Screams And Whispers

Screams and Whispers builds on the foundation laid by Manic Impressions by accentuating Anacrusis' melodic side and stepping up the production with keyboards and effects, helping make the record a touch more accessible than the despairing Impressions. But at the same time, the band reaches even greater musical heights, pushing their technical abilities to the limit with a heavier concentration on odd, shifting time signatures; plus, the emphasis on melodicism hasn't produced traditionally catchy songs, but rather tunes that sound focused, logical, and yet somehow unpredictably alien. Kenn Nardi's vocals are as schizophrenic as ever, and even without the new embellishments, the arrangements are even more sophisticated, making effective use of space, interplay, and dynamic and textural shifts. Some may prefer the raw exposed nerves of Manic Impressions, but Screams and Whispers is a definite step forward, and arguably Anacrusis' best album; the only disappointment is the fact that it's also the group's final statement. ~ Steve Huey