DITHERAMB (3 Away)
Reviewed by GreyBrow on (Monday, February 12, 2007) Rated 8.5 / 10| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Track Structure | 8 |
| Interest | 9 |
| Melody | 8 |
| Performance | 9 |
| Lyrics | 8 |
| Enjoyment | 9 |
| Recording Quality | 9 |
| Commercial Appeal | 8 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
The title of this track (3 away) reminds me (and not many people will know this) that our word “trivia” originates from the Latin meaning the meeting of three ways (tri via) or crossroads, which was, supposedly a place where people gathered to chat about nothing in particular.
Having said that, the song in question is about a subject that is anything but trivial although doubtless those about whom it is sung (the homeless) will be well acquainted with the whole idea of arriving at crossroads in their lives (and not necessarily choosing the right path).
Anyway, to the track itself. I remember many moons ago commenting on one of Ditheramb’s tracks that it reminded me of early Genesis and, bugger me (‘scuse my French) so does this one. Those opening riffs are, to me, so reminiscent of “Supper’s Ready” (one of my all-time favourite Genesis tracks). Now, this can be a dangerous path (especially when it is one of three J) to go down as there are some among us who do not relish being compared to other artists (and I have no idea if Ditheramb are in or out of that particular group – but it’s too late now, anyway).
Remember when it was cool to look like this – Genesis early ‘70s
My own view is that there has to be some element of familiarity with a new piece of music otherwise there is no starting point to measure it by. It would be like waking up in surroundings that you had not only never seen before but had no conception as to what they were, what language you were hearing, what the purpose of the various objects around you was for etc. It would be utterly bewildering and highly disconcerting (a bit like listening to Berg or Schoenberg for the first time).
There have been many scholarly works (don’t worry, I’m not going to quote from them) about the need for music to contain a mix of the familiar and the unexpected in order to be successful, so for this reason, I think comparison with other artists, entirely valid.
Anyway, as I was saying, this piece opens up with a powerful riff and double tracked vocals that launch straight into the “meat” of the subject. And this, my research tells me, is classic Alt-Metal. Now I’ve never been afraid to show off my ignorance (I do it all the time, so my friends tell me) and this is one such occasion as I have never been quite sure what Alt-Metal is. So off I went to see my good friend Wiki Pedia and he told me all about it.
Alternative metal is an eclectic form of rock music that gained popularity in the early 1990s alongside grunge. In many instances, it can be accurately described as a fusion of heavy metal and alternative rock, especially the indie rock of the 1980s. It is characterized by some heavy metal trappings (most notably heavy riffs), but usually with a pronounced experimental edge, including unconventional lyrics, odd time signatures, unusual technique, a resistance to conventional approaches to heavy music and an incorporation of a wide range of influences outside of the metal music scene.
I also found out that Metal comes in lots of other flavours too, including Funk, Punk, Industrial, Black, Classic, Death, Doom, Folk(!), Glam, Gothic Neo-Classical, Power, Progressive, Speed, Symphonic, Thrash And Nu, to name but a few!! Not only that but I’ve discovered the wonderfully named Lollapalooza festival as well.
Anyway, from that wonderful guitar intro the song develops into a powerful anthem to the homeless, sung with brio and skill and an all round great performance.
Not only that but Ditheramb are prepared to take risks with their songs as well, given a sudden and complete change of mood and tempo which I think works really well.
All in all, a classy Alt-Metal track (which I can now say with rather more assurance than before I started this review). Go and listen and see what you think.
To listen to the track Click Here