Review Summary: Can you stand upbeat music? If not, then you are truly missing out on a unique moment for VNV.
Can you stand the upbeat? That's what you're getting with Of Faith, Power, and Glory: a beautifully bright and hopeful album. The album does have some variety, but the bulk of this offering is substantially positive in tone.
But don’t think VNV grew all soft, here. The into track ‘Pro Victoria’ has this rather patriotic stance, and the heroic brass instruments add to the impact. The thumping beat and breath-taking grind of 'Art of War' is unusually bad-ass for VNV, 'Sentinal' is an obvious an EBM club-hit with a powerful synth-line and anthemic thanks to some fantastical vocals, and the empowered atmosphere of 'Ghost' stands out.
With that being said, everything else is upbeat, which isn't so bad. After years of channeled aggression, VNV is trying something new, and this new style definitely takes their music, and the EBM genre, to a new level. ‘The Great Divide’ and ‘Where There is Light’ shine with their optimistic power, for their message of hope and strength really come across with clarity. (Actually, I would recommend that you prescribe this album if you or someone you know encounters a really bad case of emo). To top it all off, each song display’s VNV signature craftsmanship, every song providing something unique and different. Nothing here drags, nothing here is undercooked: just what you come to expect from a VNV album.
VNV has done music like this before, but never has these concepts of hope and optimism been so utilized and developed. Even songs like Perpetual and Illusion lack some of the joy found here. While many will probably hate VNV from here on out, that is a shame. VNV has explored angry enough, they think, and now the band wishes to move on. Call it mellowing out, but this can also be called evolution.
Upbeat for some is the devil; some like it mean, some like it angry, some like it bitchy, and some can’t stand anything but. This album (mostly) challenges you to come out of your shell, and if done so you will find an incredible album that will brighten things with its optimism and beauty.
