Went back and listened to this again after spinning the new record of few times, and I liked it a lot more than I remember on my initial listen.

About the vocals...I don't think the issue is that they're too low in the mix, or that Dan's register isn't high enough to lift himself out of the instrumentation.

The issue is with the vocal image, i.e. its position within the soundstage. In most cases, vocals are centered directly in front of the listener. Good gear can create a very sharp central image that gives vocals a very life-like quality and really make them "pop" from within the instrumentation.

However, the vocal image in this record is, quite frankly, terrible. The origin of the vocal image is actually BEHIND the left ear. It's hard to pinpoint, but that's where it originates. That alone is a problem, as I can't see any artistic reason why it was done. Cursive's "The Ugly Organ" has the same issue.

What makes it worse is that the image isn't focused, it's smeared across the entire soundstage (possibly a phase issue? I don't know), where much of it is effectively lost within the instrumentation. That, more than anything, is why the vocals don't stand out enough.

Damn this sounds pretty nice now

Album Rating: 4.0

That's because it is

Album Rating: 4.0

And always was ;)

Album Rating: 4.0

Hexes kills me every time. Amazing album

Album Rating: 4.0

"Polaris does not feature Tompkins soaring over a sea of wavy low-end and time signatures - it features him slogging through it like a swamp."



The 'slogging through it like a swamp' bit perfectly describes what is going on with the vocalist. I couldn't really put a finger on why I wasn't too crazy about the vocals on this album, especially since Tompkins has a great voice. But other than that, I thought that the album is awesome. It could have used a little less of the slow, calm parts throughout the album and a little more aggression like Hexes, but overall I still really liked it. Great review!

this band name is like the definitive long haired pony tail pimple face world of warcraft nerd in mother's basement at age 30 band name

Album Rating: 4.0

^says "WretchedCacophony"

Album Rating: 2.5

lol good lord

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

@BeyondCosby LOL, i honestly don't think TesseracT sounds that edgy, just sounds like a really generic djent band name

Album Rating: 4.0

Fair point, I just think when someone sets you up for a lob like that you gotta spike it.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

it was a nice comeback

"^says "WretchedCacophony""

To be fair, it definitely sounds like he's under 30. xD

Album Rating: 4.0

Still their best. Just a collection of awesome songs m/

Album Rating: 4.0

My brother once declined going to a concert in which Tesseract was playing with Astronoid and Plini and called them "LesseracT". I LOL'd.



Yeah this still holds up pretty well minus a few moments. I could do without a couple tracks, but I like this boatloads more than Sonder, which I stopped trying to like and have given up on, but I don't really consider that to be a proper full-length.

Album Rating: 4.0

I often listen to Sonder without Luminary and the Beneath My Skin/Mirror Image. That's my kind of ep version and it works well. I also never got why people like their first two records so much. They're borefests to me apart from a few songs.

Album Rating: 4.0

Eh just an atmosphere thing I guess. I can't just pop in and listen to a few tracks on shuffle -- they're album experiences to me that build and have these amazing cathartic releases that are all the more powerful when you get into the ambience and groove of the whole albums. I guess I'm just lucky that stuff doesn't bore me. I still think One is phenomenal, and I consider Altered State to be a masterpiece of atmosphere, mixing, melody, and groove. It's just very samey but that doesn't turn me off. I could see why if that turned you off of it, Polaris and Sonder might be more up your alley. Really curious to see how they're progressing now with new music.

Album Rating: 4.0

Oh right off the bat though if this band has ever done anything for you in terms of guitar tone and atmosphere, and you might have heard it but I was late to the game, check out Spiritbox's self-title mini-LP/EP. The Mara Effect (specifically 1 & 3) songs, as well as their new singles on Spotify (Trust Fall, Perennial) are fucking sick. I can't stop listening to them. My stats tell me I've listened to 155 of their songs in the past week. It's impossible to tire from. So groovy and catchy. Definitely gives me Tesseract vibes in terms of the guitar tone and their rhythm section.

Album Rating: 4.0

They need to go in a more colourful direction again like they did with this one

Album Rating: 4.0

I'm sorry man, I forgot about your comment. I'll check them out!