All About Eden
The guys from All About Eden recently dropped us a line, letting us know about their album Bitter Days and Better Nights, to see what we thought of things. Described as a concept album on their FB page, this Stoke On Trent unit describe themselves simply as rock, and have released their album through Just Giving, so I thought it only right I see what was going on with their sounds.
Opening with Phenomenon there’s not a lot given away, opening with spoken words and an ominous, dark synth line to get things in motion. Soon adopting a far more upbeat and powerful approach, the synth line combines with a distorted guitar line, all forging together into a sound which is heavy, dark and melodic, the sort of thing which is going to get a live show going and whip the crowd into a frenzy from the word go. Acting almost as an intro track, we’re soon pushed on to Maybe Man for the album to continue, opening where the last track left off but adding more to the mix, turning it into something which is more upbeat and rock orientated. Ushering in some vocals to bolster the mix once and for all, the sense of melody continues to run through this track, showing that the band understand their sound and how to craft tracks which will appeal to old and new fans alike. Catchy and upbeat throughout, I’m not sure if this is what I’d class as rock or not, but I do know that it’s something I could happily sit back and listen to, the sort of thing which is laid back enough to be relaxing but upbeat enough to make you want to go out and see it live.
Galactic Love ups the tempo and throws us into a Feeder style melee of rock music, but with an electronic edge sounding like something you’d expect straight out of Japan (not being stereotypical or anything). Melodic, catchy, fast and refusing to follow the conventions you would expect, this is a track which certainly moves back to the rock side of the spectrum, but shows off the bands unique ability to produce their own sound, their own approach and their own style, it’s a quality mix. Miss Starlight offers us up the complete opposite, slowing down and opening with a bluesy piano line and a sense of laid back reflection. Adding in a soaring lead line and soft vocal arrangement, the track certainly shows off the more conceptual ideas of the album, resulting in a mix which is calming, reflective, and the sort of thing which you need to play loud to fully appreciate. There’s something compelling about this track, the sort of thing which turns the track into something exciting and almost moving, the sort of thing that bands strive to achieve but rarely manage, yet here we are with these guys just chucking it out as if it’s effortless, a definite high point on the album to check out for sure.
We’ll Take On The World, Heartbreak Hero, Day Dreaming and Eclipse all offer up further demonstrations of the musical ability on offer here, each track coming with a unique approach and showing that these guys understand how to contrast distorted and melodic within tracks, each one coming as little soundbytes of what to expect from All About Eden if you get the chance to see them live. Melodic, catchy, upbeat but deep and meaningful, the compelling nature of these tracks keep you listening and guessing as to what’s going to come next, not giving away anything too much but letting you know that this is new, exciting, and something you can’t afford to miss. Attack On Starlight 49 is another serious high point which deserves some attention though, hammering out a fast paced rock orientated track which is sure to get people moving, crowds pumping and a pure sense of enjoyment flowing. The lead line which gets things going is going to make you want to play the guitar, the drum beat will make you want to move, and the synth once again bolsters the mix to a new level – it’s an accomplished sound and is quite simply nothing short of excellent to hear.
Interlude is, as you might suspect, a break on the record, and a chance to take on board everything you’ve heard up to this point. Forming simply around a piano and synth line, this track adds a sense of calm back into the mix, allows you a moment to take it all in, and really gets the mind going. Emotional despite its musical nature, this is a track which does what good music should, evokes an emotional change in those that hear it and shows that when it comes to their craft, All About Eden know what they’re doing. It’s down to Are You Coming Home Tonight then to ignite the album once again, ushering back in the sound of the band, this time in the form of a bass heavy melee of dark elements, the sort of thing which harks towards new wave but holds an updated and calming sense along with it. Catchy once again despite the out there approach, there’s something about this track which really makes it stand out, the sort of thing which would accompany a night time set at a festival where the lights bounce of the crowd and you’re immersed in the sound of the band, it’s a clever mix and one which I’m sure will stand the band in good stead moving forwards.
A Word From Our Sponsors returns us to the more electronically tinged elements of earlier in the record, once again opening with that electronic approach before ushering those distorted elements back in. Layered vocals build the track up before we’re launched into a progressive styled melee of drums, guitar and vocals, the mix seeming to grow and grow around you as it builds. Suddenly pulling back from the edge, this is another serious high point on the record, and a track which stands out as one of my personal favourites from the selection. The combination of electronic and heavy is a tricky one on first listen, but give it a couple of times and it becomes a serious force to be reckoned with. Moving on to Tomorrows Only Blue the album once again shifts in direction, heading towards its conclusion and once again offering us a laid back and acoustic approach to smooth over the heavy scars from earlier on. Combining the calming approach with that upbeat sound of the band, there’s something catchy and accessible about this track, the sort of thing which could receive some serious air play on the radio, and the sort of thing which will hook people on to these guys once and for all.
Closing with title track Bitter Days And Better Nights the album comes to its crescendo, closing with another out-there track full of catchy hooks, lead lines which will send shivers down your spine and vocals which will get you singing along. The final moments on this album are once again some of the finest moments on the record, closing on a serious high and showing that concept albums do indeed work – but only when they’re done this damned well!
I didn’t know what to expect from All About Eden when I heard the opening moments of this record, but I didn’t expect to hear what I did – and quite frankly it’s stunning. From start to finish there’s quality musicianship on offer, songs which will hook you in, and a sense of enjoyment flowing through the music. This is a band to check out for sure, and a band with a bright future ahead of them!
To find out more about All About Eden, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Phenomenon there’s not a lot given away, opening with spoken words and an ominous, dark synth line to get things in motion. Soon adopting a far more upbeat and powerful approach, the synth line combines with a distorted guitar line, all forging together into a sound which is heavy, dark and melodic, the sort of thing which is going to get a live show going and whip the crowd into a frenzy from the word go. Acting almost as an intro track, we’re soon pushed on to Maybe Man for the album to continue, opening where the last track left off but adding more to the mix, turning it into something which is more upbeat and rock orientated. Ushering in some vocals to bolster the mix once and for all, the sense of melody continues to run through this track, showing that the band understand their sound and how to craft tracks which will appeal to old and new fans alike. Catchy and upbeat throughout, I’m not sure if this is what I’d class as rock or not, but I do know that it’s something I could happily sit back and listen to, the sort of thing which is laid back enough to be relaxing but upbeat enough to make you want to go out and see it live.
Galactic Love ups the tempo and throws us into a Feeder style melee of rock music, but with an electronic edge sounding like something you’d expect straight out of Japan (not being stereotypical or anything). Melodic, catchy, fast and refusing to follow the conventions you would expect, this is a track which certainly moves back to the rock side of the spectrum, but shows off the bands unique ability to produce their own sound, their own approach and their own style, it’s a quality mix. Miss Starlight offers us up the complete opposite, slowing down and opening with a bluesy piano line and a sense of laid back reflection. Adding in a soaring lead line and soft vocal arrangement, the track certainly shows off the more conceptual ideas of the album, resulting in a mix which is calming, reflective, and the sort of thing which you need to play loud to fully appreciate. There’s something compelling about this track, the sort of thing which turns the track into something exciting and almost moving, the sort of thing that bands strive to achieve but rarely manage, yet here we are with these guys just chucking it out as if it’s effortless, a definite high point on the album to check out for sure.
We’ll Take On The World, Heartbreak Hero, Day Dreaming and Eclipse all offer up further demonstrations of the musical ability on offer here, each track coming with a unique approach and showing that these guys understand how to contrast distorted and melodic within tracks, each one coming as little soundbytes of what to expect from All About Eden if you get the chance to see them live. Melodic, catchy, upbeat but deep and meaningful, the compelling nature of these tracks keep you listening and guessing as to what’s going to come next, not giving away anything too much but letting you know that this is new, exciting, and something you can’t afford to miss. Attack On Starlight 49 is another serious high point which deserves some attention though, hammering out a fast paced rock orientated track which is sure to get people moving, crowds pumping and a pure sense of enjoyment flowing. The lead line which gets things going is going to make you want to play the guitar, the drum beat will make you want to move, and the synth once again bolsters the mix to a new level – it’s an accomplished sound and is quite simply nothing short of excellent to hear.
Interlude is, as you might suspect, a break on the record, and a chance to take on board everything you’ve heard up to this point. Forming simply around a piano and synth line, this track adds a sense of calm back into the mix, allows you a moment to take it all in, and really gets the mind going. Emotional despite its musical nature, this is a track which does what good music should, evokes an emotional change in those that hear it and shows that when it comes to their craft, All About Eden know what they’re doing. It’s down to Are You Coming Home Tonight then to ignite the album once again, ushering back in the sound of the band, this time in the form of a bass heavy melee of dark elements, the sort of thing which harks towards new wave but holds an updated and calming sense along with it. Catchy once again despite the out there approach, there’s something about this track which really makes it stand out, the sort of thing which would accompany a night time set at a festival where the lights bounce of the crowd and you’re immersed in the sound of the band, it’s a clever mix and one which I’m sure will stand the band in good stead moving forwards.
A Word From Our Sponsors returns us to the more electronically tinged elements of earlier in the record, once again opening with that electronic approach before ushering those distorted elements back in. Layered vocals build the track up before we’re launched into a progressive styled melee of drums, guitar and vocals, the mix seeming to grow and grow around you as it builds. Suddenly pulling back from the edge, this is another serious high point on the record, and a track which stands out as one of my personal favourites from the selection. The combination of electronic and heavy is a tricky one on first listen, but give it a couple of times and it becomes a serious force to be reckoned with. Moving on to Tomorrows Only Blue the album once again shifts in direction, heading towards its conclusion and once again offering us a laid back and acoustic approach to smooth over the heavy scars from earlier on. Combining the calming approach with that upbeat sound of the band, there’s something catchy and accessible about this track, the sort of thing which could receive some serious air play on the radio, and the sort of thing which will hook people on to these guys once and for all.
Closing with title track Bitter Days And Better Nights the album comes to its crescendo, closing with another out-there track full of catchy hooks, lead lines which will send shivers down your spine and vocals which will get you singing along. The final moments on this album are once again some of the finest moments on the record, closing on a serious high and showing that concept albums do indeed work – but only when they’re done this damned well!
I didn’t know what to expect from All About Eden when I heard the opening moments of this record, but I didn’t expect to hear what I did – and quite frankly it’s stunning. From start to finish there’s quality musicianship on offer, songs which will hook you in, and a sense of enjoyment flowing through the music. This is a band to check out for sure, and a band with a bright future ahead of them!
To find out more about All About Eden, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls