I've just listened to the whole album for the first time. I know it'll grow on me, as always. However, I'm pretty sure that in a couple of months, when I'll have listened to the album around 50 times, I'll still think that it's the worst Haken record to date. Let me explain.
Haken is my favorite band, by far. They have always managed to create that magic atmosphere where heavyness, softness and weird moments have their own space. Hell, even they introduced electronic bits in The Mountain and Affinity. Even more, they always created unique melodies that stick to my head, probably forever. I still think The Mountain is the best album I've ever heard. If The Mountain is a 10, Affinity is a 9.5 and Visions and Aquarius are a 9.
However, I feel that Vector has lost softness, weird/funny moments and melodic greatness, which have been present in every single Haken record. Vector sounds like pure pointless tech metal to me. It is the first Haken record ever that does not have at least 3 or 4 bits of the songs that catch my attention strongly on the first listen. I'd say more. If Ross' voice weren't so familiar, I could say that this album is not from Haken.
Of course I'll let the album grow and I'm sure I'll eventually like it, but I'll still be disappointed with the album, even more when compared to all they've done previously.
When the first single came out, I remember thinking "The Good Doctor is a good, catchy song. It's ok for a single as Initiate was, but I hope this is the worst song in the album". Now I think it's the best, and by far.
Haken, I love you. And you know that. I've told you on the road, I've thanked Richard mainly for creating the best piece of art I've ever heard. And because you can do such great things, I am disappointed and sad.
PD: this is just my subjective opinion, and I really hope you guys like Vector more than I do.
Topic: Haken v. new single Nightingale (April 26) (Read 441539 times)
