My first words after finishing this record for the first time were "That was an amazing record," my roommates replied, "It was". Anathema have always been a band who understood the power and depth of their compositions and had a strong understanding of how to push their music to exciting new boundaries. They are the kind of group who exist on the cutting edge of progressive music creating something beautiful and immaculately put togeter but never failing to surprise or innovate, somethin clear from the first on The Optimist.
A record that makes daring leaps and uses weird electronic bears to counteract powerful and emotional melodies you find yourself frequently plumbing the depths of what this band is capable of. There's something strangely charming about The Optimist, you find yourself consistently delving into weird twists and turns of the sort that only a band of this magnitude can embrace. The irony of this record is how wonderfully sad so much of it is, contrasting the title of the work, but staying in line with the bands general ethos. The Optimist is a record that begs to be returned to again and again, inspiring constant curiosity and engaging the ears time and time again.
At the end of the day, every performance on thsi record is consistently impressive and reminds you just how Anathema became one of the biggest bands in their genre in the first place. They insist on a certain magical realism that keeps you utterly entranced. The Optimist breathes powerfully, reaching for the stars and often expanding beyond with lush soundscapes and overwhelming song structures. This is what progressive, symphonic and epic rock music was meant to be about and I simply can't get enough of it.
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Thanks for the kind review! What's magical realism?
ReplyDeleteCheers
Dan Cavanagh (really)
What's your favourite song on the album? 😉
DeleteIn Latin America, magical realism is about light mixing between reality and magical events that can happen, this genre is born by several authors, one of the outstanding is Gabrial GacÃa Márquez.
DeleteI normally don't check the comments of this - but thank you Dan! Magical realism is a concept explored a lot in latin american literature where magical things happen and are treated as day to day.
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting. I wrote a mini sort of review but more a splurge of emotion with regards to the power of their Eternity album on facebook earlier and I mentioned how I feel they take realism and transcend it into something magical. I wasn't just talking pretty for the sake of it, I know what I mean, even if it's hard to explain! 😂
DeleteThe optimist: dream-pop meets post-rock.
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DeleteExcellent way to describe it, definitely spot on. I've been saying that Anathema have been an atmospheric kind of pop for a few albums now, but where the last couple have neglected the rock side of their sound for the most part, this album showcases a post rock sound new to the band. Best album since We're Here Because We're Here. But still not quite as powerful as anything prior for me. Will definitely purchase the album when it's out!
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