Rocktrospectiva: The Hauntingly Beautiful "Carved In Sand" Turns 35

Released on 19 February 1990 "Carved In Sand" was the third studio album by English rock band The Mission, the album peaked at No.7 in the UK charts, making it the second of two top ten albums and overall best-selling album in the band's career. The album spawned four singles were released from the album: "Butterfly on a Wheel" peaked at No. 12, "Deliverance", "Into the Blue" peaked at No. 32, and finally "Hands Across the Ocean"/"Amelia" peaked at No. 28. 

 

The Mission, or as some know them, Mission UK impressed their audiences with their hauntingly beautiful ballad "Butterfly On A Wheel" 35 years ago, a band comprised of former members of The Sisters of Mercy but with a different style, far beyond gothic rock, they were something else plus.

 

"Carved In Sand" it's a work that retires from their fanatical atheism like their other albums. now they explore other topics such as love and disrespect a strange combination for sure, but that's how I would sum it up, in consequence, this album is less depressive.

 

The opener "Amelia" not about love instead about a girl who is constantly sexually abused by her own father, terrible subject indeed, "The Grapes Of Wrath" is not a new story to anyone. The song focuses on pride and on abuse, disrespect, but work-related. the power ballad "Butterfly on a wheel" shows how love can be "life and death", "rise and downfall". It's one of the most beautiful things ever heard, Grains Of Sand" are cheery, pretty. "Deliverance" is intense and "Into The Blue" fine and aggresive. 

The Mission is definitely one of the greatest - and most ignored - artrock bands of the 1990's., and this album definitely proves the band deserved much more. 

 

Carved In Sand Track List: 

 

1.  Amelia

2. Into The Blue

3. Butterfly On A Wheel

4. Sea Of Love

5. Deliverance

6. Grapes Of Wrath

7. Belief

8. Paradise (Will Shine Like The Moon)

9. Hungry As The Hunter

10. Lovely