the gathering - 'mandylion'

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i loved it when i was 17, but the whole thing sounds a little bit overblown years later. many of these songs are awkwardly structured, with a surprising lack of melody. anneke fills the gaps nicely with her expansive vocal work, but ultimately only about three winning tracks here.

the band got a lot more interesting musically as time went on

― Charlie Howard (the sphinx), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 12:37 (nineteen years ago)

It really was a transitional record for the band, moving from a mediocre singer-guy to a fantastic female singer, and downtoning the metalparts and songstructures a bit for more Floydish things, which they kept developing over the years. Later albums are definitely more interesting, but this was a grand first step. Especially if you compare it to their doommetal-debut Always (which was a big underground hit here in '92) and their second (which was a bit of a disaster).

I still regard Mandylion as one of the finest albums ever to have come from my homecountry (The Netherlads that is).

― Marty Innerlogic (marty innerlogic), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 13:24 (nineteen years ago)

...Netherlands, that is.

― Marty Innerlogic (marty innerlogic), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 13:26 (nineteen years ago)

the second one being 'almost a dance' yeah?
horrible, yes

but yes, 'mandylion' was definitely transitional in all the right ways

as far as the later stuff is concerned, i really like 'if then else'. particularly 'amity'. displays the softer side of the band really convincingly

― Charlie Howard (the sphinx), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 13:50 (nineteen years ago)

Almost a Dance is the second one, yes. My favorites would be Souvenirs and If_Then_Else. I haven't heard the new one yet, but it got good reviews.

― Marty Innerlogic (marty innerlogic), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 14:49 (nineteen years ago)

i checked the new one out. will eventually buy it when i get round to prioritising.

they surely must be one of the netherlands biggest exports musically? at least, these days?

― Charlie Howard (the sphinx), Tuesday, 26 September 2006 14:55 (nineteen years ago)

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