Terraforming

The Postman Syndrome

Now Or Never Records, 2002

http://eastofthewall.bandcamp.com

REVIEW BY: Paul Hanson

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 08/28/2002

I've had this CD now for 3 weeks. This is a journal of how I listened to this CD.

Pre-Listening - Week of 8/12/02 The Postman Syndrome. What a dumb name. Sounds like a punk band. But it's on Now or Never Records, the good folks that recently introduced the next Guns-n-Roses, Brand New Sin.

Okay, track 1 is called "Amputees Make Bad Swimmers." Uh, does this band want enemies? Here's a track called "Lonely In Your Arms". Ah, going for the illusion of being alone when you're with someone. Hmm. This looks kind of dumb. I'll let it sit a day or two.

First Week of Listening - Week of 8/19/02 Man, work has been challenging this week. Maybe the deadline stress of this week at work has made me a bit more impatient than normal. I still haven't listened to this CD but I'm starting to get the 8 projects dumped on me a week late done. In fact, I got those projects done quite a bit faster than I thought. My head is starting to clear so I better listen to this release.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

This band is a cerebral band. What I mean by that is the band challenges the listener to keep up. It's kind of like listening to Rush. With each song, you have to figure out what they are singing about. But with Rush, if you get caught up in the lyrics, you miss the intricate instrumental elements. And if you get caught up in the music, you miss the intricate lyrical canvas that lyricist Neil Peart has laid into your ears.

Same is true for Postman Syndrome. If you get caught up in the lyrics, you miss the tight interaction between metal, hardcore vocals, clean guitar tones, pounding drums, and throbbing bass parts. And if you get caught up in the music, you'll miss the soaring harmonies and interesting lyrical twists and turns, "She Keeps Me Locked Inside" being just one gem in track five.

So what are you to do with this band? The same thing I did. Give them time. You are probably going to be saddened by your listening experience with only one listen. You may not even make it to the 8:39 opus "Unfamiliar Ceiling." You may get bogged down in the opening track "Amputees Make Bad Swimmers" and its clean guitar parts that open the track before the vocalist starts screaming a mere 46 seconds into the track. Don't make that mistake.

Second Week of Listening - Week of 8/26/02 I now can't take this out of my player. My favorite track is "Lonely In Your Arms," the 7:15 opus. The snare drum has a different tone and the band grooves along in the opening section, interspersed with hints of the upcoming section with distorted guitar. By the time the song implodes at the 1:03 mark, the groove is serious and the foot is tapping. I have been able to listen to this 53 minute CD repeatedly, picking up something new each time. Elements of Tool and Earth Crisis are really shining through.

I like this. I'm giving it an A when I finally sit my ass down and write a review of this CD.

Rating: A

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


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© 2002 Paul Hanson and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Now Or Never Records, and is used for informational purposes only.