Review Summary: Artistic,poetic and truly exceptional album.
When I first heard the name of Asaf Avidan, I remember listening to that german DJ's remix "One Day" and thinking well "this is an interesting voice".
I went on YouTube to discover that Asaf Avidan is an Israeli singer-songwriter, and a very talented one may I add. I read a bit about him only to realize that he's а former animator/artist going through a terrible break up and eventually taking up music. Thus accomplishing the feat of leading the rock group The Mojos and becoming the biggest musical sensation in his country. All this in just 6 years.
Fast forward to 2012 after releasing a solo EP and three full length albums with The Mojos, Asaf was sent on a spiritual journey of crafting his first full length solo album "Different Pulses".
An album full of poetic lyrics, polarizing vocals and simple,yet brilliantly thought out melodies and progressions. Upon first to listen to any of his work the listener will be caught off guard when they experience his unusual,raspy high pitched timbre, truly a voice that will not be up for everyone's taste.
Though where Asaf really shines from is the incredible emotion he puts into every single line or word. It's lyrics like "Death grows like a tree that's planted on my chest, Its roots are at my feet, I walk so it won't rest" that bring tears to our eyes and a smile to your face of the pure beauty of the imagery. A strength of this album is the fact that while the instrumentation is simple it's not quite varied, there's a also a huge difference in the style of the songs."Different Pulses" is a slow paced ballad with a big anthemic chorus where Asaf belts "Oh baby I am lost..".
Other slow paced songs like "Setting Scaples Free","Thumbtacks in My Marrow","Is this is it" show a lot of vulnerability and a more experimental side to his music, bringing elements from folk, indie pop and even some middle eastern flavor. Another song that doesn't disappoint in the least is "Conspiratory Visions Of Gomorrah", the vocals have an almost pop like crooner quality to them, there's a beautiful choir singing towards the end. In "A Choice and a Gun" Avidan narrates a story of a despicable loved one condemning his lover to kill herself. My favorite track on here "The Disciple" contains some operatic vocals and very abstact lyrics,there is this really eerie vibe evolving into a clamactic emotinal chorus sung very strongly by Avidan.
That's not to say that this album is all gloom there are these infectious tracks like "Love it or Leave it","Cyclamen","Turn" and "613 shades of sad",carrying a danceier more carefree attitude.
What this album brings has been missing from the music industry for some time, an artist that cries and lives through his music.
A person not gearing towards what is popular but aiming for what he envisions. If you enjoy the taste of raw emotion, atmospheric songwriting and poetic lyrics you must give this a listen.
