Xandria - India
|
List Price: Our Price: $14.13 You Save: $14.84 (51%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
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. They are not on this release; but on the Japanese release of the album. I'd recommend trying to find the Japanese release because the bonus songs just add nicely to Xandria's 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