Impossible Landscape by Children of Nova

     Formulating a unique sound is one of the most important elements of creating music. Many bands cannot find that defining factor that separates them from the rest. Children of Nova have not only discovered their sound, they've refined it and polished it to an unparalleled level on their debut album Impossible Landscape.

     The album's name is fortuitously accurate. Guitarists Matt, Nick, and Mario create a landscape of impossibly epic sound, infusing each song with artistically placed breakdowns. Their precise chords soar, carrying each track to incredible heights. Colin uses his skill on drums to back every song with furious rhythm and impressive timing. Impossible Landscape is a musical masterpiece. 

     Children of Nova's vocalist Teo possesses a remarkable range, drifting easily between his normal voice and strong falsetto. The strength and urgency of his voice makes each song significant and moving. The lyrics of Impossible Landscape reflect the theme of the album perfectly, providing dream-like imagery and visions of distant realms. The song "Kaleido" says, "This is a dream world / Lost in the depths of realization / We were the weak ones / Our lives slipped away / But something in an open sky unlocked my eyes." This otherworldly motif carries throughout the entirety of the album. 

     Impossible Landscape is an experience in musical perfection and higher consciousness. The composition carries the listener away to places described through brilliant lyrics. Children of Nova are reinventing the progressive rock genre, taking themes of space rock and blending them with experimental elements. This is an album best heard while observing the night sky, imagining what it would be like to drift among the stars. 

Fear Fun by Father John Misty

     Folk music has become increasingly popular over the course of the past few years, and a lot of artists have picked up an acoustic guitar and joined the movement. That's not to say that this is a bad thing. However, as with any other music genre, the critical listener must sift through the suspender-wearing sea in order to find the true gems. Joshua Tillman, taking the moniker Father John Misty, adds his unique flavor to folk music with his debut album Fear Fun.

     Tillman, jaded by the overly-poetic lyrics of other folk artists, set out to write a startlingly real album about his experiences. He's quoted as saying, "I got into my van with enough mushrooms to choke a horse and started driving down the coast with nowhere to go. After a few weeks, I was writing a novel, which is where I finally found my narrative voice."

     Fear Fun is not, however, just a simple drug-induced album with incoherent ramblings. Each song conveys an important message. The track "I'm Writing a Novel" condemns the way that we often judge others, believing that our opinions are more important than theirs. It says, "First house that I saw / I wrote 'house' up on the door / And told the people who lived there that they had to get out / 'cause my reality is realer than yours." 

     Tillman's musical composition is undeniably folksy, although he also incorporates other elements in order to make each song unique and entertaining. The tambourine and piano are staples of many tracks, and violins and horns make frequent appearances. "Well, You Can Do It Without Me" features Tillman whistling a portion of the chorus. Fear Fun possesses a hazy, dreamy overtone that meshes effortlessly with foot-tapping rhythm and meaningful lyrics. When it comes to folk music, Father John Misty is certainly at the forefront. 

     

First Temple by Closure in Moscow

     The majority of popular music today is comprised of pointless lyrics and safe musicianship. Many bands and artists are reluctant to deviate from the radio model, content to create mediocre songs in favor of garnering public appeal. Australian band Closure in Moscow takes every mainstream cliche and throws it out the window with their debut full length album First Temple. 

     The first thing the listener will notice about First Temple is the extravagant and, at times, complex symbolic lyrics. Christopher de Cinque's elaborate words carry each song and his passionate voice, enhanced by Mansur Zennelli's back up vocals, reflects the writing perfectly. The opening track "Kissing Cousins" blasts society and human nature, condemning our tendency to live our lives with apathetic indifference and never be satisfied or content. It says, "We have never lived / we have never even tried / Come on now give that burden to me / We have never lived / we're just creeping all our days / And you could feast an age / feast and still feel famine all the same."

     Lyrics are just one half of the intricate machine that is First Temple. Each track is supported by a unique and captivating musical backdrop. Guitarists Michael Barrett and Mansur Zennelli have discarded typical composition and infused each song with an onslaught of intriguing melodies and off-tempo breakdowns. Duncan Miller offers groovy and driving bass lines that carry the melody with pleasant precision. Salvatore Aidone provides each song with a solid backbone, adding to the band's progressive sound with his technical and experimental drum style. 

     Closure in Moscow is raising the bar when it comes to progressive and experimental music. First Temple is an enlightening experience of intelligent lyrics and unique musicianship that will renew your hope in music. The value of creativity over mainstream accessibility is a breath of fresh air in today's world of dumbed-down, over-produced rubbish. 

Shrines by Purity Ring

     The electronic music scene is one that is both over-inflated and underwhelming. The radio is saturated with mediocre dance music and mechanical dubstep. The Canadian duo, Purity Ring, throws their hat into the ring with their debut album Shrines.

     The first element of Purity Ring is, undoubtedly, the ambient electronic composition of beats and background elements blended perfectly by Corin Roddick. The second element, and perhaps the most important, is Megan James' sweet and eerie vocals. Her voice meshes perfectly with each track, creating a sound that is both soothing and haunting.

     The juxtaposition of James' disturbingly dark lyrics against the often up-beat electronic tracks make Purity Ring a breath of fresh air in a stagnant genre. The song "Crawlersout" features these words: "They'll weave their own souls / into the frame to grow their foliage in / They'll sew their own hands / into their beds to keep them crawlers out". James' lyrics aren't simply dark for the sake of being creepy or weird - there's a message to each song. "Crawlersout" talks about people doing anything to keep their secrets from coming to light. 

     Listening to Shrines is like taking a walk through the forest at dusk. There's just enough light to see the trees, to take joy in the wonder of nature. Night is just close enough for the shadows to creep in, to remind you that you're not alone. The darkness is almost tangible, you feel as though you could reach out and touch it. Shrines reminds you that there's something waiting for you in that darkness.

   

     

Juturna by Circa Survive

   

     Juturna is the Roman goddess of fountains, wells and springs. The band took this reference for the name of their first full length album to represent a new start for the members, as previously they had all been part of other bands. Anthony Green, the lead singer, had recently departed Saosin and, along with personal friend Colin Frangicetto, formed Circa Survive. 

     The album was written, in many ways, as a concept album that related to the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Many of the tracks reflect this in obvious ways. This is not, however, the only meaning behind the powerful lyrics of this album. The song Act Appalled offers the haunting words, "Both we and our words are overproduced by influence". We are often so worried about what others think about us that it influences both our words and who we are. 

     The song The Great Golden Baby begins with the lines, "Make your move / obvious humor / desperate and respiratory plight". Many have speculated that this track is a reference to the painting Echo of a Scream by David Alfaro. The painting portrays a golden baby, sitting and screaming amid the wreckage of industrialism. The "desperate respiratory plight" refers to the baby crying uncontrollably. The chorus goes on to say, "Time takes its toll on us / This changes everything". The world has changed, unceasing time has left its mark, and nothing will ever be the same. 

     Circa Survive pairs thoughtful and intricate lyrics with artfully woven ambient music. At times the guitars drone, providing a backdrop for Green's masterful voice. At other times Colin Frangicetto, Brendan Ekstrom, and Nick Beard use their instruments with sharp efficiency, punctuating each poignant lyric with driving precision. Steve Clifford ties each track together with his technical skill on drums, forming the complex and rhythmic framework effortlessly. 

     Whether you're a fan of alternative music or not, Circa Survive's album Juturna deserves attention and contemplation. The band has truly created a unique and rare sound while offering thought-provoking lyrics. The album flows with consistency from beginning to end, leaving the listener hungry for more by the conclusion of Meet Me in Montauk. If this album doesn't alter your perception of music and the world around you, you're not listening.