Over Opiated in a Forest of Whispering Speakers
Sevens Nines and Tens
From their Bandcamp page, "Over Opiated in a Forest of Whispering Speakers" still features the sounds on which the band made their name (Post Hardcore, Shoegaze, Progressive Rock, and Math Metal), but features some new stylistic touchstones, such as 70's Hard Rock, Classic Rock, and more Traditional Metal styles." The album contains seven tracks.
"Popular Delusions" leads off the album. It opens with a fuzzy, bluesy intro and some audible bass notes. The vocals are clean and harmonic. The low-end bends very deep, and besides the slow pace, the band reminds me a bit of KING's X with the way the harmonies play with the guitars. "Throwing Rocks at Mediocrity" also begins with soft, dreamy tones that are plush and pensive. A fuzzy lead comes in, smoking with the blues, over a bed of thick bass guitar notes. Two songs in and this barely registers as Metal, but let's continue listening. "Midnight Marauders" begins with a little more sonority, but the song is as easy listening as a spring breeze. The vocal harmonies take center stage, and they are indeed beautiful to listen to.
"Let's Enjoy the Aimless Days While We Can" begins with more of those light and airy tones, though the guitars and bass create a heavier sound. It's a very melancholy offering, with some clean acoustic strums along the way. "Edutainment" opens with more Progressive melodies and some thicker guitar work. In come the harmonized vocals. Some heavier passages come in, and then back off again. "Fight for your Right to Partial Relevance" begins with heavier tones but those melodies are still quite familiar. Some more aggressive tones come in with the lumbering pace of the song. There are also some trippy elements towards the end. "Sunshine" closes the album. It's a slow moving and quite song that if you let go, you could drift off to a slow and contented sleep. The heavier, more punishing sounds however ensure that you don't.
Not being familiar with this band can go a long way towards a fair review. As I mentioned above, this barely registers as Metal. It's more Hard Rock for me. But, as a whole, the album features some interesting elements. Especially noteworthy are the harmonized vocals. They are pensive and emotive. The rugged instrumental work is also a key feature of the album. Hell, if nothing else, this album is a unique and charming offering within the annals of the overarching Rock genre. Enjoy it for what it is and stop trying to genre label it.
7 / 10
Good
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Over Opiated in a Forest of Whispering Speakers" Track-listing:
1. Popular Delusions
2. Throwing Rocks at Mediocrity
3. Midnight Marauders
4. Let's Enjoy the Aimless Days While We Can
5. Edutainment
6. Fight for your Right to Partial Relevance
7. Sunshine
Sevens Nines and Tens Lineup:
David Cotton - Guitars, Vocals
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