Review by Rachel Jablonski
With high regard for the evolvement of sound displayed within rE: construK tion, my hopes for the newest effort from the Baltimore based band were considerably high. Even so, my anticipations were not near prepared for the hard-hitting completeness I discovered with .click.’s Gently Unraveling.
Heavy guitar deeply piercing… downcast bass implying inescapable darkness… extraordinary drums shadowing undiminished chaos like clockwork… appealing melody, at times so harmonious the severity of the instrumental attack is momentarily tuned out. Each instrument powerfully contributes to an imaginative sound synthesized with profound poetic lyrics to reveal intense thematic feeling. The concepts, often regarding abstract states of being, are not entirely direct allowing for vast interpretation. Emotions stirred throughout the album are very real and extremely honest, striking a personal chord with any listener.
Only three seconds into the.end.of.everything and you’re doomed, spirits falling. Overpowering bass and dominant drums produce a solid repeated rhythm throwing you into a dark trance of feeling. As soon as the chorus begins, you’re slammed with attractive harmony set by both vocalists. Yet, darkness prevails as heavy guitars accompany the notable rhythms immediately contrasting any positive feeling. The components of this song alone display astronomical variation of emotion, it’s simply all over the place instrumentally, lyrically, and in tone.
Added effects and intriguing interludes allow for fluent transition between song and feeling further developing concept and enhancing mental image.
silhouette.fragments vividly portrays sharp, piercing darkness as menacing guitars beautifully illustrate overwhelming desolation. Complementary to angry, helpless, desperate vocals, the lyrical use of words is powerfully suggestive. The song contrasts nicely with more calm, reflective tracks such as gently unraveling and skyclad. Each track seems to be placed deliberately in order to continue thematic feeling and well-developed concept.
Just when it seemed the evolution was complete with rE: construK tion, .click. has gone to a whole new level by really challenging themselves to produce a complete work of art. Gently Unraveling is simply one of the most intriguing albums I’ve experienced in quite some time. Artistic, thoughtful, and honest, .click. has created a masterpiece that everyone should pursue.