This is the first album review. Now, this album seems like the best place to begin this new tradition, and there are a couple of reasons for that.
First of all, if I hadn’t started blogging, I wouldn’t have ever purchased this album. Now, don’t take that the wrong way, I just wouldn’t have ever heard of the album and thus would have not been able to purchase it.
Secondly, this album drastically changed the way I listen to music and made me more of a critic. That, in turn, is why I want to write a few album reviews (more on that later, maybe).
So, that’s all well and good, except for the fact that I am incredibly nervous to write this. I don’t want to piss off the musician. That musician being Anaglyph.
The album is Houdini. The band is called Perpetual Ocean. Although, I’m pretty sure the band is just Anaglyph himself.
In any case, I’ll start with a brief overview.
This is a rather dark album, probably not one that I would recommend for people who enjoy such songs as “Good Riddance” by Green Day or any of the garbage spewing from Britney Spears’ mouth. This album is much deeper, much more ominous than most people are probably used to.
Still, it is worth at least one listen. The musicality of this album astounds me.
Take, for example, the song “Float.” I’m having trouble putting in writing how amazingly the lyrical and instrumental portions of this song fit together. I have great difficulty in being able to tell if the music was written to emphasize the lyrics or if the lyrics were written to emphasize the music.
I have listened to this album many, many times. Some of the songs I’ve even played backwards. Yet, I cannot believe how well each every song is able to evoke specific emotions and mental images so very easily. This is simultaneously the best and worst feature of this album.
Most people are not used to such emotionally powerful music, and thus, it can be scary.
My friend Chris and I were driving to see a movie last month. I put the CD in the CD player and within two songs, Chris turned to me and said, “Joe, this is kinda freaking me out.”
That came from a man who used to turn all the lights off and play the creepiest music he could for me to see if I would wet my pants. Now, I can scare the crap out of him.
Now, that’s all I’m going to say about this one. Because, well, you just have to listen to the album to understand.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Anaglyph, I’ve said it before, and I’m going to say it again. Your Houdini album is astounding. In a good way. I love it. Thanks for sharing it with us. I hope the review wasn’t terribly odious.
++++++++++++++++++++++
(No Daily Ditty. And don’t expect any with future album reviews…)
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9 comments:
I like it, too.
Thanks Joe, that's the best kind of review I could hope for. It basically says "This is music that rewards some thought" which is the best kind of review any serious artist can get.
What happens when you play it backwards?
Anaglyph - That's exactly the point. Every time I listen to your CD, something new catches my attention and demands some thought.
Anne - I didn't listen to the whole CD backwards. Just two songs. One was "Incantation." The other.... is "Radio Egypt." Listen to Radio Egypt backwards and forewards, it's quite interesting.
No more album reviews! Geez, I've already got this one (and enjoy it thoroughly as well) so I know about it. I will try listening to it backwards now though.
OK I listened to it backwards, and it was hard to make out the words, but I think it says "Paul is dead."
Aimee: Awesome!
Okay, I re-read and now understand no Daily Ditty with an album review. I thought you were throwing in the towel with this review!
Chickie - I was a little confused about that. I'm glad it's all sorted out now.
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