KOLLAPS TRADIXIONALES

This album feels like a refinement of the Silver Mt. Zion "sound": if you played these tracks to someone familiar with SMZ's discography (not just the first couple of albums), then they'd be able to identify them immediately. The album consists of four songs, each around 15 minutes in length, split into seven tracks. This, on paper, makes the album seem similar to This Is Our Punk-Rock... and 13 Blues. If you're looking to add a "different" album to your collection, and already have one of these albums, then this album should not be number one on your priority list.

Having said that, the songs on this album are among SMZ's finest. "There is a Light" and "Metal Bird" are the stand-outs, perhaps unsurprising given the fact that they've already been played live on tour extensively. "There is a Light" is almost a traditional prog-epic, rising and sinking, with a finale soaring with emotion. "Metal Bird" is a much more straightforward, almost hard-rock-like track, with a mellow instrumental break, perhaps overall the most intense track in SMZ's back catalogue. The title track/s and "'Piphany Rambler" are more straightforward SMZ tracks (by their standards, at least).

Overall this album feels more intense, probably due to the change in drummer. It's no more aggressive (if anything, this is one of the most positive, uplifting releases SMZ have put out to date), but there is comparatively little restraint from the drummer (I forget the name).

Again, this is a very vocal-dominated album. If you can't stand Efrim and co.'s singing, then this won't appeal to you. But if you can get past that "hurdle" - I use the term with hesitation as I can't think of another vocal style which would fit - then you'll be in for a treat. The more straightforward feel of the album, without sacrificing the overall musical integrity of the band, may turn people on to SMZ who have previously been put off by the vocals or occasionally sparse instrumental meandering. An early candidate for album of the year? Quite possibly.