Decoder Ring - Decoder Ring

YOURZ

In an industry where spoon-feeding audiences lyrical hooks rather than providing emotive clues through music, Decoder Ring are at odds with the de rigueur.  Very rarely, if at all, do they allow vocals of any sort to mark the passage of their songs, which swell and fall away in a tide of riffs, pads and percussion.

On this, their self-titled début, the original 5 piece line-up build soundscapes that would be at home in a full-length feature film.  In fact, the next official record released by the band was the soundtrack to the Australian film, Somersault, to critical acclaim.

Mine calls it prog but then says she likes it whereas I, after some further thought, would be more inclined to call it avant garde - a bit arty and a bit introspective.  It melds electronica and rock in a way not often done and certainly very few do it as well as Decoder Ring do.  Interestingly, in doing a little research for this review, I found out an old acquaintance of mine, while not on this particular recording, is now playing bass in the band.  So this one's for Stef.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

This album prompted much discussion between YourZ and Mine(self) about just what exactly denotes prog - and with at least one song at well over 10 minutes this album could definitely wear the label.  But there's something about most of it that makes me want to listen - as opposed to yesterday's effort which just made me snort with barely-suppressed laughter.

Perhaps it's the melding of guitar and electronica - kind of a Metallica/Depeche Mode mash-up, if you will - that makes it the ideal driving music.  As YourZ has pointed out, it's a great soundtrack - and that's exactly what you need when the road is unfolding new scenery in front of you every minute.  OK, there were moments when they put on their serious prog-pants and went hard at it - but then the skip button is only a finger-push away.  For the rest of it, I'd say...

VERDICT: TURN IT UP


For more information: http://www.decoderring.com.au/

The Butterfly Effect - Final Conversation Of Kings

MINE

Oh god, more prog.  *deep, long-suffering sigh*

There are two emotions that chase themselves around my brain when I listen to this stuff.  Firstly I'm confused.  I mean, who really appreciates 8 minute songs?  Men, I suppose.  Really, how many women do you think actually appreciate this stuff?  It's just so turgid.

Secondly, I'm amused.  This sort of stuff just says to me - 16 year old who has no hope of getting laid, channelling all of that burgeoning testosterone into really intense music.  It's a bit like making emo music, really - you're guaranteed an audience.  A sad, sad audience, no doubt, but they've got nothing else to spend their money on.

I seem to recall we saw Butterfly Effect supporting some band or other long, long ago.  I remember doing my best to keep a straight face but just wanting to burst into laughter, because they take themselves so seriously. How can you, when you're playing this music?  I mean, it's just one step away from Spinal Tap, isn't it? (YourZ sez: ah c'mon, it doesn't even get close to 'break like the wind' territory)

Well, I know YourZ won't turf this, so...

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN way, way down... no, lower! Lower!  I can still hear it!

YOURZ

Okay, so I like some prog rock.  But it doesn't mean I'm going to start collecting Rush or Yes records.  The Butterfly Effect is the kind of prog I enjoy, coming as it does from a similar school of sound to another Aussie favourite of mine, Karnivool.  So I guess if I had to draw a line in the prog-rock sand, it would around about here.

Some time ago, a friend tried to convince me that if I liked music like this, I'd be sure to like Tool or A Perfect Circle.  And maybe I would, if I could be bothered.  But to be honest, every time I think of Tool, I think of Maynard J Keenan painted blue and then I think of the Blue Men Group and have a little snicker to myself while wondering who came first.  Hey, its just the way my brain works, okay?  It kind of dulls any shine those bands might have rather quickly.

Final Conversation Of Kings came out a couple of years ago, led by the single Window And The Watcher, a much more polished track with a soaring chorus.  While this album continued in the direction they'd taken with their previous album, Imago, they've taken it one step further, making it more accessible and radio-friendly.  I really like the sound overall, particularly on tracks like Worlds On Fire and Final Conversation,  but the pay off for me is when the band strips back and let their big riffs rock out.

So they're not doing anything really different but it is world class and, if you're a fan of this kind of rock (as I know a few of our regular readers are), I'm sure you'll enjoy The Butterfly Effect as much as I do.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP


For more information go to http://www.thebutterflyeffect.com.au/final-conversation-of-kings/news.php

In our collection we also have Imago

Karnivool - Sound Awake

YOURZ

If it weren't for a very late contender, Karnivool's Sound Awake would have been number one on my Top Ten list for 2009.  I won't tell what was  my number one choice just in case the pointy stick lands on it (I can only hope although Mine probably won't be happy).

Their previous album, Themata, could be considered a classic (in my mind it is anyway, so fuck it - it is).  Anything that followed was always going to be compared to it.  Karnivool could have choked and released something less than their debut but thankfully, Sound Awake is every bit as good and is a perfect follow-up, albeit with a few more radio-friendly tunes (as radio friendly as a band like this can be, anyway).

I'm not a big fan of prog rock or metal but for me, Karnivool, like Deftones, are so much more.  This is a band of incredible musicians working at the top of their game, be it the driving attack of Set Fire To The Hive, the melodic All I Know or the epic Deadman (at 12 minutes plus -  some of this is prog, remember).  It's dark, intelligent and, in parts, fucking brutal and is exactly what I need to motivate me, particularly on my early morning excursions to the gym.

While I know I won't get sick of listening to Sound Awake, I hope there isn't another four year wait for their next album. 

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

Ech, more  boy music.  I warned you there was a bunch of it this month.  And this is a really good example of the genre.  No, I mean as in a GOOD example.  I hate to say it, but it's well put together.  (YourZ sez: the production is world class, without a doubt)  Still mixes the instruments up too high compared to the vocals for my liking, but here's another singer who sings, not yells.  I can see what YourZ sees in it.

But fear not, readers, I'm not so suffused with testosterone I'd actually play this by choice.  You gotta be wary of an album that includes a song that runs 12 minutes 4 seconds.  Although that's not a bad song, as it happens.

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN

For more information: http://www.karnivool.com.au/

In our collection we also have Themata