mindspell
vvv Jake's ass vvv
Even this is not a review here are some thoughts on the album after a first listen:
If I can address some of the earlier comments first, I can understand the repetition concerns although I don't understand them, to me there are specific moods that are created by those repetition and they sure add to the experience. Of course any straightforward rock-metal fans is gonna hate it and I understand that. Second, this is significantly heavier record than Choir, in my opinion anyway. There are some interesting noise textures that add to the heaviness of the whole but mainly it comes from the drums and the guitars. Simply put, I think that Sam was definitly more of a "feel" drummer while Tom has a much colder/technical aspect to his drumming that gives an, overall, much different feel to the album. The album is at the same time, significantly more melodic than Choir, there is melodic aspects everywhere in there, while on Choir it seemed to be sprinkled very light over the whole record. In some place I even thought thought it was a little bit pop, no offense. Part of that is the increasing presence of Mia and Forbes in the foreground of the songs, the guitars being brought back as a support and rhythmic tool more often than in the past. The solos-type otuburst are almost exclusively taken by Mia and Forbes while Greg used to use his guitar deity profile a lot more up front.
One important comment I have to make is that this one is evidently a follow up to Choir, hence the surprise being a lot less important this time around. What I mean is that Choir was quite a bit removed from Bath and LYBM so it was a whole new experience, enhanced by the fac that the band changed names and shuffled lineup. But the fact is that I was not surprised by the sound of this, while I certainly was with Choir. That, in and of itself, is a significant part of people's dispointment I think.
In conclusion, this will take a few more listens to fully sink in and fully appreciate but from the initial contact this seems very, very good. Hopefully it will stay that way.
Note1: I am slightly inebriated
Note2: I haven't listened to Choir in ages.
If I can address some of the earlier comments first, I can understand the repetition concerns although I don't understand them, to me there are specific moods that are created by those repetition and they sure add to the experience. Of course any straightforward rock-metal fans is gonna hate it and I understand that. Second, this is significantly heavier record than Choir, in my opinion anyway. There are some interesting noise textures that add to the heaviness of the whole but mainly it comes from the drums and the guitars. Simply put, I think that Sam was definitly more of a "feel" drummer while Tom has a much colder/technical aspect to his drumming that gives an, overall, much different feel to the album. The album is at the same time, significantly more melodic than Choir, there is melodic aspects everywhere in there, while on Choir it seemed to be sprinkled very light over the whole record. In some place I even thought thought it was a little bit pop, no offense. Part of that is the increasing presence of Mia and Forbes in the foreground of the songs, the guitars being brought back as a support and rhythmic tool more often than in the past. The solos-type otuburst are almost exclusively taken by Mia and Forbes while Greg used to use his guitar deity profile a lot more up front.
One important comment I have to make is that this one is evidently a follow up to Choir, hence the surprise being a lot less important this time around. What I mean is that Choir was quite a bit removed from Bath and LYBM so it was a whole new experience, enhanced by the fac that the band changed names and shuffled lineup. But the fact is that I was not surprised by the sound of this, while I certainly was with Choir. That, in and of itself, is a significant part of people's dispointment I think.
In conclusion, this will take a few more listens to fully sink in and fully appreciate but from the initial contact this seems very, very good. Hopefully it will stay that way.
Note1: I am slightly inebriated
Note2: I haven't listened to Choir in ages.
), but most of the time I find it impossible to draw any musical comparisons, because the overall feel is so different. I think the best advice to a metal fan would be to try not draw comparisons, especially w/ post rock bands, as many seem inclined to believe kd pay homage to - tubas, oboes, saxophones, recorders, harps, merzbows you name it, gotta be post rock!
