I think this is just a throwback to the old proggie tradition of lambasting whatever a band's most accessible work is.
To me In Absentia is a very consistant, almost flawless album. I wouldn't call Wilson an amazing lyricist but I do love the stories he tells in a lot of his songs.
I'd rate the songs in order.
1. Trains
2. Prodigal
3. Wedding Nails
4. Lips of Ashes
5. 3
6. Gravity Eyelids
7. Blackest Eyes
8. Heartattack by a Lay By
9. Strip the Soul
10. Sound of Muzak
11. Collapse the Night into Earth
12. The Creator has a Mastertape
The last 3 aren't as remarkable as the rest, but I wouldn't say any of the tracks are bad.
Also, "bland alt rock" is a term I hate hearing, prog fans seem to use it obsessively. Strip the Soul is a 7 minute song that certainly doesn't follow the traditional pop structure and has long build ups and instrumental interludes, it's not like the radio is really logjammed with that kinda thing.
|