MEMENTO MORI

In 2002, Aviv Geffen have released his 9th studio album, which is called "Memento Mori". The name is taken from an artistic motif from the middle ages, known in english as "Remember the death", which combines symbols like skulls and skeletons in it's artwork. So it is understood that most of the song are based on death, a subject that came to Geffen's knowledge after the gone of his grandmother, a year before the album's release. After a half a year of rehearsals with his band, "The Mistakes", Geffen & The Mistakes drove to one of the well known recording studios in Europe, at Copenhagen, Denmark. Aviv have also produced & arranged, when his ex-producer, Louie Lahav, will take part as an artistic adviser.

The album is characterized with a division of violins & stringed instruments and a bombastic production, that turned into Geffen's icon. "Memento" was the first album that reached my knowledge, after all the media "buzz" that surrounded Geffen, claiming that "Memento" was his best album so far, and a brilliant one, like statements that have been quoted by Aviv's relatives.

In my opinion, the album have reached the expectations that the media have put to this album, and it is without a doubt one of the best albums from Aviv, if not the best of them. Geffen have excelled in great songs like "Ray Of Light" & "Salt Of The Tears" that are also characterized with the touch of an acoustic guitar and the perfect orchestration that clearly turns "Memento Mori" to a classic, eternal album. Another unforgetable track is the title song - "Memento Mori", that clearly became an anthem in aviv's crowd.

In conclusion, "Memento Mori" is one of the best album by Geffen, if not the best of them, It has the great balance between sound & production, and it is felt that in "Memento" Aviv have found the perfect combination between the soft & mellow songs, and his more powerful critical songs. In my opinion, the goal of "Memento Mori" is to show that, ironically, death is a part of life. The middle ages are so actual in these days, because it keeps reminding us as human beings to stay humble, and always to remember that someone is stronger.

Did someone said "Concept Album"? :)

5 stars.