Lethargy - Purification Review
by Mark Hensch
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Lethargy is full of surprises.
Perfect for rolling down a corvette's windows while flooring the pedal, Purification is a hard rock recording in an age devoid of muscular radio tunes. Confident and cool, the band's swagger contains enough bluff for those confused by their throwback style.
The most stunning curveball, however, comes in how powerful and entertaining Purification really is. Its 11 cuts of Southern-fried, driving grunge has me seeing flashbacks like a Vietnam vet, recalling the glory days of acts like Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and even earlier Foo Fighters. Quite simply, I should hate this, but its won me over with a mix of memorable songs and passionate delivery filtered through a healthy dose of nostalgia.
For starters, even the most jaded 1990s rocker will enjoy "Stealth." Smoldering with heat off the asphalt, its blistering but melodic introduction charges headfirst into energetic, burly riffing. Rather than ape other bands playing this style, things veer into stoner rock territory with a duel between wavering keys and 70s guitar shredding. The end result produces one Hell of an opening volley, only hinting at the fireworks still coming.
The explosive "Innocence Serene," for example, takes the disc beyond the stratosphere with its driving guitars and moody, wailing vocals. Adding shimmering keys and a cathartic breakdown, the song establishes itself as Purification's brightest star.
Following this, "A Lost Adoration" continues the momentum with speedy rock balanced by the rattle and hum of an expert rhythm section. Rounded out by a soaring chorus, "Adoration" reaches the lofty heights of melody and majesty.
"Ideal Orphans" is an entirely different jam, fitting comfortably into poignant stoner rock somewhere between Kyuss and Audioslave. Rather than launching into the obligatory final chorus, the band instead throws a moment of deep, head-bowed riffing before ending things. It is an instance where Lethargy clearly separates themselves from their peers.
Another moment comes in the toke and burn of "14:9." Immediately swinging for the fences with muscular riffing and spaced-out guitar notes, Lethargy hits a home run. Circling the bases, the Welsh lads plow through massive hooks and equally gargantuan choruses every bit as "out there" as those penned by Clutch.
"Convenient Ignorant Amnesiac" enters more psychedelic territory, snaking into eardrums with rhythmic guitars worthy of Tool. The ensuing storm of shiny hard rock follows more conventional patterns, ebbing and flowing around the crooning vocals.
"I See Man's End in His Construction" sneaks in from left field, shocking listeners with a somber acoustic piece. Adding some weight onto the song is its fuzzy guitar haze, producing a trippy vibe bands like The Smashing Pumpkins are known for.
"Inertia" sports an absolutely wicked start, precision-plucked notes fireballing into smashing riffs. The vocals, rhythm section and guitars all sink into a massive groove, producing a sludgy atmosphere. Though all hands are lost, it makes for compelling hard rock.
Up next is "Bleachin' Bones," a rocker rooted in Southern-influenced riffs and big, open-ended singing. In short, it stomps like a herd of buffalo through an expanse as broad as The Great Plains.
In contrast, the disc's title track utilizes thick, meaty riffs and in-your-face yowls producing aural claustrophobia. Eventually drifting away into a nebula of guitar swells orbited by percussion patterns, "Purification" dies with a meteor shower of fiery notes among the album's finest moments.
Last but not least is "Fragile Crystal Dream," a tender piano ballad which draws forth the chilling power of 80s pop. Quiet and stark, it is the unforeseen final chapter in an album of twists.
Purification will likely catch cynics off-guard with the way it avoids the cliches hindering modern music. Earnest and invigorating, it captures the initial intent of hard rock without succumbing to the neutering which has gone on since. Stripping the genre down to its bare necessities, Lethargy seems like quite the Purification indeed.
Tracklisting
Stealth
Innocence Serene
A Lost Adoration
Ideal Orphans
14:9
Convenient Ignorant Amnesia
I See Man's End in His Construction
Inertia
Bleachin' Bones
Purification
Fragile Crystal Dream
CD Info and Links
Lethargy - Purification Rating:8.5
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