A NATURAL DISASTER

Well, at the end I get used to the kind of music Anathema plays, especuially with this kind of music ... an experimental / post metal kind of thing. To me, as an old crak prog fans, this is an expansion of what Pink Flyd had done in the seventies, take it simpler with minimum involvement of electric instruments or so called unplugged in most of the songs. You have to be patient listening to the music as in most cases it moves so slowly. If you are under depression, do not try to listen to this music because I am afraid you will kill yourself alive.

At first, it was quite hard for me to enjoy the music not because of it's complex, it's more because of there is basically no music being presented as most songs rely heavily on vocal clarity. Anathema plays its music exactly in the same feel like Pink Floyd plays as time signatures play a very critical role in bringing the beauty of their music. Oh yes, you can find the sorts of Peter Gabriel rhythm section like the one in the opening track "Harmonium" (5:28) even though Pink Floyd is still the main foundation of the style. You may refer to the music of Radiohead, Carptree, Sylvan. Last Marillion albums also try to focus on this style but not as successful as Anathema.

"Balance" (3:58) starts with mice keyboard touch followed with drums in percussion mode and then enter the dragging vocal style of Vincent Cavanagh. I have to admit that Vincent's vocal quality is really good and it makes this song quite solid in composition. Even though there are repeated chords but I feel the song quite enjoyable. "Closer" (6:20) continues seamlessly in instrumental style with repeated chords. The instrumental sounds really depressing with the style that moves from soft into loud sounds. "Are You There?" (4:59) is another song-orientated music with vocal plays critical role.

What really surprises me is the sixth track titled "Pulled Under at 2000 Metres a Second" (5:23) which I think it's an outlier because it's the only song that has very different style than other songs in this album. It's heavy in nature, it's like a combination of metal and psychedelic music. In fact this track reminds me to Pink Floyd "Sheeps" from Animals album. It starts beautifully with Roger Waters like bass playing combined beautifully with longs sustain keyboard sounds followed with vocal that reminds me to Roger Waters. I like the part where the vocal starts to scream and the music turns to a full-blown metal music. WOW! It's really wonderful man! This song is my best favorite track from this album. It stirs my emotion and makes my adrenalin explodes. Oh man ... it's so energetic, so dynamic, so great! I love the bass playing, the vocal scream, the drum plaing, the guitar ..everything is so wonderful with this track! Nothing is bad at all, everything is so perfect!

Suddenly the music moves into so mellow and really cool composition of the title track "A Natural Disaster" (6:27) with a female vocal by Anna Livingstone. I feel like being releived after enjoying the previous track. It's like a nice break. It starts with slow guitar feels followed by a very great vocal voice of Anna Livingstone who sings really wholeheartedly. It is very slow in tempo but the feel of the music is really heartbreaking especially with the melody delevered by Anna in her vocal. It's really great!

Well .. what I can recommend you is BUY THIS ALBUM and you will never regret with it. Anathema knows what they are doing with their music, Yes, you might say that it's similar with Radiohead, Pink Floyd but still their music is different. I don't think Marillion under Hogarth years can create a music like this one. Marillion to me is now stuck in the middle, no creativity anymore. Sorry I have to mention Marillion as I am now disappointed with their music. While new bands like Anathema, Sylvan, Carptree take the lead in this kind of music. Try "Flying" (5:57) of this album ! You will love it man! So powerful. Keep on proggin' ...!!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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