(Album Review) Anodine – Passages

Anodine - Passages (www.Digiindie.com)

The album begins with the trance-like soundscape of “Antilight” which slowly begins to set the tone for the at-times gloomy theme of the album. Mysterious in where it will take you, it is a fitting beginning for the hypnotic soundscape which “Passages” is made up from. Immediately following Antilight, “Color Of This Place” booms in with heavy guitars and the trip rock experience begins. The chorus asks the question “Who I Am? My Flesh, My Blood, My spirit”, opening the doors to self-reflection and showcasing a bit of the vocal range Anodine‘s lead singer is capable of reaching. The 3rd track, “Dark Side of Venus” is a standout track that pulls you deeper into emotion over some of the album’s best production. You can’t help but want to move over to the raw aggression in the guitars.

“Into The White Light” questions and reflects on what we believe and believe in, asking for the tangible and while questioning human weakness.  Another stand out track that features great production and vocals.  “Break Away” takes a more hardcore turn with low toned vocals over a mean instrumental. Its literally screams to be free from drama and is a cry for freedom from pain. “The Virus” seems to pick up where “Break Away” left off but from the standpoint of a man damaged, caught between giving up and fighting to keep moving forward. It is sonically the perfect follow up.

“Hidden Places” slides back into a self-reflective state, with lyrics that create visuals of an almost Matrix like building of secret doors, with secrets hidden in each room. Its almost like sonically traveling through an astral plane. “No Summer” describes the emotion of a cold heart scorned by another heart just as cold and the refusal to allow such pain again. The next track warns of a pending “Storm“, this track almost makes you wait in anticipation of what may be. It is melodically one of the stand out tracks on “Passages”. It is an anthem for the readiness of the unknown troubles that await. “Dark Field” plunges into the troubles “Storm” may have been alluded to as it describes an evil entity controlling, watching and waiting for his, or their, move.

“Somewhere, Sometime, Somehow” asks for a second chance to make right a wrong and the possibility of it being so. It has a great bridge and break down halfway through that showcases more of this albums superb production. “City” kicks in the door with heavy hitting drums and guitar riffs. An excellent metaphoric explanation of the City as a person breaking down the damage and sustenance it provides for its occupiers.

“This Moment” speaks on the pursue of fame and the sacrifice to get it. Its dark, but an anthem for living in the moment and swimming through the darkness it takes to reach it. “Room 23” seeks a release from pain and asks for someone to come along carry the load. You can almost picture a man sulking in his room waiting for someone to walk through the door. “Resistance” is a rise to arms against deception, particularly self-deception. It begs the listener to become free from their own mental bondage and become the cause of themselves. “She Calls”, the final track on “Passages”, booms in with an aggressive drum roll and completes the album with a melodic, trance like, but energetic finish.

Overall the album boast’s high quality production, excellent musical composition and is very hypnotic. It is socially and self-reflective, traveling deep into the question of “Who I Am”. By the finish of the album, you may have a better answer to that question. It is easy to get lost in the soundscape of the album even at moments when it seems to get too dark, the production pulls you right back out and into the astral plane of music that “Passages” represents.

Rating: 9/10

By A. Ladson

 

 

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