Review: "Fall from Grace" - Seven Words

[Synthpopalooza]

Review: “Fall From Grace” – Seven Words

Track listing:

1. These Four Walls
2. If Elena Falls
3. Five Letter Word
4. So The World Spins On
5. Master of my Mind
6. So Sweet the Promise
7. Understanding
8. State of Me
9. Your Move
10. Wipe the Slate Clean

Bonus mp3 remixes:

1. These Four Walls (Seven Words extended mix)
2. Understanding (Seven Words extended mix)
3. Master of my Mind (Subconscious mix by Synthetik FM)

English synthpop artist Paul Adams (aka Seven Words) has just released his second album, entitled “Fall From Grace”. I had the fortunate privilege of participating on this album with a bonus remix of the song “Master of My Mind”, and having had the chance to listen to this CD, I thought I would share a few thoughts.

While I was impressed very thoroughly with the songwriting on “A Flawed Paradigm” (the debut Seven Words album), I have noticed a very definite improvement in the production quality on “Fall From Grace”. There is a good mixture of material here, uptempo numbers and ballads, and Paul delivers them all with clarity.

But as usual, with Seven Words material, it’s the songwriting and thought-provoking lyrics which really shine. Paul’s not afraid to touch on some very sensitive subjects in his music. For example, there is “If Elena Falls”, an allegorical song which was inspired by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986; “Master of My Mind”, which deals with the untapped psychokinetic powers that all human beings supposedly possess (Paul seems to think that his personal relationships would be more successful if he possessed these powers); “So Sweet The Promise”, which broaches the subject of suicide, from the point of view of an elderly person whose wife has passed away and feels there is nothing left to live for; and “Wipe The Slate Clean”, which could be seen as a message from planet Earth to its inhabitants who keep polluting the planet and using up its resources, in particular warning of the dire consequences if this continues.

As if the album wasn’t enough, Paul has really outdone himself on the extra CD-ROM content. There is a nice, slick graphical Flash interface. In addition to song lyrics, there are also wallpapers for Windows, a Windows screensaver, and three exclusive bonus remixes in mp3 format. While I won’t spend time talking about my contribution too much (I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!) I will say that all three remixes are free of all the current musical trends … no trance, techno, or any of that stuff. It’s all 80’s style extended mixes, and I considered the first two mixes quite enjoyable.

I would consider “Fall from Grace” to be a very strong second release from Seven Words, and quite possibly one of the best synthpop albums of 2002/2003. For more information on Seven Words, please check out his website at http://www.sevenwords.co.uk … this site contains interesting links, plus very interesting explanations of his songs from both his albums.

If you would like to purchase “Fall from Grace” you can do so from http://www.handheldhalo.com … the CD should also be available at A Different Drum within the next week or two.

[spi]

The CD is also currently available in the Itemp Shop here at EGN.

I recieved my copy a little while ago and gave it a listen last night.

I like the music overall, but haven't had a chance yet to become attached to particular track.

-steve

[7red7]

Originally posted by Synthpopalooza
Review: “Fall From Grace” – Seven Words

I just got it last night and I'm already strongly attached to If Ellena Falls, Master Of My Mind, and Wipe The Slate Clean...I listened to Wipe The Slate Clean five times this afternoon before coming into work, it's a great track!!!

Overall, I really like the fact that this not a completely retro album...This is but few releases to really push the envelope this year, and provide not only quality songwriting, but really good programming as well...Theres a lot going on in the melodies, but it's not too conjested and mixed, it all seems to blend perfectly, and he's got a really good voice for synth music...It reminds me of Naked Eyes at times...I can honestly tell you, I feel guilty I got it free, it's really too good an album to give away for free...The production is top notch as well, the sound was mixed really well...The only thing that I think of that brings it down at times, is the lack of more upbeat tracks...These Four Walls just leaves me wanting more, and although the album is generally good all around, I'd like a few more dance tracks...Then again I really can't complain too much on this one either because the bonus remixes are excellent

Two enthusiastic thumbs up on this one, go get it, put it in your collection...

P.S.- Does A Flawed Paradigm sound anything like this??? If so, I have to get it

[Synthpopalooza]

A Flawed Paradigm has much of this sound, although I will say Fall From Grace has better production values. I would recommend getting the first album though if you liked this, because it also has some excellent songwriting. Paul tackles other topics such as adoption (A Different face), animal rights ("Key"), and infant abuse at medical care facilities (From the Mouths of Babes), among others.

[arronc]

I heard "your move" on the sampler the label put out some time ago and was really blown away.

I have ordered the album and am really looking forward to it !

[jetjaguar15]

I'm really startig to look forard to getting a copy of this. If it improves on the first album as much as I've heard it does, then it will be very, very impressive.