Reviews
Raised By Swans
Codes And Secret Longing
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Add to del.ico.us.Review Date: 2006-01-17
I had intended to have my Raised By Swans review posted around the time I posted the interview I did with Eric Howden from the band. Intentions are funny like that, because so often your intentions never come to fruition. And is always the case, failed intentions are accompanied by a laundry list of reasons to rationalize the behaviour. Here is mine.
As you will find out in reading this review one attribute I find in "Codes & Secret Longing" is that it is a grower. By that I mean that on my first listen to the album I liked what I heard and I realized as well during that first listen that I would grow to like that album more and more once I had the opportunity to hear it subsequent times. Now to some a grower means hear the album twice or three times and you should be fine. I could have reviewed the album after a couple of listens but the score would have been lower and the review itself likely would have suffered. I have now heard this album easily over a dozen times, and feel much more comfortable approaching the review. So basically, I am sorry for those who expected this review sooner but at the same time, sometimes when I am procrastinating on reviewing an album I really like it is actually a sort of compliment. I want to make sure the review does the album justice. On we go.
Quick recap of Raised By Swans. They are a London based band that has recently released their debut album "Codes & Secret Longing". Eric Howden is the lead singer of the band, previous to Raised By Swans he was the bassist in a long time favourite Canadian band of mine, The Gandharvas. This connection is how I discovered Raised By Swans. Brady Parr covers the drums, and Chris Donais is on guitar for most of the tracks. When I first found them the album was not yet available but you could download some songs from their website. I was impressed with what I heard and anticipated getting the album. I bought the album from the band (which I recommend its cheaper albeit not as quick as Maple Music).
If I was asked to sum up the sound in one word that word would be atmospheric. However, that would be a rather boring review. Everything blends together to create a powerfu vibe that can take you under its spell. The songs are eloquently crafted, and don't pay attention to pre defined rules. If the band feels the song needed to go on for 7 minutes they go on for 7 minutes. Long extended instrumental segments are allowed to flourish. Eric Howden uses repitition to his advantage as well. Repeating key lines of the songs again and again and pulling you in. I can't really do very much while listening to this album or else I find myself getting distracted. It is an even better experience with headphones.
We'll begin with "Violet Light" which is one of the most impressive Raised By Swans songs. Those who have been introduced to Raised By Swans by me often message me within a short period of time raving about this beauty. The song opens up with a build up, and immediately you know what I am talking about atmosphere. The guitar is very melodic and played on a high pitch, against some gentle sound effects that sound rather eerie. Around the 40 second point they inroduce some bass and still you have no lyrics. In fact it is actually a 1:30 in when Howden's vocals join the track... not that you would notice because the build up is done so well you never start wondering where the vocals are. Howden has a unique voice. He is really able to portray a lot of passion without having to scream and shout to do it. During the chorus Howden brings his voice up an octive singing "Through the scars, through the scars, I'll find your light again." Raised By Swans aren't a fun loving light hearted band... and i'm sure a few people are turned off in how powerful and sometimes sombre these songs can be. Then again, on the flipside it is exactly why I like them as much as I do. This is a beautiful song.
So we move along to "There Is No Escape" which again doesn't rush to the point. Instead the build is meticulous. Piece by piece the band is introduced and the listener is nudged towards the cruscendo. Raised By Swans turn up the rock quotient on this track. They probably rock harder here than at any point on the album. The bass really stands out here in particular. I had asked Eric Howden about what it was like being the frontman of a band as opposed to the bassist in Gandharvas and his answer was basically that he doesn't see it that way, that he sees the band as a whole. A song like this really illustrates his point. Bottom line more of this song is instrumental than is vocal. Now certainly the vocals are key and Howden really nails the less is more approach, but this is a band working together as a unit. A really cohesive sound.
If you had to pick one song by Raised By Swans to hear and make an opinion on if you wanted to hear more i'd recommend "Relentless". I don't really see this as a band that has big potential to break out with a radio single, but if something was to be able to have that type of breakthrough this would be the song. This song isn't perhaps as heavy as some of the other songs, at least not in the mood that it portrays. It just has a slightly lighter quality to it both vocally, but especially instrumentally. This is the gateway drug track to Raised By Swans. Rather than starting off with the heavy duty mind blowing 7 minute epics take a toke on "Relentless" and ease yourself in. I can't think of many vocalists who do the falsetto better than Howden.
Man I have started talking about a song three times only to change my mind about which one I want to talk about. Final answer is "Sandcastles" and I am not changing. I am partial to this song mostly due to the delicate almost fragile sounding vocals against the much more powerful instrumentation. I like how the two elements strike up a balance and compliment each other. Raised By Swans make music to close your eyes and experience. I can't wait to see this band live and I am going to be in attendance the next opportunity I get. One time i'll hear this song and be listening for the vocals, another time i'll be completely caught up in the guitar. Next time it will be the lyrics. Notice that this only happens with very good music?
You can get your hands on this album for around 10 bucks through raisedbyswans.com. I promise it will be 10 dollars well spent. And no you don't have to just take my word on it. Hit up the myspace.com/raisedbyswans or their site and you can sample some music for yourself. My advice is that you give the songs a chance. Listen a handful of times before making a knee jerk reaction that might be very wrong. Very few Canadian bands have released a debut album this refreshing and exciting in a long while. The future looks very bright for Raised By Swans.
Tracks to download: Get the album bitches.
Score: 8.9
What a debut album. Still, like any debut album I have to leave some room for an even better follow up. Buy now, thank me later.
- Dan