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Last
year proved it was a very good year
for the fans of heavy sound since
it brought many pleasant surprises
and great releases. "The Quiet
Offspring" was definitely one
of the best and most sensational albums
that appeared during 2005. Green Carnation's
fourth studio album was a step forward
in their career and a worthy successor
to the masterly "A Blessing
in Disguise". Green Carnation's
progress through out all these years
proved one thing: the group is not
afraid of experimentations and changes.
So, this time the members of the band
decided to put aside their electric
guitars and amplifiers and focus in
their 70's prog rock influences
giving us an album of atmospheric
acoustic rock (just like Opeth did
with "Damnation").
Less than a year
has passed since the release of "The
Quite Offspring" and Green Carnation
return with a brand new work. If anyone
has any doubt about its quality I
have to inform him that he's
wrong. "The Acoustic Verses"
is a Floyd-ian masterpiece of emotional
and truly inspired music. Just forget
all about guitar riffs, solos, heavy
drumming or bursts. Violin, cello,
piano and many other similar organs
play a vital role here along with
the acoustic guitar and bass. The
album is consisted by seven compositions
and its total length approaches the
forty five minutes. Melancholy, loss,
nostalgia… the whole album is
filled with many different pictures
and feelings. Many secrets are waiting
to be discovered. A fantastic journey
to many distant places… Every
moment, every line, every word, every
tune seems to have been placed there
for a reason. I can't separate
the songs since I have the impression
they're inseparable pieces of
a unique puzzle. Highlight of the
album is the fifteen minutes long
"9-29-045" with its haunting
melodies, excellent keyboards and
samples and changes in rhythm. Kjetil
Nordhus's soft and warm vocals
perfectly fit to the general direction
of the album bringing the whole result
even higher.
Tchort and his pals
did it again! Avant-garde, folk, progressive…
give it any description you like.
"The Acoustic Verses"
isn't just another good album.
It's an experience you have
to live, so you can fully understand
its greatness. All the above go to
every open minded listener of good
music in general, that will not be
bothered by the absence of electric
guitars (I'm telling this cause
this is a rock/metal webzine and I
think many people find them a necessary
part of their beloved music). I don't
know what the future holds for Green
Carnation but one thing is clear for
me about them: they are a really talented
and special band. If you haven't
listened to any of their past works
I think you owe to do so.
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