Post by WitchBoy on Jul 28, 2007 16:32:02 GMT -5
I just want to say this album is pure unmitigated win of epic proportions, although perhaps not quite as catchy in synth-lines as previous CD's the raw emotions Ronan Harris evokes are more powerful than any previous work he's committed himself to. The album is a constant journey through a wide spectrum of human emotion and power, from sorrow to rage and ultimately undying hope.
Pick it up some time, you won't regret it.
1.Prelude-This song opens up the album, as has been done with every album by the project in the last few years it serves as an initial tempo setter, a kind of warm up I guess you could say. It's simultaneously thick and light, swathed in a depth of complex sounds but overtoned by a light jingle. Regardless, in its building rythyms it does introduce the listener to the epic scale of the upcoming album. No vocals.
2.The Farthest Star-This song starts almost immediately into the main course, although the overall sound is a rather standard bass-driven piece it's pleasantly energetic and hopeful. This is likely the most positive song of the album, and can be summed up rather completely by the chorus.
The album begins to transition into more apocalyptic tones as it goes on, but this piece attempts to set the listener on the tone that despite the fact not all is right in the world, we can change it.
3.Testament-Next we get into an obviously angry, but more earthy song than the majority of the album. It highlights more over political and emotional flaws of mankind, rather than the higher spiritual ones. The beat is pounding and scratchy, very danceable, and has the catchiest build ups and hooks of the entire album.
4.Descent-The title rather accurately describes this song, it is dark amelodic, and has a sort of grinding quality, in both vocals and music. The lyrics are more spoken than sung, but it compliments the aim of the piece very well. As the name implies, this is the drop into the most macabre dip in the overall scheme. It speaks of mankind's use of the 'devil' to wipe their conscious free of the evil they commit.
5.Momentum-This is the least spiritual of the vocalized songs, and admittedly one of the least impressive on the album. It's a dance-anthem pure and simple, but not quite energetic enough to do the job well, the basslines aren't quite thumping enough and the treble is a little too prominent. The vocals essentially go over the emotional and physical buildup of the songs as it reaches its crescendo and then into the slope back down. It does manage to describe the near-religious state of transcendent states that can accompany the dance experience, however.
6.Nemesis-This is the kick-
song of the album, pure and simple. It's similar in spectrum to Testament, but much more general. This is a song raging against injustice and apathy within human society. The beat is great, the tempo is visceral and nigh-synaesthetic. The sheer power of Ronan's voice really carries through in this one. This song makes you want to get up and riot very frankly.
7.Secluded Spaces-This is the slowest of the song, and for those familiar to VNV's previous works it reminds me heavily of the song Distant. It's rather psuedo-synthetic-classical, but the sound manages to carry well. I didn't like it terribly much at first, but it grew on me over time. If you just want some easy listening or peaceful music, this is the one for you. It calms one down before the song directly after, the most emotionally pressing of the album.
8.Illusion-This song was a tear-jerker for me, quite frankly. It's very personal and I have no doubt a great many people will find their own interpretation of what this album means. I won't do it justice nor do I have any use to go over my own interpretations, so I'll merely follow over the music structure. It maintains a similar psuedo-classic style as Secluded Spaces, but the synth lines are much more obvious and the song is built into a more standard upbeat/downbeat format. The lyrics make the song, and just reading them doesn't do justice, I'll present a small piece, regardless.
9.Carry You-Ending the album (more or less) with this piece closes it off rather well, after the emotional overload of Illusion you get a piece infused with hope, but of a much more personal sort than The Farthest Star, which spoke more of human potential than personal ones. Carry You points out the hardship one faces, and the clinging memories of the unwanted pieces of your past, but beckons one to move on regardless. The beat is steady and pleasant, quick and catchy but not pounding. The weaving lines of treble through the chorus makes the music.
10.As It Fades-This song closes the album much as the first one begins it, serene and essentially letting one calm down from the wide spectrum of thought and feeling from the body of the album. It's a nice way to finish a wonderful piece. No vocals.
Pick it up some time, you won't regret it.
1.Prelude-This song opens up the album, as has been done with every album by the project in the last few years it serves as an initial tempo setter, a kind of warm up I guess you could say. It's simultaneously thick and light, swathed in a depth of complex sounds but overtoned by a light jingle. Regardless, in its building rythyms it does introduce the listener to the epic scale of the upcoming album. No vocals.
2.The Farthest Star-This song starts almost immediately into the main course, although the overall sound is a rather standard bass-driven piece it's pleasantly energetic and hopeful. This is likely the most positive song of the album, and can be summed up rather completely by the chorus.
We possess the power,
If this should start to fall apart,
To mend divides,
To change the world,
To reach the farthest star.
If we should stay silent.
If fear should win our hearts,
Our light will have long diminished,
Before it reaches the farthest star.
If this should start to fall apart,
To mend divides,
To change the world,
To reach the farthest star.
If we should stay silent.
If fear should win our hearts,
Our light will have long diminished,
Before it reaches the farthest star.
The album begins to transition into more apocalyptic tones as it goes on, but this piece attempts to set the listener on the tone that despite the fact not all is right in the world, we can change it.
3.Testament-Next we get into an obviously angry, but more earthy song than the majority of the album. It highlights more over political and emotional flaws of mankind, rather than the higher spiritual ones. The beat is pounding and scratchy, very danceable, and has the catchiest build ups and hooks of the entire album.
Procrastinating, pretending to worry
Solving problems by pushing them aside
Wasting time like we've all the time in the world
Deliberation instead of solution, another term for blatant lies
Biding time like we've all the time in the world
And I'm not the only one who thinks we're trying to say
To the heavens and all who hear us: behold all we have made!
We bring destruction, we bring war without an end
and we live in hope that tomorrow never comes
Solving problems by pushing them aside
Wasting time like we've all the time in the world
Deliberation instead of solution, another term for blatant lies
Biding time like we've all the time in the world
And I'm not the only one who thinks we're trying to say
To the heavens and all who hear us: behold all we have made!
We bring destruction, we bring war without an end
and we live in hope that tomorrow never comes
4.Descent-The title rather accurately describes this song, it is dark amelodic, and has a sort of grinding quality, in both vocals and music. The lyrics are more spoken than sung, but it compliments the aim of the piece very well. As the name implies, this is the drop into the most macabre dip in the overall scheme. It speaks of mankind's use of the 'devil' to wipe their conscious free of the evil they commit.
Does the need for the belief in the Devil
Serve to palliate and forgive our sins,
In the abandonment of reason and delivery unto Hell?
Serve to palliate and forgive our sins,
In the abandonment of reason and delivery unto Hell?
5.Momentum-This is the least spiritual of the vocalized songs, and admittedly one of the least impressive on the album. It's a dance-anthem pure and simple, but not quite energetic enough to do the job well, the basslines aren't quite thumping enough and the treble is a little too prominent. The vocals essentially go over the emotional and physical buildup of the songs as it reaches its crescendo and then into the slope back down. It does manage to describe the near-religious state of transcendent states that can accompany the dance experience, however.
6.Nemesis-This is the kick-
song of the album, pure and simple. It's similar in spectrum to Testament, but much more general. This is a song raging against injustice and apathy within human society. The beat is great, the tempo is visceral and nigh-synaesthetic. The sheer power of Ronan's voice really carries through in this one. This song makes you want to get up and riot very frankly.I want justice for a voice that can't be heard!
Vindication for every suffering and hurt!
Let retribution hold dominion over earth!
Because judgement day's not coming,
Judgement day's not coming,
Soon enough!
Vindication for every suffering and hurt!
Let retribution hold dominion over earth!
Because judgement day's not coming,
Judgement day's not coming,
Soon enough!
7.Secluded Spaces-This is the slowest of the song, and for those familiar to VNV's previous works it reminds me heavily of the song Distant. It's rather psuedo-synthetic-classical, but the sound manages to carry well. I didn't like it terribly much at first, but it grew on me over time. If you just want some easy listening or peaceful music, this is the one for you. It calms one down before the song directly after, the most emotionally pressing of the album.
I stopped to look around me
and as far as I could see
across this precious land
shadows painted by the sun
and as far as I could see
across this precious land
shadows painted by the sun
8.Illusion-This song was a tear-jerker for me, quite frankly. It's very personal and I have no doubt a great many people will find their own interpretation of what this album means. I won't do it justice nor do I have any use to go over my own interpretations, so I'll merely follow over the music structure. It maintains a similar psuedo-classic style as Secluded Spaces, but the synth lines are much more obvious and the song is built into a more standard upbeat/downbeat format. The lyrics make the song, and just reading them doesn't do justice, I'll present a small piece, regardless.
I don't want you to hate for all the hurt that you feel
The world is just illusion trying to change you
The world is just illusion trying to change you
9.Carry You-Ending the album (more or less) with this piece closes it off rather well, after the emotional overload of Illusion you get a piece infused with hope, but of a much more personal sort than The Farthest Star, which spoke more of human potential than personal ones. Carry You points out the hardship one faces, and the clinging memories of the unwanted pieces of your past, but beckons one to move on regardless. The beat is steady and pleasant, quick and catchy but not pounding. The weaving lines of treble through the chorus makes the music.
Conceal your deepest worries
Confine your thoughts inside
The walls you built of damaged pride
The light in your eyes failing
Like you're adrift
Like night pretending to be day
These storms subside
Though the past, the unwanted memories, are holding onto you
All the power in the universe conspires to carry you
Truths you find through your adversities will defend you
As your powers and all your energies conspire to carry you
The adversary to your soul
The blackest thoughts
That try to poison you
These storms subside
Lay down your greatest burden
Relinquish that which has control of you
And let yourself through
Confine your thoughts inside
The walls you built of damaged pride
The light in your eyes failing
Like you're adrift
Like night pretending to be day
These storms subside
Though the past, the unwanted memories, are holding onto you
All the power in the universe conspires to carry you
Truths you find through your adversities will defend you
As your powers and all your energies conspire to carry you
The adversary to your soul
The blackest thoughts
That try to poison you
These storms subside
Lay down your greatest burden
Relinquish that which has control of you
And let yourself through
10.As It Fades-This song closes the album much as the first one begins it, serene and essentially letting one calm down from the wide spectrum of thought and feeling from the body of the album. It's a nice way to finish a wonderful piece. No vocals.
