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Review Summary: The darkness is coming, but it's far less menacing than you may expect. When I was younger, I’d occasionally go on a night walk during the summertime to vent out my frustrations, or to find some sort of peace in solitude. At first, it seemed to be an ordinary stroll around the neighborhood, and it felt good to get away for a little bit. But as the sky slowly grew darker and darker, and I became progressively wearier, things started happening. I would begin to feel disconnected, almost like a machine that simply wandered around a pitch-black, barren wasteland that at one point seemed so familiar. Every now and then, something would startle me back into reality, like a passing train’s bellowing or two cats fighting and shrieking in the street. Finally, I’d return back home, and wonder how I could’ve spent so much time shambling around in the darkness before I realized how late it was. At the same time, though, the experience felt oddly cathartic, and in a way, it was quite pleasant. Sure, the night may be “dark and full of terrors” according to some, but in spite of all that, I found that walking under the dark blue blanket brought about a spirit of serenity as well.
Under Dark Blue Blanket is that night walk compiled into aural form. Opener “Crossing” sets the tone immediately with an eerily fuzzy violin intro progressing into an almost entirely silent ambient section that resembles, among other things, raindrops falling off of a roof. The somber, distorted guitar outro adds to this effect as well. This provides a nice contrast to the surprisingly soothing and calm keyboard compositions in “Mothington Construct”, as well as those in “Our Iron Hearts”. Perhaps the biggest thing worth noting is the massive departure from Millicent Waffles’ previous LP, Remembrance and Anithus. In their debut, Millicent Waffles focused primarily on raw, experimental black metal. Here, however, the sound is more reflective of ambient and drone music, with almost all of the black metal elements being scrapped entirely. This works greatly in the album’s benefit, as it helps to distinguish the overall sound a little more and make it worth remembering. And while not a single track drops below twelve minutes in length, there’s never any noticeable drag on the album.
But what really makes Under Dark Blue Blanket into such a unique experience is the immersion factor. No matter what atmosphere Millicent Waffles create, there’s always that underlying theme of the night. From the unnerving, almost haunting ambient sections to the mellow synthesizers, it really does feel like walking through a suburban neighborhood on a warm summer evening. It’s ultimately just a stroll down the path you’ve already crossed through countless times in the past, but tonight, it feels just a little bit different.
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Album Rating: 4.0
http://millicentwaffles.bandcamp.com/album/under-dark-blue-blanket
HOLY GOD, this took a while to finish. This is definitely a banger, though. As always, c/c welcome.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Good on you for reviewing this.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Thanks. It took me a while, but goddammit, this deserved it.
| | | Wow man, I'm touched. This is very in-depth and thought out, and your beginning story reminds me so much of myself!
All of this (except drums) was recorded with a Sony digital recorder, and being able to manipulate recordings laden with artifacts really helped me to try and create a spacious landscape for the music.
Only thing I would add is that Remembrance and Anithus is labeled under the moniker Count to Altek (due to the secondary member and source of guitar, Joshua Wherley), but it is confusing since its on the same bandcamp page and you gave it some hardcore exposure, so no worries at all man. The review is very humbling and flattering and I thank you tons!
| | | Great review Oranges, really enjoyed reading it. When I'm frustrated I like to just walk up the hills and woodlands near my area, very relaxing.
| | | Nice work. Gotta hear this.
| | | Dude, awesome review here. Can't wait to listen to this. Still struggling along with my Hauntpop Vol. 2 review lol.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Hauntpop vol. 2 will kickstart the post-vaporwave revolution, I just know it.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@Animals Thanks, man! I can edit that little hiccup later, if you want.
@Balls Yeah dude, I think you'll dig this.
@Tunaboy Thanks, and ENVIRONMENTAL WALKS FTW
@Mark Graci, and I can't wait to read that shizz.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
Glad to see this finally get a review! Really outstanding work by AnimalsasSummit, probably my favorite of the albums I've heard by him so far (although I definitely need to catch up). Plus that beautiful album cover.
Also, great review, pos'd. How've you been Oranges?
| | | not sure if this is my style, but excellent review regardless
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@Judio Thanks, and DUUUUUUUUUUDE I HAVEN'T TALKED TO YOU IN FOR-FUCKING-EVER
@Ins Thx, and dat dig.
| | | "Hauntpop vol. 2 will kickstart the post-vaporwave revolution"
Post-vaporwave?! Big words, manski
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
sweet review yo
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
ayy laughingman wassup
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
oh you know getting sad while listening to bjork, the usual
@AnimalsAsSummit did you make the album art? its really beautiful and fitting with the music
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
that's the laughingman i know and love
And yes, the album art is fucking amazing.
| | | @laughing yep, I took the picture(s) in the image and colored it too
glad u like dat shit ^_^
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
The artwork for lullabies from the flat worlds is also fantastic.
| | | @explosive thanks dude, funny story with that 1 actually; after me and my bud andrew recorded that and i replayed our session to him, he told me that we sounded like a band of pre-schoolers playing toy instruments. i thought that was a pretty amusing description, so i instructed my 8 year old sister to draw me a picture of your typical elementary-school-style crayon pic of a happy family, and viola
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