Search - 35007 :: Phase 5

The final phase for 35007?

Longplay | 09/11/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Phase 5" mines the same instrumental ambient stoner territory as the superlative 2003 release "Liquid," but with less impressive results. The compositions in Liquid were structurally tight, using slow, tense buildups and sudden cathartic payoffs to keep the listener engaged. Futhermore, Liquid was visually evocative and thematically cohesive, using riffs and effects that suggest the ebb and flow of liquid (hence, the title). Phase 5 admirably moves away from these devices but really doesn't find anything to replace them. This album is much looser than Liquid, both in terms of the song structures, which seem a lot more jammy and free form, and in terms of the conceptual theme. While the album's supposed concept is "mathematics made audible," it is difficult to see how the concept actually informs the album. These songs don't sound like math (to me, anyway). Despite these flaws, the saving graces of Phase 5 are the band's strong musicianship and hypnotic, signature arrangement.



Unfortunately, I walk away from this album with the sense that 35007's big idea, combining stoner metal riffs with the spaciousness of ambient techno, has run its creative course. While their existing body of work already represents a significant artistic contribution, 35007 may need another big idea to put themselves in a position to make interesting music again."