Roz Reviews:
Black Country, New Road - Ants From Up There
ROZ
A very pleasant surprise this is. With its variety of soundscapes formed through a diverse list of instrumentation - the brass and string arrangements particularly standing out as unique elements to the overall timbre of the bands sound - BCNR’s lead vocalist finds a calmness in the madness that unravels throughout the albums 59 minute run time.
Opting for a focus on dynamic range rather than conceding to the loudness war that many modern mixes fall victims to, the peaks and valleys of each song accumulate into an overall pleasant listening experience for any appreciative audiophile. Standout tracks include ‘Good Will Hunting’, ‘Haldern’ and ‘Bread Song’; the latter seeming to pay homage to Thom Yorke and co., with its Radiohead-esque melody and playing styles. The middle section of the album stands the strongest, however neither side tends to weaken to any sort of alarming amount.
A unique sound combined with fascinating songwriting makes this reviewer not only mourn the loss of lead vocalist Isaac Wood, but also ponder the question: “Where does the band go from here?”. Only time will tell.
Album Verdict: Sweet
Favorite Song: Bread Song