Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The emphasis in the title is on "Sing", 28 Aug 2003
Upon hearing this album, you initially might be rather surprised that this is Silver Mt Zion, if you've heard either of their two previous releases. If it wasn't for the distinctive, plaintative voice of Efrim that unforgettably graces Movie (Never Made), you'd never guess this was the same band who did "He Has Left Us Alone...". And, this album doesn't sound much like "Born Into Trouble.." either. So what does it sound like? Well firstly, the track lengths are different, they've been lengthened and the number of tracks is down to 4. Also, there is much more vivacity in this release, they seem rather to be moving more towards a Godpseed sound, with some fairly intense drum work on track 3, "American Motor Over Smoldered Field", definite dynamical and climactic changes here. So, have SMZ just become a pseudonym for Godspeed? Well, there's one change on this album which moves decidedly away from Godspeed, and that is the addition of vocals. The 10+ minutes of each track aren't saturated in vocals, but they are there in all four tracks. Efrim still hasn't learn to sing "properly", but I find his voice captivating and I do enjoy listening to it. However if you were put off Movie (Never Made) and The Triumph Of Our Tired Eyes by his vocals, you might not really enjoy this album to its fullest. There is also a choir thrown in for good measure, whose presence I took a little time to appreciate, but I think they're a good addition now. There are still instrumental parts,however, and they are still as good as before. But, as I previously mentioned, the haunting, piano-led beauty of "He Has Left Us Alone...", which was less present in "Born.." is now pretty much eliminated, and the instrumental sections feature more guitar-led work, which is still beautiful but in a less downbeat way. Whether that's good or bad, you'll have to decide. Personally, this is my least favourite SMZ release. But that's not to say it's not a damn good album, because it certainly is, probably my favourite release of 2003 so far. (A year which is of very high quality release-wise, Radiohead being the obvious example.) Also, bear in mind that their previous two albums are probably both in my Top 10 albums of all-time, so third best is still extremely good, I don't give out five stars lightly. If you like anything by SMZ or Godspeed, you should already have this really. But if you haven't, for God's sake stop reading and get it. And if you've got nothing on the Constellation label, hit yourself, and then go and buy "Born Into Trouble As The Sparks Fly Upward" by this band ,as it is the best thing on the Constellation label, as far as I'm concerned. But then buy everything else by Godspeed, as well as this band, including, of course, this marvellous album.
|
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mesmerizing, 31 Mar 2005
This album is fabulous in its skill and patience, the music builds into spine-tingling crescendos and evokes an awe inpiring visceral feeling. The pacing and musical depth on babylon was built on fire/starsnostars will make you positively ache. American Moor over Smouldered Field is easily worth the price of the album and builds into music that can only be described as the sonic equivalent of Stonehenge, so much does it wrench you from the comfort of your warm house: the lyrics at the end will haunt you to tears. You need to do this to yourself.
|
|
|
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
-, 8 Nov 2003
'babylon was built on fire/starsonostars' is a very, very serious contender for the finest song i have ever heard. that should be enough.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
~ A Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra
~ Silver Mount Zion
~ The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band
~ Thee Silver Mountain Reveries
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). 
Amazon Home