The Stompcrash - Directions
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As a fan of dark romanticism and classics of horror literature I have one deviation – if a music of a project is described as inspired by the works (or at least the works climate) of Poe or Lovecraft, I throw myself at it like as a deerhound on the last scraps of meat. It was also like that in the case of The Stompcrash.
Italian band was formed in 2002, and it was intending to present darkwave inspired by an atmosphere of prose from Edgar the master, Recluse of Providence, Kafka, and them alike. In 2007, they released their debut album "Requiem Rosa", and in 2011 introduced to the world "Directions", fruit of taking a new, more conscious direction, which has been reflected just in the title of the disc.
"Directions" is very different from the debut - while on the "Requiem Rosa" music was too chaotic, melody was sometimes difficult to pick out from an indefinite rumble, you can not say it about the latest material, where less things are left to chance, compositions are much more thought out. There is fewer from climate of the 80’s, but more of a guitar play.
Material is opened by hit "Awoken From Uneasy Dream", where sound of electric guitar (clear, bright and warm) easily glides through the sequence of keyboards. Even drums in the end sounds as it should, deep and distinct. Christian's low voice gains in strength in the catchy chorus, until the end of song, when all the instruments die down. In the meantime, there is a short guitar solo of a highly tuned one contrasted with low riffs of a rhythm guitar. It is just a pity, that the composition was not allowed to develop more - it ends quickly and leaves wanting more. However, positive surprise as a result from the prime contact with the album will be maintained for the entire 50 minutes of communing with the record. And it's not just about that "Directions" is light years closer to the best patterns than the debut, it's just a good piece of gothic rock. Second track, "The Leaves Begin To Fall", is less aggressive, more sophisticated and not so straight in composition, ranking it higher than "Awoken From Uneasy Dream", it is the first time we can hear a female vocalist, who is supporting Christian during the chorus.
"The Black Dahlia" is a return to the new wave of the 80’s. The song, based on a decent bass line and delicate keyboards, supported by drums, easily could have come from a compilation of 4AD label in its years of splendor. It is also the primordial track, where female singer, Daniela Palermo, was given full range of possibilities. There is no sense in comparing her abilities to the talents of Elizabeth Fraser, but it does not mean that she can not seduce by her voice. Strong resemblance to the post-punk tradition, introduces the listener in a melancholy mood. It is encouraging, that female vocal, which previously was one of the weakest points of The Stompcrash and with its irritating your ear, noisy manner, could ruin even a good promising composition, now is the advantage of their music. It was enough to opt for a peaceful, almost dreamy expression.
Most lyrical composition on "Directions", next to "The Black Dahlia" is "Cold Luger", this time under the full authority of Christian. Delicate, Daniela’s dreamy vocals in the background and acoustic guitar and piano (quartet did not reach for it on the first album) allow easily to drown in the waves emerging from the depths of mind of a serene memories. From that dream pulls out without mercy the most characteristic composition on the album, "Cat's Eyes", which is like a stronger version of "The Wind That Moves The Flowers" from their debut. Mysterious atmosphere, dark guitar based on pleasant low sounds, supported by the keyboards and interrupted by melorecitation fragments in the background by disturbing, hypnotic bass and drums introducing trance atmosphere (who is familiar with the album "Black Horse" from Fading Colours, knows, what is it about), clamorous, harsh female vocal in the chorus (it fits there much) - at least Poe, who was mentioned!
"Enemy At your Gate" is a reminiscence of "Awoken From Uneasy Dream", "Circles Of Mind" very insistently associates with the track "Lost Eden" from Garden of Delight, although it is undoubtedly more of a powerful character. There are also average pieces as "Memories", "Looking Eastward," and "The Only Real Thing". This last one could have been saved by a piano intermezzo with an introducing element of suspense guitar, but what spoils everything is the annoying chorus - synthpop sound of the keyboards and similar vocal with incompatible to whole guitar.
"Hazel" begins with an intriguing keyboards theme combined with sound of snapping fingers, to be replaced quickly by the rousing guitar riffs. It's the most melodic composition on the album, and also my favorite one. Mature sound, perfectly routed melody, full of emotion, especially in the chorus, female vocal, electronic interlude - just absorb. If only there were more such pieces...
The album ends with "Back In The Blue", a slow, elevated (because of the tone of keyboards recalls those on the album "Medusa" from Clan of Xymox) and extremely positive in undertone composition that reminds of a cruise to the promised land. Listener desires simply to close eyes and drift, drift, drift. This impression would have been even stronger, if "Back In The Blue" was left as an instrumental track, but well... you can’t have everything.
In the lyrical layer on the "Directions" we will find far fewer references to the literature, which have been replaced by internal trips. On the debut only two songs were really worth attention, "Dorian" and "The Wind That Moves The Flowers", which last disc can not be faulted.
After all, "Directions" leaves certain dissatisfied. Compositions are too simple, and any variety - vestigial. It can be heard, that formation is still looking for an appropriate way. They are far from even Whispers in the Shadow, but the chosen direction gives hope, that soon they will reach a level, that in a clear conscience will allow me to recommend their further work to listeners with the most sophisticated taste.
Video for the song "Cat's Eyes" can be seen here: http://youtu.be/ssUx2WMoZYA
Tracklist:
01. Awoken From Uneasy Dream
02. The Leaves Begin To Fall
03. The Black Dahlia
04. Memories
05. Cold Luger
06. Cat's Eyes
07. Enemy At Your Gate
08. Circles Of Mind
09. The Only Real Thing
10. Hazel
11. Looking Eastward
12. Back In The Blue
Other articles:
Italian band was formed in 2002, and it was intending to present darkwave inspired by an atmosphere of prose from Edgar the master, Recluse of Providence, Kafka, and them alike. In 2007, they released their debut album "Requiem Rosa", and in 2011 introduced to the world "Directions", fruit of taking a new, more conscious direction, which has been reflected just in the title of the disc.
"Directions" is very different from the debut - while on the "Requiem Rosa" music was too chaotic, melody was sometimes difficult to pick out from an indefinite rumble, you can not say it about the latest material, where less things are left to chance, compositions are much more thought out. There is fewer from climate of the 80’s, but more of a guitar play.
Material is opened by hit "Awoken From Uneasy Dream", where sound of electric guitar (clear, bright and warm) easily glides through the sequence of keyboards. Even drums in the end sounds as it should, deep and distinct. Christian's low voice gains in strength in the catchy chorus, until the end of song, when all the instruments die down. In the meantime, there is a short guitar solo of a highly tuned one contrasted with low riffs of a rhythm guitar. It is just a pity, that the composition was not allowed to develop more - it ends quickly and leaves wanting more. However, positive surprise as a result from the prime contact with the album will be maintained for the entire 50 minutes of communing with the record. And it's not just about that "Directions" is light years closer to the best patterns than the debut, it's just a good piece of gothic rock. Second track, "The Leaves Begin To Fall", is less aggressive, more sophisticated and not so straight in composition, ranking it higher than "Awoken From Uneasy Dream", it is the first time we can hear a female vocalist, who is supporting Christian during the chorus.
"The Black Dahlia" is a return to the new wave of the 80’s. The song, based on a decent bass line and delicate keyboards, supported by drums, easily could have come from a compilation of 4AD label in its years of splendor. It is also the primordial track, where female singer, Daniela Palermo, was given full range of possibilities. There is no sense in comparing her abilities to the talents of Elizabeth Fraser, but it does not mean that she can not seduce by her voice. Strong resemblance to the post-punk tradition, introduces the listener in a melancholy mood. It is encouraging, that female vocal, which previously was one of the weakest points of The Stompcrash and with its irritating your ear, noisy manner, could ruin even a good promising composition, now is the advantage of their music. It was enough to opt for a peaceful, almost dreamy expression.
Most lyrical composition on "Directions", next to "The Black Dahlia" is "Cold Luger", this time under the full authority of Christian. Delicate, Daniela’s dreamy vocals in the background and acoustic guitar and piano (quartet did not reach for it on the first album) allow easily to drown in the waves emerging from the depths of mind of a serene memories. From that dream pulls out without mercy the most characteristic composition on the album, "Cat's Eyes", which is like a stronger version of "The Wind That Moves The Flowers" from their debut. Mysterious atmosphere, dark guitar based on pleasant low sounds, supported by the keyboards and interrupted by melorecitation fragments in the background by disturbing, hypnotic bass and drums introducing trance atmosphere (who is familiar with the album "Black Horse" from Fading Colours, knows, what is it about), clamorous, harsh female vocal in the chorus (it fits there much) - at least Poe, who was mentioned!
"Enemy At your Gate" is a reminiscence of "Awoken From Uneasy Dream", "Circles Of Mind" very insistently associates with the track "Lost Eden" from Garden of Delight, although it is undoubtedly more of a powerful character. There are also average pieces as "Memories", "Looking Eastward," and "The Only Real Thing". This last one could have been saved by a piano intermezzo with an introducing element of suspense guitar, but what spoils everything is the annoying chorus - synthpop sound of the keyboards and similar vocal with incompatible to whole guitar.
"Hazel" begins with an intriguing keyboards theme combined with sound of snapping fingers, to be replaced quickly by the rousing guitar riffs. It's the most melodic composition on the album, and also my favorite one. Mature sound, perfectly routed melody, full of emotion, especially in the chorus, female vocal, electronic interlude - just absorb. If only there were more such pieces...
The album ends with "Back In The Blue", a slow, elevated (because of the tone of keyboards recalls those on the album "Medusa" from Clan of Xymox) and extremely positive in undertone composition that reminds of a cruise to the promised land. Listener desires simply to close eyes and drift, drift, drift. This impression would have been even stronger, if "Back In The Blue" was left as an instrumental track, but well... you can’t have everything.
In the lyrical layer on the "Directions" we will find far fewer references to the literature, which have been replaced by internal trips. On the debut only two songs were really worth attention, "Dorian" and "The Wind That Moves The Flowers", which last disc can not be faulted.
After all, "Directions" leaves certain dissatisfied. Compositions are too simple, and any variety - vestigial. It can be heard, that formation is still looking for an appropriate way. They are far from even Whispers in the Shadow, but the chosen direction gives hope, that soon they will reach a level, that in a clear conscience will allow me to recommend their further work to listeners with the most sophisticated taste.
Video for the song "Cat's Eyes" can be seen here: http://youtu.be/ssUx2WMoZYA
Tracklist:
01. Awoken From Uneasy Dream
02. The Leaves Begin To Fall
03. The Black Dahlia
04. Memories
05. Cold Luger
06. Cat's Eyes
07. Enemy At Your Gate
08. Circles Of Mind
09. The Only Real Thing
10. Hazel
11. Looking Eastward
12. Back In The Blue
Other articles:
- The Stompcrash - Requiem Rosa - 2010-12-30 (Music reviews)
