At long last, the highly anticipated and prematurely scrutinized (don’t you dare call it a “super group” collaboration) release of Storm Corrosion’s first and self titled album dropped yesterday and if you were as lucky as I was, you purchased (or knew someone who purchased) the pre-order and couldn’t wait for the journey. A new ritual for myself is a bottle of wine, incense, and a notebook for jotting down first impressions- this listening experience was no different and all the while more different than I could have ever conjured up. The album contains 6 darkening, maddening, fairy tale tracks and half way through, I jotted down the following thought:
“Despite both established and gifted musicians well in the venture of their soaring legacies; this album stands on its own and is identifiable purely based on taste and familiar voices. A heart wrenching, thought provoking gem.”
I stand by this thought until the very last moment of this experimental, multi-derived influence album. Steven Wilson and Mikael Åkerfeldt have pulled from a vast and immense love of classics and given this seemingly “throw back” album a very impressive and fresh approach. You can always decipher whether it’s Wilson or Åkerfeldt gracing your ears on the album as their personal influence is easily distinguished. It is entirely too difficult for me to choose a favorite thus far as we’re only given 6 tracks to choose from and each of those contain enthusiastic and swooning descriptions in my notebook.
The first track, “Drag Ropes” –which I witnessed the music video for, prior to hearing the album– cannot be heard without visualizing the video. I think this is because in my opinion it did a phenomenal job in depicting the haunting story-telling taking place in this track. I’m in love with the vocal melody “Lies are manifold and the truth can now be told.” I love the bass that follows this fantastic vocal play almost as much. When I sat down to listen to this album for the first time, I was hearing it on vinyl. “Drag Ropes” ending is also the end of Side 1 of the 2 disc vinyl collection. I found this oddly delightful! There is something indescribably satisfying about the rotating, static, sound right before the record player pin releases from a vinyl. You get to experience this simple bliss multiple times before your Storm Corrosion journey comes to a close. 2 discs, 6 songs… Just think about it.
The second track, appropriately titled “Storm Corrosion” is presented to you— on side 2, track 1 and only (oh yes!)—with storm sounds before acoustics that give one an angelic harp-feel. Wilson is the first vocals heard as opposed to in “Drag Ropes” you hear Åkerfeldt. This track brought me to a place of unwavering thought, and reflection of experience. Wilson’s vocals are almost painfully beautiful and pull you down into a buzzing rhythmic hollow that is somewhat nightmarish and distant right before the final verse “passed on the second hand slips outwards…” My mind channeled Silent Hill and ideas of eyes flickering before awaking…
The third track, “Hag” (Track 1, Side 1, Disc 2- oh so fun!) mere seconds into the song, I wrote down the following prediction: aggressive. Maybe the title was subliminal for me? Either way I vindicated later on… First things first I must note how I adore Wilson’s deep breath/sighing vocal style throughout this track. It’s mesmerizing and very fitting here. There is also a nice bass stroll, Mikael’s guitars are very apparent, and the old sitcom TV laughter is a nice touch before the lyric, “a corner of the churchyard.” Then it hits, organ aggression splendor accompanied by bass and distant drum rolls. This track is deliciously evil right up to the ingenious ending of TV laughs right before the word “silence.” Very clever.
The fourth track, “Happy” (Track 2, Side 1, Disc 2) contains the classic Wilson “da” and “la” and speaks nothing of the title; not that I was expecting Beach Boys. It became more clear to me on this track that I would be getting several Silent Hill vibes as there are many musical surprises and jumps. A taunting, teasing, devilish affair. Truly “twisted beautiful” as described on Storm Corrosion’s Facebook under “genre.”
The fifth track, “Lock Howl” (Track 3, Side 1, Disc 2) is an instrumental with blood rising tempos and a cheery perilous. I’m digging the clap sounds, shuffling guitars, and attitude that closes with the voice heard saying, “yeah” before it’s time to change the disc for the final time and final track….
The sixth track, “Ljudet Innan” (Track 1, Side 2, Disc 2) The first thing I wrote was “King Crimson?” And then I jotted down, “Most unique track.” Quite a surprise with the entire style and feel. Mikael’s vocals had every nerve in my body on ends (in a good way) and led me into a world beyond our own. Wilson’s vocals are lovelorn and shivery. I had to know what “Ljudet Innan” meant and found it translates into “ancient music” in Swedish. If this is true, where’s my DeLorean time machine?
If you haven’t already, I recommend checking out the interviews/ Q&A’s with both Mikael and Steven discussing this harrowing, pleasing record.
(http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artist/Storm+Corrosion)
I wish I had a better way of aggregating this work of art, but alas I shall guide you to someone who can undoubtedly do this better than I could ever hope to…
“Do not make music or art to please other people. We just got together and it poured out of us. With this record you’re entering into a very unusual and unfamiliar sonic universe and that’s a very exciting thing to be part of.”-Steven Wilson
The Door, Not the Room 