The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 311

Assigning the Color Spectrum is downright cruel haha. That's too long for someone to review haha

 

But you said 9/10 on first listen

 

I’m a huge dear hunter and never listened to the color spectrum haha

 

I wouldn't consider you a big fan then bruh. You know Andy Hull is on Red, right?!

 

Plus he might forget all about Black by the time he gets to White.

(I shouldn’t joke, I’m sure I’ve forgotten half the stuff I’ve listened to.)

 

YEa he recorded it with Casey right after a majority of the band quit. I’ve seen them 2 times I’m just more into the acts. But yea I guess you’re right maybe I’m a Fan not a big fan

 

One of these days I want to really dive into it, it's quite the record to commit to. I want to do a color a day and listen to each one a few times each day. Want to do it with me, Teebs?

 

I should listen to them tho

 

Hell yea I’m in!!!!!!

 

Black on Monday?

 

I want in too!

 

Sounds good.

 

No time like the present

 

Not invited, not cool enough

 

Is your body a temple or a prison?

 

I listen to Nickelback with you and I don’t get an invite?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I was inviting Teebs because he hadn't heard it.

Everyone is invited

 

Never heard of them

 

Alcest: Shelter

Prior to listening to this album, I only knew to expect ambient post-rock. With that description, it seemed to be in my wheelhouse, and I'm happy to report that it really was! I was surprised to find that the lyrics were mostly in French (which I do not speak), but that did not subtract from my enjoyment of the album at all.

Like all the post-rock I've experienced so far, the instrumentation was fantastic - I really loved the guitars, especially, but the drums were also excellent! There was so much emotion conveyed by the music. I was thrilled to hear some strings and piano being used as well - they were gorgeous!

Not speaking French, I won't be able to pick the majority of these lyrics up any time soon. However, I truly enjoyed the vocals and melodies - the vocals reminded me of Ed Roland (Collective Soul) a little bit in places.

No critiques here!

"Wings" opens the album with some atmospheric musical elements and vocals. It serves as a nice, relaxing introduction for the album and the next track, "Opale." This track has some really cool guitars. It's very bright and uplifting-sounding, but the lyrics are in French, so I'm going purely from the music here. It sounds like there might be a xylophone (or a synth that sounds like one) - very cool! Some of the guitar parts really reminded me of Copeland - awesome! I'm also really reminded of a band called Paper Lights (this track especially). "La Nuit Marche avec Moi" starts out with some great drums and guitars. This is another track in French, but it's pretty energetic and sounds rather upbeat. It's incredibly catchy, too. The guitar work from the song's introduction returns for the instrumental bridge, along with a cool drum part. "Voix Sereines" is very soothing and has calm, vulnerable-sounding vocals (in French, again). I really, really enjoyed the use of strings on this track - fantastic! Toward the middle of the song, the guitars pick up and the song builds dynamically until it slows and quiets down for the subtle outro. "L'Éveil des Muses" has a bit of a "folk" sound to the guitars. It features quite a long introduction (about a third of the track) before the French lyrics begin. By that point, the sounds have built quite a bit from the beginning of the song, with a lot of layers and a bit of darkness to the sound. I'm really impressed by the guitars here! The title track has some pretty big drums and awesome guitars. In addition, this was the first track where I noticed the use of piano - very nice! Even though the song title is in English, the lyrics are once again in French, but it seems to be rather uplifting. "Away" is a song with English lyrics! It starts with some nice guitars (reminiscent of Collective Soul) and soon, strings come in! It's really stunning. Speaking of Collective Soul, this is the song where I heard the similarities to Ed Roland's vocals. As much as I enjoy every song, this is my top favorite song on the album! It has a bit of everything that I enjoy. "Délivrance," which is by far the longest track of the bunch, closes out the album wonderfully. It's gorgeous and atmospheric - quite the experience. As one might expect, the lyrics are (once again) in French, but that doesn't take away from the song at all. The guitars and strings work so perfectly together, and the drums truly served as a "pulse" for the song. There are some Copeland-esque guitars in this song as well, and I'm just incredibly impressed by it overall. Finally, there is a bonus track, called "Into the Waves," which I chose to listen to as well, since I loved the album so much! It features some excellent drumming (the tom work makes me think of "Wipeout!") and guitar work - the guitars reminded me of Copeland a bit. Also, there are English lyrics, sung by a female vocalist. It's a bit faster than most of the songs on the album, so I can see why it's a bonus track, but it's really great!

Verdict: 10/10

Favorite tracks: all of them!

Reminds me of: Paper Lights, Copeland, "Shy, Low," Tides of Man (recent), Vasudeva, Collective Soul


(Thanks for sharing a fantastic and gorgeous listen, @ugman_2000!)

 

I’m glad you enjoyed the album so much, I was slightly worried when rec’ing it that it was in French but I’ve never found that off putting not speaking French either. It really is a beautiful album isn’t it and I agree some of the guitar work on it is just outstanding.

This albums been my favourite discovery of the last year, I think I found it when Spotify played a track after another album I had on. I’d heard some earlier Alcest prior to that but they were a lot heavier back then.

Imo this albums just incredible start to finish and is the perfect album to relax to. As for favourite tracks I’m like you I love them all but if I had to pick I’d say Voix Sereines, god damn that songs stunning.

 

I think this was a very controversial album for them as it was a DRASTIC change in sound away from their origins in black metal.

It’s still a fantastic record.

 

First time I heard of them was a couple years ago through sponsored ad's on FB, marketed as: "for fans of The 1975". Listened to a few singles and was not into them n the slightest. But I've seen them crop on tons of festivals and line-ups over the past year and seem to be making quite an impression over here as of late.

 

Thanks! I’m not sure I get a The 1975 vibe but they are definitely a good mix of pop & rock.

 

Anytime, haven't heard any of the recent stuff might have to give them another shot.

 

I would dare to say there are some comparisons to Deaf Havana but are far more pop.