Customer Reviews

Compass

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have never been disappointed with Assemblage 23 and this current album is certainly no exception. My only complaint about Assemblage 23 is that Tom Shear is only able to produce so much music. Ever since discovering the Album Failure several years ago, I have had an insatiable hunger for all things Assemblage 23.

This latest album is a triumph, from Smoke all the way through The Cruelest Year. Personally, I really enjoy Tom's signature songs about social unrest and destruction. Compass delivers a healthy dose with Smoke, How can you sleep, and Greed. These songs have a great beat all while making me feel that there is someone who at least shares my view of the world. I cannot get enough of this album.

Assemblage 23 does almost as good a job of examining the outside world as it does the introspection of the self. Alive, Collapse, and The Cruelest Year are prime examples. I could, and have, listened to those songs all day. And then there's Impermanence! A bitter sweet song reminiscent of dysfunctional relationships. So there's plenty for me to relish there.

Assemblage 23 has such a unique sound that I will always be hungry for. My advise if you like electronic music is to buy Tom Shear's stuff. It has been so hard for me to find Artists that I can really enjoy but Assemblage 23 is among the few. In closing, If I could preorder the next album right now I would without a second thought. If you are interested enough in Assemblage 23 to read this review you should buy the album, listen, and enjoy!

There's never been an Assemblage 23 album I didn't enjoy, although there have been some I enjoyed more than others. Compass definitely ranks up there among the best. This is definitely Tom Shear's most daring album to date as it utilizes many unique sounds and compositions and makes for a very diverse and compelling album. I purchased the two disc limited edition from Metropolis and the extra CD is completely worth it. It offers up two remixes and three exclusive songs, all of which are rather good, even the remixes. As a big fan of A23's work, I was more than pleased by this latest offering, there are plenty of floorkilling DJ tracks, a wonderful ballad and each and every song stands on its own. Impressive to say the least.

Similar to the previous reviews, I discovered Assemblage 23 several years ago on Rant Radio and instantly became a fan of "Failure." Besides having a great and unique sound, Tom's lyrics have always been what's really made me a fan. His vocals have really taken off over the past few releases with a much more confident vocal track. The latest edition to his discography "Compass" is yet my new favorite. Each track has a unique sound and message unlike a lot of EBM artists. I for one am looking forward to the Compass tour!

I have enjoyed every Assemblage 23 album, but I have not enjoyed them equally. While I found Storm and Meta to both be very good albums, I found that when I wanted to listen to A23, I usually reached for Defiance, and to a lesser degree Failure and Contempt, first. I expected my reaction would be much the same with this album.

I was pleasantly surprised, however. While it is undeniably the Assemblage 23 I know and love, I feel like there's some real growth here. Tom extends his vocal range here quite a bit, which differentiates the songs nicely. The lyrics combine the introspection of most of his previous work, but with a few more songs pointed at the external world (in the vein of Madman's Dream on Meta).

The music also sounds different, but I can't really put my finger on how, exactly. All the pieces of each song seem to fit together more cleanly, and convey a bit more feeling than previous efforts. And while the overall sound seems a little brighter, it never crosses the line into poppy, and doesn't clash with or overpower the lyrics. In general, the whole effort just feels more mature and well crafted than previous albums.

My biggest complaint with electronic music as a whole is that it can at times tend to feel flat and lifeless. A23 as a whole, and most specifically with Compass, completely overcomes these problems, injecting some real feeling into the proceedings.

All in all, I suppose the biggest indication of success in an album is how much one listens to it, and I have been unable to stop myself from listening to this album repeatedly, which is pretty much the highest praise I can give. I honestly think it has displaced Defiance as my favorite. Definitely highly recommended!

There are only a handful of artists that I'll go out of my way to support, and A23 are one of them. I first got into A23 when I heard the song 30KFT, and it tore me to pieces with it's honesty and it's beauty, that was when I realized I had to listen to more from Assemblage 23. I've got every single album by them and Compass is probably one of my favorites. If you like well composed electronic synth based music, and you've never heard A23 give this album a try, and if you like this album pick up any of his older work as well. I didn't think he could surpass his last album, Meta, but he totally did, not saying that it was a bad album, he's just THAT good at what he does... I'd say go with the Deluxe addition because the additional songs are well worth it.

In the end, A23 does something to me that hardly any band has ever done to me before.. These songs make me really think about life and loss and love.. They make me think of how well I know the people I share my life with. How many days pass by when I don't even wonder what might be going on in their lives? Or if they really know what is going on in mine? Or is everybody really so empty? Am I empty? These are the questions I ask myself while listening to Assemblage 23.

I just listened to compass for the first time, both discs. heres my review:
Ratings.
Compass: 5/5
Spark single: 4/5

Music like this does not come every day. Once again, Tom Shear ( Assemblage 23) has pushed the boundaries of EBM , Trance and electronic music.His vocals are once again very good and his singing style has also evolved over time, His lyrics are very heartfelt and emotionally strong. His last record, Meta, was an experimental album but still appeals to hard core A23 fans. Compass does Meta right.Compass is even more experimental than its predecessor. The album starts off with smoke, A highly danceable song with cool riffs and rythyms. throughout the record there are many slow and melodic songs, as well as hard hitting songs that will soon be dance club favorites. Standouts from Compass are: Smoke, How can you sleep, Spark, Alive, Greed and Grind.

The bonus disc contains 3 more songs and 2 remixes. well worth it. I give cmpass a 5 out of 5. It is a highly danceable album that should appeal to all Tom's fans, new and old. For the old fans, we know of Toms music and like the way Assemblage 23 has grew over time. For the new fans even though this album is very good and should definately buy it, I recomend storm and meta to get used to the new A23 sound.

Spark single:
While many fans do not like remixes, spark still does not dissapoint. On the cd is the single spark, Helicopter girl, and the poison moon as well as 2 remixes. worth the wait for compass.

-EDIT-
This review is unfinished, i need to listen to compass and the spark single one more time.

Like most other reviewers here, I LOVE this album. I would definitely say it's the new best A23 album - and without a doubt one of the best EBM/futurepop/whatever albums ever made. I feel that Tom has taken everything he does best and constructed a nearly flawless album. There isn't a single track I don't love. My only *complaint* is that the bonus track "Grind" wasn't included as part of the official album, as it is an EXCELLENT track. My absolute favorite tracks, though, would have to be "Collapse," "Impermanence," and "Spark." One of the things I love about A23 is the amazing, meaningful songwriting that - unlike some of his peers (*ahem* VNV Nation) - never sounds cheesy or melodramatic. But A23's greatest asset is probably the fact that he always continues to grow musically and never sounds like anyone else, whereas some of the others seem to have either completely run out of new ideas (VNV) or completely changed their sound with horrid results (Apoptygma Berzerk). A23 currently sits WAY at the top of the genre.

Another long time fan of Tom Shear, I am simply amazed how this guy can keep within his style but make it absolutely new.

Every CD he puts out gets better and better. As usual Tom Shear is a master lyricist and creates interesting and inspiring songs. The EBM dancefloor beats are catchy, powerful and driving. They for the most part start off dark or simple and end up revving up into a euphoria of melody.

What makes this CD different is I catch hints of the newer dance/trance samples and bits spliced in to his songs.

If you are new to EBM A23 is definitely a good gateway.

If you are a EMB Vet. why are you wasting time reading this review, hurry and get this gem!

Tom had really outdone himself with this one. I have been a fan since The release of "Contempt". I have seen the progression of A23 through "Failure" "Defiance" "Storm" And the last cd "Meta" Which was not a favorite of mine. I think "Compass" Matches the work on "Storm" (Which was My Favorite A23 Record) Musically and lyrically.The First track "Smoke" Opens the cd on a musical High note. "Impermanence" Is another poppy creation. I started Dancing in my car. Tom gives the listener a rest with "How can you Sleep".The next track is the First Single from the Cd "Spark". I love the this track. The lyrics are hard hitting and the melody you cant help but to start singing along with. The one thing I really love about Tom's Work is that his Lyrics are REAL. You listen to a A23 song and you say to yourself ,"I get it..I totally know what that feels like", along with his ability to convey so many emotions through his songs. "Alive" Has turned into my Favorite Track. From the pulsing bass line to the lyrics. "Greed" Reminds me of Something off "Defiance" or "Storm". Tom has really Flexed his Vocal Muscles on "Compass" And not hid behind Effects like on previous cd's. "The Cruelest year" is a song that I think everyone can relate too..We have all had our share of the "Year from Hell". When I placed my order I got the 2-disc edition which comes with 5 extra tracks.It Consists of 3 bonus tracks and a remix of "Spark" and "Greed". All in all I applaud Tom on another Success.It is good to see him out-do himself on every release..Go buy "Compass" you wont be disappointed!!!!!!

I hardly ever play Tom's last release, Meta. It sounded to me like Storm's cutting-room floor tracks, with the exception of the song Madman's Dream. After seeing nothing but 5 star reviews for this album, I was skeptical, thinking it a shower of fanboy adorations. Not so! Compass shows Tom, like in Meta's Madman's Dream, pushing his vocals farther than they've ever gone before. The sounds he uses in this album are more varied than in past releases, and the songwriting catchier. It's an album I can't stop playing, and songs like Spark and especially Alive I can't get out of my head.

Over time, I see this album standing out as one of Tom's best. A must-have for electronic music lovers.