Album Review: nearLY's "Reminder"
This album is simply beautiful - it is interesting to note Jerome's progression in his branching off from Nine Inch Nails. This album has a dark folk feel with lots of headroom in the sound - the instrumentation is almost entirely acoustic, and is very crisp. SUPERIOR usage of orchestral instruments in a rock style. It isn't exactly Industrial, but it has a percussive feel like a full on Industrial album. I guess what would classify this as Industrial would be the techniques used in playing the instruments, and some of the sound engineering.
Musically, I really enjoy it. There are a number of deviations from rock progressions, and Claudia's voice is just perfect for the album. Chord progressions have a post-modern neoclassical background, but aren't completely unapproachable to the casual music listener. The fills in chord progressions by the "structure" instruments (rhythm guitar, piano, strings) feel very inventive, and maintain the listeners' interest, rather than being predictable (which is a fault of many modern popular artists).
Dynamics really shine, and were captured well in the studio. I'd love to hear them live.
Jerome approached this album with heart and intent. It is an all encompassing piece, itself - Fans of the early experimental NIN works, or Einsturzende Neubauten's album concepts should enjoy the effort put into this album.
There are a few areas where I feel the bridge/chorus/verses were just changed for the sake of change, and didn't really add to the progression overall, but I can forgive that sort of thing in this day in age. Most people in the music industry don't seem to have any reliable composition background - Jerome has been involved in music for nearly all his life.
I do wish he would have pushed harder in his experimentation with time signatures - the intro to Blackwing doesn't feel complete. However, I can understand the desire to maintain something a little more even, with the introduction of the left hand piano part. The even beat in an easily approachable time signature (3/4) aids the audience in capturing the piece in their mind without having to over analyze the structure.
Overall, the album has a delightful blend of instrumental and vocal works, with a mix of styles reminiscent of a musical without the theatrics. A beautiful story, well told.
-WFL
Musically, I really enjoy it. There are a number of deviations from rock progressions, and Claudia's voice is just perfect for the album. Chord progressions have a post-modern neoclassical background, but aren't completely unapproachable to the casual music listener. The fills in chord progressions by the "structure" instruments (rhythm guitar, piano, strings) feel very inventive, and maintain the listeners' interest, rather than being predictable (which is a fault of many modern popular artists).
Dynamics really shine, and were captured well in the studio. I'd love to hear them live.
Jerome approached this album with heart and intent. It is an all encompassing piece, itself - Fans of the early experimental NIN works, or Einsturzende Neubauten's album concepts should enjoy the effort put into this album.
There are a few areas where I feel the bridge/chorus/verses were just changed for the sake of change, and didn't really add to the progression overall, but I can forgive that sort of thing in this day in age. Most people in the music industry don't seem to have any reliable composition background - Jerome has been involved in music for nearly all his life.
I do wish he would have pushed harder in his experimentation with time signatures - the intro to Blackwing doesn't feel complete. However, I can understand the desire to maintain something a little more even, with the introduction of the left hand piano part. The even beat in an easily approachable time signature (3/4) aids the audience in capturing the piece in their mind without having to over analyze the structure.
Overall, the album has a delightful blend of instrumental and vocal works, with a mix of styles reminiscent of a musical without the theatrics. A beautiful story, well told.
-WFL
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