DECLINE AND FALL

I haven't seen an album hyped as much as this one has been for quite a while. I consider myself a big fan of this group and after reading the universal praise I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Well i'm happy with it and it's a solid four star record in my opinion, but out of their six studio albums this would be near the bottom. Maybe it's just me but it seems wordy and samey. I did listen to some of their previous records before I reviewed this just to make sure I wasn't losing it, but that only confirmed that I like them better. My favourite aspect of this recording is the in your face bass. A new singer is on board in Elaine Di Falco who continues that THINKING PLAGUE tradition of mono-toned female singing.

"Malthusian Dances" sounds really good with the bass and drums providing a solid rhythm while the vocals sing over top. Sax and keys join in. It becomes intricate and complex when the vocals stop. The vocals are back after 4 minutes. They will come and go. It sounds like mellotron late. "I Cannot Fly" has more huge bass lines along with vocals and more. A collage of intricate sounds come and go. Some vocal melodies after 5 minutes. "Sleeper Cell Anthem" again features chunky bass and vocals as the sax comes and goes. "A Virtuous Man" is laid back and melancholic with reserved vocals. It sounds like mellotron when it picks up some. A calm after 4 1/2 minutes. Bass clarinet before 6 minutes. Another calm before 9 minutes with mellotron. It kicks back in one more time. It's haunting to end it.

"The Gyre" features keys, sax and more as a heavy rhythm joins in. Fast paced vocals arrive after 1 1/2 minutes but they're brief. The sax is prominant late. "Climbing The Mountain" is more of the same really. Some atmosphere and mellotron before 2 minutes then the vocals return. A calm before 4 minutes with vocals. It then picks up with prominant guitar and sax. Another calm as the contrasts continue. Mellotron and chunky bass 6 minutes in as it picks up. Guitar follows.

Another excellent release by this band but one that doesn't live up to the hype, at least not in my world.