The Optimist
The Liverpool group’s 11th album is a conceptual sequel to their sixth, 2001’s *A Fine Day to Exit*, made when they were still a doomy metal outfit. But *The Optimist* caps their interim transformation into a cinematic art-rock ensemble, whether building minimal electronic beats into hard-charging anthems (“Leaving It Behind”) or using desolate piano chords to summon a shoegaze tsunami (“Springfield”). This album finds its suitably grand finale in “Back to the Start,” whose comfortably numbing Floydian sway blossoms into orchestral ecstasy.
The Optimist is a serious record for our doomy times perhaps one best listened to at night, with a drink in your hand and a serious expression on your face.
The Optimist is a serious record for our doomy times perhaps one best listened to at night, with a drink in your hand and a serious expression on your face.
The cover of ANATHEMA's 2001 release "A Fine Day to Exit" depicts a car in an empty beach at day, a car in a road at night. Now with "The Optimist", the group's eleventh album, it has picked up that concept again, doing so right off the bat with the opening track, "32.63N 117.14W". These are the act...
The cover of ANATHEMA's 2001 release "A Fine Day to Exit" depicts a car in an empty beach at day, a car in a road at night. Now with "The Optimist", the group's eleventh album, it has picked up that concept again, doing so right off the bat with the opening track, "32.63N 117.14W". These are the act...
Anathema - The Optimist review: Anathema present a darker vision and increased musical diversity in The Optimist.
Anathema - The Optimist review: Anathema present a darker vision and increased musical diversity in The Optimist.