THE UNRAVELLING

I was just thinking the other day about how much my tastes have changed since my early twenties. These days it's albums like "The Unravelling" that do more for me than 99% of the current Metal albums out there. This is challenging and innovative yet full of hooks and very melodic. Of course Kavus the leader of KNIFEWORLD played in CARDIACS for years so I did think of that band as well as Zappa and early ROXY MUSIC. And I really like how they use the horns on this recording.

"I Can Teach You How To Lose A Fight" is my favourite track on here. Percussion, atmosphere and female vocals create such a good feeling for me. It kicks in around a minute without vocals but we do get some vocal melodies. Male vocals arrive after 2 minutes including backing vocals. So good! Love the horns too. The clapping 3 1/2 minutes in works as he almost speaks the lyrics, it then kicks back in. "Why did you chose those thief in your heart" is repeated a lot. Next up is "The Orphanage" a ROXY MUSIC styled track that is short but energetic, melodic and catchy. A nice laid back section around a minute in with female vocals then back to the main theme. "Send Him Seaworthy" has a beat as a bass horn or bassoon joins in. It stops as these very English vocals arrive. A relaxed tune with horns and more. There's even some organ around 3 1/2 minutes. I like the instrumental section 4 minutes in with honking horns and a relaxed soundscape.

"Don't Land On Me" is different. It reminds me of CARDIACS early on with the energy. A calm with piano, a beat and releaxed vocals take over after a minute. Love this stuff. How many vocalists are there? The tempo continues to shift. A calm with female vocals 4 1/2 minutes in then a minute later it turns surprisingly heavy. Man I didn't like this the first time I heard it and i'm still not that into it. Themes are repeated. "The Skulls We Buried Have Regrown Their Eyes" sounds amazing with that atmosphere, vocals and keyboards. The vocals remind me of Tillison here. "Destroy The world We Love" is my second favourite tune on here. A feel good start with this guitar/drum intro as other instruments join in then vocals as the contrasts continue. Love the calm halfway through that continues to the end. It's quite dreamy. "This Empty Room Once Was Alive" is a haunting track with reserved vocals reminding me of Steven Wilson somewhat. Intricate guitar and piano help out. It's experimental late. "I'm Hiding Behind My Eyes" is the over 9 minute closer. Picked guitar and spacey vocals to start. Piano before 2 minutes as horns and bassoon join in. It picks up before 3 minutes but the laid back sound will dominate. A cool sounding tune.

Without question one of the better releases i've heard this year, now I have to get their debut which some say is even better.