Animals As Leaders - Weightless review
| Band: | Animals As Leaders |
| Album: | Weightless |
| Style: | Djent, Instrumental, Progressive metal |
| Release date: | November 04, 2011 |
| A review by: | BloodTears |
01. An Infinite Regression
02. Odessa
03. Somnarium
04. Earth Departure
05. Isolated Incidents
06. Do Not Go Gently
07. New Eden
08. Cylindrical Sea
09. Espera
10. To Lead You To An Overwhelming Question
11. Weightless
12. David
Imagine you were on a date and the other person saw you with the Weightless CD and asked you what it sounds like. Most people wouldn't describe it as make-out music, however tempting that would be in that situation. I think the music of this US trio is better described as musical gymnastics. If that is a good aphrodisiac or not, that depends on whether you say it with a sexy face or not.
The controlled chaos that is Aal returns after two years. The entangled riffs and changing dynamics continue. Some of the riffs still seem to be trying to fool what our rhythmic perception is, their trademark, but they also have a certain characteristic which you find in bands like Protest The Hero: they don't need ten minutes to be progressive. In fact, none of the songs in Weightless surpasses the five-minute mark. This seems to be happening more often these days, as if bands were getting tired of that particular formula or because our attention span won't allow it anymore. Both bands also come from the same tradition of virtuosity and skill in terms of playing their instruments.
Weightless sounds more organic and focused than Animals As Leaders. There is a certain urgency in some of the songs right from the get-go with "An Infinite Regression", which is heightened by the samples/effects used and electronic sound-waves. The opening song marks the territory and is an ideal link between their previous work and this new offering. The djent blasts are controlled and subtle, the aggression is never overwhelming with Aal and the mellow parts of songs like "Somnarium" or "David" can be so peaceful and transcendental that you are easily pulled in. Certain sounds resemble bass sounds, but they are really just guitar-generated. It is the drummer who is doing most of the bass-pounding rhythms. But whatever approach they take, it is never something permanent; instead, it is unstable and fluctuating.
There is also a Joe Satriani vibe going on, especially in the main leads of "Do Not Go Gently" and "Cylindrical Sea", which means the solos are more melodic. He is a reference when it comes to instrumental guitar-based albums after all, but it is somewhat surprising to find traces of his music here.
However, there is a continuity "problem", the album is all over the place, there is no real order in the sequence of the songs, they are loosely placed, which makes the album sound disjointed. But some songs do share a common thread like "Odessa" and "Somnarium" or "Do Not Go Gently" and "Cylindrical Sea", but other than that, it is mostly fragmented. The best songs all seem to be concentrated on the first part of the album. "Espera" and "Weightless", for instance, don't have much to add to what we already listened to beforehand, they only drag the album a little longer.
It can be argued that some of these songs are too "thick" or overdone, difficult to get into. Whether you like the process or view it as a pompous one, Animals As Leaders continue to defy the norm and fine-tune their songwriting abilities; Weightless is just another footprint in the sand.
Highlights: "Do Not Go Gently", "Cylindrical Sea", "Odessa", "Isolated Incidents" and "David".
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 9 |
 | Written on 23.12.2011 by News chief, random reviewer, professional progger and wannabe surfer. |
Comments
Comments: 25
Visited by: 358 users
| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306  |
I almost never enjoy the music you write about but your reviews are always very well-written. Good job yet again.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Susan Smeghead Elite Posts: 6941  |
Wow, I do need to hear this. I think understand what you mean about the types of flaws this album might have but the rest of what you wrote convinced me to give it a spin anyway. I can just taste the mood you described. Awesome.
---- "A life all mine Is what I choose At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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| Introspekrieg Totemic Lust Elite Posts: 2749  |
The whole first paragraph made me feel like a very awkward penguin... This is a difficult album to review, especially because of the "hard-to-describe" factor. I think you did a great job in getting it right. (Although some riffs are so awkward and chunky I don't think they could be considered gymnastics lol). It is important to note that this album was approached from a different perspective than the first because of the absence of Misha Mansoor (Periphery) in the production and songwriting. I feel that after several spins, this is a very rewarding and impressive album.
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by Introspekrieg on 23.12.2011 at 06:01 First six words made me nervous to the point of tears.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Gelati Posts: 85 |
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| Siegreicher Posts: 17 |
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| Introspekrieg Totemic Lust Elite Posts: 2749 |
Written by Siegreicher on 23.12.2011 at 07:49 Really? I found the first album more jazzy, where as this one had more of an electronic/industrial tinge...
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| BudDa Elite Posts: 887  |
I am one of those people who listens to Animals As Leaders coz I know/heard that Tosin Abasi is a really talented guitarist...and I appreciate that. The music though, usually puts me to sleep
---- Freeze! Step away from the hubris.
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| BloodTears ANA-thema Elite Posts: 11835  |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 23.12.2011 at 02:42 I'm gonna turn you and some day you'll be part of the Prog Babes 
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| BloodTears ANA-thema Elite Posts: 11835 |
Written by Introspekrieg on 23.12.2011 at 06:01 Also why did the first paragraph made you feel weird? ahah And Troy nervous.
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| Milena gloom cookie Staff Posts: 4603  |
Written by BloodTears on 23.12.2011 at 10:21 I'll try and take care of that as well, I'm already downloading a batch of his albums to wait for me until the job 'round the Awards ends.
---- 7.0 means the album is good
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| BloodTears ANA-thema Elite Posts: 11835 |
Written by Susan on 23.12.2011 at 03:28 I'm really curious about what you think about the album. Please let me know when you do listen to it 
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| malaikat Posts: 405  |
Never saw the "continuity" problem...Oh well. Awesome album, so-so review for me.
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| Susan Smeghead Elite Posts: 6941 |
Written by BloodTears on 23.12.2011 at 11:48 Ok I just listened and while I definitely need more listens and time to let it sink in, I'm going to go ahead and say: wonderful. I had not gotten around to hearing this band before so it was my first exposure  I love the jazzy elements and almost electronic feeling that comes and goes from the drums. The guitar was awesome but didn't take center stage as if it were a "guitar rock" album. Everything seemed to coalesce. Let me give it more time though But thanks for reviewing! I knew I'd like something you gave an 8.5 to.
---- "A life all mine Is what I choose At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374  |
This is exactly the kind of prog music I don't like... It felt so sterile to me, nice melodies but emotionless to me. Lovely review though.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Zealot644 Posts: 157  |
This album wasnt terrible...but it sure wasnt terrific. I barely made an entire playthrough as I found it sterile and boring =\ 6/10 for me.
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| qlacs "The Quaker" Posts: 1547  |
The review beat almost all of Troy writings, and I fully agree. I would add that the "5 minute thingy" for me is really annoying since there are some really great songs on the album and when you just managed to get into it, it ends. Sh!z. There was no such a thing with the debut...
---- 
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| Dark Blood The Avenger Posts: 1435  |
Ok, I've heard a few songs from the album and it has some really good pieces there. Although it feels the songs are a little short but it's definitely a nice and original prog album. Needs more attention though. As for the review... well, I don't know whether I should give it a 9 or a 10, which makes me feel in an awful dilemma, and that's not good at all. These kind of situations should be avoided at all cost and it's not good for the reviewer, specially coming from one such as you. You should be ashamed...  Don't mind the sarcasm Lol. Jokes aside, you did a great job as always. Very well-written and specific in terms of putting into words how the music sounds. Congratulations.
---- It is humanity who must pay homage to the greatness of the Universe... not the Universe to the human narcissism. 
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| BloodTears ANA-thema Elite Posts: 11835 |
Written by Dark Blood on 27.12.2011 at 21:44 Ahah kind words as always. I'm spoiled Glad you listened to the album, it definitely needs time to sink in, if it ever does, it might not with you.Did you have a good Christmas?
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| Dark Blood The Avenger Posts: 1435 |
Written by BloodTears on 28.12.2011 at 10:21 Yeah, I did. You know, the usual. Always nice to spend with family. How about you?
---- It is humanity who must pay homage to the greatness of the Universe... not the Universe to the human narcissism.
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| adace1 Posts: 48 |
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| Panterica Posts: 341  |
I liked a lot their previous album so I suppose I need to listen to this one too, but it'll take time to put my hands on this one 'cause it can't be found in stores in my country. And listening to it on youtube is not an option, it's way too impersonal.
---- Li'ed - Prog-Metal from Jerusalem https://open.spotify.com/artist/7aZWDrAAvDSLMaSmDSE8zA https://www.facebook.com/LiedBandMusic http://lied-band.bandcamp.com/
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| Kuroboshi Posts: 1200  |
Great review, really. And I agree, the second half is less memorable than the first: for example, weightless is a cool song, but too unfocused for its own good. I've been practically only listening to Somnarium this last day. Oh my god, it is such a nice song.
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| BloodTears ANA-thema Elite Posts: 11835 |
Written by Kuroboshi on 01.01.2012 at 14:43 Thank you! And I agree, the songs aren't necessarily bad in themselves but they pale in comparison to the ones in the first half of the album. And Somnarium really is an interesting song, I really enjoy the way it builds up.
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| Grody2themax Posts: 240  |
This album sounds way more professional and mature than the first one imo. Sometimes when I was listening to the first one there were parts that I felt like were in there just to show off and that element seems to be mostly gone in this album.
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