HOME

It's maybe not so surprising that the ratings are low for "Home" as they have changed directions on this one. The focus is clearly on Anneke's voice, and that may sound like a silly statement given that when she sings it's hard not to focus her vocals, but it's like the instruments being played behind her are meshed and layered together instead of there being any solos. In fact i'm sure that's one of the complaints, the fact that there are no real guitar solos.The guitar is there, but it's buried under the layers of sound. Lots of electronics as well on this release that remind me of CHROMA KEY at times.

"Shortest Day" is such a catchy song and I really like her vocal melodies. In fact I don't think i've heard her use so many vocal melodies on any of their past albums. This is quite heavy as well. "In Between" is another catchy tune with vocal melodies.The focus is on the drums and vocals. "Alone" is one of the best songs on here. They incorporate electronics with drums and vocals to great affect. This reminds me of CHROMA KEY, it's very melodic. "Waking Hour" features more electronics as they sound even more like CHROMA KEY. This one is slower paced. Amazing track ! She sings with a lot of emotion and there are some Post-Rock styled guitars sounds on this one as well. Piano 3 minutes in followed by some heart breaking vocals. What a performance ! "Fatigue" is experimental and spacey.

"A Noise Severe" is slower paced with a heavy undercurrent. The vocal melodies after 4 minutes are uplifting. This might be the best track on here. "Forgotten" features piano and reserved vocals throughout. "Solace" is one i skip. I don't like it at all. It just seems out of place. "Your Troubles Are Over" is dominated by vocals and drums. Anneke sounds amazing on this one. "Box" is a slower, electronic filled track. Very cool song. "The Quiet One" is mostly strummed acoustic guitar and vocal melodies. I like it. "Home" is a great tune. It opens with electronics as drums then vocals arrive. It gets spacey 2 1/2 minutes in as the beat stops briefly. It becomes heavy 3 minutes in as the words are calmly sung. Before 5 1/2 minutes she sings like Thom Yorke. Yes she does. "Forgotten-Reprise" has synths or electronics instead of piano. Tons of atmosphere on this one. She stops singing 1 1/2 minutes in and doesn't return in this almost 8 minute track.

There are so many songs that I really like on "Home". It was a grower, but the patience was worth it. I guess this is the last THE GATHERING studio album that we'll hear Anneke on. She pretty much wrote all their songs and then sang them like no one else could. An incredible lady.