SEVEN

This album has slowly grown on me to the point where I can't offer up anything less than 4 stars. My initial reaction was that it was too sweet for it's own good, it was a pleasant listen but nothing more. Well this is another example of why an album should be listened to at least seven (haha) times before reviewing it. This is sort of a concept album about the seven deadly sins, although the songs aren't really linked to one another. The lyrics often don't seem to have anything to do with the title of the song they represent either. Rob Reed wrote the music while his brother Steve wrote the lyrics. THE VIENNA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA adds strings to this album.

"Gluttony" opens with some YES-like vocal harmonies before the song kicks into gear. Some nice guitar here. Christine comes in before 1 1/2 minutes. It settles 4 1/2 minutes in with piano and synths then reserved vocals. It kicks back in around 7 minutes with some good drumming. Screaming guitar follows. Spoken male vocals a minute later. Is that Bob Dylan ? (haha). More good guitar before it ends with piano. "Envy" opens with what sounds like harpsichord before a full sound with guitar takes over. Vocals a minute in. There's a beautiful section before 2 minutes as Christine leads the way on the chorus. Strings after 4 1/2 minutes continue until the guitar returns then vocals. Themes are repeated. Nice guitar later. The chorus for me is extremely meaningful and hopeful. "Lust" opens with strings as a full sound follows. The tempo continues to shift and contrasts continue. Vocals before 3 minutes and I like when it settles around 5 minutes. This is my least favourite song.

"Greed" opens with vocal melodies in harmony before the guitar cries out. Pulsating organ follows and i'm thinking SPOCK'S BEARD.Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. Nice bass before 5 1/2 minutes. Guitar 7 minutes. Drums before 10 minutes followed by guitar. Strings after 12 minutes as it settles. "Anger" is pastoral with reserved vocals and strings. "Pride" kicks in before a minute with a full sound. Vocal melodies before 2 minutes and some great guitar a minute later. Synths after 8 minutes. It's uplifting after 10 minutes. "Sloth" is my favourite by far. I had heard this already on their "Broken" EP and it's quite different from all the other songs on this album. It's more melancholic and darker and much more emotional. The lyrics are so meaningful, they're about the Native Americans. Strings to open followed by some solo piano before the vocals come in. Guitar before 2 minutes. Pure emotion ! Christine cries out after 4 minutes and the guitar does the same. A Gilmour-like solo 7 minutes in for almost 2 minutes is so moving. Vocal melodies follow to end the song.

There's just too much here to like.