Search - Assemblage 23 :: Storm

I Long for Anonymity to Wipe the Features from my Face

TastyBabySyndrome | "Daddy Dagon's Daycare" - Proud Sponsor of the Lit | 02/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Assemblage 23 has come a long way since its inception, pulling itself up from trying to land songs like Graverobber on samplers to becoming one of the most renowned acts in EBM. The reason A23 has managed to do it has been the quality of the sounds used as a mouthpiece for the band, and because the albums maintain a level one expects from a mainstay in their listening rotation. The full releases have been phenomenal, with pieces like Failure deservedly pushing the act into the spotlight and giving them a worldwide audience, and piece like Contempt and Defiance (not to forget the tracks from Addendum) adding so many quality pieces. The sound of the albums, the way they flow and the lyrical mastery; its all evolved as the act has come into its own. And the effort, of course, revolves around Tom Shear.



I really can't say enough about the material that Tom Shears release, nor can I hype him as much as he merits. He really has worked wonders with A23, remixing countless tracks from the likes of Pain Station (that Slaughterhouse mix off of Cold is WELL worth obtaining), Covenant, God Module and so many others, and he has also helped engineer wonders when it comes to the likes of Lost Signal (their album Catharsis is another gem that everyone desperately needs). With regard to his work with A23, Shear's crafted droves of quality EBM beatwork, keeping the motions moving to an almost always danceable beat, and he's done it while becoming really versed when in the art of introspection. That's possibly what I like about his work the most, because he gives his audience portions of his life that feel and hurt and that help him connect with others. In the past he's wielded the double-edged blade of sorrow with the death of his father, the hate that comes with betrayal and with simply wanting to connect, and he's laid it out on track after track. And that formulates an impressive resume, to be sure.



On Storm, I found beats that I have come to expect from A23, and I found quite a few tracks I responded to immediately. I'm partial to the song Human, because Shear's vocal blend seamlessly with the beat and because I enjoy the concept of the song itself. "If imperfection is the lens that sees me through, don't be surprised if someday soon that lens stares back at you." Yeah, that's good stuff. Skin is also a great track, with both a mix of vocals that modify a bit from the last and with an energetic beat, plus an affirming message that shays to be who you are. "Shed your skin, be who you arm, unencumbered by the weight of hiding every little scar." Yeah, that's the good stuff as well. Skipping around for room, there's also the track Complacent that caught my audio attention, with the stuff that I disagree with a lot of people about because I really think this type of track is what helps Shear shine. It still has an electronic beat but the it slows a little more that "danceable," giving it some energy but also crafting more melodic skies, and its accented with vocals that seem flawless in that setting. "Sweet denial, take your leave, you must have others to deceive." Yeah, that makes me a happy auditory camper. The last one I want to note is the song 30kft, a departure from the norm and a rather sad song that is perhaps the best one of the album. It takes place as an occupant is informed that his plane is going down and is simply trying to call his wife and tell her everything he's feeling. It has such an eerie feeling to it, one that really makes a person tear up when you think about what's going on, and it has this attractive sadness that really made me attach to it. "I'm sorry most of all I won't be there when you grow old, to be there by your side and keep you warm when you are cold." Its really sad when you feel the painting, and something I find myself really moved by.



And this tiny track listing is, by no means, a highlighted pack of what the album is. Like I said, there's quite a bit of pleasure to be derived from the album. There's the singles that the album spawned, Let the Wind Erase Me and Ground, and a lot of other goodies. If you find you like this you'll also want to pick up the two aforementioned singles, because both have extra tracks on them not contained on the album as well. Yummy.

"

Electronic bliss

Analog | Planet Earth | 11/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"By far one of the best electronic albums that I've bought in a long time. Not to mention this album has one of the coolest, most original songs ever--30KFT. There aren't any songs on this album that I don't like. Tom Shear is a terrific songwriter, his melodies are exquisite, and his vocals are dark and moody. Complacent is my favorite song because it reminds me a lot of 80's Depeche Mode. I love the overall melancholy feel that the album puts out, though it's full of energy and has plenty of dance beats. Fans of Neuroticfish, Covenant, Angels and Agony, Imperative Reaction, and any 80's synth rock will definately like this album. Do yourself a favor and just buy it, you won't be disappointed."

The bar has been raised...

Seth Hauser | Chicago | 04/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It may sound a little fanboy-ish, but this Tom Sheer effort has become the standard by which all other music of this genre should be compared. More than two years after the release of this incredible disc, I still find myself listening to it on a regular basis. This is raw, emotional, powerful, and above all, FUN to listen to. Tom Sheer's career as Assemblage 23 shows a definitive progression... from the growling, angry, disgust found on his first album "Contempt" on up through "Storm", which is far more positive and upbeat. But don't get me wrong... we're not talking about fields of daisies and cute fluffy bunnies; not at all. Still, "Storm" shows a man who has come to terms with himself and his life and knows that he is in a better place now.



That's a lot to take away from a synthpop-electronica album, isn't it? Of course it's just my opinion, but I can really feel the emotion behind these songs. Sheer is a man who clearly puts his heart and his everything into his music, and that has never been more clearly represented than on this album. The content of every song is profound, thought-provoking, deep, and meaningful. This isn't silly junk about unrequited love, or formulaic warblings about dislike of government, or any other garbage found in most music today and in the last decade. This is REAL. This is about a man who has faced many challenges and has overcome them, and the result is this inspirational and uplifting disc that makes you start dancing and never stop. And it'll make you cry, too... the final track, 30Kft, is Assembage 23's most heart-wrenching emotional song since "Disappoint" from the album "Failure". Truly, few musicians can adequately capture such a vast range of emotions and feelings in their work.



Every track is well-crafted, every song catchy. I bought this album the week it came out in 2004, and it is one of two albums (Killing Joke's self-titled 2004 release being the other) that I rank as some of the best music ever produced. When I speak of the bar being raised, it's because I look at the depth and content of this album in comparison to VNV Nation's formulaic "Matter + Form" and Covenant's vastly subpar "Skyshaper", bands that were once formidable staples of this genre, and I cringe. How can these other former giants fall from grace in such a way when ONE MAN, Tom Sheer, can single-handedly make a disc this good? It all sounds so silly for me to praise this album so much, but it's true.



If you're reading this review, there is absolutely no reason why you should not buy this disc. This is THE standard for electronic music. Just be warned: once you hear the vast superiority of the musicianship found on this album, it may be very hard for you to accept subpar offerings from other bands in this category. Assemblage 23 will never get the accolades it deserves because the world is too busy digesting mindless tripe from whiney Coldplay or crunching on their bubble gum while listening to Jessica Simpson. It's a shame, because "Storm" is so far superior in every single way. Well done, Mr. Sheer!"