Search - Eyeless in Gaza :: All Under Leaves Leaves of Life

Past Reflection, Future Vision

D. B. Rocca | Parkland, FL United States | 02/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All Under the Leaves... draws upon the raw and stark musical contrasts that made their early albums so dynamic; however, the more developed sound and evocative lyrics indicated how far the duo has come from their 80's works. "Monstrous Joy" is a heavy synthesizer ballad with resonant lyrics and a timeless quality (and, as some have pointed out, strong Joy Division influences). "Morning's" acoustic guitar and folk melody are simply gorgeous. "Fracture Track" is a rough, punky piece which nods to their earliest releases. The stand out here is the title track, which combines delicate, poetic refrains and acoustic guitar with what sounds like trains roaring through an industrial plant. It's their ability to make the strangest things beautiful that seperates them from the rest. In a way, this album feels like Caught in Flux Revisited, as if it closes the circle that album began to draw. Perhaps I perceive that from the album's more agressive approach and tight-rope balance between musical tension and melodic meandering (or I've listend to it too often! :) Also highly recommended is the previous album, Bitter Apples, as well as the follow-up, The Lovely Wanton. While each album is different soundwise, each shares the same formula: Nostaligic themes, excellent songwriting, and improvised musicality that deepens with each listening."