Review Summary: 'Waves crashing down over me'
Getting over whatever crappy relationship you had that you thought has left you wounded, being content with who you are and expressing the fact that you wouldn't want to change a single thing in order for everybody else to like you, keeping your head up and hope for the best whenever life puts you in a very toxic situation that you're not prepared for. These are the topics that this albums explores, which isn't anything new or groundbreaking however not only it doesn't sound redundant or clicheic but manages to make a connection with the listener and give a very positive energy.
The sound of the album is very huge and bombastic but also has a mellow side. Being quite diverse and with every song having its own identity it still successfully manage to stay coherent, being not a simple collection of songs without any glue to hold them together. They're unique pieces forming a unit. 'The Sea' sounds very modern and well produced but doesn't rely only on electronic sounds. It has a bed full of traditional instruments over which lies a number of treatments and effects which are not the focal point but gives every song a very nice flavor and help emphasize a certain part of it. Every second of a song is filled with very nice placed sounds that build to a climax, however nothing is overbearing. Melanie's voice however could be labeled as an acquired taste. It can be quite soothing and pleasing but when she sings in a higher register there are moments on this album where her voice gets a little nasal, it doesn't sound bad and it's actually not enough so that it ruins your experience or ruins the song but some people may not like it that much.
Overall 'The Sea' is an impressive, ambitious and diverse album.
Highlights:
Get Out Of Here
Drown
All About You
