Awake
By Vish Khanna
Having already earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most intriguing post-rock outfits, As the Poets Affirm bolster such proclamations with the wholly inventive Awake. Ottawa’s proclivity for breeding stunningly precise hardcore bands has rubbed off on this six-member group, whose jazz-infused mathematical song structures are angst-ridden and innovative. “Awake Chaos” sheds its deceptively poppy skin for an ominous breakdown and “The Suburbs of a Secret” leaves a Steady Diet of Nothing-era Fugazi groove behind for an explosive time signature transition and horns gone wild meltdown. Vocally and musically, June of 44 is conjured up for the gritty, off-centre “From Drenched and Dripping Apple Trees,” while the band’s confrontational nature shines through on the opening stomps of “We Represent Melpomene,” which ultimately melds into a glitch-y, yet pleasant, piano- and horn-led excursion. Such instrumentation is seldom employed in any subtle manner — every layer of sound hits the listener with full-bodied vigour and intent. As dynamic songs like the brooding “Carved Face” demonstrate, the results can be dizzying and electrifying. Front to back, Awake is a stunning achievement by As the Poets Affirm, great contributors to this country’s eclectic prog punk network.(Zunior)
Click here for the original Exclaim posting.
Also if you read Italian, here is another review that seems positive.
By Vish Khanna
Having already earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most intriguing post-rock outfits, As the Poets Affirm bolster such proclamations with the wholly inventive Awake. Ottawa’s proclivity for breeding stunningly precise hardcore bands has rubbed off on this six-member group, whose jazz-infused mathematical song structures are angst-ridden and innovative. “Awake Chaos” sheds its deceptively poppy skin for an ominous breakdown and “The Suburbs of a Secret” leaves a Steady Diet of Nothing-era Fugazi groove behind for an explosive time signature transition and horns gone wild meltdown. Vocally and musically, June of 44 is conjured up for the gritty, off-centre “From Drenched and Dripping Apple Trees,” while the band’s confrontational nature shines through on the opening stomps of “We Represent Melpomene,” which ultimately melds into a glitch-y, yet pleasant, piano- and horn-led excursion. Such instrumentation is seldom employed in any subtle manner — every layer of sound hits the listener with full-bodied vigour and intent. As dynamic songs like the brooding “Carved Face” demonstrate, the results can be dizzying and electrifying. Front to back, Awake is a stunning achievement by As the Poets Affirm, great contributors to this country’s eclectic prog punk network.(Zunior)
Click here for the original Exclaim posting.
Also if you read Italian, here is another review that seems positive.
No comments:
Post a Comment