I've bought a few Grails albums in my time but they've always left me a bit cold - being rather formulaic in the post hardcore world of arty buggers with loud guitars. Bought this one after reading a few manic reviews and by god am i glad i did. Having listened to it at least 20 times in the last few weeks i can honestly say that it is the best thing I've heard all year, and will be a hard one to beat in the next 9 months. Their whole sound is hugely expanded with synths, samples, strings, piano and an atmosphere of elegance to such an extent that they sound like a whole new band and have developed into creating a sound that screws with any preconceived genre expectations. The guitar rarely roars and, when you do hear it (especially on the proto floyd 'deep snow') it blends rather than encompasses. A lot of this sounds rooted in the early 70s but then overlayed with gentle atonal instrumentation to create something which is almost futuristic in scope and intent. Each track sounds like (at least) 2 tracks bolted onto each other that compliment the others stylings and make this a genuinely exciting and sonically fabulous listen. I would be very hurt if i played this to someone and they didn't love it - i would take is as personally as if i had crafted it myself. If you're a huge music fan (and why else would you be bothering reading this?), then you'll know exactly how i feel. In short, if you don't love this....i pity you, as you obviously don't understand fine music.
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