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Leaves: The Angela Test (Island)

Young Music Reviewer | Boston, MA | 09/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Now, if you had ever listened closely to Icelandic bands besides Quarashi, you'd know most of their albums were full of beauty and appreciation for eclectic music. Sigur Ros makes music based on storylines or just a way to change our appreciation for music. Mum makes music that makes us sound like we are walking in a forest built in a fetuses' skull. Bjork makes eclectic music that is based on feeling and self-collected philosophy. Now comes Leaves, a five-piece band that is labeled tear-jerking and worth the experience. This same band is out with a new album worthy of making you believe in science in your music. Now onto the expectation of the album unfolding.



I was thinking that, these days, I try not to get fooled by the covers. I you look at the new Leaves album cover, "The Angela Test", you feel as if you are going to get the type of album that Coldplay should really have created, if they wanted organic electronica. You may also expect them to have created a rock opera out of jamming. A more accurate usage for the title OK Computer, if you will. But it turns out that if you add the essence of any Doves album you have heard, and you may be right on the money. The OK Computer remark is moot. The best thing about this song is that no song wears out it's welcome, because it is all a part of a beautiful album. Now the opening song sounds impressive and opens with a lush take in what you were supposed to expect. The album opens up with a trip-hop pedal-guitar sliding britpop-emulating success of a song, "Shakmar". It starts off with a slow performance before pulling off an organic electronic rock opera ending at about 4 minutes into the song. And the song is at least 7 minutes and 12 seconds. In "Whatever", they continue the opera and the organic lush feel of the album making us wonder if we should rely on the album after all. "The world keeps spinning, but I'm still here", sings the leader . "As We Walk" is a new take on Coldplay's "Yellow". Maybe even more beautiful now that radio hasn't worn it out yet. If this line hasn't grabbed you yet ("As we walk, the sun comes up because of you/Hypnotized and realized 'cause of you"), you must either have not once coincided your brain and your heart during a record before, or either must not be working well at this point.



The title track will fail at having you find a more upbeat energetic song, because the song has a more Beach Boys meets Doves feel that will get you wondering if you are listening to a polar opposite of Muse's "Absolution" right in the middle. Hey, that's what I am thinking. The song, so far, that may be a bit of a struggling link is "Killing Flies". Even if it is just as crazy and haunting than the rest. It just doesn't fit that well.



The best thing I can say for this song is that it is Leaves' Parachutes, and I would never have been more happy to ride. I would neve have been happy to take a nap on the satellite for a while. Listen to this and you will hear as much of a masterpiece as Doves and the other Icelandic bands I mentioned on top. Oh, and when you do listen, do not skip any song, because it sounds a lot better when a song isn't being skipped. Just be careful, because like Sigur Ros' ( ), it can steal your heart when you least expect it. I'm being literal on my half.

Rating: 7.5/10"