Initially, this band comes off as sounding a great
deal like The Smashing Pumpkins, and indeed this continues to be true
on the parts when Aereogramme are assuming their indie/alternative rock
selves. It would be a grave mistake to turn off the stereo after track
one and dismissing the band as a Pumpkins clone, as you would miss out
on what Aereogramme really has to offer.
As much as I like some of their work a great deal,
The Pumpkins NEVER made a record as good as this The comparisons to that
band end here, for any more mention would cheapen the greatness of A
Story in White. This album is a sublime mix of alternating soft and
harsher parts, from a song that opens with quiet violins and continues
on in a dulcet way to a song with anguished screams. I could go into details
about the acoustic parts and how the slightly Billy Corgan (oops, did
it again) like but lower and more likeable vocals are, but the most important
thing about this record is how simply honest it sounds. It has a special
flavor that albums of high quality possess. It is capable of moving and,
very much in this case, relaxing you with its candor and beauty. Although
all the songs on A Story in White are wonderful, none really stand
out in terms of being the one you'll put the record on to hear. Rather,
this album stands as an entire work to be listened to again and again.
Maelstrom writes a lot about metal. However, we like
to think that metalheads are able to explore different musical avenues.
This is one to explore. Look for Aereogramme to be on my list of top albums
of the year.
