Intervals – ‘The Shape Of Colour’ [Review]
Calling Intervals’ history complicated would be a serious understatement. Aaron Marshall’s brainchild has switched from instrumental to vocal-led prog metal and back again amid multiple lineup changes. Throw in an extended struggle with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, and you have the kind of situation that pretty much anyone would find difficult to deal with.
The Shape Of Colour is the end result of Aaron Marshall’s fight to make something good out of something bad. The results are not merely “good” or even “great”, but utterly overwhelming.
Opening track I’m Awake is guaranteed to draw many a CHON comparison, thanks to a sizeable dollop of playful flamboyance – but one song does not an album make. The Shape Of Colour as a whole is as intense compositionally as it is emotionally – so much so that your brain will not be left with room to think while this album is playing. You’ll have no choice but to switch off your thoughts and let the music cascade through you.
Expect the following. Breathlessly lyrical melodies. Beats and bass capable of moving mountains, and guitar parts that could part sea and sky alike. Gut-stirring riffs. Authenticity, in the sense of honesty, sincerity, and meaning. Stunningly effortless licks taking in all the techniques, while remaining entirely seamless. Detail, care, and attention.
As for personal highlights, I’d pick the way Sure Shot‘s melodies and rhythm parts unravel and recombine; Fable‘s sexy sax, which puts even this guy to shame; and Sweet Tooth‘s hyperspeed slap bass, which is straight up sick.
But that’s me. As for you, the idiosyncratic instrumetal addict, there are plenty of alternative points to pick from. December 4th. Treat yourself to an early Christmas present, and support an incredible musical mind at the same time. Everybody wins.
TMMP RATING: 92% (Essential Listening!)
Links / Listen
Follow TMMP via Twitter and my brand new Facebook page for more from the world of world-class music! If you’re a regular reader, thanks for the support! Don’t stop, and keep going!
6 responses to “Intervals – ‘The Shape Of Colour’ [Review]”
What do you think?
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
this album didn’t really do anything for me. it’s not bad by any means, but there isn’t anything happening here which isn’t being done better by other instrumental acts such as Plini, The Helix Nebula or Pomegranate Tiger to name a few. The best parts of the album are the guest contributions, which in and of itself is a bit of an indictment on Aaron’s playing here. He’s a talented guy, but I don’t think he’s fulfilled that to the degree that such a positive review is warranted
that’s an opinion, no disrespect but you have no clue of what you’re talking about, this album is a gem, every note is perfect, none of the other acts you mention has had that impact on me and on my own compositions. Amazing work by Aaron, the guests are alright, but not crucial by any means.
how is what you’re saying any less of an opinion than what was said above? also way to go ‘no disrespect’ and then follow that with ‘but literally fuck everything you just said’
mine is an opinion as well, I mean no disrespect as in, nothing personal, in the end it’s all about taste, so yeah there you go, I disagree with Karlo but my opinion is no better or worse than his
mostly, i’m just laughing at how sad it is that someone was more influenced in their writing by intervals than by plini, helix nebula, or pom tiger
I just find Intervals more inspiring and more enjoyable to listen to, Helix nebula blows my mind but it’s a bit too much, I get dizzy after a couple of songs