ANNO DOMINI HIGH DEFINITION

Anno Domini High Definition is, without a doubt, Riverside's best album so far. From the melancholia piano introduction in "Hyperactive" to the nearly ambient techno finale section in "Hybrid Times" ADHD is truly a dead on reinvention of Riverside's style and skills.

I have been a lackluster, passive fan of Riverside since Second Life Syndrome mostly due to their inability to keep my attention throughout the duration of an entire album. They were always a band I admired and enjoyed creatively but felt they had always failed to do something truly inspiring or groundbreaking. In short, the Reality trilogy sounded way too much like Porcupine Tree and while that isn't necessarily a bad thing (as I love all of Steven Wilson and company's work) I felt they often directly ripped off Signify's guitar work and elements too closely..

It took me a while before I even considered purchasing ADHD but am very glad I eventually did. This album takes all of the elements that existed in Riverside music before and concisely executes them in a quicker, heavier fashion. While past Riverside songs gave the listener a plethora of breathing room with long, psychedelic passages ADHD hits hard from the beginning and doesn't let up.

I highly disagree with a lot of reviews who label this as a Metal outing. It is definitely heavier in tone and faster in speed but I find it akin more to the likes of early King Crimson and late '70's era Rush rather than anything produced in the Heavy Metal genre. As I said before, the music is a lot more refined and concise. Every song is packed with a number of different time changes and surprising, quick transitions from hard to soft throughout. Duda seems to be taking a step back from leading most songs with bass and vocals which really opens up the spectrum to the other talented musicians on this one. Lapaj is absolutely nothing less than phenomenal on keyboards and Kozieradzki's drumming is among the best out there in any genre.

In closing, Anno Domini High Definition is a well rounded, enjoyable album that allows all of its members to shine on their instruments. It is the sum of 4 terrific musicians who play as a whole and who never, individually, seem to steal the limelight from one another. The solos are never too pretentious and the many parts that comprise each song never overstay their welcome. The highlight for me is the mid section in "Egoist Hedonist." It has a funky, almost danceable, quality that is only made better by the very scat-like vocals in the background.There really is no low point throughout this album's accessible and rewarding running time. For the first time in years I can easily admit to listening to a piece of music as a whole from start to finish over and over, back to back.

A work of art and a must have for any fan of music.

All songs: 10/10