Review Summary: Some music is meant to be experienced, not listened to.
A long time ago, I heard my teacher say that the definition of music is "the way a feeling sounds." At the time, I thought that was a ridiculous statement. To a certain extent, I still do. So much of the music I hear every day is contrived and tepid, it's hard to imagine it as anything other than what it is... A product, and a highly profitable one at that.
Every now and then though, I find something that fits her description perfectly.
By the end of the forth track of 'The Future Is Cancelled,' I had the distinct impression that I was listening to the greatest album I've ever had the pleasure of finding. By the end of my first full listen, I was sure of it. I sat back in my chair, taking a minute to try to take it all in. Then I took a deep breath, and started it again. The album can be viewed the same way that a symphony can be viewed. Different movements in one huge, cohesive piece of music, every movement fitting perfectly into the overall piece. This is an amazing feat considering the songs were written over a span of three years. There is no filler to be found anywhere here. Every track seems irreplaceable, from the intensity and wonderful guitar work of the opener 'Adultery,' To the soaring vocals of 'Lake,' to the incredibly catchy chorus of 'Here's to forever.' Every song has a highlight, a moment that plasters itself in your memory. 'A Bitter Divorce,' is quite possibly the greatest song ever written. The climax is absolutely perfect, and the lyrics are some of the best ever penned.
'The Future Is Cancelled' Is everything that music should be, and somehow more. It's beautiful, it's smart, it's emotional, and the closest thing to perfect that music can be. It's the music you wait a lifetime for. This is the kind of music that can make you smile while tears are running down your face, because you don't understand why, but it makes you feel like life is worth the pain.
