From the beginning, what has
separated SubRosa from other acts is the band’s tasteful use of violin. The
addition of a second violinist for their second full-length, ‘No Help for the
Mighty Ones’, helped to elevate the band’s overall sound to soaring new heights
that effortlessly shifted from majestic ebbs-and-flows to melancholic,
dirge-like meditations that were simply unattained on the band’s initial
outings ‘The Worm Has Turned’ demo and ‘Strega’. Together, Pendleton and Pack
have helped to transform SubRosa into the hauntingly beautiful entity that it
is today. With ‘More Constant Than the Gods’ the violin duo take on an even
more atmospheric role by providing a darker, more claustrophobic backdrop for
Rebecca Vernon’s voice and guitar to enact her shadowy, esoteric tales of
death, doom, and decay which is best represented by the dizzying,
phantasmagorical din of album highlight “Fat of the Ram”. This nightmarish
journey heaves and swells around the unmistakable guitar tone and vocals of
Vernon who manages to exude glimmers of light as well as casting impenetrable
shadows—a duality that SubRosa has managed capture perfectly on their latest
release.
The six tracks of ‘More Constant
Than the Gods’ have been painstakingly composed and each one flows as a unique
eddy amidst the tumultuous current of the album. “Cosey Mo”, perhaps the most
straight-forward track of the release, is most representative of the sound
attained on ‘No Help for the Mighty Ones’. Similar to “Borrowed Time, Borrowed
Eyes” in both sound and structure, “Cosey Mo” is carried by the distinct, heavy
riffs of Vernon with the violins serving a similar accenting role. Not only has
SubRosa released a darker album, but they have pushed their boundaries into new
and exciting territories. While the final track, “No Safe Harbor”, is the
“softest” tune to be found on the album it is arguably the most interesting
musically. Melancholic piano opens the track and is eventually joined by flute.
Initially, what really elevates this track above being a mere diversion is the
vocals and lyrics of Vernon who is eventually joined by Pack and Pendleton to
stunning effect. As the track progresses the melancholia gives way to paranoia,
torment, and defiant sacrifice with the inclusion of electric guitar, cello, tortured
violins, and hammered dulcimer. What began as an ode of adoration, “For you I
would give up mountains of gold/And possessions untold, health of body and of
soul” turns woefully sour with the lines “A perfect mirror tells no lies/That's
why I shattered you/The truest mirror in my life”. Amidst the collection of
haunting tales, “No Safe Harbor” is perhaps the most persistent and indelible
of the lot.
Whether it was the break following the
demise of the band in 2011 or simply the logical trajectory following the
release of ‘No Help for the Mighty Ones’ that is ultimately responsible for the
darker, more expansive sound of the newly invigorated SubRosa is uncertain.
Regardless of the reasoning, the band has crafted an ominous, heart-rending
release that sticks with the listener long after the album has stopped playing.
While ‘No Help for the Mighty Ones’ was initially more gratifying and
straight-forward—a relative concept as far as SubRosa is concerned—‘More
Constant Than the Gods’ is a worthy successor of unparalleled depth that makes
this one of the year’s finest albums.
Words: Steve Miller
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