Mad At Gravity Resonance
By
Vinnie Apicella,
Contributor
Monday, September 16, 2002 @ 1:26 PM
 |
|
(ArtistDirect) |
In spite of their ill feelings, "Mad" At Gravity still manages to take to the sky for their latest Resonance release, a fine mix of driving hard rock and atmospheric temperament. "Walk Away" is the catchy obvious choice for lead single with its forthright rigidity in simplicity and a robust chorus; listen for it along with likely follow up, "Burn," with just a note of tranquility and touch of remorse, each song trailing off the closing credits for the Reign of Fire flick later this summer.
The compressive course of said singles give way to Tool-like expansiveness where fragmented hooks and sharp angles take command for songs like "Historypeats," "Time and Time Again," or the indissoluble "Letter To Myself," harmonic pleasantries mingling well with minor key interludes and faithful vox, in step, rather than outworking, the slowly-building rhythmical accompaniment.
Architecturally adept as opposed to unilaterally predictable, Mad At Gravity's among many of a burgeoning new school of indie rock-styled professionals, tightly wound but free and easy followers of yesterday's baton passing melodic rock modernists of a predetermined pop culture that the nineties forgot, finally getting their due in today's cue takers like MAG, Earshot, Vex Red and Sinch, with designs on durability.
Resonance lollygags a little at the end -- fourteen songs on a debut (?) -- save for a couple exceptions after halfway through, mainly owing to spatial lethargy than anything else. The songs are emotionally appealing but we've been there before… and occasionally some of us are still wandering while the clock keeps spinning. Still, Resonance sets a strong foundation for future growth.
* * * *
|
