Ambitious and melodic alt rock symphony
There’s no point delving into the history of Order of Voices for one simple reason: they don’t really have one. They formed in 2009, and their (short and cagey) biography states that they aim "to create some of the most ambitious music produced… in the last ten years". Not short on ambition, these guys. Which is fair enough, considering they are not newcomers to the industry.
‘For Me’, the opening track, is hardly short on dynamics either. Sweeping and soaring like a bird across mountains, it’s brought right back to earth by sharp drumming and not dragging on any longer than strictly necessary. When the vocals start it’s a shock to the system. Especially as those vocals, provided by Leigh Oates, are fiercely quirky and fluid in style. Breaking us in gently, the song suddenly storms into a metal-tinged angst-fest that isn’t weighed down with lyricism, and allows the instrumentation to fly free. The effect is huge, the band have clearly thought very carefully about creating a wall of sound that is neither overpowering nor competing with the vocals. The guitar work in particular drifts in and out of the listener’s consciousness like thought itself.
The rest of the album follows in a similar vein, with dramatic twists and turns merging into passionate vocal harmonies. ‘Reaching Down’ is the single, possibly for being the least experimental but still high in craftsmanship. It’s two parts nineties alt rock to one part modern metal and one part progressive rock, which gives it the kick the band need not to sound dated or too close to any one influence. Each individual song has their unique anthemic stamp on it. This is the sound of a group of musicians working together, with one vision and total harmony, rather than an ego-trip for the sake of it.
‘Don’t Falter’ is a hidden wonder, tucked away mid-album. It burns with a powerful intensity that works its way into your memory. It is the pinnacle of everything the album so far has achieved, heavy yet melodic, multi-layered but not weighed-down. In short, epic. ‘Then Fall’ is the album oddity. More like a ballad, this stripped-back exercise in restraint gives free reign to the best of Oates’ vocal abilities and highlights the extraordinarily simple and clear guitar work used across the album, as well as the carefully controlled percussion. It merges perfectly with ‘Into The Ocean’ in a swirl of snare fills and vibey guitar, and fades out with a sigh of satisfaction, knowing it’s taken you on one hell of a sonic journey.
Honourable mention must also go to the artwork, which is a wonder in itself and worthy of anything once released on vinyl. An inspired first release, and highly recommended listening.