Bombastic, fresh, dark, dreamy, touching, spicy, melancholic and creepy, that's pretty much the range of this album - not only sound wise but also theme wise. I have to point out that the production is outstanding. The sound on the album impresses immediately; it's dynamic and clear and invites you to take a listen to this story about a man who from an early age suffers from insanity. Later in his life, he abuses his family and ends up killing them in a horrifying way.
Let's take a look on some of the songs!
The grand opening,
Blackest Eyes is one of my favorites on this album. I simply love the lyrics even though they are quite creepy. There's contrast all over it, a great blend of the heavy and the light and quite friendly tones which makes it very bombastic and one hell of a song.
The chorus is quite funny and gets me every time, however it's some serious stuff the lyrics are dealing with but I can't resist dancing to it.
"I got wiring loose inside my headI got books that I never ever readI got secrets in my garden shedI got a scar where all my urges bled I got people underneath my bed I got a place where all my dreams are dead Swim with me into your blackest eyes" Right after the shot of energy, you get from the opening track, you slip into some calm light acoustic guitar which creates a cozy mood, it's the stunning beginning of the song
Trains. And it's even more stunning when the bass and the drums enter and intensify the sound. The ending part is so not expected, with the hand clapping and banjo, it's a very spicy and exciting element that works very well. It's something that lifts the song up from being good, to very good and memorable.
In
Lips of Ashes, we
are in the more progressive field. I Love the delightful beginning, it's very mysterious and you will be tempted to hear what's next. You will witness some very great guitar work, that's very controlled and yet it feels very flowing. The guitar solo is heavenly, the pitch is spot on and it fits perfectly into the dreamy atmosphere - You will definitely find some inner peace in this psychedelicious creation.
The Sound Of Muzak is a quite easy-going song with a cool musical composition. However, It's the only song that doesn't fit into the theme, but I think that it's a song that almost everyone would find pleasing.
Prodigal has a slick chorus, however, what doesn't work is the distorted vocal when the words "These are my old clothes" are sung, and so on. Distorted vocals never seem to work on me; well it's very rare that it does something flattering to a song, I just find it annoying.
The song
3 equals way too monotone bass. With time I get bored and I get a bit dizzy of the bass and I'm most likely to skip this song. If you're into monotone bass, then this is the song for you!
The distorted vocals appear again in
The Creator Has A Mastertape, and it really doesn't work. It's such a shame because Steve Wilson has a lovely voice. The monotone bass line (again) is very annoying. This is the only song that I don't like at all whatsoever.
Heart attack In a Lay By is the most depressing song on the album, very touching, very simple and mellow. The vocal effects work very well and give the song a notable texture.
You can't label the song
Strip the Soul as being progressive, however, I think it would go well under the label cynical, especially when you listen to the first lines
: "This is my home, this is my own. We don't like no strangers, Raise the kids good, beat the kids good and tie them up. Spread it wide, my wife, my life, push the camera deeper. U can use, I abuse, my muse, I made them all" It's kind of creepy.
My main problem with this song is that it gets a bit too stretched out, and that's because of the quite dull chorus.
The closing song
Collapse The Light Into Earth, gives me the goose bumps right from the opening line "
I won't Shiver in the cold, I won't let the shadows take their toll" even though it's simple and short, it just gets right under my skin.
Drown With Me is on the bonus disc, but I wish it was a part of the album. It has such a fresh start with the acoustic guitar, and once again Steve Wilson impresses me with his honest voice. A very enjoyable song with a breezy feeling.
Not only the range of moods makes this album a very good one, but also the fact that it's containing songs that have unique textures, which will surprise you and will be quite challenging at times.
However, when that's said, there are moments that aren't appealing as well, for example: The monotone bass line and the distorted vocal, which is meant as a twist to the music, however, I find it quite irritating and out of place. But you have to count in that I'm not a big fan of distorted vocals and monotone bass lines, it might work for you - and this would be a splendid album.
However, when I finish listening to the album, I'm still thinking that it's not often you come across an album like this one, it's progressive and yet likeable from the fist listening, so I can highly recommend you to take a listen - especially to the first three songs, they are defiantly the highlights of "In Absentia".
Written by
Sandra Sunday, May 9, 2010
Show all reviews by SandraRatingsSandra: 7/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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