Anathema - “We’re Here Because We’re Here”
June 10th 2010 10:25
Seven years between albums (with the exception of a couple of internet released singles) British progressive doom rockers Anathema return with their 8th full length record. An expansive record that sees the band continue to move away from it heavier, darker roots to a band that you can compare to the likes of Radiohead and Coldplay. “We’re Here Because We’re Here” is an ethereal sounding album full of atmospherics and ambience.
The group have added a female vocalist to the bands sound giving the group an extra dimension. The songs ebb and flow and weave a rich tapestry of beautiful pianos backed by a precision rhythm section and subtle guitar work to back Lee and Vincent’s voice. The songs also display a sense of light to them. The days of darkness that was always present to the bands songs is all but gone. While the themes are still at times dower and depressing, the music itself is uplifting and angelic.
Opening the record with ‘Dreaming Light’, an almost pop ballad type song with a huge orchestral chorus. ‘Thin Air’ is the closest the album comes to previous anathema records with a guitar based doom tinged rock song before settling into their prog rock mode with ‘Summer Night Horizon’ and lead single ‘Angels Walk Among Us’. The album relies on Les Smith’s keyboard work and arrangements in creating their sound. ‘The Presence’ is a 2 minute interlude of Les’ work with a sampled monologue underneath and the final track, the 8 minute ‘HIndsight’ rounds out what is quite an enjoyable album.
They will be old school fans who will be wishing for a return to their original sound but sadly this will never happen. What Anathema have become is a progressive band with a huge sound and the power in the songs to carry them over to some independent success. The album is a grower, and will take a few listens to really understand but once you do, you’ll be surprised by how good this is.
The group have added a female vocalist to the bands sound giving the group an extra dimension. The songs ebb and flow and weave a rich tapestry of beautiful pianos backed by a precision rhythm section and subtle guitar work to back Lee and Vincent’s voice. The songs also display a sense of light to them. The days of darkness that was always present to the bands songs is all but gone. While the themes are still at times dower and depressing, the music itself is uplifting and angelic.
Opening the record with ‘Dreaming Light’, an almost pop ballad type song with a huge orchestral chorus. ‘Thin Air’ is the closest the album comes to previous anathema records with a guitar based doom tinged rock song before settling into their prog rock mode with ‘Summer Night Horizon’ and lead single ‘Angels Walk Among Us’. The album relies on Les Smith’s keyboard work and arrangements in creating their sound. ‘The Presence’ is a 2 minute interlude of Les’ work with a sampled monologue underneath and the final track, the 8 minute ‘HIndsight’ rounds out what is quite an enjoyable album.
They will be old school fans who will be wishing for a return to their original sound but sadly this will never happen. What Anathema have become is a progressive band with a huge sound and the power in the songs to carry them over to some independent success. The album is a grower, and will take a few listens to really understand but once you do, you’ll be surprised by how good this is.
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