I guess this must of been what it was like when Blaze Bayley joined Maiden.
I totally get the sentiment. But honestly, this is NOTHING like Blaze joining Maiden, outside of just the shock of hearing a different vocalist.
For starters, there was a drop-off in the overall writing in Maiden with X Factor. These Redemption songs are top notch and might just be their best yet.
Second, even though Blaze has a really nice voice, he was absolutely a step down from Bruce. I can't say the same here. Now that I am over the initial shock, I am LOVING what Tom brings to the table on this album.
Holy smokes. This is becoming my favorite Redemption album really quick.
I am starting to agree. This is definitely my album of the year now.
Here is a brief track-by-track:
Eyes You Dare Not Meet in Dreams: Very cool opener. As I mentioned in my review, after the kind of spacey intro, this song really hits the ground running just like the openers on the past two albums. I am starting to appreciate the nuance in Tom's voice. He has an interesting knack of being able to hit some aggressive passages while sounding smooth and laid back at the same time. The piano work in the background is stunning, and that holds true throughout other songs as well. The short breakdown at about 4:00 is really cool.
Someone Else's Problem: You've all heard it by now. After hearing Nick describe it in the video Mebert posted above, I now realize that it has nothing to do with what the subject matter of the video suggests, and the song takes on such a deeper meaning once you move past thinking that it is a "breakup song." It isn't.
Echo Chamber: This song initially escaped my notice, but is rising fast as a favorite. Once it gets to the main driving riff at about the minute mark, the song really settles in and is a joy. I love the lyrical content. It is political without overtly taking a side, and pretty biting in its commentary without being preachy. The vocal harmonies in the chorus are just beautiful.
Impermanent: This sounds
kind of like "Redemption-by-numbers" in that is sound so familiar and typical of their style. But that is NOT a criticism. This song kind of shows that Nick is just really comfortable writing in a certain kind of way, and he has gotten REALLY good and doing it and translating it into a rock solid song. Great uplifting chorus that contrasts nicely with aggressive, dark sounding verses. More stunning background piano work, used very sparingly to great effect.
Indulge in Color: You've heard it. Just amazing. The intro soft guitars with the bass counterpoints, and then Tom's melancholy sounding vocals, and then intro of the piano set an amazing mood that carries through despite the many changes throughout the song.
Little Men: The third song that we have all heard. Being the lead off video, the vocals threw me (and most of us), hearing someone other than Ray delivering the vocal lines. So it took a little while for this song to grow on me. I have to say, it's pretty solid. I like the opening riff and the way it is used to begin the song.
And Yet: SO BEAUTIFUL. I really tried to pay attention to this song last night as I was driving, and I realized how few and sparing the lyrics are. Yet, they are so hard-hitting.
The Last of Me: I don't have a lot to say about this song. So far, this is the one that hasn't really grabbed me yet. Nothing wrong or bad about it. But in a sea of so much awesome, I just haven't had a chance to focus on this one and digest it yet. Now that the chorus is playing as I type this, I am remembering it more. Pretty catchy. There is also the briefest of piano runs that is almost a ragtime type of run that sounds really cool in context of the song.
New Year's Day: As I said in my review, I was a really big fan of the original. And yet, I may actually like this version better. REALLY nice cover. I have had it stuck in my head for days.
Long Night's Journey into Day: Fantastic album closer. It reminds me a LOT of the closer on Snowfall, which is a REALLY positive thing, in my opinion. I hold that song in very high regard. This song is a great snapshot of how Nick likes to weave dark and light together, despair and hope in a song, and how he juxtaposes both moods so well.
Sorry I can't help gushing about this album. If it sounds like I am not being objective and just being a fan boy...I guess I don't really care.
Hey, I've said in the past where things don't necessarily connect for me. The last album took me a LONG time to warm up to. And even though I really like it now, I consider it the least in the Snowfall>Mortal Coil>Art of Loss run of albums. But this album just hits for me on all levels. There isn't any part of it I don't like.