Review Summary: This is a record that must be listened with the volume knob high up and one that demands 100% attention.
Pelican’s fourth studio LP,
What We All Come to Need is a strong, fiercely artistic record, from the very start. The albums opener,
Glimmer, begins with some ominous, almost inaudible keys, and then explodes in some of the greatest riffs and patterns the group has written in their career thus far. The songs heard on
What We All Come to Need change mood from happier, mellower passages to more livid and metallic passages almost naturally. It’s truly amazing when a band can give off so much emotion and energy without having the help of a vocalist. This is a record that must be listened with the volume knob high up and one that demands 100% attention. Doing so will provide such a rewarding listen and quite possibly earn a spot as one of
Pelican’s defining moments in their career.
When the sessions for
What We All Come to Need kicked off in the summer of 2009, the band decided to give the drums a much needed boost in the mix. As a result the record sounds absolutely beautiful and crisp throughout its 50 minute voyage. When compared to
Pelican’s other works,
What We All Come to Need deviates its self as a strictly guitar-laden album. The drums make a strong impact and connection with the listener on this album than on any other
Pelican record. Songs like,
Specks of Light and
Ephemeral show off just what a talented and well rounded drummer Larry Herweg is. But Herweg isn’t the only one that deserves praise from this release. All members that make up the sundry sounds of
Pelican are all in premium form here. The guitar duo composed of Trevor Brauw and Laurent Schroeder are arguably the most important members of
Pelican and their contributions on this album are immense. Their deep and ethereal riffs on this record work really well with each other, much better than in past releases and serve a reputable force in heavy metal today. The album’s epic title track is perhaps the best representation of the two working flawlessly with one another. Aaron Turner from famed post-metal group,
Isis makes a noteworthy donation to the album’s title track as well and makes the song an instant
Pelican classic.
What We All Come to Need, serves as one of, if not,
Pelican’s most accessible releases. In fact some singing is even heard on the albums ambitious closer,
Final Breath. The song is just littered with genius ideas throughout the song’s progression and at the end it fades out into a drone eerily ending.
An Inch Above the Sand gives off that classic,
Pelican sound that their fans have grown to love. The endless numbers of riffs and hazy bass work in the aforementioned
Specks of Light works so incredibly well that most people at the end will be left in admiration and wonder of just how beautiful the song works. Even if the album does sound catchy in comparison to other Pelican works, it does show off how unique this band is to instrumental metal today. In fact with the release of
What We All Come to Need, some may even deem
Pelican instrumental metal’s flagship band and serves as an impressive follow up to 2007’s,
City of Echoes. In short, the songs found on
What We All Come to Need are highly progressive, have a sludgy, murky tone and a perfect balance between light and dark. They leave a perfect snapshot of an instrumental band with virtuosity, diversity and soul, and one that shines bright on this release.
Recommended songs:
Sparks of Light
What We All Come To Need
Final Breath
