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Review:
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It was 2008 when I stumbled upon a song called “02
Panic Room” by a band named Riverside. Enthralled, I ended
up purchasing every album and have preordered every album
since, as well. Riverside is just as valid and exciting
to me as they were back then, so you can imagine that I
approach a review for their new album with bated breath.
A new Riverside album is a spiritual experience for me in
many ways; indeed, their music very much falls in line with
the various seasons of my life. They have gotten me through
difficult times emotionally, and, yes, are my favorite band,
without question.***
So, is this a fanboy review, then? Maybe, but ultimately
no. Only certain albums in their discography would garner
a 10/10 from me, but I am thrilled to say that, after listening
to the new album “Love, Fear and the Time Machine” about
30 times, it deserves that score every little bit. “LFTM”
represents Riverside at their most mature, both on a musical
and an emotional level.***
“I wanted to turn into a butterfly, but I couldn’t
trust you enough” ***
Keeping their core band the same since the second album,
Riverside consists of Mariusz Duda on bass and vocals, Piotr
Grudzinski on guitars, Piotr Kozieradzki on drums, and Michal
Lapaj on keyboards. These four have proven much to the progressive
world over the years, but “LFTM” really feels as if they
want to prove something to themselves. While they’ve never
been much for the technical wanking of many progressive
bands out there, this new album is a purposeful exploration
of a warmer, lusher, more hopeful side to the band. Anyone
that has followed them knows that their past albums are
sometimes very dreary and depressing: Indeed, “melancholy”
describes their music well (though, I’ve always seen their
music as strangely hopeful). However, Riverside has taken
that depression and given us a journey with light at the
end of the tunnel. Instead of offering pain and fear without
remedy, Riverside gives us a vision of life with hope, happiness,
and purpose at the end. Riverside has completed and clarified
their message.***
All four of these musicians are at the top of their
games. Duda’s vocals are once again perfect, packed with
relatability and emotion. His bass, quite frankly, is the
best of the year. Michal’s keys hit all the right notes,
and I especially love when he plays counter to the time
signature a bit, as I just get an unearthly peaceful feeling
from it. Piotr’s drums are more clarified than ever, and
I found myself tapping out the beats hours later. And, as
always, Grudzinski’s guitars are packed with emotional solos,
driving rhythms, and even some shoegazing moments. The band,
then, feels very calm and confident.***
All of this is reflected in the musical choices. Bright
acoustic guitar make an appearance here, as well as an overall
softer sound and incredibly strong and clear vocal melodies
(“Time Travellers”). Duda has also brought back his vocal
noises that I love so much. Spacier, lovelier, and happier,
“Love, Fear and the Time Machine” laps and flows like the
waters at, well, a riverside. Instrumental sections sound
organic and naturally flow in and around choruses and verses.
One sticks out in particular: the first few minutes of “Saturate
Me” reminds me of the “Reality Dream” instrumental tracks
from their first few albums. There are others, such as the
end of “Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire” and the end of
“Towards the Blue Horizon”. There are plenty of instrumental
fireworks, but they never lose purpose or restraint.***
Influences from the 70’s and 80’s make an appearance
throughout, but the core sound is Riverside. In fact, I
think the press releases have been overplaying the supposed
influences on this album. This is the band reaching maturity
in every way. They have their own identity and their own
purpose, and they honestly don’t care what you think.***
“In my invisible *oh* life, I don’t want to feel like
I’m no one anymore” ***
That attitude spills over into the amazing lyrics on
this album. The theme of this album is very personal for
Duda, and it involves an analysis of the various situations
and catalysts in life that allow or force us to make huge
decisions. That might be a misleading description, though.
The album is more about encouraging and supporting us as
we choose to make life changes; as we throw off our shackles,
break our chains, and run from our self-imposed cages. This
is an album about freedom and living life as the person
you are, without fear and without a focus on the past. In
other words, it’s time to move on and become somebody. So,
yes, it’s a weighty and sometimes dark theme, but the band
channels hope, ultimately.*** So, all of this can serve
to prepare you for one hell of an album. From the haunted
uneasiness of “Lost” to the gentle scolding of “Under the
Pillow”, or from the weightlessness of “Afloat” to the pulse
pounding excitement of “Discard Your Fear”, Riverside have
not only created an album that is beautiful and never gets
tired, but they have also once again created an album that
reaches me (and I hope you) on a personal level. I honestly
can’t get enough of it! My favorite tracks are difficult
to choose, so I will say the awesome “Under the Pillow”,
the keyboard-rich “Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire”, the
nostalgic “Saturate Me”, the single “Discard Your Fear”,
the transitioning serenity of “Towards the Blue Horizon”,
and probably the strong melodies of “Time Travellers”. Yeah,
basically all of them.***
“In your Fabletown, you’re still afraid of starting
something new this life” ***
I hope you will give this album a shot. “Love, Fear
and the Time Machine” is the best album I’ve heard this
year, and I don’t see it leaving my playlist for some time.
It is in many ways the best Riverside album since “Second
Life Syndrome”, which is not a light statement, as that
happens to be my favorite of all time. That’s actually a
little scary to say, but I’ll stand by that claim. Everything
about this album is Riverside, past and present and future.
Yet, now I feel that they have completed their emotional
journey, and they’ve taken me along for the ride. Thank
you, Riverside, for continuing to try new things and for
purposing to reach individuals on a personal basis.***
Jason Spencer
The
Prog Mind
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