For The Ages
A. Klimas | Manahawkin, NJ | 05/20/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are very few moments in a music lovers life where a band comes along and changes your perception of music. As a life-long music lover I can only think of 3 (The first time I heard 'Sympathy For The Devil', the opening keyboards and guitar riff of 'Where The Streets Have No Name', & the intro bassline to Verve's 'Slide Away'). These 3 musical moments forever changed who I am and how I personally rate music. For me, they are the benchmarks. But a little over three years ago a new benchmark had been set, I had heard something that, at time I didn't understand, would become the benchmark to eclipse them all. That band was Exit Calm & the song was 'We're On Our Own'. Back then it was just an early-stage demo and along with 6 other demos they became my 7 most played songs. Although this album has only been 3 years in waiting a part of me feels as though I've been waiting my whole life for it. Those that have seen my other Exit Calm reviews as well as my facebook friends know that there is nothing bad I would ever say about this band and that may make this review seem biased, and who knows maybe it is (it definitely is), but I wouldn't be writing it if I didn't feel strongly not only about the band but about the material as well. Earlier I told you how The Verve changed the way I listen to music and as much as I love(d) them you won't see me singing the praises of 'Forth' because it was beneath them & quite frankly they are too good of a band to have let THAT be their comeback album. But this is not a review for 'Forth' (as subpar as it is) this is a review for a stunning miracle of a debut album that, for those lucky enough to hear, will stay with you forever. Now don't get me wrong, for the uninitiated this will not be an easy listen with 11 songs at over an hour the average song length is 6 minutes but don't be swayed by this they are that length for a reason and each song delivers in it's own right. The album itself however is the complete package, in an earlier review I expressed how difficult it must have been to choose a single and listening to the album that is evident. Each song is a smaller piece of the greater whole and the album itself takes you on a journey. This trip starts off with "You've Got It All Wrong" (in my estimation, the greatest opening track i've heard in decades). In the first 2 minutes we become acclimated with Rob Marshall's godlike guitar genius before a single lyric is even uttered. Then as the 2 minute mark approaches comes Nicky Smith's howling vocals, a mix of rasp and growl that Richard Ashcroft has been trying to discover since his fateful trip to London 12 years ago. 'The greatest trick was pulled right over your eyes' sings Smith and we believe him as if the trick itself was keeping this band hidden from the masses only to now be unleashed when music needs them most. This gem is followed by the aformentioned 'We're On Our Own' virtually unchanged from it's single release nearly 2 years ago. This tune is an Exit Calm classic and I think in years to come it will prove to be their 'Gravity Grave', 'Newborn', 'Cedar Room', etc..(I could've just said signature but that would've lost it's effect;-)). We follow this classic with a more somber moment in 'When You Realise'. It begins as a reflective ballad only to be overtaken in the last 2 minutes by a wall of sound that may be the albums single loudest moment as well as one of it's highest points. Speaking earlier about tough decisions for singles this tunes potential as a single is glaringly obvious. The lighter ballad like moments coupled with the heavy guitar outro has enough to satiate even the most casual of listeners. 'Hearts & Minds', the latest single, is next and here, in it's nearly 7 minute form, it's a marvel. Not shoegaze or brit-pop or even alt-rock but just straight up rock n roll and massive to boot. The guitars are furious in this one and Smith's growl turns a corner with the scream of 'OVER!!!' at the conclusion of the bridge. The rhythm section of bassist Simon Lindley & drummer Scott Pemberton really shines on this one as well. Amazing groove, classic song. This brings us to the conclusion of side one (kudos to Exit Calm for setting it up that way) and 'Don't Look Down'. All I have to say about this tune is listen to the otherworldy guitar 2 minutes in. There is a sound coming out of Marshall's amp that I didn't know could be made with conventional instruments. It is the stuff of legend and needs to be heard to be believed. Anyone that has any questions about Rob Marshall's place as a world-class guitarist need listen no further as with this tune all questions will be answered. Side one ends with an interlude that the faithful will find familiar and thus starts the second half of the journey with 'Forgiveness'. A spawling 6 minute epic that has a chorus that can't escape my head. 'Reference' is another Exit Calm classic. One of the aformentioned demos that's been circling around for the past 3 years. To hear it in it's final and graceful form is beyond words. A magic carpet ride of sound and emotion and Smith's oft quoted lyric 'Even though you're standing next to me you seem so far away' ring with a grace and beauty that even the amazing demo couldn't capture. 'With Angels' and 'Atone' are next and almost become one song with 'With Angels' being the ride on rough seas and 'Atone' being the final approach into safe harbour. The album closes with 2 tracks that vary in delivery the rockier "Recovery" with it's military style drum beats and power chord bridge and the albums most peaceful and beautiful moment on 'Serenity'. The latter being a song of pure emotion reportedly done in the first take of recording. After this amazing wild ride Exit Calm bring you down softly almost like a parent singing you a lullaby after a busy day. For the faithful, it'll be hard to keep your eyes from forming tears on this one especially at the crescendo when Smith hits the height of emotion as he beckons 'You're the reason why I'm both lost and found" a truly gorgeous moment.
Exit Calm has been quoted as saying their goal with this record was to try and capture the energy of their live shows and as those who have seen them live can tell you, they are the stuff of legend. In the end I think a large part of that energy has been captured and Exit Calm have created something extrodinarily special. This is an album that you will revisit time and time again. It doesn't get old or cheesey with repeated listens, it only improves. This is the band for a new era of music and this is the album for a new era of listener. Exit Calm have an amazing future ahead of them and 10-15 years from now when they're releasing their 8th or 9th album and are enormous successes (on their own terms of course) we'll be discussing the merits of this classic and all the offshoot bands that have found success because of it. It truly is a game-changer."
Epic Wall of Sound
Paul Perry | Tucson, AZ United States | 05/29/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been following Exit Calm since 2007 when I stumbled upon their MySpace page. Exit Calm is part of the fresh blood movement for guitar driven alt-rock coming out of the UK right now, consisting of several great bands that are either unsigned or on minor labels (such as The Boxer Rebellion, Dragons, Lowline, Nova Saints, etc.).
Exit Calm's long awaited debut album is here, and it is without a doubt a major achievement in terms of sound and structure. Driven by the bold rhythm section of Lindley on bass and Pemberton on drums, the guitar effects work of Marshall should make The Edge blush in admiration. Smith proves to be a very capable vocalist, adding a final layer to this impressive foursome.
The album itself is eleven tracks in length, with no filler. The opening track "You've Got It All Wrong" is an atmospheric ominous guitar and bass driven number layered with Smith's pleading vocals, it is an excellent opening number that perfectly sets the stage for the album. "We're On Our Own" is an epic, sprawling track that slowly builds momentum to a stunning finale sure to impress. "When You Realise" harkens back to classic U2 in a good way, beginning on a slow tempo and culminating in a melodic assault by Marshall. "Hearts and Minds" the recent single is my favorite track on this album, a rather bleak track of sweet sorrow that pulls you in. I think Smith gives his best vocal performance on this track.
"Don't Look Down" and "Reference" round out my absolute favorite tracks on the album, but even the relative down-tempo tracks that remain are incredibly good, and follow the rhythm and guitar driven sound quite well. In short there is no "throwaway" song on this album, all eleven tracks have had a lot of passion put into them, and this shows as the album shines on nearly every level. My only criticism of the album is very minor, and comes from the fact that Smith's vocals can get easily drowned out by the sonic assault occurring around him. This is evident in some tracks more than others, and may simply be a result of the production process itself, or an effect the band sought to achieve. Either way while it can be a bit distracting at times, it does add to the overall chaotic sound on some tracks (and I mean "chaotic" in a good way).
The end result is a classic first release from a very talented band that I believe we will be hearing much more of in the years to come. ****1/2 out of ***** Stars (rounded up to five)"
