ALBUM REVIEW: Tell Me Your Dream – Ceremony
Post-punk band, CEREMONY, are back with their seventh album Tell Me Your Dream. This release acts as a reflection of the California quintet and their 21-year-long history of being in a band together, both in terms of their friendship origin story and the finding of their political voices as teenagers. A story of reflection if you will. They also reunited with producer, John Reis, who last worked with them on their 2015 release, The L-Shaped Man.
And what do we get because of this? A record that, not only, blends a variety of genres within their signature punk sound, but also allows moments to explore differing emotions from contemplative to excitement all the way to more serious moments. In short, they’ve created a solid record.
One thing that’s also immediately obvious is how bass-heavy, or rather there’s a major emphasis on this bass with most of the tracks opening with a solo, or are at least fore-fronted, by a solid bassline which we appreciated each time. A fact that’s established quickly with opening track Prograde before shifting into a theatrical take on alternative rock meets punk that frankly sounds so cool and confident, especially in the fact that the composition’s pace is steady, yet you’re intrigued and drawn in. Perhaps this is also due to the distortion that makes an appearance towards the end where the production goes in and out of focus.
The distortion continues with the next track Other Hells, this time in the form of synths that give it a sci-fi feel before kicking off into a relatively laidback punk track complete with shouty vocals we’d expect by now where, once again, we’re admiring how just cool it sounds. Cool and confident is certainly another way to sum up the record with songs like bouncy numbers Justify and Death Destruction Mayhem, as well as the laidback, yet intriguing, take on the punk genre as heard on songs like Deep Down Where I Belong and 10 Planets. Oh, and a quick little shout out to Madness which is a funky take on the dance-punk genre.
Yet, in our opinion, the main highlights on the album is the uplifting Dark Summer that just empowers and elevates you as the song progresses and becomes a lovely alternative rock track. Also, closing song Paradise, which reprises the earlier sci-fi sounds, this time mixed with a deep organ, creating something yet contemplative, like what might be used in the soundtrack of a film where the protagonist has a moment to think about life and the important decision they soon need to make.
As said, a solid punk album that goes in many directions and has you held on eagerly for whatever happens next. Just an incredible listening experience.
Rating: 9/10
Tell Me Your Dream is out now via Relapse Records.
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