Usually for these reviews, I pick out some individual songs and prattle on about genres, choruses and composition. But a couple of songs into this album, I realised that approach would be missing the point here. This album is not a collection of songs, it's a single 38 minute experience. My first listen to this song was while reading a biography of a sports star, and it fitted perfectly. Just as the readers followed this boy through family life to being a promising rookie and eventually a superstar, this album somehow has a strong sense of familiarity throughout, with gentle evolution around a central arc.
As the entry point, Gold Lion works perfectly, establishing a grand sense of scale and a trance-like mood. There are no memorable hooks to reflect on afterwards, but it is still a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Way Out follows the same recipe (as does much of the album), but the new melodies keep things fresh at all times.
Cheated Hearts stands out as a catchy pop song. This is just an observation, and does not imply that the other songs are lacking somehow. After all, you'd hardly criticise an orchestral masterpiece for lacking a melody that gets stuck in your head!
Eventually, we are returned to reality with Turn Into, which is a perfect conclusion to the experience. At face value, I really dig the gentle lullaby with the subtle build-up. More philosophically, to me it is a vision of hope for the world, as we depart planet Show Your Bones and bravely re-enter reality. Sorry for going all metaphysical! ...but the beauty of this album is a strong emotional connection.
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