WEATHER SYSTEMS

First off, I'd like to rhetorically ask: how many accessible, symphonic, crossover prog albums does a band needs to make before we move them out of experimental/post-metal section of this website? My guess would be four or five...

On "Weather Systems", we find Anathema moving even further away from their former gloomy, heavy style and into more lighthearted, life-affirming territory. This is definitely a crossover album, and would be the first thing to come to mind if anyone ever asked me if progressive pop existed. The music seems to be a logical progression of the ideas present on "We're Here Because We're Here", and again we find the same mix of gorgeous pop melodies, post-rock textures, driving rhythms, and Anathema's trademark lyrical style. However, this album seems, if anything, a more mature realization of that style of music (whereas "We're Here Because We're Here" seemed to be merely a joyous, contrasting companion to the melancholy "A Natural Disaster"). The band is in great form on this one, with every musician giving 100%, particularly John Douglas, who drives the beat perfectly, and Lee Douglas, whose beautiful voice is more present on this album than any of the band's previous efforts. While the comparisons and contrasts to Anathema's earlier efforts practically jump out at any listener who has followed the band at all, it seems to this reviewer that the best way to judge this album is on its own, as with any other Anathema release. So here's my verdict:

A completely essential, five-star pop album, or perhaps a solid, three-star prog album, with an average of four stars. The splendid magic of crossover prog!