Title: Stumbling to Divinity
Artist: Highroad No.28
Genre: Indie / Electronic
Release Date: 14th August 2008
Label: DSM99 Records
Album Review
HIGHROAD NO.28 began in late 1998 and in the following years released the 2 EP’s ‘Obscure Madness’ (1999), and ‘Dynamic Introspection (2002). Following a string of live shows the band released their debut album ‘Unsteady and Steady State’ in December 2005 also marking a departure from the sound of their two EP’s. In 2007 while still touring a lot pre-production on the second album started. All album work was eventually completed in July 2008 and about a month later ‘Stumbling to Divinity’ saw the light of day.
‘Stumbling to Divinity’ begins with the overly electronic composition ‘Of Totality’ that’s intriguing the listener with its lush atmospheres, piano chords and the variety of additional sounds contained within before ‘Divergent Love’ after a short ancient appearing piano introduction unfolds the beauty of electronics and acoustics eventually leaning towards a more handmade approach as Andrew J. Cantwell’s emotive vocals start riding on the taut groundwork. When ‘Wayward Projectiles’ commences it blends electronic rhythms and field recordings the latter of which seem to have a direct effect on the drums. Subsequently the acoustic side marked by processed guitars and lovely background chants gains the upper hand again. Even more emotions are floating within here phrased into words and projected towards the listener by Andrew. With ‘Bleed Torment, Despair, Agony’ we get to see a harsher face of HIGHROAD NO.28 as the raw aggression of scissoring rock riffs is combined with the powerful kicks of the drums and Andrew’s showcasing a rather sinister vocal style filled with honest desperation.
An Indie rock number titled ‘Isotopic’ follows right behind presenting gritty guitar lines alongside carefully placed injections of electronics. The most important thing though is its message to never give in no matter what and even if your days are dark now “All this will pass” A melange of layered ambience carrying melancholy in its heart, alienated speech sampling and properly blending guitars announce the start of ‘And I Suffer’. As long as the song is running you can’t shake off these sad feelings assailing you. “I feel this pain who can tell me why?” The dreamy atmospheres grounding on intricate drumming of the concluding piece ‘Goodbye for Now, Strange Reality’ carry us smoothly to the exit of this world build by HIGHROAD NO.28 and what do we say after this journey? It’s barely comprehendible that a band creating such eclectic and beautiful music is not or largely unknown in our corner of the world. Hopefully I can contribute a little with this review to change that.
Tracklist
01. Of Totality... - 3:19
02. Divergent Love - 4:37
03. Where God's and Lover's Reside - 4:23
04. Wayward Projectiles - 4:09
05. For Eternity, We will be - 5:47
06. A Ghost I Made - 5:20
07. Bleed Torment, Despair, Agony - 5:43
08. Isotopic - 5:19
09. Danny Go on - 5:00
10. If they Died, Could I Survive? - 5:52
11. Onwards Divinity - 3:54
12. And I Suffer - 4:37
13. The Dance with Maggots - 3:51
14. To Transpose the Soul (To be One) - 4:11
15. Goodbuy for Now, Strange Reality - 1:23
Line-up
Andrew J. Cantwell – Vocals, Keys Programming, Drums, Acoustic Guitar
Hisataka ‘Tucker’ Ino – Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Acoustic & Bass Guitar
Zane G. Ryan – Rhythm, Lead & Acoustic Guitar
Website
http://www.highroadno28.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/highroadno28
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10
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