ANATHEMA

Hindsight

Kscope Music/ CD

Five years after „Natural Disasters” Cavannagh brothers are back with a collection of re-recorded semi-acoustic versions of few of their most beautiful songs. Well it may be considered as a little disappointment. I must admit that since memorable „Alternative 4” those guys have special place in my heart. And such a long hiatus is a painful challenge for a die-hard fan. Especially when I’m sure that it’s only a master of business circumstances that we still do not have a chance to listen to new songs.

Though in one of the interviews Vincent said that they’ve already written so many songs that it’s enough to record a double album. Call me a moron, but I really can’t understand how it is possible that such a great band has no record deal. It’s simply ridiculous! To be honest I was a little angry that we have to deal here with an album that may be seen as best of compliation. But from the very first notes of „Fragile Dreams” I was already prepared to forgive them this little disappointment. Why? Because we have such a beatiful music here. For some of you it may not be a big surprise – Cavannagh brothers have played some acoustic gigs. But for me it was a first contact with nine classic songs taken from last five studio albums in their new acoustic garment. Generally those new versions – maybe with exception of „Fragile Dreams” which is much more subtle here – don’t differ too much from the originals. But I must say that I’m simply overwhelmed. The tracklist is simply perfect. We have here few most emotional tracks this band has ever recorded. „One Last Goodbye” is one more time making me feel almost numb. When I’m sad that song makes me want to cry. Simply like that. As extra ingredients we have a beautiful voice of Lee Douglas in „A Natural Disaster”. And a cellist from Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Piano parts were used to decorate those songs with even more melancholy. Of course we have also one new track here. „Unchained (Tales of the Unexpected”) is another dark and atmospheric track which perfectly fits the rest of the songs. The production is simply brilliant. There’s a lot of air in the sound. Guitars gently float through the air creating the melancholic landscapes („Angelica”). Vincent’s voice is full of emotions and leads us through that interesting journey. He’s shining really bright on that album. Sometimes he sings even higher then it was in the past („Flying”).

If you like ANATHEMA I’m sure you will like „Hindsight”. The songs that you know really well were treated in delicate and respective way. They didn’t lose their identity, however we have some fresh air here. It’s a good appetizer before the new album. And definitely it’s hard to see it only as another attempt to ear a few euros. It’s too good just to be seen that way.

9/12