The Pax Cecilia – Blessed Are the Bonds
Self-Released – April 18, 2007
By Jason Jordan
Pennsylvania’s
The Pax Cecilia again prove that not all fantastic bands are signed. In fact, not only is this fivesome without a label, but they’re giving away
Blessed Are the Bonds for free, so head to their website before you finish reading this review and request a copy. Back now? Okay, let’s move on then.
As far as style is concerned, this quintet plays an inventive form of post-rock with indie rock tendencies, and, in addition, involves a number of guests and instruments to further mold the soundscape. So, besides the usual, there’s a string trio, piano, and trombone. Also, not to be overlooked is the fact that several vocal contributions come from members of
The Apparati and other individuals.
While
Blessed Are the Bonds seems like an indie rock record during the string-laden
‘The Tragedy’ and
‘The Tomb Song’ – both of which incorporate plenty of passionate clean vocals along with emotional piano support – there are genuinely heavy parts in
‘The Tomb Song’ as well as the agile tumbler known as
‘The Progress.’ Think along the lines of
Buried Inside, but a tad slower and with crashing riffs that would make
Pelican,
Russian Circles, and
Tides jealous.
‘The Machine’ is an energetic, riveting tune with scratchy, nails-on-a-chalkboard vocals that make for a nice contrast, though they do appear prior, while
‘The Wasteland’ is an aptly-titled downer that eventually leads into the more uplifting
‘The Water Song,’ whose string passages are nothing short of breathtaking.
‘The Tree’ is in the same league. Closer
‘The Hymn’ is acoustic-cum-vocals, and the latter remain soft and meek throughout to the song's overall benefit.
On the opposite end of the spectrum,
The Pax Cecilia do get off to a slow start. There’s also quite a string presence on
Blessed Are the Bonds, which may rub some the wrong way, in addition to overly long songs that tap out at 10 minutes or more, though many span between three and eight. The petty might complain about each title beginning with the word “the” – see the latest from
The Haunted and
Dimmu Borgir – but that’s of minimal importance.
Above all,
Blessed Are the Bonds is a unique, exceptional record that has noteworthy characteristics in spades, and supreme artwork to boot. Furthermore, you
will see
The Pax Cecilia somewhere on my best of 2007 list. Visit their website and support them. Donations aren’t required, of course, but are encouraged.
Official The Pax Cecilia Website
