DELUSION SQUARED

Delusion Squared seem to be a band who like to hide their light under a bushel, the digipack album cover does not divulge any details of the band members or composers. However it does give the storyline of this concept album which tells the narrative of a girl who defies a post apocalyptic society by getting pregnant and is thus condemned to live with the outcasts of society. She becomes a leader of the outcasts and when she dies an old woman she is considered a deity. But back to the music which is mostly acoustic and electric guitar driven with some nice piano and understated electric keyboards thrown in, the electric guitar solos are lovely and at times are quite unique sounding. Lorraine Young's lead vocals are wispy and angelic (slightly along the lines of Suzanne Vega) and in my opinion suit the style of music down to the ground.

The opening track "The Very Day" is certainly catchy with Young's voice dictating the captivating melody. Certain tracks such as "Copyrighted Genes" and "The Betrayal" are driven by an almost metal style guitar sound and the combination of this with the quieter acoustic passages certainly bring to mind a certain Porcupine Tree type sound. The track "By The Lake (Mourning)" is a lovely acoustic instrumental track as the story reaches the point where the girl lies by the water expecting to die after being expelled from the arcology where organised society now lives after the Great Tear as the apocalypse is called. The track "What We Will Be" starts with a robotic voice giving a sort of story of Earth creation before it develops into piano led ballad which is very reminiscent of something off the PT album "Anesthetize". The album concludes with its longest track, the fine "A Creation Myth" which is an acoustic guitar and piano piece which shows off Young' voice very well.

This is a excellent album, it's worth four stars and probably 4.5, the musicianship by the other members of the band Emmanuel De Saint Méen and Steven Francis is excellent. It's a pity that there are no lyrics with the album to enhance the story, seems a bit strange doing a concept album with no lyric sheet but that a small gripe. Fine band with lots of potential to improve with the next album.