Release: June 9th 2008Label: ADA Global / Wind Up Records
For a band that has been devastated by tragedy, the death of Shaun Morgan's brother, one might wittily say that this album doesn’t show it. Full of references to death, suicide and lyrical abuse, 'Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces' is not the correct choice if you want to listen to happy and uplifting music. Even the album artwork is littered with disturbing images of ghosts.
This album marks a departure into the mainstream for the band with a few of the songs that are markedly different and more radio friendly than the rest. 'Rise Above This' is one such song, recognisably lighter and positive compared to the rest, it's the shining beacon in the depths of despair that is the record. Another enticing song is 'Fallen', good use of less lyrically demanding verses alongside the call and response makes it much easier to listen to. All this hides sneakily hidden social commentary on women who will do anything, including plastic surgery, for another male conquest.
It seems the focus point for the band was to produce more anthemic songs, such as 'FMLYHM'. The aggressive ode growls along until the powerhouse of a chorus crashes in and almost forces you to sing along, regardless of the company you’re in.
Embedded with an uninspired array of guitar riffs, the album fails to allow the songs to create an identity that is too different from the others. The only way in which to distinguish between songs is the vocal style that the South African front man uses. Yet, the singing appears to only be between heavy singing and screaming.
The middle of the album is punctuated by the seven minute long 'No Jesus Christ', which regrettably gets repetitive incredibly quickly. The only variation in the song is the slight use of screaming in the bridge. It also has the worst lyric on the album with the horrific "your verbal defecation I can’t wash away", which just clangs like a pink mouse on the moon. Unfortunately, 'No Jesus Christ' seems to signal a nose dive for the end of the album.
'Eyes Of The Devil' is overly long, overly repetitive and overly boring. After three minutes of the same riffs and religious connotations, the imagination seems to wander into a much more interesting place, that place isn't here. The last two songs on the album aren’t much different either.
At 50 minutes, the album can be trying, but despite the lyrical themes, there are parts in which glory shines.
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Seether On The Internet:
Official Site
Myspace
With thanks to The Music Magazine.
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