Anathema top 25 (now up: ?)

[?]

listen to the music and especially the melody (and words) right around the "All our times will come" part.  Sounds just like "(Don't Fear) The Reaper"! 

Hmm... I can hear it!

No appreciation for Eternity III or Regret? Well, I bet at least one of these 2 songs is well liked among all Anathema fans:

8. Fragile Dreams (Alternative 4)

Fragile Dreams has been played live at basically every Anathema show since its release and I'm not surprised about that. It's very emotional and sad, but also very intense and energetic at the same time. Danny's melodic signature leads are beautiful and the chorus just begs to be sung along to by everyone. Fragile Dreams also features yet another excellent vocal performance by Vincent - you can hear that he had taken singing lessons before the recording of Alternative 4.

7. Restless Oblivion (The Silent Enigma)

Surprise pick, eh? Restless Oblivion starts with a nice atmospheric intro before launching into one of the best metal riffs I've ever heard. Both the instrumentation and vocals show more dynamics than anything on Serenades and Vinnie makes a convincing debut appearance behind the mic. The nice variety between the crushing parts and the mellow sections, and the brilliant riffs and melodies make Restless Oblivion the best doom metal-era Anathema song in my eyes. The chorus is repeated quite many times, but I don't mind it. However, the lyrics make it a little comical: inamorato refers to a male lover!

[Zantera]

Some more nice picks! 

[Onno]

Fragile Dreams is fantastic. Don't care that much for Restless Oblivion. Also, Regret and Eternity Pt. III are awesome.

[ColdFireYYZ]

Fragile Dreams is great!

I actually didn't catch the last update. Regret is one of my favorites from Alternative 4, along with Fragile Dreams. Great song!

[?]

Good to see love for the previous songs, even if it came a bit later!

6. A Simple Mistake (We're Here Because We're Here)

A Simple Mistake is another song with a brilliant buildup: the whole piece is wonderful, but the heavier riff and the climax at the end are just unbelievably excellent. Vincent's singing is once again great and Lee does a great job backing him up. I also think the lyrics in this song are the best non-melancholic ones Danny has written: on the surface the line "we're not just a moment in time" may seem like it's there just for the sake of saying "hey, our music isn't sad anymore!" but it doesn't feel tacked on IMO.

5. Inner Silence (Alternative 4)

"Short but sweet" is a perfect description of Inner Silence: it basically consists of 2 melodies, but both of those melodies are among the most beautiful I've ever heard and I love playing them on piano. The slow tempo gives the song a kind of doom metal feel reminiscent of Anathema's early stuff, although it isn't that heavy - it's a good mix of the best of both worlds. The bass drum beats at the end are supposed to represent someone's last heartbeats and they're very effective. The lyrics are really beautiful and I'm sure everyone who has lost a person they love can relate to them. Inner Silence is one of the most touching pieces of music I've ever heard, and as I mentioned in the "songs for your funeral" thread, I'd like it to be played at my funeral.

[ColdFireYYZ]

Great choices!! Inner Silence is one of my favorites, and A Simple Mistake is fantastic.

[Onno]

A Simple Mistake is great. Inner Silence is good but not better than Regret or Fragile Dreams IMO.

[?]

We're entering top 4 now...

4. Untouchable (Weather Systems)

I've never seen anything but positive comments on this duo of songs and I'm not surprised why - Untouchable is a great opening for Weather Systems and, typically for Anathema, it just pours with emotion. Part 1 was the second track that was officially available for listening before the release of the album and it has a nice fingerpicked acoustic guitar melody. The drumming is also really good and the whole piece has a huge flow of uplifting energy that makes it irresistible. Part 2 is a piano ballad in vein of Dreaming Light and showcases Vincent and Lee's brilliant vocal harmonies. I'm sad that the rest of the album isn't as excellent as Untouchable - if the other songs had been on the same level, Anathema could've created their best album yet.

3. Angels Walk Among Us (We're Here Because We're Here)

On the surface Angels Walk Among Us seems like a song that wouldn't appeal to me at all: the song title and the fact that my namesake Ville Valo is performing backing vocals could've easily turned an Atheist and HIM hater like me off. However, this song is so beautiful and amazing that I can't rank it any lower! Valo's vocals are fortunately very subtle (it took me a long time to even notice them!) and the lyrics... well, I guess they're about some kind of metaphorical real-life angel(s). What I also love about this song is Danny's use of Ebow: it sounds really cool and gives the music a unique atmosphere. Anyway, when a song makes me want to buy an Ebow and is so beautiful that it might sometimes make me think angels exist, you know it's special!



Any guesses for top 2?

[Onno]

Both are fantastic songs!

As for top 2, I don't know. Maybe A Natural Disaster? Or Flying? Dreaming Light?

[Zantera]

One Last Goodbye is one of them maybe?

[?]

One Last Goodbye is one of them maybe?

Bingo!

2. One Last Goodbye (Judgement)

Just like Inner Silence, One Last Goodbye was written about the death of Cavanagh brothers' mother. Both songs are also very touching and heartfelt, although OLG seems to be a bit more popular among Anathema fans. It's hard to say anything about this song... Don't we all just love it? The amount of emotion in this tune is just unbelievable, and the guitar solo deserves a special mention - it's one of the greatest solos I've ever heard, probably in my top 5. I also have to give props to the Anathema guys for being able to perform One Last Goodbye live so often; I think I would be crying on stage every time if I was Danny or Vinny!



I'll reveal my #1 tomorrow, but I can give you a hint: it's not gonna be Horses, 666 or Dreaming: The Romance

[?]

No comments? Well, here's my #1 Anathema song:

1. Lost Control (Alternative 4)

Although the latest 2 Anathema albums (especially WHBWH) are really good, I've always liked the melancholic side of their music the most. Lost Control has to be the most depressive song they have ever released, which is probably why I like it so much. Duncan wasn't having the best time in his life and you can clearly hear it - the composition is really sad and the lyrics are just as bleak. The main melody played on piano is quite hypnotic and I just love it, and the acoustic guitar solo and the violin at the end give me shivers. The nuances in this song are really cool and the more ambient moments are incredible. I'm lucky to have never felt as depressed as Duncan did when writing Lost Control, but it speaks to me on so many levels that I have no choice but to call it the ultimate Anathema song, and I know it will get me through some hard times if I ever feel really sad. This song and the other brilliant tunes Duncan wrote for Anathema also made me check his later works out - both Antimatter and Alternative 4 have put out some good stuff and there are also interesting little references (both musical and lyrical) to his Anathema songs on those albums.


Thanks to everyone who followed and showed some kind of interest! Whoever is going next can be sure that I'll follow their list too

[Onno]

Lost Control is absolutely fantastic. Great #1 and great list!

[Zantera]

Two awesome songs!

[?]

As a sort of epilogue I have to say that it was pretty hard to make this list, because 25 is a relatively small number of songs for a band that has released 9 full-length albums and a couple of EP's, so I had to leave a lot of great songs like Dreaming Light, Internal Landscapes, the title-track of Alternative 4, etc. out.

EDIT: Here's my full list for those who are too lazy to look through these 2 pages:

25. They (Will Always) Die (Serenades)
24. Emotional Winter (Judgement)
23. Crestfallen/Sleep in Sanity (Falling Deeper)
22. Empty (Alternative 4)
21. Lightning Song (Weather Systems)
20. Anyone, Anywhere (Judgement)
19. The Silent Enigma (Orchestral Version) (The Silent Enigma)
18. Universal (We're Here Because We're Here)
17. The Beginning and the End (Weather Systems)
16. A Dying Wish (The Silent Enigma)
15. A Fine Day to Exit (A Fine Day to Exit)
14. Judgement (Judgement)
13. Sunset of Age (The Silent Enigma)
12. Summernight Horizon (We're Here Because We're Here)
11. Deep (Judgement)
10. Eternity Pt. 3 (acoustic) (Eternity)
9. Regret (Alternative 4)
8. Fragile Dreams (Alternative 4)
7. Restless Oblivion (The Silent Enigma)
6. A Simple Mistake (We're Here Because We're Here)
5. Inner Silence (Alternative 4)
4. Untouchable (Weather Systems)
3. Angels Walk Among Us (We're Here Because We're Here)
2. One Last Goodbye (Judgement)
1. Lost Control (Alternative 4)

[ColdFireYYZ]

One Last Goodbye is a great song. Lost Control is also excellent and worthy of being your number one choice, but I don't think it would be anywhere near my top 5.

I really enjoyed following this, and there were some surprises!

[comment]

Brought this thread back to life.  I'll update this post with more Anathema songs, but right now I'll just hit my favorite one.  It's fitting because it's about coming back to life...

Internal Landscapes off of Weather Systems is just..  Exquisite!  The guys near death testimony is just fascinating, to me that's not really the song, but his testimony book ends the song.  It's inspiring because you know they're writing music for a very profound experience and they don't disappoint.  I may not have very good musical vocabulary to describe this song, but ethereal and inspiring are two words I choose.  Personally, the song can sober me in a good way and I'll even worship God to it.  (Christian)  That may sound odd, but I can do that with a lot of music I listen to it's just this one is easier due to its content and beauty.  And that's the greatest compliment I can extend to a tune.

There's many more excellent songs they've done, but this one is my favorite.

[Heretic]

After you do yours, I think I'll finally finish mine, hahaha. It's been years.

[senecadawg2]

Glad you found the thread, comment. As for your comment (bad pun intended), I completely agree- Internal Landscapes is one of the most beautiful and inspiring songs (both by Anathema and in general) for me and I love it to death. And to life. A worthy favorite. I'm looking forward to seeing what you have to say about your other favorites. And you too, Heretic!

[comment]

Hey thanks Seneca.  I'm reading and posting as I have opportunity.  Finding the tops with this band is kinda tough, so I'm trying to think of which songs I replay the most.

Ariel:  #2 favorite.  I could give much of the kudos I gave to Internal Landscapes.  I really like how the girl starts and the guy joins in to sing with her.  They sound great together.  The song just builds and builds to a crescendo with the guitar bringing quite the inspiring end to it.  Even the way it starts with the piano all soft and the piano builds a bit more as the song goes on.  This song gets the second most air play with me.  The next would be...

The Lost Sing Part 2:  my number 3.  That girl can sing.  The lyrics are just beautiful and I can connect to the depth of relationship it describes and, now anyways, long for it.  "Watching you stand there unaffraid", is something we all want our loved ones to experience.  It reminds me to cherish my relationships and want the best for them.  Once again the song builds to an inspiring crescendo, but the simple rif on the piano/guitar throughout, especially the quieter moments, is just excellent in its simplicity.

[comment]

Untouchable 1 & 2:  definitely a favorite among all.  This song put words to describe my last girlfriend and I's relationship.  I have the song to her as we parted ways.  Still love that girl and the song just described her and how I felt perfectly.  My number 4 out of my top 5.  Though Their catalog is so rich, it's tough to pick the tops.

Lightning Song would be my 5th choice.  Just excellent!

I know both Anathema threads are seeing posts with everyone's top choices.  I wonder if there is a way to combine threads.  I'll stop at 5 for now incase anyone else wants to update their top choices.

[senecadawg2]

Just out of curiosity, have you heard their early albums?

Anyways, I love all of the songs you mentioned. Particularly the three from Weather Systems. It's a fantastically consistent album, but if I had to choos just three, they may be my favorite from the album as well

[comment]

Just out of curiosity, have you heard their early albums?

Anyways, I love all of the songs you mentioned. Particularly the three from Weather Systems. It's a fantastically consistent album, but if I had to choos just three, they may be my favorite from the album as well

About a year now I've been a fan, I've only made it as far back as A Fine Day To Exit.  I still need to listen to anything earlier.  Any suggestions of songs or which earlier album I should check out first?

[Sacul]

I'd continue going backwards, so Judgement should be a top priority - some of their very best songs are there. And then go to Alternative 4, which has the fan-favourite 'Fragile Dreams'.

[seasonsinthesky]

that's the good thing about starting Anathema fandom from a rock perspective, i.e. recent material – if you just go backwards, it starts to slowly get heavier until it reaches death-doom metal. so you can hop off the train whenever it feels too turny-offy and basically be content knowing the material prior wouldn't appeal to you either.

not that there isn't variance, of course; i'm sure some people get turned off by the electronic stuff, for instance. however, this seems to be less of a problem for new Anathema fans than the death-doom stuff.

[comment]

I'd continue going backwards, so Judgement should be a top priority - some of their very best songs are there. And then go to Alternative 4, which has the fan-favourite 'Fragile Dreams'.

Thanks Sacul.  I'm working on Judgment now.  The first 30 mins didn't grab me, but this is one I'll be giving another listen when I'm done.  Yeah, Fragile Dreams is a good one.  I think I first heard it on the Universal DVD, which is epic!

[Sacul]

Judgement was a damn grower for me at first. It really told me nothing on a superficial listen, but with several spins it grew and grew like crazy. Might be my 2nd fav Anathema album now.

[comment]

Cool, I'll keep you posted!

[Zantera]

Judgement is a real grower, their best album for sure.