Subarachnoid Space - 'Eight Bells' (Crucial Blast)
Mike Reed | USA | 11/26/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Every bit as good as the Seattle space rock band's previous release 'Red Veil' (see my review). Total of five tracks - with "Lilith", the thirteen-minute "Akathesia" (true spaced out bliss), the galactic {sort to speak} "Hunter Seeker", "Haruspex" and the seven-minute "Bird Signs" that serves as an out-standing finale to this all TOO short 37 minute trip. Was suprised when I discovered that guitarist Melynda Jackson was the only original member on this CD - yet 'Eight Bells' is still a very decent effort, as it's consistent, dependable and able to hold a fan's full attention. There are no real highlights - it's all good. New line-up: Daniel Barone - guitar, Daniel Osbourne - bass, Lauren Newman - drums and guest - Steven Wray Lobdell ('90's Faust member) - acoustic guitar. Definitely a 'headphone' album."
Possibly their best, but its a matter of personal taste.
Gregory Williams | Portland, OR | 11/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just purchased this album about 3 weeks ago and I admit that on first listen it didn't quite catch my ears. I had the chance to see them live a couple of times and that set more or less consisted of the material from this album. I think I knew I would really enjoy Eight Bells but in listening to it just after a show something didn't quite translate on the album from the intensity of the live set so I let it sit for a couple weeks and came back to it.
After letting it sit and pulling it out again on a boring night all I can say is wow, I love it! Some people might have trouble listening to the whole album because, as other people seem to have mentioned in other reviews, they tend to like the Subarachnoid Space albums that have a different idea from track to track. That isn't the case with Eight Bells. With this album it is meant to be listened to from beginning to end and not in pieces. To some people it might be a bit too intense of an adventure but I personally love it. I've listened to it probably 9 or 10 times beginning to end and loved it more and more each time whereas when I have listened to just a single track like Bird Signs the track doesn't seem to come together as a whole piece like the album does. This album is also much darker than their previous ones which at the moment suits my tastes although I may someday find myself enjoying an album like Also Rising all over again.
Ultimately it comes down to a matter of personal tastes. I certainly recommend it but for those looking for a general introduction to the band however, this might not be the best place to start."
