Three Fact Fader

by

Engineers

Edit

I have been a big follower of Engineers since their first album they released in 2005. From the first listen, I was hooked. Their second album, "Three Fact Fader" had been highly anticipated and I could not wait to hear what the group had put together. I was slightly skeptical, for every track on the first album was so...perfect. Well, they managed to pull it off, and very well. "Sometimes I Realise" was the first song I heard, and it was terrific. Again, that familiar dream-pop, shoegazing tempo has been carried into the second album. Every track manages to create a different feel, but keeps that same familiar melodic mood throughout.

If you are a fan of the first Engineers album, you may have to give "Three Fact Fader" a few listens to get acquainted with the new songs. But one thing stands for sure: you will NOT be disappointed.

Some of my favs so far: Clean Coloured Wire, Sometimes I Realise, Hang your Head, Song For Andy.

Listen to "Three Fact Fader" and compare it to the group's earlier recording titled "Engineers." You might note that the amount of compression used in producing "Three Fact Fader" obliterates the texture, subtlety and musicianship found in "Engineers."

Yes, in the earlier recording there are moments of over-zealous compression (harmonies lost, bass lines competing with percussion), but in "Three Fact Fader" the recording company's goal seems to have been to flatten the band's sound as much as possible to hide the fact that, in terms of lyrics and musicianship, the band had actually grown.

When will this trend stop, or is it something we're supposed to suck up and enjoy? If you don't get what I mean, listen to "Three Fact Fader" and try to figure out what the band would sound like unplugged. It's nearly impossible to formulate a conclusion.