Review: The Watchmen - Slomotion

[nfotxn]

Review: The Watchmen - Slomotion

The Watchmen have always been to me a very mature band with a very focused artistic direction that's stayed consistent through their five albums. Slomotion represents another logical progression from their last album Silent Radar but Slomotion is a more symmetrical effort. Silent radar had the tendency to sound like Brand New Day at times but then like something completely new at others. A perfect example is their most righteous single Stereo which rocked out but still held back at times in a very tight and thematic way.

Tracks

1. Holiday (Slow it down)
   I think they named it this just to differentiate it from the Madonna tune

   The introduction to this song pays homage to the Stones with it's percussive distorted bass but slowly breaks rock cliché with what could be identified as a Two-step garage beat for the minimal futuristic feeling. Put some more percussive raunchy guitars on top and you've got a neat juxtaposition between two alien genres. That's what the 21^st century pop is all about right? But this track goes further mostly thanks to the amazing singing and lyrical content courtesy of Danny Greaves. His instant robo-pitch and breathing are something that has no need to be double tracked or supported by back-ups.
   
   Also apparent are some very BT sounding percussive noises and U2-esque sustainer guitar lines timed in ahem Slomotion to the rest of the track. Rhys Fulber (Fear Factory, Frontline Assembly, Delerium) and DJ Iain's production support are most likely responsible for their new ethereal and electronic sounds. Really stellar results.

2. Absolutely Anytime (first single)
   
   Whoa momma, it's a single for a reason.. and it shouldn't be for others. Danny isn't singing as he usually does and I can't seem to find out who is doing vox on this track, there's conflicting reports on the net although popular opinion seems to be guitarist Joey Serlin. It's got the same new production techniques as Holiday (Slow it Down) although it seems to depend less on new sounds and more on their classic theory of damn good melodies™.
   
   The rounded counter melodic lyrics and effected vocal samples really paint the feeling of the song in a new way. Very excellent single.

¤¤¤¤½/¤¤¤¤¤

The album gets 4½/5 general currency signs out of a possible 5 because it's short on new songs as there's only 9 new songs of which one is a remix. Ok, I'm done now.

Comments

[plaidninja.livejournal.com]

John sort of showcased this album to me last time we hung out. I was impressed, but the remix of Stereo doesn't compare to the original. Neverthless it's on my list of stuff I'll buy soon.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the Stereo isn't so hot if you've heard the original. I have a feeling it's a bit of a marketing ploy to pique people's interest in the song so they'll pickup Silent Radar. Which also, incidently, rocks.

Ya know, it's sorta strange. I must be a bad gay man 'cause all my favorite vocalists are male. Steven Page, Danny Greaves, Micheal Stipe for the most part. I mean, I enjoy chix with pianos but it's not my main stay of contemporary pop music.

[bu5ter.livejournal.com]

WOW! I want to go buy this. Like, right now. Too bad there aren't any record stores around here that are open at 7am.

[sultmhoor.livejournal.com]

"Talking about music is like dancing about architecture."
Steve Martin