Envy - Recitation
Rating
RIYL
MonoIsis
Sigur Ros
Explosions in the Sky
Release Date
10/12/2010
Label
Temporary ResidenceTracklist
01. Guidance02. Last Hours of Eternity
03. Rain Clouds Running in a Holy Night
04. Pieces of the Moon I Weaved
05. Light and Solitude
06. Dreams Coming to An End
07. Incomplete
08. Worn Heels and the Hands We Hold
09. A Hint and the Incapacity
10. A Breath Clad in Happiness
11. 0 and 1
12. Your Hand
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The first time I heard Envy was in the winter of 2006. Having been recently turned on to their label, Temporary Residence Limited, I transferred a free download of a label sampler to my iPod. Bundled in gloves, boots, and two coats, I ventured into the blizzard to walk ten blocks for a night class at my college. After a couple interesting and a few “meh” tracks, “A Warm Room” chimed through my headphones. “Hey, this sounds like Explosions in the Sky! I like it!” I thought. Nothing prepared me for the onslaught of raw emotion I was about to experience. The sudden dramatic shift took me entirely by surprise, and I remember stopping in the middle of the street to compose myself. I was shocked, yes, but I was also completely floored.
Over the last twenty years, Envy fans have undoubtedly developed a set of expectations with each release. Each time the band releases a record, we more or less know what we’re going to get: brutal screams, soaring melodies and truckloads of emotion. Predictability can ruin a band, but when referring to these Japanese post-hardcore heroes (if they even fit into this category anymore), the formula is tried, true and absolutely wonderful. The 2003 album A Dead Sinking Story revealed an unprecedented emotional core in their songwriting, elaborated on with 2006’s Insomniac Doze. Since then, Envy have released several EPs and splits with the likes of Thursday and Jesu, as well as the DVD Transfovista. With Recitation, Envy proves even further that they are untouchable as one of the most dominant forces in the post-rock community.
If the rumor is true that Recitation is in fact Envy’s final recorded outing, they couldn’t go out on a higher note. While staying true to the foundation they have created over the years, Recitation shows the band expanding their emotional spectrum into previously uncharted territory. “Rain Clouds Running in a Holy Night” and “Dreams Coming to An End” are true surprises in that they are jubilant and upbeat as can be, evoking joy like the band has never done before. These songs give off an almost punk-rock vibe, moving at lightning speed and driving the album forward, while the opener “Guidance” and the acoustic interlude “Incomplete” show the band at their most gentle. Even the song title “A Breath Clad in Happiness” says a lot about where the band is going with this release, and this track stands out as one of the most triumphant songs the band has written to date. The album flows effortlessly from one song to the next, with more than enough memorable moments to warrant many listens. Clocking in right at the one hour mark, Recitation wanders patiently through sensitive spoken passages and delicate textures amidst the dense, heavier sections, and like always, the two styles complement each other beautifully. Tetsuya Fukagawa seems to have dedicated all of his energy to perfecting his searing scream, as there are no clean vocals to be found other than the plethora of spoken passages.
Above all, the album represents hope and its ability to purify and ease the soul. If that sentence seems a bit melodramatic, consider who we’re talking about here; one of the most admirable qualities in Envy’s music has always been their proud commitment to the eradication of subtlety. Throughout each inspired and moving track, Recitation reaches for your heart and doesn’t let go until the final violins of “Your Hand” fade into the atmosphere. Yes, this record brought tears to my eyes on several occasions, and I recommend closing the shades, lying back and turning the volume up to eleven to feel Recitation’s full effect. Or you could always take a walk in the snow.
--Jeff VanVickle
Comments
Fishers, Indiana
I was never incredibly keen on Envy. I enjoyed Insomniac Doze a bit. Then I saw them live. Everything just sounds better, somehow. It's magical.
I really didn't care for Recitation either at first, save for "Dreams Coming to an End," but it's grown on me pretty heavily. I adore how well the band hits peaks and valleys like a heavily PMSing girlfriend.
Top Albums: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
PA
Amazing record. Top 3 of the year. Maybe...numero uno?
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Infinitely Inwards
So awesome
Ever Forthright - Ever Forthright
Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs
The New Law - The Fifty Year Storm
The Mars Volta - Noqtourniqet
Aborted - Global Flatline
Spawn of Possession - Incurso
Crippled Black Phoenix - (Mankind)The Crafty Ape
Bayside,NY
love this album
Raleigh, NC
I need to get this. I've heard nothing but praise for this.
Sunshine Coast, Australia
everything about this review confuses me in to wanting to listen to it.
"If you want something done right, get a fucking Australian band to do it" - Chris Cheney
up there with The Saddest Landscape and A Lot Like Birds as one of my favourite releases of the year.
Boston, MA
Just saw these guys live with Touche Amore and Trash Talk, what a show! Very epic performance.
Stereo Typing
Tweet at me, bro
Wollongong, New South Wales
wait...for serious? what are these rumors. i never want envy to stop making music. shitfuck.