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May 17, 2012 |
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01. Sirenian Shores
02. Save Me From Myself (Remix)
03. Meridian (Acoustic)
04. First We Take Manhattan
05. Obire Mortem
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I have to start out by saying that I really do like SIRENIA. In fact, I praised the band's 2002 release "At Sixes And Sevens" and their 2004 disc, "An Elixir For Existence" on my "Top 25 Albums" list for 2004. SIRENIA main man Morten Veland (ex-TRISTANIA) is a great composer and performer, and just loaded with talent. It's because of this that I find this release so puzzling.
Typically, when a band releases an EP as opposed to a full album, it's for one of two reasons: 1) they're a new band and the label wants to test the waters with the music-buying public before they invest large amounts of money, or 2) it's a cash grab...a way to get more of the fans' money until the next full release hits the shelves. I'm sorry to say this, but "Sirenian Shores" appears to be the latter.
This EP consists of 5 songs: one previously unreleased, one remix version, one acoustic version, a cover song, and something that couldn't be considered a song. This is not a stellar track listing for any release. The title track is an ambitious and very theatrical song, encompassing everything that is cool about SIRENIA - a great intro, nasty male vocals, and a wicked middle interlude featuring whispered female vocals and a choir. The song has it all. But, after this first treat, the rest of "Sirenian Shores" does not have much to offer at all.
"Save Me From Myself" is a remix version of the song that can be found on "An Elixir For Existence". The trouble with remix versions is that they always seem to be an afterthought - either the band/label was not happy with the original version, or they want to do a 'dance version', which is something no metal fan wants to hear. You think "Well, if they wanted it to be this way, then why wasn't it done this way to begin with?" Very rarely does the remix even hold a candle to the original, as is the case here. The vocals throughout are lifeless and dull, and the music mix is very mid-ranged. There is no energy at all and no reason for the listener to want to continue listening to it.
The acoustic version of "Meridian" follows, and does not fare any better. What was so appealing about the original version found on "At Sixes And Sevens" was its dynamics - the difference between the intense parts and the quieter ones. On this slower, acoustic version, it's all on one level...no ups, no downs. There are no intense parts at all, just the quiet parts. Sure it's a nice song, but this translation does not do it justice at all.
"First We Take Manhattan", a Leonard Cohen penned song, is an interesting cover choice for a metal band, and the music does pick up after the two previous slow songs. However, the song is still not what I've come to expect from Morten and company. While I applaud the fact that they wanted to try something different than they and their fans are used to, SIRENIA misses the mark with this one. There's something about the vocals (both male and female) that are uninspired. Nothing jumps out and grabs me. The EP ends on a very strange note with "Obire Mortem", an operatic and orchestral piece that really goes nowhere and accomplishes nothing. I'm really not sure what the point of it is at all.
I must say again that I really do like this band, and I do recommend picking up "At Sixes and Sevens" or "An Elixir For Existence", but not "Sirenian Shores". This is not a fair representation of the band, and not an indication of how good they really are. SIRENIA are capable of so much more. Listening to "Sirenian Shores" leads me to ask only one question...Why?
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