Year: 2010
Label: The End
Catalog Number: TE 205-2
Format: CD (2011 special edition in gatefold 7" packaging, with bonus tracks, bonus DVD-A, and 7" vinyl single)
Website: http://www.anathema.ws
Who could have ever predicted that over the course of their 20-year career, Liverpool’s Anathema would morph from bludgeoning doom-metal growlers into sensitive purveyors of atmospheric prog-rock? And until now, “uplifting” isn’t a description that most would apply to their music, but surprisingly, that’s exactly the spirit that emanates from many of these tracks. Their trademark Floydian melancholy is still present in songs such as “Angels Walk Among Us” and the gorgeous “Dreaming Light” (video below) but the dark clouds are soon cleared away as the latter builds to an uplifting crescendo worthy of Sigur Rós.
Who could have ever predicted that over the course of their 20-year career, Liverpool’s Anathema would morph from bludgeoning doom-metal growlers into sensitive purveyors of atmospheric prog-rock? And until now, “uplifting” isn’t a description that most would apply to their music, but surprisingly, that’s exactly the spirit that emanates from many of these tracks. Their trademark Floydian melancholy is still present in songs such as “Angels Walk Among Us” and the gorgeous “Dreaming Light” (video below) but the dark clouds are soon cleared away as the latter builds to an uplifting crescendo worthy of Sigur Rós.
Other songs such as “Presence” and “Everything” maintain this rapturous atmosphere, and by the chiming guitar-loop fadeout of the album’s closer, “Hindsight,” the cover image of a figure engulfed in blinding sunshine seems entirely appropriate.
Well worthy of Classic Rock’s “Progressive Rock Album of the Year” award, and probably my favorite of 2010 as well.
Anathema - Dreaming Light (from We're Here Because We're Here) from Kscope on Vimeo.
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