Review Summary:
Sometimes post-genres can be as simple as a glass of whiskey.
Not everything needs to be overly complicated, wrapped up in confusing multi-faceted passages in order to display something that transcends the norm. Instead, things – and in this case music, just needs to do what comes naturally. With a sound that leans closer to post rock than the metal clichés that unfortunately brings an instant Cult Of Luna/Isis stereotype. Thankfully Eden Circus brings a delightfully light play on what “post” means to today’s often same-y and unmemorable.
Marula is a layered atmospheric approach to intelligently designed post rock, drawing from easily noticeable influences such as Tool, the above mentioned Isis while keeping their own important sense of individuality. Not only does this light foray present the listener with a music equivalent of aged whiskey, but shows Eden Circus’
Marula as a surprise entry into the best albums of 2014 that you’ve never heard.
It’s a big statement I know; the music industry is so spread out, so spaced, so… convoluted and often elitist. You’re not supposed to be told what music is great or even worth your time, let alone let some random reviewer or press release tell you about the opinion you can make on your own. Regardless, there are some albums worth the time of day to be played over and over again. For a record that surprises the listener with its simplicity, it’s often not as simple as the first impression leaves. Yeah I know, that’s completely contradicting to what would normally be a straight-forward release, but the effects are subtle, quiet and more or less atmospheric. Take the album opener for example; for what would be a normal track, ‘Devoid Of Purpose’ sensationalises the albums’ overall simplicity and brings the crooning directly to the forefront. It’s the album’s main selling point, creating accessibility at almost every turn.
With a run time breaking the hour mark, it takes a level of concentration to listen to this record as something other than background music. Track times often teeter over the eight minute mark, stretching the tentative musical atmosphere into sensual compositions.
Marula is an album full of highlights, but some shine more than others. ‘Her Lovely Hands Upon The Black Earth’ crescendos, envelopes and brings the rest of the album into focus, without forcing any single trait onto the listener, it’s rather natural. Take what you will from my sweeping statements, it’s hard to articulate just how these guys do what they do so well.
Overall, it’s hard to see this album in a negative light. If one was to take up musical drinking, Eden Circus is one neat drink, smooth biting only when it needs to. Sure, refined drinking may not be for everyone, and those without the maturity to understand the sensual atmospherics here may miss out on what this album has to offer, but
Marula is an album worth taking off the shelf.
