Wisdom Of Crowds
You may well have heard of The Pineapple Thief and Katatonia, so you may also be very interested to hear that the frontmen of both of these bands have joined forces to release Wisdom Of Crowds, an exciting new project. With Bruce Soord and Jonas Renkse joining forces (despite the current unparalleled success of their main bands) we’re presented with an album written for the vocals of Renske, accompanied by the song writing prowess of Soord, which surely is going to be something special to behold. I figured the best way to really see what was going on was to hit play – so prepared the speakers for a beating and hit play.
Opening proceedings with Pleasure we’re gently led into things beginning by a dark and ominous sound, combining the eerie backing with a soft yet effective drum line before ushering in the haunting vocals of Renske. Growing in depth as it progresses, the feeling here is one of electronic style merged with an almost orchestral approach, resulting in a sound which is intriguing and alluring at the same time. Once all of the elements have been incorporated into the mix we’re left with something deep, something powerful, something which at times is akin to NIN, at other times achieving an almost Muse like sound, and at other times sounding like nothing I’ve ever heard before – but working damned well.
Title track Wisdom Of Crowds follows on, refusing to follow convention and once again shifting the style to ensure you’re still paying attention. Emotional and dark yet somehow light and airy as it progresses, this track shifts from the heavy and dark approach of the opening track to a new realm, a place where the soft drumline is designed to hook you in whilst the soothing vocals echo out over you, sitting you down and reminding you that sometimes, it’s just good to listen to music. Still managing to keep the rock-centric approach moving throughout, there’s something about this track which screams single release, standing out as a moment to make sure you check out.
Shifting once again for Radio Star the sludgy and heavier approach once again returns to the forefront of things, this time leaning on a bass heavy rhythm to set things in motion whilst the deep and alluring vocals lead you through the track. Once again managing to surprise at every turn, the track twists and turns through different approaches, from hard to soft, in your face to restrained, and back through the cycle again. More than just a song, this track represents a journey, the twists and turns pulling you along and keeping you involved whilst the music keeps you listening, resulting in another high point, and a track which stands out as one of my personal favourites from the album as a whole.
Continuing to showcase their unique approach through Frozen North, The Light, Pretend and Stacked Naked, each track continues to push the boundaries of the album, refusing to follow convention or take the lead from others and instead, pushing forwards with their unique approach. It’s when penultimate track Centre Of Gravity comes about though that a whole new feeling is generated, one of drama, intensity and emotion. Deep and powerful from the word go, the lead line which signals the beginning of the track soon gives way to a soothing and laid back vocal, the sort of thing that would perfectly accompany a drive in the dark or a moment of simple calm. Reflective and thought provoking throughout, this is another single in the waiting, and another track which I’m sure is to become a real live favourite.
We’re only then left with Flows Through You to close things off, finishing the album much as it began and giving us one more insight into the personal influences of these two remarkable musicians. Dark and industrial once again as things begin, the harshness of the opening moments of this track stand it out, make you take note, and present you with one final taste of their abilities. As an album closer this does what it should, leaving you wanting more but safely knowing that this hasn’t been your everyday bog standard record, it’s been something far, far more.
I’ve been surprised by Wisdom Of Crowds from Soord and Renkse as quite simply, it doesn’t follow the conventions of anything I’ve ever come across before. Refusing to accept the straight forward approach and instead carving a unique path through their own take on things, the result here is an album which will provoke your thoughts, keep you listening, and keep you coming back time and time again.
To find out more about Wisdom Of Crowds, check out the Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening proceedings with Pleasure we’re gently led into things beginning by a dark and ominous sound, combining the eerie backing with a soft yet effective drum line before ushering in the haunting vocals of Renske. Growing in depth as it progresses, the feeling here is one of electronic style merged with an almost orchestral approach, resulting in a sound which is intriguing and alluring at the same time. Once all of the elements have been incorporated into the mix we’re left with something deep, something powerful, something which at times is akin to NIN, at other times achieving an almost Muse like sound, and at other times sounding like nothing I’ve ever heard before – but working damned well.
Title track Wisdom Of Crowds follows on, refusing to follow convention and once again shifting the style to ensure you’re still paying attention. Emotional and dark yet somehow light and airy as it progresses, this track shifts from the heavy and dark approach of the opening track to a new realm, a place where the soft drumline is designed to hook you in whilst the soothing vocals echo out over you, sitting you down and reminding you that sometimes, it’s just good to listen to music. Still managing to keep the rock-centric approach moving throughout, there’s something about this track which screams single release, standing out as a moment to make sure you check out.
Shifting once again for Radio Star the sludgy and heavier approach once again returns to the forefront of things, this time leaning on a bass heavy rhythm to set things in motion whilst the deep and alluring vocals lead you through the track. Once again managing to surprise at every turn, the track twists and turns through different approaches, from hard to soft, in your face to restrained, and back through the cycle again. More than just a song, this track represents a journey, the twists and turns pulling you along and keeping you involved whilst the music keeps you listening, resulting in another high point, and a track which stands out as one of my personal favourites from the album as a whole.
Continuing to showcase their unique approach through Frozen North, The Light, Pretend and Stacked Naked, each track continues to push the boundaries of the album, refusing to follow convention or take the lead from others and instead, pushing forwards with their unique approach. It’s when penultimate track Centre Of Gravity comes about though that a whole new feeling is generated, one of drama, intensity and emotion. Deep and powerful from the word go, the lead line which signals the beginning of the track soon gives way to a soothing and laid back vocal, the sort of thing that would perfectly accompany a drive in the dark or a moment of simple calm. Reflective and thought provoking throughout, this is another single in the waiting, and another track which I’m sure is to become a real live favourite.
We’re only then left with Flows Through You to close things off, finishing the album much as it began and giving us one more insight into the personal influences of these two remarkable musicians. Dark and industrial once again as things begin, the harshness of the opening moments of this track stand it out, make you take note, and present you with one final taste of their abilities. As an album closer this does what it should, leaving you wanting more but safely knowing that this hasn’t been your everyday bog standard record, it’s been something far, far more.
I’ve been surprised by Wisdom Of Crowds from Soord and Renkse as quite simply, it doesn’t follow the conventions of anything I’ve ever come across before. Refusing to accept the straight forward approach and instead carving a unique path through their own take on things, the result here is an album which will provoke your thoughts, keep you listening, and keep you coming back time and time again.
To find out more about Wisdom Of Crowds, check out the Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls