YAY to Germany for having music released on a friday. That means that I can have a listen to Get to Heaven 3 full days before the worl wide release! Sorry if I'm such a teaser.
That being said, GTH is one of the albums I've anticipated the most this year. So my expectations are quite huge but let's be honest: I won't be impartial on this -hey, they are one of my all time favourite bands. And I am not a music journalist, so I don't have to try to be dispassionate.It's just me rambling on in a completely non professional way, while listening to the album for the first time ever, well most parts of it. And sorry in advance to Everything Everything and every expert if I should write something that makes you cringe like: 'i like the synths on this one' and in fact it's distorted guitars, or stuff like that. Sorry!
Let the fun begin:
To The Blade
Oh I really like the beginning of this song: the melody is beautiful and really nice move that there is just Jonathan's voice and a bit of synths(?!) far in the background. The chorous kicks in with heavy bass and guitars and strong drums. I like that, very rhythmic I'd say. Can't explain it in a better way, but that's one of those songs where everybody goes with their upper body and heads (not headbanging though) back and forth to the rythm of the music. Now the song gains more speed and there is the "EE-Guitar". And what I got from the lyrics very strong! (But then again, don't they most of the time have strong ones?) (There is much more going on I just can't explain it ;) )Very nice start to the album, it definitely gets a thumbs up from me.
Distant Past
Not a first listen. The single is out for a while. It's been written about quite a lot so I don't feel there's much explanation needed. This one grew on me, had to listen to this rave-y song a few times.
Get To Heaven
Quirky beginning. oooh there's whisteling! Who doesn't love a bit of whisteling?! Brilliant Pop. Sorry too busy dancing. Instant ear worm. can see a lot of people who weren't into Everything Everything before fall in love with this song. Listened to this sone only once before as they played in at a festival last week (already loved it there!) and I didn't searched it on youtube afterwards as I wanted to wait for the album : But out of a sudden 4 days later I woke up and was humming the melody. So potentially one of my faves of the whole album.
Regret
Not a first listen again, prefered it to Distant Past. To me it has something longoing in the melody of the chorus (might be upper nonsense sorry for that) and the transition between verse which is completely different, there is much more focus on the drums (maybe one could say straight forward with the 'regret, regret' s from Alex and Jeremy) is genius. And that was actually one of my first thoughts about Regret. Tweeted about it when it first aired on the radio.
Spring/ Sun /Water /Dread
Drums are the focus in the beginning. Are those the guitars that sound like synths?! are lovely I'm basically bobbing around.Again I can see a lot of people likeing it.A festival favourite. Very "summer-y " melody wise. I like the sprechgesang (is that really English, not sure...) or paraphrased singing. Lyrics again very interesting from what I got, jeez it's difficult sometimes to decipher. But from what I get: I think it's great that there's such a contrast between a "happy, care-free" feeling from the music to the serious lyrics. I have the feeling you don't get that very often anymore.
The Wheel (Is Turning Now)
Much heavier start to the song but it kind of opens up as it goes along. The bridge is more ambient (hope that's the right translation)/atmospheric with drums (might me from a drum machiene?) and and layers of sounds. Oh ha wasn't just a bridge it was leading towards the end of the song. Nice turn. Can't say much about the lyrics again, I don't get everything from the first listen. But from what I get lots of imagery and rather gloomy? (Sorry again if that is completely wrong)
Fortune 500
Synths and Drums in the beginning. At the beginning the singing reminds me of a choir with this slightly echo-y effect and the background vocals. Delicate melody. The beat pushes forward.
,Who else could get away with a line like "my twin my twin, my dragon twin?" As far as I get it: It's about doing things you don't really understand but you have to do it, in a marionett like way. Maybe being a bit brainwashed and numb and detached ? I really like it a lot.
Blast Doors
Reminds me more of the Man Alive era than the other songs. Nice! Is that more of a R'nB feeling to the chorus? (I begin to wonder why I write this as I don't feel I am in any way qualified) Definitely clever lyrics about politics
Zero Pharaoh
Nice bass line right at the start! and drums! The guitar oooh! Yes, that song is a gem. a lot is going on there.
(see I said I wasn't qulified ;p) And again a song after which I think : yep new favourite!
No Reptiles
The Song with the best line ever written: 'Oh Baby it's alright, it's alright to feel like a fat child in a push chair, old enough to run, old enough to fire a gun" But the rest of the lyrics is just massive as well. *swoon*
I just love the beginning with the drummachine(?) , and the singing , the high falsetto and the speed of the lyrics is amazing. The piano interjection: love them. The wide synths with the drums (and the bass?) underneath (can I put it that way?) are gorgeous.
Warm Healer
Funky beginning. Love the bass line and die guitar which drops in regularly, is insanely good.The synths give this song more of a gentleness. Nice touch with the distorted voice towards the end.
The song somehow reminds me of Duet, but maybe because it's told to a lover (if i got the lyrics right)
Conclusion: I could not decide which is my favourite because, there are quite a few candidates for this spot! But what I can say is: my favourite album of the year by far. And it unlikely that another album will take this spot. The music is more approachable than on the previous albums I'd say. Sorry for my rambling on hope I was not far of the track with my impressions and with what I said.
Thanks for taking the time and I'm off having a listen to the Deluxe part of the album and I am listen to it over and over again.
