novAct Tales From the Soul (To Those Who Understand)
Sensory Records SR 3025 2005
By Jason Jordan
I dislike pretension unless its obviously satirical. Thus, when I come across it otherwise, it encourages me to frown in distaste, as was the case with novActs Tales From the Soul (To Those Who Understand). No big deal, right? Well, the album is subtitled with: (To Those Who Understand), which has the propensity to alienate lots of people. It did me. However, the band does manage to pull off a convincing form of progressive rock that I still have quibbles with.
As music fans wont hesitate to tell you, the vocalist of a band can make or break said band. When I think of great vocalists (in metal today), I think of men that can juxtapose great, clean vocals with haunting growls such as Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth, ex-Bloodbath). Warrell Danes iterations (Nevermore), even though theyre highly original, dont really satisfy me in the way I need them to. Thats where Eddy Borremans comes in. To say that I dont care for his renderings would be an understatement; I mean, theyre just weird. Theyre clean and everything, but he definitely distinguishes himself from other wretchers through tone, elevation, and emotion. Otherwise, novAct are fairly simplistic as far as music is concerned. I dont want to casually label them as formulaic, but Tales From the Soul (To Those Who Understand) is overwrought with the cliché, prog-rock feel that all too often attaches itself to myriad bands. Nevertheless, the musicians are supremely talented as evidenced by numbers like Hope and Fear and Bad Religion and the production is the best Ive heard in a great while. Like I said, though, I simply cant look past the vokills in this particular instance. And, this also just doesnt quite cut it in the originality department.
I can see progressive rock fans reacting favorably to novAct, but itd take a different, vocal approach for me to applaud an effort like Tales From the Soul (To Those Who Understand). This record wont make you wince, but Id think twice before making a blind purchase. Check out the Lasers Edge forum (Sensory Recordss parent company), though.
7/10
Official novAct Website
Official Sensory Records Website
Sensory Records SR 3025 2005
By Jason Jordan
I dislike pretension unless its obviously satirical. Thus, when I come across it otherwise, it encourages me to frown in distaste, as was the case with novActs Tales From the Soul (To Those Who Understand). No big deal, right? Well, the album is subtitled with: (To Those Who Understand), which has the propensity to alienate lots of people. It did me. However, the band does manage to pull off a convincing form of progressive rock that I still have quibbles with.
As music fans wont hesitate to tell you, the vocalist of a band can make or break said band. When I think of great vocalists (in metal today), I think of men that can juxtapose great, clean vocals with haunting growls such as Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth, ex-Bloodbath). Warrell Danes iterations (Nevermore), even though theyre highly original, dont really satisfy me in the way I need them to. Thats where Eddy Borremans comes in. To say that I dont care for his renderings would be an understatement; I mean, theyre just weird. Theyre clean and everything, but he definitely distinguishes himself from other wretchers through tone, elevation, and emotion. Otherwise, novAct are fairly simplistic as far as music is concerned. I dont want to casually label them as formulaic, but Tales From the Soul (To Those Who Understand) is overwrought with the cliché, prog-rock feel that all too often attaches itself to myriad bands. Nevertheless, the musicians are supremely talented as evidenced by numbers like Hope and Fear and Bad Religion and the production is the best Ive heard in a great while. Like I said, though, I simply cant look past the vokills in this particular instance. And, this also just doesnt quite cut it in the originality department.
I can see progressive rock fans reacting favorably to novAct, but itd take a different, vocal approach for me to applaud an effort like Tales From the Soul (To Those Who Understand). This record wont make you wince, but Id think twice before making a blind purchase. Check out the Lasers Edge forum (Sensory Recordss parent company), though.
7/10
Official novAct Website
Official Sensory Records Website
