5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
perceptive, introspective, and right on., November 6, 2001
piercing bolts of quasi-metal and foggy whisps of electronica mark this affecting work of ex-ganger's craig b. The dichotomy of craig's brutally earnest, hopelessly vulnerable lyrics and swiftly moving currents of noise dovetail surprisingly well (this modus operendi would never work for someone like morrisey). While plenty of bands dip their toes in the waters of loud/soft dynamics, aereogramme's quiet sections are flecked with such genuine, gentle melody and their volume is so clearly not merely for loudness' sake that they immedietely distance themselves from those bands of a similar mindset. poignant, affecting, and reflective. scotland is the musical center of the universe, and aereogramme one reason why.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shines like a shooter, October 25, 2001
I was a huge fan of Ganger, the exceptionally underrated Scottish post-rock beast, and was patiently looking forward to this release, for if it even captured a small part of Craig B's work in Ganger, it would be worth it. I have to admit that this album has floored me in the few weeks that I've had it, but not in the same way Ganger did. The absence of that band's coiling rhythm section means that the songs are driven more by lyrics and melody rather than constricting the rhythms to the breaking point, and while that was Ganger's major strength, Aereogramme has easily made up for it with its approach.
Effectively, the juxtaposition of ornate beauty and terrifying noise that Mogwai capitalizes on is used to great effect here, but it is combined with more slightly more straightforward song structures, the "rock" songs reminding slightly of mid-period Hum. The songs aren't verse-chorus-verse, but lyrics dominate the album, so it's hard to call them a fully traditional post rock band. Also, Craig B's lyrics are quite interesting, largely discussing faith and the ambiguous loss of it.
The shredding guitar and hardcore screaming that mark the spine-tingling moments of "Post Tour, Pre Judgment" and "Zionist Timing" are mirrored by gentle piano, subtle guitar flows, and Craig B's soft, likeable voice. Few bands can write melancholic slower songs as well as they write downright rock songs, and this is Aereogramme's major strength. The poignancy of "Motion" and "Hatred" are not to be underestimated, and the coupling in several songs of this style with the serrating edge of overdriven guitars comes to fruition in "The Question is Complete" and several others.
This is a fantastic album. It doesn't feel overwhelming in terms of the experimentalism, since most of the songs have the buoy of tradition lyrics, and it never falls into any ruts. The three extra tracks on the US version are all tremendous as well. All in all, a well deserved five stars.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mindblowing Masterpiece, April 26, 2002
This album is so intense and subtle all at once. This is my favorite album right now and I have to say may be one of the most important albms to come across Indy rock in a long time. Every dynamic can be heard in A Story In White. I would say that Aereogramme is a cross between Refused, Flaming Lips, and maybe some early 90's indy rock. You have to hear this to believe it! Buy it!
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