ALBUM REVIEW: Colors II – Between The Buried And Me

For the majority of bands, when the world shut down and tours were cancelled left, right and centre, it pushed them into new places, forcing them to experience emotions which were entirely unprecedented. But BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME had been here before. Back in 2007, when they had just begun to make their way as a band, they felt the future was unclear to them and asked themselves, “what’s next?” What was next was Colors, the 2007 album which appeared on countless tastemakers’ lists and pushed the band into a new era. Now, in 2021, the band releases Colors II, a spiritual sequel to the album that changed everything. 

Analysing himself and humanity as whole when writing the lyrics, frontman Tommy Rogers saw that he was in a position to revisit the themes of the original Colors, but in a completely new light, in the pandemic. Simultaneously a completely new work of art, but one that harkens back to the days that this band well and truly made a name for themselves, Colors II is a similar tapestry of experimentation as its predecessor. Ideas and styles are sewn together, seemingly randomly, but looking at the album as a whole, it all kind of makes sense.

Structurally, and in Rogers‘ own words, the album flows like a “seamless and chaotic journey”. They’ve definitely achieved their aim here. Tracks flow into each other, leading the album towards the realms of an epic rock/metal opera. There are moments, more than tracks, and stories instead of songs. It’s an undertaking at 80 minutes, but it’s never boring – BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME make prog fun.

Lead single Fix The Error was possibly the most balls-to-the-wall, out there introduction to this album. Wah-wah bass, three insane drum solos by different drummers, a passage that sounds like a speed metal band recording a soundtrack for Mario Kart… it’s all there in the span of five minutes. Revolution In Limbo returns to the freak-polka style which peppered the 2007 release, and Never Seen/Future Shock begins with a flute sound, before devolving into brutal screams and breakdowns, before again shapeshifting into a PINK FLOYD-esque crescendo with gorgeous vocal harmonies and pitched percussion.

Once again, this band has strayed close to gimmicks, experimenting to the point of ridicule – but they save it every time, always staying on the right side of taste and class. The range of imagination on this album is something that must truly be heard to be believed, and the range of musicianship is even more impressive. With just as much clever and varied songwriting, and even more bangers than first time round, this might even pip the first Colors album. 

Rating: 9/10

Colors II is set for release on August 20th via Sumerian Records.

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