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Archived Reviews
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This is Droom’s second full-length album (the first one must have passed us by…), and it’s not too bad – to begin with. Male fronted power vocals with a semi Industrial Rock musical slant is the order of the day here. The opening track, ‘Flowers’ is a tour de force of melancholy vocals, and poignant phrases (“Who will be the one to place flowers on your grave…” – top stuff!). I guess you could say that the music is built from electronic rhythm and pounding drum machine loops, with the vocals that seem to be designed for power rock ballads, placed on top. This is a bit strange, but in this instance, works well. Droom have definitely done a good job in fusing the two elements in such a way that the styles do not clash. Following up from ‘Flowers’ is ‘Blood Culture’ – much more of a dynamic pace is set here, and the poignant mood continues. And yes, by now you’re thinking that this isn’t such a bad album, and is worth listening too for the duration. ‘As if alive’ changes the pace – shifting down a number of gears, this is extremely ballad-esque. Swirling choral effects are the order of the day here, and it makes you want to get your lighter out and wave it in the air. Nice if you like this sort of thing, but I found it a little too sickly for my licking. ‘Drown’ moves the tempo back up, and continues the way of the opening two tracks… it’s more of the same really, and offers no change in direction. By now I’m starting to fill up on this diet of poignant lyrics and melancholy feelings. ‘If’ moves the pace up again, but this again continues the same formula. This is almost rack ballad territory with an electronic/Industrial twist. Not bad, but this track’s backing melody is not much different to the others on this album. Things are starting to look a little tired. ‘Asleep in your arms’ could very well come from the same stable as ‘Blood culture’ – fast paced and dynamic, and yet still of the same mould. Nice on it’s own, but by now I’m starting to look for the remote control to skip some tracks on… ‘Everything’ is another ballad, and this time I have to skip to the next track, because I am not an angst ridden teenage girl with boyfriend problems, and hormone issues. Someone pass me the bucket… I’m gonna be ill. The remaining three tracks offer us nothing new and to be honest I’m glad when I turn this album off. Don’t get me wrong, Droom have the talent, it’s just that on this album they flog the same formula to death and back, time and time again. If you want to get depressed and spend 50 minutes crying into a blood soaked handkerchief, then you’ll love this album. For the rest of us, it’s okay in small doses, but annoying if you listen to the whole thing in one sitting. What this needs in variety. Maybe something for Droom to take on board for the future? |
