oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

THE WHOLE SKY TO BLACK

THE WHOLE EARTH TO HELL

YOU HAVE LEFT TO NEVER RETURN

SOMEWHERE THERE IS HEAVEN

AND YOU SHALL FIND IT

AND I WILL WAIT

FORGOTTEN A HUNDRED TIMES

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

And I had no idea

What that feeling could do to you

And I could tell you've changed

By the people around you

I used to take the long way

Just so I could walk past your door

I used to wait outside

But I guess I won't anymore

- Disciples

Tame Impala - Currents (Date of Release: July 17th, 2015)

One of my favourite albums released in the last few years, and my favourite of 2015, Currents is an album of change and personal growth, faced with the uncertainly and anxiety of your current state. Although the fanfare and perception of the album as a breakup record are not entirely unfounded, they may be a bit overblown.

Absolutely and obsessively perfected by Kevin Parker, every sound on this album has been meticulously chosen to express emotion. This alone is a highlight on most albums, but the lyrics allow this album to reach a certain level that few are able to achieve.

Favourite Songs: Disciples, Let It Happen, Eventually

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

This album has grown on me a bit, and appreciate the darker tone of the album. I still like folklore more as an album.

Also the song ‘cowboy like me’ has become one of my favourites on the album, and presents such vivid imagery of the song lyrics. 

And I was catching my breath

Staring out an open window

Catching my death

And I couldn’t be sure

I had a feeling so peculiar

That this pain would be for

Evermore

- evermore

Taylor Swift - evermore (Date of Release: December 11th, 2020)

Let me start by stating that CATS (2019) caused me to become a Taylor Swift fan. I am not sure if many people can say that, but here we are. 

At any rate, Taylor decided that after releasing my favourite album of 2020, folklore, she was not done creating music. The world is better for it, because we now have the sister album evermore, probably my second favourite album of 2020.

More emotionally heavy than folklore, evermore captures the intimate pain of unresolved, unhappy, or illicit relationships, both romantic and platonic, where the subjects are adults, rather than the teenage ones found within folklore. The album also explores themes of loss and unrequited love. As evermore is themed around fall/winter compared to spring/summer like folklore, it elicits more of cold disposition.

I feel that folklore is a bit more cohesive as an album than evermore, as the latter has a couple of songs (‘no body, no crime’ and 'closure’) that, to me, break from the overall theme of the album to harshly. The outlier songs are folklore are a bit less obvious in my opinion.

If at this point you think Taylor Swift is not on the top-tier of current individuals in the music industry, you have not been paying attention.

Favourite Songs: evermore, marjorie, tolerate it, happiness

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

Abuser of time, if there's something that you want You don't need it, but have to concede It's making you happy and that's all that matters to you

- Personal Shopper

After a couple of listens, I can say that this album is fantastic! My initial critique was a bit unfounded.

Part of me wishes ‘Personal Shopper’ just descended into pure noise over the narration as the song ended, but I will just have to settle without it.

Favourite Songs: Personal Shopper, Man Of The People, King Ghost

Steven Wilson - The Future Bites (Date of Release: January 29th, 2021)

Offering a biting commentary on modern consumerism and the fetishization of brands and the people who are influenced by them, Steven Wilson has continued his sporadic narrative found in previous albums and songs, both solo and with Porcupine Tree. In some songs, the narrative becomes one of a personification of the consumerism, such on 'Eminent Sleaze'.

Ironically, I own the Limited Edition Deluxe Boxset and got called out for it in 'Personal Shopper', the most critical song here of the overall theme of the album. The need to buy anything to make yourself feel better is the message of the song, and that resonates perhaps too closely with me.

The sound of this album is more electronic based than Steven's previous albums, but retains the guitar driven rock and still carries through the large '80s' art rock sound found on To The Bone.

One critique I have on the initial listen of this album is that is feels like Steven is too absent for the first half. However, this is a minor observation that may diminish after listening to it a few more times.

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Bat Sabbath - Bastards Of Reality (Date of Release: February 12th, 2013)

What is not to love when an amazing hardcore band decides to become a tribute band to Black Sabbath?

The songs here are very well done in a straight forward way, with a bit of the Cancer Bats touch. 'Into The Void' (that intro is amazing) and 'War Pigs' are phenomenal here due to Scott's guitar work.

Is it predictable and unnecessary? Maybe. But, it is fun, and sometimes you do not need to have more than that.

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

The human way of living life is pretty much backwards

You get a home walk out the door and come back when tired

And I don’t even think that it can get any better if you don’t get back home right now to your cat and pet her

- Door

Simon the Magpie - Meow Meow (Date of Release: April 16th, 2019)

I listen to Meow Meow every Friday on my way to work as a celebration to end the week, and it is one of my favourite albums from 2019. This album means a lot to me personally, and is a joy to sing along to. The lyrics are the standout for me, and the layering of sounds and music is absolutely top notch. A fun album, with some seriousness to the content inside, I recommend it to everyone, but especially if you are a (crazy) cat person like myself.

While some people familiar with the concept of this album may see it as a gimmick, due to the use of cat sounds in the instrumentation, to me it is a work of artistic expression. So much attention to detail went into making this album if you watch the breakdown video of it, which reminds me of the detail that Kevin Parker went for in Tame Impala’s album Currents. The layering of a different range of sounds creates an interesting fabric of music, where it takes a couple of listens to pick out everything you hear.

What sets this album apart for me are the lyrics to the songs. They have a cat theme to them, but are introspective, and touch on the emotion of persevering through everyday life, despite questioning you own failure and purpose.

Favourite Songs: This entire album, but if we are splitting (cat) hairs: Cat Intro, Nine Lives, Door

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

Black the sky, weapons fly Lay them waste for your race

- .3

Porcupine Tree - In Absentia (Date of Release: September 24th, 2002)

The album that brought Porcupine Tree to substantial popularity compared to their previous albums, In Absentia shifts the band into a progressive metal direction. Heavy and more musically precise, the dark lyrics have a foundation to impact the listener. 

This album was my first exposure to Porcupine Tree, and introduced me to the genius of Steven Wilson through the last three decades.

Favourite Songs: .3, Gravity Eyelids, Strip The Soul

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

Primitive Man - Immersion (Date of Release: August 14th, 2020)

A brutal attack on your aural sense, Primitive Man hit you with another (concise) package of pain and suffering.

Feedback driven guitar and bass in conjunction with destroying drums, with Ethan's unmatched tortured vocals, the sound here is a slight evolution from the start of band. The sound of the drums hits harder, especially in the last song 'Consumption', than on previous records, and I like that.

One minor quip about the album is that is feels too short. The previous album Caustic is 42 minutes longer (and more than double the length) than Immersion, and I do not feel like enough death and despair is showcased here.

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

No returns for your broken dreams when you get it home and it's not what it seems

This is not the promised land

- Promised Land

Cursed - I (Date of Release: March 11th, 2003)

A debut album of crushing hardcore and sludge, this is a defining and influential release in proper punk. Full of nihilistic and negative lyrics that deal with war, abuse, religion, relationships, PTSD, and the fruitless goal of happiness, this album is not a happy one. Nor should it be.

This is an album that, in my opinion, reflects the upbringing of young men sent off to war in the late 1960s and 1970s to fight pointlessly.

Favourite Songs: Opposable Thumbs, God and Country, Nineteen Seventy Four, How Great Things Happen When You Give Up Hope

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

The human way of living life is pretty much backwards

You get a home walk out the door and come back when tired

And I don’t even think that it can get any better if you don’t get back home right now to your cat and pet her

- Door

Simon the Magpie - Meow Meow (Date of Release: April 16th, 2019)

I listen to Meow Meow every Friday on my way to work as a celebration to end the week, and it is one of my favourite albums from 2019. This album means a lot to me personally, and is a joy to sing along to. The lyrics are the standout for me, and the layering of sounds and music is absolutely top notch. A fun album, with some seriousness to the content inside, I recommend it to everyone, but especially if you are a (crazy) cat person like myself.

While some people familiar with the concept of this album may see it as a gimmick, due to the use of cat sounds in the instrumentation, to me it is a work of artistic expression. So much attention to detail went into making this album if you watch the breakdown video of it, which reminds me of the detail that Kevin Parker went for in Tame Impala’s album Currents. The layering of a different range of sounds creates an interesting fabric of music, where it takes a couple of listens to pick out everything you hear.

What sets this album apart for me are the lyrics to the songs. They have a cat theme to them, but are introspective, and touch on the emotion of persevering through everyday life, despite questioning you own failure and purpose.

Favourite Songs: This entire album, but if we are splitting (cat) hairs: Cat Intro, Nine Lives, Door

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

Violence is just an incomplete thought

Coming to a complete stop, stop

You're so clever, you'll tear us apart

Then masquerade it as art, not smart

If you can help anyone, help yourself

That's unless you hate yourself

Then don't help

- Gunman

Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures (Date of Release: November 13th, 2009)

A masterpiece album full of musicianship that is on point and joyful, there is not a second on this album that does not sound like the band is having the times of their lives. Each member's experience blends together to give an album that sounds like QOTSA playing progressive art rock. It is fantastic!

Aside from the wonderful music on display, the real star of the record are the lyrics to these songs. There is clever wordplay that leaves you wondering what will said next, and it is delivered in a perfect way.

Admittedly, when this album first came out I was never the biggest fan of it. I have grown to appreciate so much more as time went on.

Favourite Songs: Elephants, Gunman, Interludes With Ludes, Spinning In The Daffodils

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

Loneliness is a power that we Possess to give or take away forever All I know can be shown by your Acceptance of the facts there shown before you Take what I say in a different way And it's easy to say that this is all confusion As I see a new day in me I can also show it you and you may follow

- Starship Trooper

Yes - The Yes Album (Date of Release: February 19th, 1971)

A perfect album that started the progressive rock sound of Yes’ prolific period in the early 1970s, The Yes Album brings together exciting guitar and bass work, a dose of organ, the signature vocals of Jon Anderson, and the drumming of one the greatest ever, Bill Bruford.

Featuring lyrics referring war and spirituality in a subtle way, the album has content that is not too fantasy based, which is something that I never was too into. The ‘Starship Trooper’ refers more to connecting with spirituality and nature than with space.

It hard to believe that this album came out 50 years ago, but it remains influential to this day.

Favourite Songs: Yours Is No Disgrace, I’ve Seen All Good People, Starship Trooper

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

Don’t hold me back, this is my own hell

Christbait, slugbait, rise and bring you down

Christbait rising in your own mind

Christbait rising, bleed dry mankind

Rise

- Christbait Rising

Godflesh - Streetcleaner (Date of Release: November 13th, 1989)

Speaking of a band influenced by early Swans, the debut album by Godflesh defined a new genre of music in the late 1980s, Industrial Metal. 

Pounding and dissonant in an unhuman, sterile way, this release brought a drum machine and bass guitar to the forefront, with electric guitar clanging about, for a visceral monolith of music. Repetitive, heavy, and slow, this album evokes nihilism in a pure form. 

This reissue above include the Tiny Tears EP tacked on at the end of the CD, giving us a less oppressive side of the band, along with the wonderful song ‘Dead Head’.

Favourite Songs: Dead Head, Christbait Rising, Dream Long Dead, Life is Easy

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

Where we going? Where you taking me?

If you want it, you know you can set me free

I'd tell you why but I'm having problems with my words

If I could fly, you know I'd beat the shit out of some birds

- Take My Side

Will Butler - Policy (Date of Release: March 10th, 2015)

A quick blast of indie sounding jangly guitar rock, done in an 'American' way (as described by Will), with ofttimes obtuse and strange lyrics, Policy is a fun, solid debut album.

While comparisons to his brother's vocals are going to be immediate, Will puts his own spin on how he sings and directs the songs.

Favourite Songs: Son of God, Sing to Me, Take My Side

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

Old friend charity

Cruel twisted smile

And the smile signals emptiness

For me

- Starless

King Crimson - Red (Date of Release: October 6th, 1974)

Heavy and dense, especially for the time it was released, Red is the sound of a band on the brink of collapse.

Built upon improvisation, and employing distorted guitar work over technical drums and purcussive bass, with a dash of abstract lyricism, the album progresses and muscles its way through the runtime.

A wonderfully influencial album that helped birth the sound of progressive and advantgarde metal decades later.

Pictured above is The Road to Red, a sprawling 21CD/DVD/2BD box set.

Favourite Songs: Starless, Red, One More Red Nightmare

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

Steven Wilson - The Future Bites (Date of Release: January 29th, 2021)

Offering a biting commentary on modern consumerism and the fetishization of brands and the people who are influenced by them, Steven Wilson has continued his sporadic narrative found in previous albums and songs, both solo and with Porcupine Tree. In some songs, the narrative becomes one of a personification of the consumerism, such on 'Eminent Sleaze'.

Ironically, I own the Limited Edition Deluxe Boxset and got called out for it in 'Personal Shopper', the most critical song here of the overall theme of the album. The need to buy anything to make yourself feel better is the message of the song, and that resonates perhaps too closely with me.

The sound of this album is more electronic based than Steven's previous albums, but retains the guitar driven rock and still carries through the large '80s' art rock sound found on To The Bone.

One critique I have on the initial listen of this album is that is feels like Steven is too absent for the first half. However, this is a minor observation that may diminish after listening to it a few more times.

[oscillare-in-silenzio-nel-vento]

You read the words and it sells you life

They sell their words, but it's all a lie

- Kitchenware & Candy Bars

Stone Temple Pilots - Purple (Date of Release: June 7th, 1994)

Moving slightly away from the harder rock found on their debut Core, Stone Temple Pilots added a bit of accessibility to their sound through more varied psychedelic and blues rock experiments.

The lyrics here are also less dark than found on Core and this seems like a happier, brighter album. This is the album where STP honed in their signature sound.

Shown here is the 3CD/LP 25th Anniversary Deluxe Reissue.

Favourite Songs: Still Remains, Big Empty, Lounge Fly