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by will zeiger (Waz711) / jason allen (idoru) - Feb 01, 2003
Absinthe Blind - Rings Review #1 - Will Zeiger Throughout the course of a long career the sound of a band often changes. This can lead to albums varying widely in feel and style. However, there is invariably at least one record that stands out in popular opinion as the definition of a band's sound. Absinthe Blind's newest release "Rings" may be as close to defining their sound as one can possibly come. The album showcases the bands many strengths beautifully and captures very closely the bands unique style. On first listen, one of the most prominent elements of Absinthe Blind's music is the combination of brother and sister Adam and Erin Fein's vocals. Either of these two singers could easily front a band on their own, as both are extremely talented and have strong voices. The interplay between the two, though, is what really makes the vocals on this album stand out. The alternation between the two vocalists allows Absinthe Blind to have vocals that perfectly fit any mood, while the combination of their harmonies brings a new level of intensity and power to the music. Musically, the band has a very diverse and unique sound as well. On songs like "Shields" and "Inside My Mirror" the guitar work takes center stage, alternating between spacey, delay-effected melodies and powerful distorted choruses. On these songs the keyboards emphasize the melody and add depth to the songs. However, on songs like "Bands 1" and "Do You Know What You Mean to Me?" the keyboards play a much more prominent role, forming the backbone of the song. While certain instruments do stand out more on some songs than others, Absinthe Blind really uses the combination of them together effectively on all the songs. The melodies build and swell and the music seems to fade in and out creating a nice tension and some powerful climaxes, such as in "The Break" and "Walls Covered in Hope". The only song that doesn't really seem to fit is "The Dreamers Song" a song that according to the lyrics ("It's our turn to write the Beatles' Song") is supposed to sound like a song by the Beatles. It does sound very much like a Beatles song, but it still has a sort of uniqueness about it that makes it interesting. Overall, "Rings" is one of the best albums I have heard from any of the many bands calling Champaign-Urbana home. Absinthe Blind has a totally unique sound and knows how to structure songs to make them interesting and powerful. This album not only captures the variety of their sound, but also captures the intensity, quality, and feel of the band. "Rings", at least for me, will be the album that comes to mind now whenever I think of Absinthe Blind. Review #2 - Jason Allen Absinthe Blind pulls pieces of sound from every direction to form Rings, their latest album. While this could result in a disjointed collection of tracks, the band successfully creates a consistent, cohesive sound. The warm, pulsing bass and inexorable accuracy of the drums create a consistent foundation for the other instruments to build upon. Crisp guitars echo off of alpine vistas, causing the occasional avalanche of smooth distortion. Mellow keyboard parts shimmer up out of the mix, adding depth to the waves of sound. The plaintive dual male and female vocals ride atop all of this, giving most songs a surreal, ethereal feel. While this layered sound pervades almost the entire album, some songs stand out, giving the other tracks room to breathe. The Break starts the album off strong with ambient sounds and twisting guitar leads drifting over staccato syncopated beats. The sensible words woven into perfect harmony will leave traces of this song in your head long after the first listen. Shields, the second track, fuses catchy guitar lines with clever lyrical and vocal work to come across as the most likely candidate for a single. Walls Covered in Hope is, in my opinion the highlight of the album. Beginning with simple electro elements, it builds upon itself and eventually culminates in an inspiring, emotional finale. She Saves, the first part of track eleven, is the only song on the album where the guitars open up a wall of sound and reverb-drenched space-rock wonder ensues. The songs Bands 1 and Bands 2 must also be mentioned for their graceful simplicity and the irritatingly unforgettable line repeated throughout both: "She said playing in bands won't make you well". With Rings, Absinthe Blind has created a solid record that should appeal to many, and most importantly, to fans of Good Music. |