Today’s MSMOTD

Anathema – Closer

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It’s always interesting when a band successful in one genre suddenly decides to completely shift gears and move into another genre.  Anathema, a group from Liverpool, England, used to be big on the Doom Metal scene.  These days, they are more accurately associated with experimental/atmospheric rock outfits like Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Muse and Porcupine Tree.  Their lyrics are still rather dark and emotional, speaking of loss, longing and alienation, but this is couched in gorgeous melodies, bleakly seductive textures, heartfelt vocals and lush production.  All of the tracks posted are from their eminent 2003 release “A Natural Disaster”, which was one of the best albums of the year, and really, one of the best rock albums of the decade imo.

Hard to believe these guys used to be a doom metal band.

The MSMOTD – Closer – is a bit different from their usual music, as vocalist Vincent Cavanagh uses a vocoder to create a unique feel to the vocals, managing to express emotion even through the heavy electronic filters.  This song, like quite a few other Anathema tracks, is incredibly cathartic.  Tension slowly builds, as the warbling vocals are joined gradually by more and increasingly frenetic instrumentation, repeating and building on the theme until the guitars cut loose in a twirling maelstrom which only just barely fails to conceal Vincent’s emotional howling, now freed from its electronic constraints.  Just as you think everything is going to blow up, the storm dissipates and we are brought back into the calm of the aftermath.  I can’t get enough of this song, and it really conjures up some unique mental imagery for me.

Anathema – Pressure (from 2001′s “A Fine Day To Exit”)

The two songs below, Violence, and Are You There, are also from “A Natural Disaster”.  Violence is a purely instrumental track which leads from a lovely classical piano melody into another cathartic guitar-driven build and release, finishing up with an incredibly atmospheric section at the end.  So beautiful.  Are You There is a wavering, beautiful acoustic piece with Vincent’s brother (and lead songwriter) Danny’s fragile and earnest vocals at the forefront.  Listen to this one if Closer was too intense.

I really really recommend the entire album.  It’s so good, and varied enough that it doesn’t get tiresome after repeated listens.  Let me know what you thought about today’s MSMOTD in the comments!

- Mons

More music from Anathema

Anathema – Violence (from 2003′s “A Natural Disaster”)

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Anathema – Are  You There (from “A Natural Disaster”)

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For a laugh, go check out this song from their first album, 1993′s “Serenades”:

Further info about today’s MSMOTD

Official Website: http://www.anathema.ws/
(You can download several full new tracks, including the excellent “Everything” for free here)

Wikipedia Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anathema_(band)

Featured Review: Allmusic.com review of “A Natural Disaster”

Buy A Natural Disaster from Amazon.com (MP3 or CD), or you can download Violence and Closer from their MP3 store.

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Suggested Music by Mons