Syntheticism

Syntheticism writes some of the more enjoyable "ambient rock" I've heard, to some of the more emotional and experimental alt rock that I've ever been able to familiarize myself with. The album opens up a bit rough, with an introduction to the song "vivisection" that leaves a lot to be desired, ditto for "distancing". About a minute in, they finally settle down and throw in some really cool, white stripes esque riffs, which, as Matt would inform you, are pretty great. And the song progresses, and it gets more and more intense. Guitar gets more aggressive, riffs get more complex, with almost folk sounding influences. The drums feel to be constantly changing, like in "distancing" where everything feels like one elongated, complex riff that uses a lot of cymbals, but doesn't sound overdone. These drums just have this quality to them, they're kind of intriguing actually, the rhythm can be a bit bizarre at times, but it feels so natural, and so well fit. The bass has great riffs of its own, its treated like a real instrument, and as such, it would suffice without the guitar work. I think in some ways his voice is the best part of the album, it might not be the most well played (guitar or drums, can't decide which); but it seems to wrap things up really well. First note I heard, his voice sounded like it would have a terrible tone to it. Really, this guys voice just sounds so emotional, and it has a comforting quality to it, like it isn't a perfect, traditional "beautiful" voice, so much as a well ranged, ordinary, imperfect tone; it makes it sound more human, you know? Then his shouting (I guess singers would call it belting) voice is also really good, with a bit of a rougher sound to it. So I'll take a quarter of a point away from a less than stellar start, and the very occasional moment where everything doesn't seem to coincide perfectly.

9.75/10

http://www.myspace.com/syntheticism