By Jim Rowland
Releases from Brit alt-rockers Suns Of The Tundra have been pretty sporadic considering they formed in the early 2000’ and released their debut in 2004, yet ‘Murmuration’, their first for Bad Elephant Music, is only album number five.
Put together over a considerable length of time, and probably not with a big budget, ‘Murmuration’ has an impressively big sound too it. Suns Of The Tundra paint from a wide palette, drawing influences from many different directions, and consequently the album has a good variety of moods and styles across its seven quite lengthy tracks, mixing heavy alternative rock with pop sensibilities and a reasonably large dose of prog too.
Tracks like ‘Murmuration’ and the epic ‘Sunflower’ capture some of the album’s heaviest moments and are driven by a vibrant and creative rhythm section that at times bring Tool to mind. ‘Each Of Us’ and ‘Four Corners’ have a softer, pop-tinged but no less creative edge to them whilst ‘Echo Of An Angel’ twists and turns around a superbly catchy swinging guitar riff.
The album finishes strongly with ‘Survive Just Fine’, my personal highlight, providing a hypnotic, dreamy soundscape almost at odds with the rest of the album, and showcasing the vocal talents of Simon Oakes well. Album closer ‘Pond Life’ signs off in heavy fashion, with its dark, twisted and progressive vibe combining with strong vocals to come across like a 21st century version of Van Der Graaf Generator’s ‘Killer’.
‘Murmuration’ is a very impressive and well executed album that will appeal to all fans of progressive-leaning alternative rock.
- ‘Murmuration’ is released today (Friday 15 November). You can get your copy HERE.
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