Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Green Carnation - The Acoustic Verses CD (album) cover

THE ACOUSTIC VERSES

Green Carnation

 

Experimental/Post Metal

3.89 | 162 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Zitro
Prog Reviewer
4 stars beautiful and accessible soft rock!

This is one of the biggest musical surprises I have had this year. Green Carnation, well known because of their 60-minute long epic, releases a stripped down, mostly acoustic and relaxing album with no prog elements to be found. The surprise is not only that they released such a different album, but that it's a great example of music in this style. The music, which has perfect production, consists of rich harmonies between instruments and voice. The music is slightly unconventional, making it even more interesting. Trust me, this is not the typical "metal goes soft" album, there is only one solo in the album!

There is a fifteen minute song that might fool you into thinking that it is a prog rock epic, but it isn't. There is not much complexity in the piece. Instead, you have atmosphere, musical harmony, great and melodious vocals, and symphonic arrangements. rather than being an epic, the song is actually divided into sections that do not have much to do with each other. The result is just 15 minutes of beautiful music. It is an excellent song, but for me, it is not superior to the shorter songs of the album.

Take for example Sweet Leaf's perfect instrumentation, creating imagery and landscapes without needing to pay attention to the words. What makes this song, as well as any song in this album work is how perfectly harmonized the band is musically. The burden Is Mine shows a simpler composition, with acoustic guitar, vocals, and barely audible complementary instrumentation. Maybe? I think is where Green Carnation impressed me the most in this album. Divided in two sections, the first being just an acoustic guitar being strummed with the needed chords and memorable vocals, especially in the choruses. The second half is slightly faster-paced and features a brilliantly-crafted buildup that doesn't go overboard. Alone is faster-paced, still acoustic, with Irish influences. The short piano-instrumental Child's Play Part 3 is very successful at painting a dark atmosphere. Very successful is an understatement, this instrumental is superbly written and arranged! The medium-lengthed and different High Tide Waves ends the album very strongly, and while the song sounds a bit differently in style to the other songs, I am very happy that it is here. This song contrasts light and heavy perfectly, without any of those being too extreme. there are no electric guitar riffs nor growls, but the choruses are certainly heavier than anything in the album. You still have acoustic guitars and somewhat unconventional percussion, but what gives it power is the desperate and punchy vocal lines that almost are screaming "I'm holding head above wateeeeeeeER". After the second chorus, the only guitar solo in the album comes, a beautiful and melodic acoustic guitar solo that gives way to the last chorus. Wonderful song that finishes a wonderful album.

Highlights: None?

Let Downs: None?

Zitro | 4/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this GREEN CARNATION review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.