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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Huge Dissapointment, June 24, 2002
I'm a longstanding fan of The Third and The Mortal. Although their style has changed dramatically over the years each progression has been appropriate.This album sees the band lose two members (vocalist and bassist). The loss of the vocalist seems to have been a huge blow to the band, something that has suprised me as they have gone through vocalist changes before. Unable to find a new vocalist, the remaining band have resorted to session vocalists, which has changed their style to more resemble trip-hop/soul derived bands like portishead. Without a consistent lead, the album as a whole feels weak even though individual songs and elements can be excellent. For example, subtle use of glitch percussion Unlike previous albums where dischordant elements are included very deliberately, some of the samples, lyrics and vocal styles jar the listener uselessly, without even the experimental avant garde foundation seen on previous releases. Like many bands who change their style so much they venture into another genre, Memoirs fairs quite badly compared to the best of the genres it's trying to fit into. There is still hope that the next album could show a return to form, otherwise, you'd be better placed getting "In This Room"
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4.0 out of 5 stars
A different perspective, May 3, 2005
Atmopsheric doom metallers The 3rd and the Mortal turn into trip-hop? Something's wrong here many will rush to say. On the contrary my friends, this is one of the best albums I've heard in years! It may have taken them several years to release this album after the very experimental, yet magnificent, "In This Room" album but the result is something that no one would expect. Nine beautiful compositions filled with slow trip-hoppish keyboards (reminding masters Portishead at times), loops and sampled drumming. Even though Ann-Mari Edvarsen left the band, the new singer is a worthy replacement with her beautiful voice. Also this album features, for the first time, male vocals along with the female ones. Even though this album is very far away from their metal roots the guitar plays a huge part in the development of the songs. Also the jazz influences of their previous album are much stronger on this album without overdoing it of course. In conclusion, this is a very strange and highly experimental album, combining many musical styles in a very successful way. Of course many people won't like it for this particular reason. If you liked what they did on "In This Room" you're most likely to enjoy this album. On the other hand, if you didn't like their previous album don't even think about getting this one!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
If you want something truly original and unorthodox, November 7, 2004
I have all of the 3rd and the Mortal's full length albums, this is my favorite. For the fans of their early work, as the other reviews here say, you might be dissappointed. It's no Tears Laid in Earth, which is a masterpiece bar none. But this has a more original and eclectic feel to it.
I love how they manage to take so many different musical influences and put it together into an album that is dark, coherent, and flowing, but never monotonous. I can hardly begin to describe the sound as it is so unique. The best (but still not a great) comparison might be Bjork's post album. But Post is, in my opinion, an inferior album to Memoirs, in many respects (and i say that with the utmost respect to Bjork).
This album is by no means catchy. But it is deep, harmonic, and engaging. If you have an eclectic taste, and you want to gamble on something truely unique and original, this album might be for you.
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by The 3rd and the Mortal 
