Search - This Ascension :: Light & Shade

Making steady progress with each album

Scott Sweet | Colorado Springs, CO | 01/31/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This Ascension gets better on each CD. Dru Allen's singing is more polished and confident each time, and the band doesn't hibernate in the off-season. "Light and Shade" sticks with tried-and-true themes of romance and angst, building on 1988's "Tears in Rain."Their sound has always been as much indie as goth, and this balance keeps the songs from getting "weepy." The overall vibe is that of a college band, aware that the art students might want to dance just like everyone else.Matt Ballesteros's drumming (yes, LIVE DRUMMING in dark music!) provides a strong backbone, and the rhythm section moves towards the classic "wall of sound." "Ave Maris Stella" starts the whole thing with a good blend of Dru's harmonies, keyboard-guitar interplay and an urgent beat. By the fourth track ("Chameleon Room"), you can tell Dru knows she sounds good. "Fearful Symmetry" would fit just fine between The Smiths and The Cure on an alternative compilation.After a couple of more subdued songs, the upbeat instrumental "Exit" is a good bookend to "Ave Maris Stella." It kind of brings the album full circle.If you like it moody but not mopey, This Ascension is worth the money."

I plead with you.....

jay | 10/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"....for those fans of evanescence (sp), staind, the whole lot of misery-rock artists, i beg you, branch out, find something truly beautiful.



and that would be: THIS ASCENSION. this short-lived early 90's band made some remarkable music (although vocalist Dru is still in the music biz with another project).



This band has been categorized as "gothic", and more specifically, "ethereal", if not other categories. (if you wince at the thought of "goth", well, this isnt marilyn manson, or type o negative.) this music is hard to explain. the songs are well crafted, though-- not pop, but with hooks, beautiful melodies, crafty chord structure, etc.



"Light and Shade" is amazing. every song on it is listenable, although one shouldnt expect instant gratification (this is not commercial radio material- some songs may require a second listen).



still, there are guitars (this IS still rock and roll, after all), a vocalist with great range and whose voice texture is warm and sexy, yet piercing. the lyrics are interesting, and the drummer, honestly, kicks ass. the bassist makes his presence known as well with some good thumping licks.



know what? "sever", which is i believe TA's last studio album, is even better, but "light and shade" is a great cd. ive had this on cassette for many years, and recently bought it on cd. check out the samples here at amazon.com, and keep and open mind.



the songs are generally morose, but moving, and musically more intricate than other, current bands that try so hard to be dark and brooding."

A good release

Samuel E. Baney | huntington beach, CA United States | 01/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a really good album with many different sounds within. For those of you who heard the first album "Tears in Rain", this is definately a step up. Not to say that "Tears in Rain" was bad, far from it, actually, but "Light and Shade" is just much more developed in terms of sound and vocals. More complex, If you will."