As debut albums go this one is certainly one Pvris can be proud of - what a remarkably strong album that could easily be a greatest hits album rather than that of a debut release, and from such a young band. Opening track "Smoke" is an incredibly good opener and one that shines through as a live set opener for the band too (which I can confirm after being lucky enough to catch them live). Some lovely sounding keys to kick off the album and a track that really shows off the power behind vocalist Lynn Gunn's voice.
It's really hard to single out any tracks in particular from this release as it effortlessly fits and flows together as a piece so well, as also showcased in the way that the band's videos from the release flow. However, personal favourites are "St. Patrick", "My House", and "Fire".
It really is the vocals that stand out on this record for me, especially the first time I heard it. It's very easy to see from this release why this band have quickly built up a following. If Pvris can keep up with this level of quality upon future releases then they have a very successful career ahead of them.
'Scuse the lack of posting guys and gals - it's that time of year again where I fall off. Just had to drop in to share this post though; one of the most positive and uplifting records I've heard in a while. I've been craving fresh, new musical experiences lately in amongst flying about being a mental-busy spastic, and I've been journeying to musical realms that I've rarely touched up in the past. I heard of Emeralds for the first time in, of all places, a Pitchfork top 100 list. Bored in work one day I did a drive-by sweep of their 100 best between 2010-2014, and tried to pick out stuff that looked interesting, perplexing, awesome or just not-too-hipstery. Emeralds was one of those bands.
Whilst the fact that it appeared in a Pitchfork listing in the first place doesn't do much to defend it's non-hipster credentials, I don't really give a shit because Does It Look Like I'm Here? is one of the nicest things I've heard in a while. It is a composition, a series of miniature musical scores, that really bring in some fantastic vibes and feels throughout the entire album. The songs flow with immense fluidity, and the long, bubbling synthesizer passages are nothing short of complete audible delight.
This is watching a city come alive at 5am music. This is power-walking through that final 100 meters to the mountain peak kinda music. I'd also say that this is pretty cerebral and would recommend it for tripping too, as it's extremely immersive and enveloping without being at all threatening or aggressive.
Y'know what, I don't know anyone who fucking likes Mortiis. Either he really isn't appreciated at all, or I am just surrounded by people who do not understand his music. I'm pretty certain it is the latter. When I was in school a lot of the goth kids started liking Mortiis when The Grudge came out, and this pissed me off if anything, because I'd been chastised for listening to Mortiis for years, and now all of a sudden it was cool. Well, maybe cool wasn't the right word, but if you told me I would go to see Mortiis live with four other people I would have told you to fuck off. Four people! Jesus fucking Christ!
In 2012, and therefore able to view the Mortiis canon in it's entirety, one can appreciate the odd space in time that The Smell of Rain occupies. Lodged awkwardly in the early 00s, sandwiched between Mortiis' often questionable "dark dungeon" synth outputs and his later, more industrial and metal influenced work, The Smell of Rain is an enigma unto itself, somehow combining elements of past and future Mortiis sounds and rolling into one fuck off ball of puzzling goth-disco. Yes. That just about sums it up.
I'm sure most peoples knowledge of this record begins and ends with the nauseating promo video for "Parasite God", a cracking track in it's own right, but this album is so much more! Bang your head to tunes such as "Mental Maelstrom"! Dance yourself silly to "Put a Hex on Me"! Sing along proudly to "Smell the Witch"! Cringe at Mortiis singing "Monolith"! What a journey! I'm sure that it is rather obvious I am being sarcastic here but I mean good. Whereas this record may not stand the test of time alongside the full spectrum of music created on the planet, The Smell of Rain remains elite within it's own possibly self-made sub genre of severe corniness and eye make up.
This pressing is actually very extravagant, considering Earache put it out. It is pressed on super heavy wax spinning at 45rpm, giving you the full audiophile experience you would never expect from Dig and co. Unfortunatley, my copy is marred by a sticker removal on the front cover, ripping off a chunk of artwork, which really sucks.
I have spent many hours of my early teenage life listening to this record, and I suggest that anyone with an open mind listen to it. Would I like it if I heard it for the first time right now, you ask? Well, if someone described it as Shpongle meets Nine Inch Nails at stereotypical 80s disco, I would jump at the chance to hear it. And so should you.
