'Megalithic Symphony' is the forthcoming album from AWOLNATION solo project from Aaron Bruno, formerly of Under the Influence of Giants. The bumf that came with the review C.D. states the album is "sent from the future", unless it's regarding the time change I disagree. It is very on tap with now and of it's time, which is the present day don't you know.
This is my first exposition to AWOLNATION I’d say the album’s definitely an easy grower.
First listen to this I thought ‘Distortion; loves the distortion knobble‘ and big beat, but then you can‘t really go wrong with a hefty strong beat. It made me smile and I thought it was a little samey. As I’ve listened to though it’s growing on me, coming together and seeming all the more smiley as from the first listen. It’s also definitely not a little album, the fact it’s titled Symphony could hint that there's a lot to it, which indeed there is. Nothing that a few hard listens wouldn’t manage. After which you get through the initial in your face aspect of it and find some little charmers in there. Track 13 'All I Need', is one such charming choral-esque track with gospel aspects wuth electronica in the mix aswell.
From the moment it starts with the title track ('Megalithic Symphony') it's an aural attack, unashamed in its attention seeking. Lays itself bare, the music simply there for the pleasure and interpritation of the listener. It’s type of album that would make the washing up that little bit more bearable as you’d find yourself being encouraged to let loose the bubbles may transform into a handlebar moustache or the cat fashioning a ’snow beard’. Along with an angry tenacity that comes through, but not on the backdrop of heavy seriousness. It's a fun album a syntholithic punky attitude that is hard not to pop along to.
The already released 'Sail' (Track 10), musically mimics the sea motion with a steady rock beat and the distortion throws up the crap in life that’s being screamed about. Screamed out at you “Blame it on my ADD”, I’m guessing it’s a call to let loose and just go with the flow and to indeed Sail, metaphorically, or literally if the fancy takes you, through it all.
Listening to the album for me was like becoming acquainted with an angry creature but discovering that it’s anger is just misinterpreted all over enthusiasm.
There are elements of The Killers, Mika or Mercury (that be Freddie) and George Michael that I could put my finger on. The latter, especially in track 7: 'Guilty Filthy Soul' which made me think a re-funk of George’s 'Faith'. Track 4: 'People' is the poppiest track on the album, where the Mika/Mercury comparison relates, but saying this it could get us off our arses and exercising with a bit of technical gyration (that’s dancing in normal language).
Track 11: 'Wake Up', grabs you by the cahoonies, starting with an smooth electronica vocal and breaking into a barrage of rock steady reggae beat beefed out, of course, encouraging exactly what it says on the tin. Even if it’s just to get out the pit or to wake up out of the shite then you’re going to get told with that track.
This is an up beat, big beat album the enthusiasm of the artists is literally screams out of the speakers at you. They’re clearly enjoying themselves in what they do and making you not help but smile along with them. Having a good old go at making that loving feeling spread. It’s full of philosophies to live today and just be yourself.
Now traditionally in a symphony there’s a big finish, and there’s a blooming good crack with track 14: 'Knights of Shame'. Sounds like a resolution to the album. The amalgamation of genres that is explored throughout the album is wrapped up in the final track with literally a bit of everything fulfilling the 'big finish' requirement of the symphonic venture. I would also suggest that Track 5: 'Jump on my Shoulders' be played through the streets of Whitehall might be an inclination to people at the top what being courteous actually is. Or failing that just loud enough somewhere for elitists to hear the hook "We rob from the rich and throw down the door" might make them quake in their high fashion booties as much as the big bang beats might be intended to make them.
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This is my first exposition to AWOLNATION I’d say the album’s definitely an easy grower.
