Favorites from the Vault!
In these segments I'll write about albums I've loved for some time, albums I've raved so much about that getting it out of my system in writing is probably healthy. There will be quite a few of these so I'll try to have them interspersed between newer music and non-music related material.
First off an album prone to invoke very polarizing reactions, Unexpect's second full length In A Flesh Aquarium and before I get into the thick of it a little back story is in order:
The use of a violin, keyboards, mixed male, female and rough vocals without coming across like the "beauty and the beast" bands that were a dime a dozen at the time lured me in with promises that became even sweeter with the release of their EP we_Invaders. There they had changed the band up quite a bit; their drummer was now their keyboardist, they had a new bassist and a new vocalist. The EP was sweet but all too short ending on a piano piece that still to this day blows my mind every single time. In 2006 their new album, In a Flesh Aquarium, came out and started with that same piano track, except now it had been expanded to include the whole band. From start to finish the album gripped me and demanded my attention, respect and undying love, all of which I gave willingly. From the humble piano beginning to the epic closer Psychic Jugglers it had stuffed in so much musical wizardry that my 16 year old mind had problems wrapping around it but that challenge was met with fierce ambition and love for all that is complex. Black metal, circus music, electronic music, prog, avant-garde, jazz and waltz are just a handful of genres that make their presence known in the album's 60 minute running time but somehow it all works, flows well and has a solid unifying sound.
I could write on and on about this album but I think I'll leave you with what's said and give you a chance to listen for yourselves. At the bottom is the epic "Shiver" trilogy, I hope most of you give it a fair chance and listen through the whole thing.
JÞ