AUDIBLETHREAD
"Polar
Shifts: A Prelude to the Positive of Negative" (Expanding Music; 2005)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
These are the kind of CDs that I hate to review. Not because "Polar Shifts" is a bad CD. It isn't. But rather because -- despite the fact that this is an obviously talented band, that the CD is professionally produced and that the six tracks here adequately entertaining -- "Polar Shifts" just never grabbed me.
I can get a sense of what the band is trying to accomplish (a sort of melodic harmony backed with heavy music and sonic atmosphere) and, I guess, they're pretty successful at it. It's just that as "Polar Shifts" played, I found myself anxiously awaiting the next track, hoping that it would be more engaging than its predecessor. Even a cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Something I Can Never Have" didn't have the bite I hoped it would.
It's quite possible the problem here is with me. Maybe "Polar Shifts" and I just don't click. Multiple listenings didn't help, as they often do with more challenging rock. Still, I calls 'em as I see 'em and "Polar Shifts" just isn't my cup of tea. Maybe it's yours. Visit the band's website at http://www.audiblethread.com or their MySpace.com page at http://www.myspace.com/audiblethread and decide for yourself.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright ? 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised:
01 Jul 2024 12:10:24 -0400.
