Karnivool – Sound Awake – Review
Posted by Staff on March 9, 2010 – 12:32 am -
Release Date: February 16th, 2010
Record Label: Sin UK Records
Genre: Rock
Karnivool, I have been to plenty of carnivals but never come across the Australian rock outfit in any of my treks across the festive lands. The bands latest album Sound Awake out on Sin UK Records dropped February 16th. Eleven lengthy tracks spanning over an hour and twelve minutes. At face value this is more of your traditional affair like Ringling Bros. compared to some of the more exotic sideshow/freak show affairs. Thick basslines with an atmospheric hard rock feel, my best description for their sound would be Tool minus the obscure factor with an indie rock singer if that helps paint an image in your mind. As I attempt to dig into Sound Awake it backlashes with radio rock songs that go on for too long. For some songs it works wonderfully with interesting harmonies and smooth transitions, while others are almost lullabies as I fade in and out from track to track.
With the negatives out of the way, I can focus on what stood out to me on this album. Favorite track on Sound Awake was Illumine, from the distorted intro to the crunching melody it captures the best aspects of Karnivool. If you are into epic ballad’s the final two tracks Deadman and Change will be right up your alley. The effort sounds very nice on the ears, it is a matter of whether or not it can grasp your attention and hold it for the entire length of the album that is the true challenge.
For me, the album was able to keep my attention for about half the time, the other half it seemed to drag on. This is not however, mean that the album is bad, there is some definite fat that could be trimmed. It is in fact a solid rock album, for lack of a better term. This release is chiseled for the college rock audience in every aspect except it’s length the same thing that keeps Dream Theater off the rock stations. That aside, it is definitely worth a listen and if it doesn’t lull you to sleep at times pick it up. ~James Terry
Score: 3/5
Track Listing:
1. Simple Boy
2. Goliath
3. New Day
4. Set Fire to the Hive
5. Umbra
6. All I Know
7. Medicine Wears Off
8. Caudal Lure
9. Illumine
10. Deadman
11. Change
12. Roquefort
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