2014-02-01 4:02:05 ¶ ●

By Michael Guy Bowman

This song channels the Talking Heads in a big way (both the lyrics and the melody can’t help but remind me a little of Once in a Lifetime). And Bowman’s vocal performance has a bit of that David Byrne vibe to it. The song features an actual, official music video, which is unique in the Homestuck catalog, so far as I know.

2014-02-02 4:02:20 ¶ ●

By Michael Guy Bowman

It’s maddening. The intro is fantastic, the hook in the bridge at 2:30 is cool as hell, and the shades of Sburban Jungle offer a fitting end for the tune. Yet there’s parts I can’t take seriously. The lyrics of the song are as serious as a Bono charity power anthem, yet.. it’s Bowman behind them. And let’s be honest, his voice is closer to Weird Al than to Bob Dylan.

Hoo, this is quality stuff though. I can’t decide what to make of this song. It’s like… oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. Son of a bitch.

God damnit.

2014-02-03 4:02:07 ¶ ●

By Michael Guy Bowman

Love the bright piano intro (I’m reminded of this, which ironically could probably serve as a subtitle to this album). The song itself is dreamy and surreal. That first verse puts me in the shoes of an intoxicated Problem Sleuth, on his way to imagination shenanigans.

Hrm. New thought. I think that this one pairs up thematically even better with another nautically-themed, far-out, groovy tune.

2014-02-04 4:02:11 ¶ ●

RATING: 8 / 13 – its like whoa INSTANT MINDFUCK

There’s lots of ‘theme’ albums in the Homestuck library that take a concept and run with it (The Felt plays with the passage of time, and Cherubim explores concepts of duality, for example). But this is more along the lines of a 'concept’ album, the likes of which Bowie and Yes were churning out in the '70’s.

I drifted to and from this one over the past couple of months. At first I was a little put off of it, just didn’t like it much. Part of it probably had to do with Bowman’s vocals: he has a fine singing voice, but it feels a bit more comedic (see How Do I Live, which is an ironic masterstroke) than dramatic.

So I let it stew for a while. I was drawn back to it a couple of times (especially after hearing little bits of it elsewhere, like in Sburban Genesis off of LOFAM 2). And now, I find myself a fan.

If I had to cast this album into a genre, I’d go with New Wave. It’s a solid mix of rock instrumentation and techno-leaning synth. The rock influence shines most in the arrangements, which often feature a really solid bridge jam in between the verses.

It’s a little like Marmite: it might not be the most popular or mainstream, but there are many who simply adore it. It’s a cult album within a cult webcomic.

To continue the culinary analogy (and double down to a metaphor), I wouldn’t call it an acquired taste, but most definitely, this one has grown on me.

Click here for individual song reviews for Mobius Trip and Hadron Kaleido.

2014-02-05 2:19:00 ¶ ●

## You aren't going to review Lies With the Sea? That's my favorite track from MTHK!

I tended to gravitate more toward’s Bowman’s high-energy tracks. But I liked the ballads on the album, too. I like the groove of No Release, and its lyrics are terribly meaningful and clever. The heavily produced, avant-garde intro in Lies with the Sea is a little tough for me to get past, but the complex verses are interesting and fun (to make yet another comparison, the rhythm and flow of that first verse reminds me of this).

I suppose it’s one of the great, quiet complements I can offer, that his songs provoke thoughts of so many other musicians that I love.