Another Great Album From Therapy?
Concerned One | Clarinda, IA | 04/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the follow up to One Cure Fits All released back in 2006. In the 3 years between studio albums, Therapy? has released the live albums Webgig and Music from a Cheap Transistor:The BBC Session, and now put forth this new work, and it is worth the wait. This album is almost a concept album built around the Quote by Immanuel Kant, "From the crooked timber of humanity, no strait thing was ever made." As to be expected from Therapy?, this album is much about the despair of day to day life, internal thoughts and struggles, and random impulsive thoughts that occur in the human mind. This album focuses a lot on rhythm with the Bass and Percussion to the fore front on many of the tracks. The album flows with an overall dark overtone. My favorite tracks are "Enjoy the Struggle", "Crooked Timber", and the instrumental "Magic Mountain". I am happy I chose to get this imported as soon as I could. Definitely worth the effort and cost. I hope you find the album enjoyable also."
Eerie and Intriguing
Steve M. Loring | 04/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Irish punk/metallers Therapy? return with an energized vengeance after a three year absence. Bassist Michael McKeegan and drummer Neil Cooper create dense, chaotic sludgefests that counterpoint Andy Cairn's reflective lyrics and voice. His guitar takes a backseat this time, but shines in the supporting role. Themes include embracing the stark nature of mortality and individuality, but the overall tone isn't so much dark as eerie and intriguing.
After twenty years together, the band has never sounded better. Stand out tracks include: "Exiles," "Crooked Timber" and the wonderfully weird "The Head that Tried to Strangle Itself," where the boys seem to be channeling Peter Gabriel as backed by Slayer. Highly recommended for those that like their rock served with equal doses of heart and wit."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1