The Soundtrack of our lives - Communion

Ever since their debut album `Welcome to Infant Freebase'; The Soundtrack of our Lives have always wanted to release a record as a double album, and apart from b-sides double album `Present from the Past' and five albums later they have finally made it. `Communion' sees Soundtrack spoil their fans with 24 tracks and over an hour and half worth of music. Many thought after 4th album `Origin Vol 1', Vol 2 would naturally follow however it was decided to postpone the project till a later date and go back to the studio with a fresh approach which would become `Communion'.

First of all, I'll give you the lowdown on disc 1. First track `Babble on' marches in making a bold statement about the bands direction and focus. The track builds up the pace nicely with a nice drum beat followed by a great riff which set the scene for Ebbot's vocals to join in at the 2.45 minute mark. The track peaks with Ebott exploding into the chorus with `Come on, Come on...'. A great start to the album and sets the bar high for the rest of the album.

This is by no means a one off and the standard on the first disc is very high. After `Babble on' it is like they are really trying to pull in the listener by rocking out hard. Then with the second track, `Universal Stalker' they are taking things a little bit easier and building back of the momentum through the rest of the tracks until reaching near boiling point through tracks `Thrill me', `Fly' and `Mensa's Marauders'. In particular `Thrill me' is undoubtedly one of the best tracks on the album with lyrics like `It's a simple world for the simple mind' which echoes the songs simplicity as it is just a bombastic rock song with neat guitar work and a catchy chorus. Similarly `Fly' like the name starts off slow and then takes off with a superb instrumental part towards the end.

The album then calms down with a relaxing finish to disc 1 with `Just a brother' which chirps along nicely at a steady pace as Ebbot's delivers the lyrics `if we can't find love, anywhere under the sun' with a fine precision and tact. The first side finishes with track 12 `Distorted Child' which returns to the previously upbeat rock song theme which is predominant for most of the first disc barring a few exceptions. The most notable thing about `Distorted Child' is the brilliant piano/keyboard which adds another layer to a great track and finishes off the first half of Communion in solid style. The question is can the second side match the high standard set on the first?
Well in comparison to the first side, Communion disc 2 starts off a lot more modestly with the opening track `Everything beautiful must die'. As Ebbot sings `Love gurning my soul' you may be so relaxed you fall asleep. But please don't! It is a wonderful track and again an excellent opener but in a completely different way to `Babble on' on the first side.

On appropriately titled third track `Flipside' on Disc 2 of Communion, its back to the upbeat melodies but with an acoustic guitar rather than electric with a fine piece of guitar work for the bridge section of the song. The fine acoustic work continues throughout this side with a particular highlight for me being track 6, `Digitarian Riverbank'.After a predominantly acoustic first half of the second side; track 7 `Reconnecting the dots `ups the tempo once more as they step back into their rock and roll shoes as Ebbot sings `As we try reconnecting the dots' complete with a fine guitar solo which is short and sweet. Track 8 returns to the more relaxed pace before track 9 `Utopia' explodes out your speakers and is the `Thrill me' of Disc 2. You'll be singing `Utooooooooooooooooooooooopia' before you know it, such is the infectious nature of the song, great stuff.

The album closes as Disc 2 began, track 12 `The passover' finishes majestically with lyrics like `Someone is waiting for you.' Bringing to a close a much more relaxed and chilled out side barring a few exceptions. Should the few rockier tracks have been put on side 1? And the chilled out tracks from side 1 be put onto side 2? Personally I don't think so as I feel the way the tracks are positioned give a good balance to both sides of the album.

Overall releasing a double album is always a risky business, as you need double the quality of your usual studio album. I feel Soundtrack have surpassed expectations and is definitely one their best albums to date which is saying a lot considering the benchmark set on albums like `Behind the music' and `Origin, Vol 1.
Thank you Soundtrack.
Superb