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A Place To Bury Strangers - Transfixiation


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"Worship" destroyed me, pulled me in the chair and drilled a hole in my stomach - it was an absolute album, total, though perhaps not very revealing, taking into consideration previous works of group. It is strength lays almost in astonishing organicity of feelings - appealing to the listener's consciousness through appropriate mix of dissonances with consonances. Now we received, "Transfixation", which is just so-so... And maybe it is even worse...
I would like to say "I am not to judge", but, metaphorically speaking, I would then hit my head against the wall; in the end reviews are inherently evaluating. Unfortunately it breaks my heart, when I realize that on my own request I must chide the band that until now feed me with a whole range of differently colored emotions. Because in no way I can take out from "Transfixiation" anything that would stay in me for longer. Okay, we have a catchy "We've Come So Far" - really nice track - but what with the rest? Technically – it is flawless, but it is not what this is about. Another thing is that some moments of aforementioned album forcibly remind me works of other, highly respectable groups, which with shoegaze do not have much in common (and I would not even want them to have). I pick out the "Deeper" track, which resembles (sic!) Sunn O))). Of course, Sunn O))) is a class itself, and their "Monoliths & Dimensions" I treat in terms of a catharsis, but I ask you - where is Sunn O))), and where is A Place To Bury Strangers? Both bands are respected, but in their own genres... And it would be good if it stayed that way.. . I know I am prone to far-reaching comparisons, but after all - we perceive art in perspective, so I feel justified.
I would go back to the album, although I do not know what to pick in total. Length? "Transfixiation" is sufficient regarding that. Vocals? The same manner as previously. Okay maybe sometimes, more lo-fi, but ultimately there is no great difference. In general, the whole album is a bit like cutting off coupons. The same as previously, only worse. I do not know myself – it is perhaps the charm of "wandering" in mediocrity. All in all, I was drew by the brand – and it is just another life experience.
Maybe I really should go back to the album now? So in addition to the aforementioned "We've Come So Far" - I could say that the first and the last track defend themselves. Both the "Supermaster" and "I Will Die" have some predispositions to stay on my fixed playlist. I think they need to mature a little more in my soul, because now, just like that of the hand - I am able to name hundreds of better tracks. Time will verify it.
While in the context of the album itself, there is nothing to summarize, then in the wider context of 2015 - I must say that at the moment there is not enough of good music. I hope this will change soon!

Tracklist:
01. Supermaster
02. Straight
03. Love High
04. What We Don't See
05. Deeper
06. Lower Zone
07. We've Come so Far
08. Now It's Over
09. I'm so Clean
10. Fill the Void
11. I Will Die
Author:
Translator: hellium
Add date: 2016-01-28 / Music reviews




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