of playing with myself
I don't want to go blind
or be sent to hell."

Truly banal, laughable, embarrassing. From there, you get "Mesmerized" which again sounds like pieces from other melodramatic, over-the-top Mission torch songs of yore. "Lay Your Hands On Me" is a decent rocker, reminiscent of "Hungry As the Hunter," but again with stupid lyrics. "Dragonfly" is a gorgeous Cure-like ballad in which everything actually works well, though the lyrics still seem to be pieced-together from previous Mish tunes.
The rest of the album is typical of their output over the last decade. We get the poppy "Friday I'm in Love" type song. A short, almost spoken word piece. An instumental, etc. I have to say, this is the best sounding album since "Carved In Sand" but it really sounds like nothing has happened in Wayne's life in the preceeding 12 years worth writing about. he is simply repeating his favorite lyrical couplets and phrases over and over. I mean, to not know how stupid your own words sound... Jeez!
Overall, I would say that if you have the last Cult album and the last Cure album, you really have no need for this in your collection. Sorry, boys... Wayne, read some books, take a journey somewhere, anything that will give you some inspiration lyrically!


good   December 27, 2002
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

A good album. Allot of similarities between Aura and earlier work. Allot of the riffs are quite familiar sounding as well. The lyrics for the most part are once again strong and moving. I dont know how Slave to Lust ever made it further then words on paper but it did, its almost laughable. Aura is a strong album that will please Missionfans so there is no reason not to pick this up.


The Best of All!!!   January 14, 2005
 2 out of 5 found this review helpful

I really wouldn't pay much attention to negative reviews on this album, I think they're either musically ignorant or have an IQ of 70 on a warm day, probably the kind of people who don't like change because it hurts there delicate constitution. Unlike many of their older releases(not including their masterpiece "Children")"Aura" doesn't contain a single dud, I don't know what album these people listened to because this has the trademark old Mission UK sound, only alot more musically and lyrically refined. Listening to "Aura" for my first time I instantly fell in love with this group all over again. Expertly produced and a sonic marvel. I can only hope and pray they regroup for another. Easily ranks in the top 5 albums I've purchased in the past 10 years.


Aura: The Mission UK   October 11, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is a fantastic cd! Songs here range from the beautiful and poetic Mesmerised, Dragonfly and Cocoon, to harder songs like Evangeline and the sensual/erotic Slave to Lust. I personally like songs with good melodies, poetic lyrics and passionate vocals (with a little thunder and lightening every now and then) and this cd really delivered!