2007-12-02
Perfect. Right from the first piano notes of opener "The Tragedy" on Rochester, NY's standout act The Pax Cecilia's second full-length, there's no doubt that they fully understand, aim and manifest that music is an art form. Actually, the manifestation starts even before those divine notes surround you; The Pax Cecilia are
sending the album to whoever wishes it and they're not charging anything for it. It's free, just like art should be.
By the time the piano's main melody line steps in, and the strings (courtesy of the Canzoetta trio) grasp every last bit of attention on "The Tragedy", most listeners will lose sense of time. The piano stays present all the way, but cymbals crash, vocals soar and distortion is dealt freely throughout "Blessed Are The Bonds". In some cases it may sound like a more free-form piano-led
Pelican, in others a less metallic
Maudlin Of The Well or a less complex
Kayo Dot, and eventually
Godspeed You! Black Emperor's name pops up… but The Pax Cecilia isn't by any means a copy of any of those, they are genuine.
Not bound to a label, The Pax Cecilia self-produced an album that is clearly not targeted to "sell" but is rather enough of an honest piece, and a fine one, that it does actually ”sell". There seems to be unanimity regarding "Blessed Are The Bonds" as a top contender for album of the year on those music lovers' "2007 in music summery" lists, and it's clearly not just because the album is available for free. The reason it got to such a point is mainly because "Blessed Are The Bonds" is a well-orchestrated piano based epic journey that won't leave a single being apathetic.
Beyond being considered in the above-mentioned summery lists, "Blessed Are The Bonds" can be considered an instant timeless concept album. The concept is rather allegorical, and widely open to different interpretations, with a strong emotional expression thread running through it as understood from its
lyrics, artwork and the album's overall tone. Rather than portraying an actual story, with multiple characters and a standard build, the group chose to portray a much more minimal and loose-form concept, which can reach far; as art should do, it stimulates the mind.
Other than the 5-piece band itself, a string trio is greatly present, a choir and additional non-band-oriented vocals are added and a piano surprises in position, considering this can be categorized as a post-metal album. Regardless, the album has heavy over-the-top moments ("The Machine", "The Progress") and is fluent enough that even those who aren't fond of screams as vocals will enjoy it.
The only thing one needs to take for the journey in "Blessed Are The Bonds" is patience. You must be able to allow the album to sink into you for through its eight tracks, a long emotional experience is guaranteed; drums and bass pound, strings swell and mourn, distorted guitars strike, cymbals explode, the piano passionately drives forward while the high-pitched vocals soothe and the occasional screams inflame – there's only one word to fully describe it. Perfect.
Ofer Vayner
