Album Rating: 3.0

I totally feel this review. Sumac are a band I can see myself enjoying, but man do they make it hard. This really exemplifies why I have trouble getting into most post-metal, as it feels like it the meandering improv only exists because without it the album would seem too "meat-headed". If it was just t/t, Consumed, and a 3-4 minute version of Laughter and Silence, this could've been one of the best albums of the year and still have a decent amount of quiet moments.

Album Rating: 4.5

"...“ambience” or “improvisation” is what we’re supposed to call them - which threaten to weigh them down. These passages and the three other tracks framing the album add absolutely nothing of value to the record."



I respect the review and the rating but I find passages like the one quoted above somehow display a bit of arrogance - maybe you could rephrase them and say that FOR YOU they do not add anything. Because it is not an objective truth. You may not be interested in ambient music and improvisation - which begs the question why you listen to a SUMAC record at this point?

I love ambient music. And improvisation and free form are simply fantastic (also love it in jazz). The bowed vibraphone in the first track is pure bliss for ambient lovers and those interested in ambience / tone. As for the Iron Chair: for me, it is a brilliant song - just love the intensity and the juxtaposition of chaos / order.

And the last track feels calm and intense at the same time; meandering guitars, some cymbals and a beautiful organ sound - slowly giving way to silence.



Like I said, I totally respect your review and opinion. But I still wonder what people were expecting from SUMAC at this point. They made What One Becomes. And that is it. Making the same record does not seem likely given Turner's interests in ambient music (see his work with his wife in Mamiffer and also the record he did with Daniel Menche) and free form / improvisation and noise (the collaborations with Keiji Haino).



This album strikes the perfect balance between the various styles I think.



For those who like straight metal without any extras: SUMAC probably was not the right brand from the start.

Album Rating: 4.5

legit Turner wasn’t one for a straight-up metal record since Celestial

Album Rating: 2.5

“I respect the review and the rating but I find passages like the one quoted above somehow display a bit of arrogance - maybe you could rephrase them and say that FOR YOU they do not add anything. Because it is not an objective truth.”

Sorry, but I find the notion I should provide a disclaimer clarifying I’m expressing my opinion a little laughable. Still, thanks for your feedback.

Album Rating: 4.5

Well, maybe then you should explain a little better why exactly these tracks add "absolutley nothing of value to the record" - for I would say this is a rather bold statement about songs from an album that - together - make up 23 minutes of the total runtime of 1 hour (the passages that are part of the longer songs that you claim to generally like excluded). Are they not well executed? Do the instruments used not fit the purpose of the song? Are they not mixed well?



Otherwise your review - like many others - simply reads: I don't like this because I don't like this. Which begs the question: why bother? Like Relinquished says: Turner is not one for straight metal records and May You Be Held is not really surprising in sound / artistic direction. Rather, it logically and consequently follows his other recent output on all fronts.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

Review is perfectly fine, Licht.

Album Rating: 2.5

Tyll - About 50% of the review is spent explaining why I don’t like the Ambient sections. Whether you think it’s poorly explained, not good enough, unfair - it’s all perfectly fine with me.

Rogue - Thank you!

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

Licht, how dare you express a subjective opinion in a music review. What's worse is that nowhere in your write-up is there a disclaimer warning me that your subjective opinion may differ from my subjective opinion. I'm appalled. Pos.

Album Rating: 3.0

this review sums up my thoughts perfectly.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

On second go through I found this a little more palatable. It really is an art "piece" to stare puzzled and amused at. I think it's a worthy endeavor for these extremely talented dudes and they are certainly carving out a niche but I just don't find myself at the art gallery so often.

“there is simply no one on this planet that could convince me that this is art in the sense that it rivals other high art"

This is beyond parody.