VNV Nation - Matter + Form
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Music CD Cover
Artist: VNV NationEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2005-04-12
Music Label: Metropolis Records
Soundtracks:
- Intro
- Chrome
- Arena
- Colours Of Rain
- Strata
- Interceptor
- Entropy
- Endless Skies
- Homeward
- Lightwave
- Perpetual
Free Music Notes for Matter + Form
Free Music Review: Let there always be never ending light.
Hit: 5 Stars
VNV fans, old and new alike, breath a collective sigh of relief! For the new album is at last upon us. One look at the packaging of the CD, and you know you're in for something new. Gone are the darker tones of the previous album covers. Shining silver and deep red lend this CD an almost vintage feel, one that is carried over into the music. Is this the same VNV Nation from "Praise The Fallen" and "Empires"? No, and at the same time, yes. The music has evolved, to be certain, and the vocals have matured, but the delivery is still pretty much the same, as are the emotions conjured. But, following the path paved by "Futureperfect", analogue synths are prominent on "Matter + Form", and oh how they fit! Though this album is new, it feels almost familiar, like it's been in your collection for years, enjoying repeated listening sessions. Is "Matter + Form" perfect? No. But its close enough not to matter. This CD definitely deserves a place of honor in the collection of any EBM/industrial/synthpop music fan.
Intro - Yep, that's what this track is. It's an intro. Not as engaging as the intros on "Praise The Fallen" or "Futureperfect", it still serves its purpose as a deep breath before the plunge that is "Chrome". Ethereal to the extreme, with no percussion or sequencing to be heard, it merely opens the door to...
Chrome - Holy crap! And I mean that in the greatest possible sense. There's a reason that the artwork for this CD is mostly silver...and it's in honor of this track. I haven't felt this way about a song since...well, since Epicentre from "Futureperfect". Ironically enough, that was the second track on that CD. Coincidence? But I digress. Back to the Holy crap! from earlier. If ever a song was to embody VNV Nation as a whole, this would be it. It starts out with a short but groovy analogue intro, before kicking into a butt-kicking sequencer piece. A drum driven verse follows, with Ronan doing what he does best. Then the chorus kicks in, with the low synths punctuating the vocals and subtle sequencers. A little more than halfway through and the tempo drops just a bit, before building back up into a great final verse, retaining the driving synths and sequencing, but with Ronan's voice soaring a little more than normal. If this track doesn't get your head bobbing, your butt moving, or your foot tapping, then call the coroner, cause you are officially dead.
Arena - A simple sequence opens this track, with Ronan singly simply above the minimalistic tones. And then cautious yet hopeful synths emerge, along with a very poppy drum beat. VNV Nation goes 80's? For some reason I'm thinking of Peter Gabriel here. This song definitely elicits an emotional response, as if the listener were experiencing the final moments of mourning before discovering something wonderful, something that closest the door on sadness and walks steadily towards sunlight and warmth. Dark and light, motion and stillness, and old and new collide beautifully in Arena, and I'm smiling through it all, amazed by the sheer beauty of it.
Colours Of Rain - Slow, melodic, and simplistic. These are the words that come to mind while listening to this track. Piano bits are interspersed with orchestral bits. The intro and outro are decidedly ethereal, feeling more like old Cocteau Twins than anything else. Ok, so now I've compared VNV Nation to Cocteau Twins. You'll either rush out and buy this album NOW, or you'll think I'm completely nuts. Or both. Either way, I'm fine with that. VNV typically does a "movie score" song on each of their albums, and "Matter + Form" is no exception, as this song proves.
Strata - Synths and samples on reverb give this track a building, bare-bones intro, before it kicks into higher gear, complete with hi-hat, kick drum, and a bass line straight out of a trance song. The analogue synths really come into play on this song, and the structure really gives it a mechanical, nuts-and-bolts feel. This is the fifth track of the album, and the third instrumental. Not a bad track by any means, and definitely more interesting than Colours Of Rain. It's also pretty short, and leads straight into...
Interceptor - Simple and straightforward sequencing are the par for the course here. Great title, and great fade from Strata into this track, but all in all it's just a barebones affair. Yet another instrumental. I'm a big fan of instrumental tracks, don't get me wrong, but VNV Nation is as much Ronan's voice as it is his musicianship. For me, songs without him singing or speaking just don't pack the same punch. The outro to this track, as the synths begin to fail, is definitely the highlight.
Entropy - Light, lurking synths open this track, with sounds pinging in the background and Ronan singing softly. The synths build, a kick drum makes an almost unnoticed appearance, and a sense of dread falls. But then the analogue sequencer kicks in, the drums get louder and more noticeable, and the dread falls away like rubble in the aftermath of this heavy, accusing song. Ever mosh at a VNV Nation concert? You just might now. This track could easily have been playing during the freeway chase scene of The Matrix: Reloaded. Definitely the darkest and angriest track on "Matter + Form".
Endless Skies - Sonar synths give this track a very light, unchained feeling. Sequencers don't really come into play here. It's just the synths, barely-there beats, and Ronan singing. Reminds me a lot of Left Behind from the "Genesis" single. Pretty simple song in the end. This is the synthpop version of a ballad. Not that there's anything wrong with that! But I'm sure this song has much more impact played live than on an album.
Homeward - Ahhh...back to form. No pun intended! An intro that reminds me of "Praise The Fallen", mixed with the newer vocal delivery and a more mature, measured pace. Ronan really goes the distance with his voice here. If you liked Beloved or Airships from "Futureperfect", then this track will feel like an old friend, gone too long from your life. The synths are very VNV, and Ronan's lyrics are solid as ever. Great song for a rainy Autumn drive.
Lightwave - The return of the plodding synths! Another instrumental, but far more enjoyable than Strata and Interceptor. Honestly, this track could easily be mistaken for an Assemblage 23 song during the opening minute. Firmly embedded in the VNV philosophy it is, however, as becomes readily apparent. A simple kick drum and snare combo drive this song along, with rampaging hi-hats blending with the sequencing to force this one along. The middle drops the pulse a bit, and is punctuated with light sequencing and synth strings. Great track for driving, dancing, or just about anything.
Perpetual - Ahhh...the joys of a song done right. A slow, building intro breathes this song into being, with simply and instantly recognizable VNV synths floating amongst the sonicscape. Again, the 80's find their way into modern music, with the beats and sequencing reminding one of a time past, when Depeche Mode and Erasure ruled the airwaves. Ronan's voice once again provides the meat in this hearty main course. I have long believed that his voice is uniquely suited for electronic music, and this track proves me right. All in all, Perpetual is a very moving song, giving hope to the future, and ending this album on a perfect high note.
One cannot deny the pure talent that Ronan Harris possesses. He never imitates, and is always finding ways to take old sounds and make them new. In terms of sheer production and attention to detail, VNV Nation is one of the top bands out there. When they shine, they shine brighter than any other current act. And even their less than engaging tracks are still something to behold. The lyrics are on par with what we've come to expect from Mr. Harris. The album art is unquestioningly appropriate. Everything comes together in a near perfect blend of music, words, and visuals. Fans who discovered VNV with "Futureperfect" will undoubtedly feel right at home here, while older fans like myself will find reminders and nods to the older albums, while being continually amazed at how right this new direction feels. This isn't just an album, it's a trusted companion, the rare friend who will journey right there with you through the triumphs, tears, and tribulations of modern living.
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