Hammock
Silencia


3.7
great

Review

by Raul Stanciu STAFF
November 17th, 2019 | 72 replies


Release Date: 2019 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The Hammock orchestral ambient series…

Hammock’s latest release completes a trilogy that features some of their most vulnerable material yet. As one of the members’ nephew passed away at only 20 years old, all the resulting pain and grief led to the creation of Mysterium. The overall sound was influenced by minimalist ambient and neoclassicism, leaving behind for the most part the post rock aesthetics of previous LPs. Universalis followed up last year, at times expanding again the sound, while also detailing the orchestral elements. Now, Silencia puts an end to this melancholic journey, returning to the initial layer stripping, albeit in a slightly tighter form. Admittedly, it is the duo’s sonic equivalent of accepting one’s fate and ultimately, moving on.

Probably closest musically to The Sleepover Series, Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow and Mysterium, Silencia presents us some of the most subdued compositions Hammock penned so far. Ambient pads that stem from heavily processed guitar notes and synthesizers become the foundation of the album, whereas gorgeous string and horn sections gently embellish when needed. The mood switches and volume changes are crucial to the atmosphere the band desired, especially during the middle stretch consisting of mournful highlights such as ‘Afraid to Forget’, ‘In the Shattering of Things’ & ‘Saudade’. The sparse piano lines of ‘We Try to Make Sense of it All’ are complemented by weeping violins that give way to the glacial ‘Slowly You Dissolve’. The synth pads create a somewhat darker piece which leads to more positive, pristine moments towards the end of the record. It’s feels like this is the point where they’ve managed to get rid of all grief and carried on with their life.

Overall, despite the familiar sound, Silencia is quite a demanding listen. The ambient (bordering drone) nature of the LP and lack of more upbeat tunes will keep some listeners at bay. On the other hand, we receive a lovely and very relaxing collection of songs that have been carefully recorded and produced by the band and an entire orchestra. This is more than just background music, as listening attentively to the LP will allow you to discover its subtleties as well.




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user ratings (79)
3.7
great

Comments:Add a Comment 
insomniac15
Staff Reviewer
November 17th 2019


6247 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

I think this is my favorite album from this trilogy. It's not their best music, but Silencia sounds more mature than the previous installments.



'Circular As Our Way' (video) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgJIMBz6La8

Album stream - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgJIMBz6La8&list=OLAK5uy_nHpWtgS7HJTPGx-iLZeRQbsKUduQ6I0Hw

Pangea
November 17th 2019


10740 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Great review. I still need to catch up with the trilogy, will do that soon

insomniac15
Staff Reviewer
November 17th 2019


6247 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

Thank you! It's a bit bloated, but there are some great tunes as always.

Pikazilla
November 17th 2019


31198 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

The best from the trilogy, agreed.

Mongi123
November 17th 2019


22090 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yea you can really feel the heartache on this one. This is one of their most focused and cohesive to date.

minty901
November 17th 2019


3976 Comments


It's lovely. But I really hope they go back to shoegaze for their next one. That's where this band really stands out.

Gyromania
November 17th 2019


37468 Comments


Disappointed in you for not being the first comment itt, Nick

JesperL
Staff Reviewer
November 17th 2019


5664 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

this is pretty cool but i really wish they'd do some more post rock stuff, by far my fav flavour of hammock

insomniac15
Staff Reviewer
November 17th 2019


6247 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

Agreed. I'm ready for another Departure Songs, I love that album.

budgie
November 17th 2019


38237 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

please more departure songs!

ready to check this, forgot about it

theYearis1999
November 17th 2019


146 Comments


My peers tell me this is great. Expectations are set.

Mongi123
November 17th 2019


22090 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

@Gyro yea he posted this before I woke up I’m sorry lol

Pho3nix
November 17th 2019


1681 Comments


Where should I start with this band? Kenotic?

Pikazilla
November 17th 2019


31198 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Kenotic and Departure songs.

Pangea
November 17th 2019


10740 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Raising your voice would be a great introduction as well but yeah i would just start with kenotic

hal1ax
November 17th 2019


15777 Comments


departure songs and maybe they will sing are my favs, but i'd recommend starting with kenotic and raising your voice. departure songs is super long and maybe they will sing isn't as immediate as their first two records.

budgie
November 17th 2019


38237 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

i think i agree with starting with raising your voice. these records take ages to digest and that one as hal1ax rightly said has some immediacy

Pikazilla
November 17th 2019


31198 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Despite the Departure Songs' length, I always find that it flies by v quickly

budgie
November 17th 2019


38237 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

i don't think i ever listen to departure songs less than 3x over unless i'm unable

hal1ax
November 17th 2019


15777 Comments


yea departure songs is awesome



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