And so we come to the sixteenth day, ever nearing the hallowed Christmas day, now only a mere nine days away our list see’s yet another contributor. As you may have guessed throughout these Advent of The Year’s progression in a band is incredibly important. You can only stay the same for so long before people start to lose interest and ultimately just won’t care,even Cannibal Corpse have changed up their formula, ever so slightly, but still the point remains. So when young upstarts The Contortionist released their new album Language earlier this year, progress was shown in yet another exemplary form.
The Contortionist – Language
Beginning from the serene sounds of the album’s beautiful introdcution were instantly bathed in tranquil tones as we begin our lesson in Language. The album begins to cognitively “learn” with the truly beautiful opening of “The Source” and the Edge worshipping “Language : I Intuition” , to the progression similar to harnessing Language itself The Contortionist began to employ some truly wondrous vocabulary. In the form of some off key guitar patterns, Michael Lessard’s fantastic voice and drummer Joey Baca‘s playful flourishes flitting to elevating drum work in the later parts of the album. Adding punctuation, with the contrasting vocal patterns and distorted guitar lines from Robby Baca and Cameron Maynard. As the album grows so does its intelligence, nurturing its own sound the album grows in sense of melody, technical ability and song writing to create a truly memorable experience that demands countless listens.
Whilst the music itself may be complex, it is incredibly accessible. With notes sprinkled within the album it ensures that the listener has a thread in this most musical of labyrinths. Therein lies the rub, although the band may opt for some more egotistical pieces it never takes over the album’s over all feel retaining the slow growth that makes the album just inspired. Much of Language‘s brilliance is its cohesive philosophical ethos, with the albums closer “The Parable” including an inspiring and simultaneously inconsequential quote marvelling at just how incredible the impossibilty of life is. The band inspire awe in so many different ways through the record, be it from the flawless musicianship or the esoteric lyrics, there is something innate about Language. From its vulnerable, beginning not only are the songs nurtured but the listener as well to its self assured end, the album truly stands alone.
From small acorns grow mighty oaks.
