 First of all, what is a panopticon? (a little history lesson for us all)
A panopticon was designed by Jeremy Bentham in 1791. An architectural
masterpiece which would become the ultimate all-watchful prison and
beautifully illustrated in this description:- "We know the principle, at
the periphery, an annular building; at the centre, a tower; this tower is
pierced with wide windows that open onto the inner side of the ring; the
periphic building is divided into cells, each of which extends the whole
width of the building; they have two windows, one on the inside,
corresponding to the windows on the tower; the other, on the outside,
allows the light to cross the cell from on end to the other. All that is
needed then is to place a supervisor in a central tower and to confine in
each cell, a madman, someone sick, someone condemned, a worker or a schoolboy. By the effect of backlighting, one can observe from the tower, standing out precisely against the light, the small captive silhouettes in the cells of the periphery. They are like so many cages, so many small theatres, in which each actor is alone, perfectly individualized and constantly visible". If that ain't 1984 then I don't know what is! But you can see what a panopticon looked like here.
And now to the 'Panopticon' in question, the long awaited new record from the Gods of noise, the mighty Isis. They have already created several works of genius and this opus is no different.
Ultimately, 'Panopticon' is what can only be described as post-hardcore deliverance. Impossible to pigeon-hole, this band have made three of the finest albums of recent times. For those familiar with their earlier work, both 2000's 'Celestial' and 2002's 'Oceanic', you know what you are expecting to hear from this band. However, for the average music listener, this album will take you on a sensory exploration like you have never experienced before. You will find yourself immersed in the near-ambient soundscapes created by Aaron Turner and his cohorts and once you have had the Isis experience.... you will never listen to music in the same way again!
It's seven songs stretched across sixty minutes and can only be described as epic...but not in the same sense as 'Oceanic'. 'Panopticon' pays far more attention to melody than its predecessors did and I honestly believe that is what makes it a better record. 'Wills Dissolve' is the musical equivalent of the best sex you ever had and simply mesmerising. 'So Did We' shows that Mr Turner has a somewhat fine set of lungs. In fact, every song has that certain something where you just can't describe what it is but you know that it has it. This record has become my sleepy-time soundtrack which will seem like sheer madness to some but when you consider the sheer noise I usually have blasting forth from my bedroom, then this is almost like seven finely crafted lullabies!
They aren't metal...they aren't hardcore and they most certainly aren't emo! What they are is the most visionary and important band in alternative music right now. Come join me for the experience of your life.........
Lins |
| Coding: Darren Burrows