I'd better preface this review with the disclaimer that industrial/electronica isn't a style I usually appreciate, so for me to like any songs at all is a small miracle!
The fundamental conflict about this album for me is that to appreciate all the wonderful sounds layered into each other, it needs to be listened to loud. But I prefer the album in a chillout sense, which doesn't really work when its cranked. This is probably more that I don't "get" this style rather than any problem with the album.
Speaking of the wonderful sounds- wow, the bass! This album is not afraid to give your subwoofer a workout, and thankfully it's never droney. In combination with all the strange birds randomly whizzing across the soundstage (aka heavy usage of stereo effects) it makes for a wonderful alien landscape.
Angel is a brilliant opening track, thanks to the smooth lyrics sitting gently on top of the aggressive and infectious beat. Somehow it's both headbanging and gently hypnotic at the same time.
The combination of rimshots, harpsichord and female vocals are a match made in heaven on Teardrop. Similarly, Dissolved and Black Milk also incorporate female vocals to great effect.
Exchange and Group Four are too sparse for my liking. And while I really dig the lyrics of Risingson, the bassline and chorus don't appeal. The cover of Man Next Door is a solid effort, with the understated vocals very well suited to the lyrics great narrative. While I prefer the more dub-influenced versions of this song (due to the extra "smoothness" in their groove), this is also an enjoyable interpretation.
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