- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: Greycoats
Album: Setting Fire To The Great Unknown
Label: Self Released
Playtime: 48:18 min
Genre: Indie
URL:
Rip date: 2009-04-11
Street date: 2008-09-08
Size: 69.95 MB
Type: Normal
Quality: 193 kbps / 4410kHz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
From the revolution-toned language of their website and press kit, it seems
that the ôGreat Leadersö of the Greycoats are mobilizing a grassroots army to
invade your hearts and ears. They already infiltrated television in January
by having ôWatchman, What Is Left of the Night?ö featured on Gossip Girl.
Resistance may, indeed, be futile.
But when you listen to Setting Fire to the Great Unknown, their self-released
debut full-length, you find the 11 tracks are more battle-weary than
battle-ready. For me, whose coming of age soundtrack consisted of war protest
songs, itÆs a sad realization that these are protest songs for yet another
war and that another generation of young people will have their entire lives
marked by it.
This broad, global theme is made personal in the lyrics, which navigate a
wartime maze of idealism (öRevengeö), unexpected love (öGoodbye, Sweet Youth,
Goodbyeö), betrayal (öAn Echo In the Darkö), and physical and spiritual
wounds until his protagonist begs ôMake Me Like the Moonö (distant, cold,
empty?) and he finally questions the reasons for fighting (öMonarch Wingsö)
and falls into despair (öWatchman, What Is Left of the Nightö). The story arc
completes with redemption (öSpiritualö) and hope for peace (öNot Afraidö). I
especially like how the old sailorÆs rhyme Red sky by night, sailorÆs
delight/Red sky by morning, sailor take warning is incorporated into
ôWatchmen.ö ItÆs a nice touch that adds to the tone of despondency and
impending doom in that song.
Musically, the albumÆs earnest, melodious style is reminiscent of Keane,
Muse, and Elbow. Jon ReineÆs vocals, especially his falsetto, further
underline the similarity. The beauty of this album makes it a pleasure to
listen to, and I can strongly recommend.
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Learning To Remain ( 3:30)
02. Revenge ( 5:25)
03. Goodbye Sweet Youth, Goodbye ( 4:22)
04. An Echo In The Dark ( 5:02)
05. La Resistance ( 4:07)
06. That Great And Terrible Day ( 2:55)
07. Monarch Wings ( 4:30)
08. Watchmen, What Is Left Of The Night? ( 5:13)
09. Make Me Like The Moon ( 4:16)
10. Spiritual ( 5:05)
11. Not Afraid ( 3:53)
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