Spoken Releases New Album 'Illusion': Review
The wait is finally over, hard rock band Spoken is back, and they are bringing the noise with their newest release, Illusion.
Prior to Illusion, which was released on Feb. 12, Spoken hadn't released an album since their self-titled one in 2007. However, that time gap hasn't been all idle time, the band has been working on the album since 2010.
"We've always been a band that tours nonstop, and we live in three different states. Writing music is sometimes difficult with that equation. There's been a little time between records, but we've never slowed down as far as being a band. You can expect better songwriting on the new record. We approached this record differently than we have the other records. We did the new record with Jasen Rauch, (Brian HEAD Welch, Disciple, RED, and more)," said singer Matt Baird in an interview on TheSIBandGuy.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Spoken has always been a band that has varied in styles musically. Their first couple of albums were rap/metal and reminiscent of Rage Against the Machine, while their next few were more post-hardcore before naturally maturing to a refined metal sound. Illusion takes the best of their previous formulas and infuses it with poppier hooks and catchier choruses.
Illusion kicks off with powerful guitars on "Stand Alone." The verses are yelled as Baird is forcing them through a controlled and synchronized scream to go with the music. The chorus then switches to more of a melodic section before he flips it back to heavy vocals.
"Through it All" is the first song on the album that switches gears and also their first single. It's a bit mid-tempo and has a nice blend of guitar work and what sounds like subtle piano or guitar. It's positive with a message in the hook proclaiming, "Though our hearts have been broken, we've been burned by the flame / We will rise from the ashes again!"
"Shadow Over Me" adds the jolt back into the album after a two-track lull. Adversely, this song is the first time where Baird screams over the chorus and sings the verse. The bridge into the drop out/outro is nicely done as well.
"Take Everything" is a track that could probably be another single because it has a very commercial sound, and a clear relatable focus. "My heart is yours for the taking" could be about a girl or in the case of Spoken's Christian roots, a reference to the forgiveness of God.
Next up is the softest track on the album, "Calm the Storm." Again, another powerful song with an inspirational chorus. "Be the hope when the world is crashing down / Come wrap your arms around me / Calm the storm inside me." The song is a cry out to God for his comforting touch to get through any situation.
The title track, "Illusion," finishes up the album with a burst of energy just like in the beginning. Back is the screaming, back are the harmonic melodies, and on come the gritty guitars. "Illusion" matches "Stand Alone" musically as it follows similar guitar patterns, and even starts the same with the faded in sound. The song ends with Baird's chanting as guitar feedback overcomes it.
Through and through this album is a superb welcome back for Spoken. The production is of the highest quality, the vocals are excellent, and the heaviness is brutal, with some solid standard rock tracks sprinkled in. Illusion takes the listener through ups and downs sonically with bouts of heaviness, ballads, and midtempo coming in clusters. They are not afraid to touch on important spiritual topics such as forgiveness, healing, and change and do so with much honesty.
Spoken has certainly evolved through the years and with this latest transformation, they are going the right way.
