Xandria - India
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Music CD Cover
Artist: XandriaEdition: Music CD
Format: Extra tracks, Import
CD Release Date: 2005-10-31
Music Label: Avalon Japan
Soundtracks:
- India
- Now & Forever
- In Love with the Darkness
- Fight Me
- Black and Silver
- Like a Rose on the Grave of Love
- Widescreen
- End of Every Story
- Who We Are (And Who We Want)
- Dancer
- Winterhearted
- Return to India
- Drown in Me
- So Sweet
Free Music Notes for India
Free Music Review: My favourite Xandria CD...
Hit: 5 Stars
Dear reader, if you love a band that combines different genres well, makes catchy melodies, has soaring vocals, and meaningful lyrics, you're going to love this! Xandria's 3rd studio album has been released and it is not a let down. They pack a punch with this release, let there be no doubt about it. Xandria are here and they're here to stay.
I'm not complaining in the least. The album offers much variety music and vocal wise - so much in fact that it is literally impossible to classify them as being within a specific music genre. Lead vocalist Lisa Middlehauve stated "Xandria is something in between Metal, Pop, Classic, Rock, Soundtrack, Jazz and Gothic...what can I say..? We are Xandriatic."
Xandriatic they are: for the band has an uncanny, yet unique gift for using multiple influences in each song making them sound very different from each other - but most of the songs sound wonderful. It's refreshing and makes the album come alive, rather then sinking in sameness.
"India" catches you off guard. There's the smooth waves of the ocean in sound for a little while then - "On!...Sailing On!" bursts in. It's powerful and actually made me jump the first time I heard it. The song kicks into high gear after this point and takes you with them on their quest for India. And this is only the first track...
"Now & Forever": a mix of techno, rock, metal, and soft vocals. It combines to create a wonderful symphony about everlasting love. The chorus itself is perfect, the instrumentals lovely. It's adrenaline pumping; but at the same time calm and beautiful. It's my all-time favourite Xandria song. I've never gotten sick of it. To their credit, this song could be movie soundtrack material - it would work beautifully. It's songs like this that make me wonder why no one has heard of this band where I live (Canada).
The single, "In Love with the Darkness" is reminiscient of rock and pop influences. The song is naturally fun to listen to. Whereas "Fight Me" is a song with bite, increasing the tension on the album. The bridge is of particular mention as it crescendos back to the chorus on a prefect note. Lisa sings deeper on this track; but don't let that deter you. It's another great song.
"Black and Silver" is a tad disappointing. It's a solid song on its own; but seems to be weaker after the first four fabulous pieces of music. Still a fun one; but it isn't anything too special.
Then we get the Celtic influenced "Like a Rose on the Grave of Love", our first ballad and a very lovely one at that. It's a long song; but worth listening to.
"Widescreen" will grow on you - believe me. Even if you didn't think much of it at first (like me)...this song is insanely catchy. I mean catchy to the point where it sticks in your mind. It's a pretty interesting piece of music I'll say.
The "End of Every Story" is the weakest song on an already perfect album. Nothing really special with this one. But then...
"Who We Are (And Who We Want)" follows it. This one is emotionally inducing. The lyrics are perfect and the music really affects the listener. It goes fairly deep with something we can all relate to - what we dream of being but realizing it is separate from reality: meaning that the two aren't always going to occur. It's a song about maturity and realization, I would say.
"Dancer" - second ballad and also great.
I have heard that "Winterhearted" isn't sung live by Xandria because they feel it is too slow and people might be "bored" by that. (In an actual interview) I can't understand why. The song is fabulous, sure the verses are slower; but the chorus and bridge are powerful and fast. It's a favourite off the album for me. It's energetic and works well as a single.
"Return to India" is a great finisher for the album. And it's different from the opening song which is a nice surprise.
Bonus Tracks: "Drown in Me" and "So Sweet" are both well done. The former is heavier and naturally well done. The latter is soft and has, what I think of, as a lullaby sort of feel to it. It's nice and the lyrics are interesting metaphorically. They make you think.
"Out of control, anchorless
Drifting in space, and it tastes so sweet
When we run out of sight
When we taste forbidden fruits
So surreal, can't be real
But it tastes so sweet
Not totally conscious
Or maybe conscious at all
Of a brighter colour than the ordinary grey
This moment in a day"
Aha, so Lisa's eating those forbidden fruits again: that's her secret to making the album. (Just kidding) But seriously now, readers, the lyrics make for some interesting analogies that can be interpretted in many different ways. Is it about letting things go? Living life freely? Savouring a moment of day? Indulging in life's pleasures using the metaphor: "forbidden fruit"? (No, not those kind of pleasures. I know what you were thinking there.) Whatever the meaning behind the song is, it's quite an interesting piece of music.
Overall, a fantastic album. It makes you think, has swirling instrumentals, and feels fresh. It stands out above the sea of bands that have a "samey" feel to them. Recommended listening. 5/5
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