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Having begun my Pain of Salvation experience with their debut album, Entropia, and finding it to be an excursion in extreme vocal over-indulgence and musical tedium, I approached my second helping, The Perfect Element, tentatively. Casting aside any pre-conceptions I may have developed it is clear to see that this is a greatly, greatly superior album and a better overall indication of Pain of Salvation. Being a concept album that tells a touching story (that I have not fully digested yet, I'll admit) concerning two young souls and their struggles and tribulations in an unfriendly world, there is more on offer here than simply great music. My main complaint with Entropia was the over-wrought nature of the vocalist, Daniel Gildenlow, poorly complimenting the dry production. I can confidently say that The Perfect Element generally fixes these problems, with the vocals much more effectively infused with the overall sound, which is fuller and lusher. Still, Gildenlow gets on my nerves occasionally, but that's more out of my preference for natural, as opposed to theatrical, vocal stylings. The first track 'Used' is probably the heaviest, with some strange guitar riffs and slightly annoying rapping from Gildenlow, allieviated by some truly wonderful singing in the chorus. The latter part of the song sees some great melodicism all-round. 'In the Flesh' is the major stand-out for me, with an enduring main riff and awesome vocal integrity throughout. A majestic piano coda rounds off the track. Notably, Gildenlow has definately curbed some of his greater indulgences since Entropia. 'Ashes' is simply excellent, and catchy. 'Morning on Earth' has some great singing and flourishes of violin adding texture. 'Idioglossia' throws in some progressiveness with crazy time-signatures and a re-visiting to 'Ashes'. Unfortunately I found some of the latter parts of the album to be lesser, not necessarily in quality, but in terms of progressing the sound. The album starts to fall into a slightly repetitive mold, which I attribute to the fact that it is probably too long for it's own good. Anyways, I find The Perfect Element to be a pretty excellent album, with many uplifting/astounding/interesting moments. I'm still not fully bought on Gildenlow's vocals, and the theatrical nature of it all, but I can say with confidence now that I don't mind Pain of Salvation. A classy album, which could use a slight trim in sheer quantity.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Used |
| 2. In The Flesh |
| 3. Ashes |
| 4. Morning On Earth |
| 5. Idioglossia |
| 6. Her Voices |
| 7. Dedication |
| 8. King Of Loss |
| 9. Reconciliation |
| 10. Song For The Innocent |
| 11. The Perfect Element |
: 60.10
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