Engineers - 'Engineers' (Echo)
3/5
By: JJ Florio
Albums are people. Although similarities occur, all are completely different, possessing a unique make-up that ensures that one entity is quintessentially distinct.
And such parallels are particularly relevant to first encounters. Like the person, at the first introduction of a new record, we find ourselves instantly forming definite opinions on its being; from those we instantly warm to, to others we immediately loath, it is not until we give them some quality time that we can forge a reasoned opinion as to why we feel the way in which we do (although, usually, the ones we take an instant dislike to are abandoned from them not having the necessary quality and, us, the time).
At our first listening of the Engineers debut, it is obvious that we are dealing with an extremely complex and, very possibly, rather odd individual. Formed as recently as March '03, the Engineers comprise of members from the two cities of London and Manchester and after only ever having played two live dates, this band had already chosen the studio environment in which to forge their first sonic offering.
This approach runs deep within the overall experience, with it feeling very much like a production-driven creative endeavour, without a live musical strut in its movements. Having recorded and produced the album themselves with some additional mixing courtesy of Dave Boscombe (better known for work with 80's popsters Tears for Fears), 'in a claustrophobic space in the Depot studio, North London', such stringent measures are mirrored in the record's very contained and precisely detailed execution; rarely do you feel that the music is going to leap out of the closely controlled parameters in which the band has created for their expression.
Having the desire 'not to sound like anyone else' is a quality that has certainly been achieved for this debut, and its stylistic ambiguity definitely makes for some oft intriguing listening. Sailing into the tranquil waters that the good ships of Air and Lamb have previously occupied, the difference with the Engineers sound seems to be the brooding onset of a storm with the 'chill-out' qualities fused with an underlying, dark sense of melancholia that never once subsides. The undoubted highlights of this are to be found within single 'Forgiveness', the gothic lament of a pleading lover which has a wonderfully passionate climax in the lyric - 'is there enough for both of us?' and the last track 'One In Seven', which holds the one moment where it all feels gratefully out of control.
This debut is engrained with a deep level of very meticulous detail, almost mathematically precise in its execution that, not being obvious at first, is only rewarded with further and careful listening. Therefore, the many subtleties and colours contained are only realised by the full and undivided attention of the listener and many may find this creatively insular approach to be a little overly demanding.
And this strange yet accomplished debut as a person? It would be the always immaculately-groomed, highly intelligent yet painfully introverted kid at school who would only be more popular if he shared his sweets.
Artists in this article: Engineers
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