DARKLING

This is the latest from the American duo known as DISCONNECT. I enjoyed their previous album called "Planned Obsolescence" which was quite a bit longer than this one and a little more challenging.

Things get started with the ambitious title track at over 22 minutes, talk about opening with a statement! Atmosphere as Spanish sounding guitar notes come flying in and they will come and go. Suddenly after 1 1/2 minutes the tempo picks up with guitar out front as the drums join in as well. Outbursts come and go at 3 minutes before it settles into a synth led section before 4 minutes. Nice bass as the guitar starts to lead. Synths are back then we get vocals for the first time after 5 minutes. Not into the vocals or the soundscape really. I like it a lot better 6 1/2 minutes in as the synths lead and we get some heavy bass lines. Vocals are back a minute later and I'm not into this part. They don't sound right either after 9 minutes. Nice guitar though before 10 minutes and better vocals follow. Another excellent guitar solo follows. I like the spacey interlude then the vocals return at 12 1/2 minutes. A long instrumental section follows with guitar out front. Synths turn after 15 minutes and the vocals return after 18 minutes. I like the bass after 21 minutes along with those spacey sounds.

"Patterns" opens with percussion before strings and some depth take over. Reserved vocals too. It kicks in around a minute but settles back quickly with vocals again. Melancholic guitar and strings just before 2 minutes, sad vocals too. Then the tempo picks up and we get some abrasive guitar before 3 minutes. The focus is on the vocals 4 minutes in then there's a guitar solo as the vocals stop. Synths then lead and I like that bass. A calm with strummed guitar and vocals late.

"Anfractuous" opens with pulsating sounds along with intricate and spacey sounds too. An experimental intro. I like when it kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes with that soaring guitar. It settles back then kicks in again with that guitar before 3 1/2 minutes. It turns bright 4 minutes in with synths. It speeds up late to end it.

"Stratagemmalum" is led by synths and guitar as the drums pound. Vocals as it settles back with strummed guitar and a beat. I'm not really into this. Guitar and keys lead before 2 1/2 minutes as the vocals stop. They're back a minute later with strummed guitar and that earlier theme. Vocals step aside as synths lead after 4 minutes. Guitar is the focus before 6 minutes. It turns spacey and experimental late.

"Reclamation" is different as we get some manipulated spoken words and outbursts of power. Even some organ as it ends before 2 minutes as the vocals become the focus, piano too. A guitar solo follows.

I just can't get into the tunes enough to offer 4 stars but I'm gad to have spent some time with it.