REMEDY LANE

Of all the Pain of Salvation albums I own, I seem to listen to this one the least. I can't really understand why, either, because I think this album is excellent. There's something about this album that I can't quite put my finger on, but rest assured that aura of mystery is something that makes this album truly great. Resting between the masterpiece of The Perfect Element and before the overly-ambitious project that was Be, Remedy Lane is undoubtly one of the most complex Pain of Salvation albums in terms of arrangements and what is actually going on.

Sure it won't get the recognition that The Perfect Element gets, but Remedy Lane has much to offer that any other Pain of Salvation album won't. As a concept, it's one of the more palatable albums they've released, with an idea not as cryptic as The Perfect Element and not nearly as contrived as Be. Daniel Gildenlow's story of childhood and growing up is a winding path that explores many different sentiments, feelings, and emotions, but the unifying trend of this album, in my opinion, is mystery. It's also yields some of the bands more gorgeous acoustic material, I speak in particular about the beautiful instrumental Dryad of the Woods, which creates a soothing atmosphere in contrast to some of the more jagged moments.

Musically, this album has some of the group's most complex material. Just listen to Rope Ends, although the main motif is in a 4/4 time signature, one would not think that because of it's oddly accented beats and it's heavy use of syncopation by the band. The band is able to contrast the heavy moments brilliantly with the soft and somber moments, as well, not unlike that of Opeth (although they don't go for the gothic feel that Opeth does). Songs like This Heart of Mine and Second Love are lush ballads with gorgeous vocal performances from everyone, Daniel Gildenlow in particular (who grips the listener vocally with ripping performances on nearly every song).

While no masterpiece, Remedy Lane continues to impress me and is a perfect musical continuation of what The Perfect Element was trying to explore. The entire album can be summed up with the closer, Beyond the Pale. Arguably the best closing song they've released to date, the song is wrought with brilliant melodies, vocals, and lyrical material, it concludes the album perfectly and remains one of the diamonds in the Pain of Salvation catalogue. As a whole, Remedy Lane is excellent, close to perfection, but it doesn't, in my opinion, reach that level. Highly recommended.

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