Search - Gathering :: Sleepy Buildings

4.5 stars - Beauty expressed in its purest form

M. B. Link | USA | 02/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sleepy Buildings (2004). The Gathering's second live album.



I've been listening to The Gathering for almost a year now, though I guess you could still say I am fairly new to the group because I only own two of their albums so far. I bought Mandylion(1995) first and fell in love with Anneke Van Giersbergen's lovely vocals and the ethereal, gothic heaviness of the band that was backing her up. Then I found Nighttime Birds(1997) and enjoyed that about equally. Of course after this album, the band began to take an experimental trip into less heavier realms and more focused songwriting styles. I was a little hesitant to give the rest of their catalogue a try because everywhere I looked, there were mixed reviews claiming that when the band dropped the metal, the band also lost its edge. That immediately set off my B.S. detector, so going against their judgment I saw Sleepy Buildings in the stores and figured "Why not? It can't be that bad."



Thankfully, not only did I enjoy this one, but I'm tempted to say that this is quite possibly The Gathering's most essential release.



Now, I'm generally not a fan of live albums, much less accoustic offerings of live concerts, but there's something special about this quiet Netherlands concert that really stood out to me. For one, it's supposed to be "semi accoustic", meaning that the distortion has been nearly all stripped away, yet there are still plenty of guitars, piano, and keyboards to keep the structure. All emphasis is placed solely on the heavenly voice of Miss Van Giersbergen. And from what I've heard she has never sounded better! The band has come a long way from its doom metal roots, and likewise her voice has improved over the years. Although SB takes place in front of a crowd, you almost wouldn't guess it, as the band has perfected their playing in a live setting. It's the kind of show you'd hear in a small, cozy theatre as opposed to an open arena.



The songs are all slow-paced and take on a melancholic tone throughout the whole performance, so if you're coming here expecting a roaring power concert then you should steer clear. Otherwise, SB is a majestic show of stripped-down tunes found on nearly every previous studio album (except for the new one Souveniers(2003)). I quite enjoyed the newer versions of 'In Motion Part II', 'Shrink', and 'Eleanor', all songs from Mandylion and NB. I especially love the power that's conveyed with the quiet overtone in 'In Motion Part II' and how it breaks into full power during its single chorus near the end. Quite a nice surprise. 'The Mirror Waters', 'Stonegarden', and 'Like Fountains' are all completely revamped and "Anneke-fied" versions of their originals found on the first two albums. I have yet to listen to the originals, but they all impress here. 'Sleepy Buildings' is a new brief piano-based track performed specifically for this performance. The rest of the tracks all belong from the three newer albums, with 'Saturnine' and 'Red Is A Slow Colour' being favorites of mine.



Perhaps the only complaint that I have is that the crowd seems absolutely vacant during the songs, and forced inbetween them. But other than this, I have no real qualms here.



In the end, the Gathering proves that its real essence lies in the powerful melodies they produce and the voice fronting it all, not in the volume levels of guitar distortion. These were what factors attracted me to the band in the first place, and metal or no metal, at the heart of it all the band has maintained their edge in its purest form. Not something you can say about a lot of bands. Forget Norah Jones and those other wannabe soft contemporary FM pop bands that put you into a coma. SB is how its done! Now I can't wait to buy How To Measure A Planet(1998), If Then Else(2000), and Souveniers, because if SB is any indication, then these other albums will be just as essential, if not more so than the rest. Highly recommended to the bigger Gathering fans. Don't buy it first, but get it at some point.



Replayability: moderate. Perfect for the occasions when you need something relaxing to listen to.



Recommendations:

-Any of The Gathering's albums from Mandylion onward.

-Anything by the band After Forever (Floor Jansen is another pretty voice)

-'Mother Earth' by Within Temptation (Sharon Den Adel is also very good)"

Coffee-shop Gathering, all sweet and frothy (a "C+" effort)

B. Holtzapple | Harrisburg, PA | 12/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've said it before, the Gathering is a very hard band to classify. "Sleepy Buildings" doesn't make the question any easier to answer. Here in the States, they tend to be lumped in with Goth bands, or Dark Wave, Prog-Rock or whatever. In Europe and their native Nederlands, they're still considered "Metal." None of these cliques really fit. History, marketing and distribution may all contribute to the confusion among fans and critics. Fortunately, the band is anything but confused about themselves, their music, or their direction.



I was turned onto the Gathering when "Mandylion" was released, and enjoyed the logical follow-up "Nighttime Birds." Then like most fans, I was struck by the sharp turn of "How to Measure a Planet." The experimentation of that album was apparently a release and a revelation for the band, as they've stayed the course ever since. Shedding away the dull conventions of "metal," they explored all new landscapes on "If_Then_Else," the "Black Light" EP and "Souvenirs."



Though the BPMs and power chords may be diminished on the Gathering's newer material, don't mistake subtlety for weakness. There is still great power and force in the music though it arrives now like a storm, not a sledgehammer. At once menacing and beautiful, the Gathering's music arrives like atmosphere, like clouds, drifting between warm and cold, light and shade.



These strata are provided through virtuosity in the studio. The Gathering is obviously energized by the recording process. Listen beyond the chords and beats to the sounds, reversed loops, and complex arrangements. If they don't labour over every detail in the studio, their intuition is simply amazing. Rather than sounding too shiney, or too thin, or too muddy, the production layers each element like distinct brush strokes on canvas.



So how does this studio mastery translate as a live performace? I saw the Gathering perform live back in 98 (?) in support of How to Measure a Planet. Straight out, it was a rock and roll show, complete with all the spacey sounds from the studio. Each member of the band is a very talented musician and performer. Where I was a casual fan before the experience, I became a rabid fan once I saw them live. This tour was captured by the "Superheat" album.



Could "Sleepy Buildings" better capture the energy of a Gathering live performance? Well, not exactly. "Sleepy Buildings" is really more of a concept than a your typical live album. It serves as a vehicle for the Gathering to re-work and re-introduce older material. At the same time, it's also a stop-gap between "Souvenirs" and the aniticipated (as yet un-named) studio album to be released in 2006.



And the label "Semi-Acoustic" may be a bit of a misnomer, as it implies "half" of the material is acoustic. More accurately, half of the instruments played are acoustic, but every track seems to have some electric instruments somewhere in the arrangements. This is hardly a concern though, or even noticeable, as the instrumentation only serves to support and deliver Anneke's soaring vocals.



As a whole, "Sleepy Buildings" feels a bit little weak, perhaps even drowsy. Some of the tracks drift into grandiose AOR-like arrangements, making me wonder if the live audience got a bit restless in their seats. Others songs seem like fragments that never really come together. But for me, the album is worth the purchase if only for the new interpretations of "Saturnine," "Amity" and "Marooned." Granted, I really like the studio versions of these songs; but the treatments given here are different enough to sound fresh and still be powerful and chilling (my heart breaks a little every time I hear Anneke deliver the lyric "You don't see me, cause I don't have much to say").



Perfect for a rainy day or (as I envision it) background at a coffee house, this album is a pleasant distraction. But take the time to listen more closely and you'll find many other sonic treats to enjoy. For the hardcore fan, it's a must. But for the newcomer... you may want to build an appreciation through the Gathering's studio work first (I recommend "Nighttime Birds" and "If_Then_Else", their most immediately accessible records)."

Beautiful

Mathew Odonnell | Staten Island, New York USA | 02/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, what can I really say. If your reading this than you can count yourselves among the lucky who have discovered this band. Not only will the vocals melt you, the whole atmosphere and sound takes you on a journey in a way only a handful of bands ever have for me. Just count your blessings and give it whirl....its terrific."