On October 7, 2013, Yorkshire based Civil Protection released their debut album entitled “Stolen Fire” on the Bunnysnot Records label. They tag themselves as ‘atmospheric’, ‘experimental’, and ‘post-rock’ among other things.
I am very impressed. I’ve got a thing about music that can make me feel emotions. By the second song (‘My Memories Will Be Part Of The Sky’) I was already feeling slightly melancholy, but with a touch of bitter sweet hope. Now, before I go and get all maudlin on you, which I shall try to avoid, I think I should tell you that I’m also feeling I should just put all my instruments away and never ever play music again.
Technically this is a beautiful recording. Everything is well balanced. The dynamics are great and will sneak up and slap your face at times. This band actually sounds like it is one instrument, if that makes any sense. Witness the atmospheric ‘From The Parish To The Pavement’ and hear the power of guitarists Nathan Bradley, Joshua Clark, and Adam Fielding, plus Philip Birch’s solid bass. And the lovingly recorded drum kit played by Kenny Skey. This song is fantastic, it just blows me away!
Another song that evokes emotion is ‘Redrawn’. The tone and mood is disconcerting, almost scary at times. It’s an amazing piece of music. I would like to know how the distorted guitar tone was achieved, but since I’ve decided to give up music…(see first paragraph).
Perhaps the song I like the most is “Monedula.” The word atmospheric is overused, but that’s a good start. There is a quiet peaceful beauty to this one. I like it a lot. I don’t have the right words so you’ll just have to see for yourself.
But the icing on the cake is the title track, ‘Stolen Fire’ which is incredible. This is another piece that sounds like the band is one instrument. It is majestic! (Insert overused word ‘atmospheric’ here…) I am in awe of the bass and drums towards the end of the song. I love the final pounding crescendo and the ending guitar part.
Okay so, this album doesn’t really make me want to quit playing music. On the contrary, I find it very inspiring. I heartily recommend you check them out. This will be good listening for my drive to school and back.
You can learn more about Civil Protection by visiting these links:
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