2. Bring Back (That Song) Birdy
3. Do The Rich..?
4. Change The Culture
5. Moving On
6. We Die..A Little Bit Again
7. Something The Matter With Me?
8. We Are The Screw-ups
9. After The Ice
10. Feelsome
11. It Is Raining
12. We Are The GAIAbilities
13. Use Your Freedom
14. Pain In The Ass
15. Do Me Sti Cated
16. Mind Your Head
17. Flying Saucers
18. Whakaarahia!
19. Stay True
New Zealand based Cybiont is a bit of a mystery. This group / artist appeared on Myspace out of the blue, their album appeared in my mailbox in pretty much the same fashion.
Now the sort of music on show here is not the sort of thing I usually go for, but I must admit that I've been really impressed by what I've heard. So what about this triology then? Well, to begin with, it's a bold project for a debut - 19 tracks divided into three parts, is not a simple way to introduce yourself, but you soon get the feeling that Cybiont is not simple at all.
This one-man show has obviously got a lot on his mind and those feelings have been eloquently transformed into 19 songs. In essence, the tracks have a go at all the world's wrongs - 'Do The Rich...?' and 'We Are The Screwups' are prime examples of this - and the musical arrangements which accompany some pretty heartfelt lyrics offer no doubt as to Cybiont's state of mind.
Here's what he has to say about the whole thing:
NME-E: Please tell us about the album:
Cy: "The album is 17 songs in 3 parts ( a trilogy) with and Interlude and a Finale. Each part got its own “lyrical theme”. 'An Atheist’s Prayers To People And Planet' is intended to encourage the listener to thought. The lyrics are inspired by a wish for a better world. 'Prelude To Life' – is a bit sad and melancholic… inspired by...hmm... maybe by not being so inspired? Finally, 'Rebellion Of The Misfits' – rebellious and a bit angrier! Inspired by the un-willingness to accept the established ‘dogmas’ and so called ‘truths’. The Finale is not a very good song musically – but the album needed to end with that particular wish / encouragement."
NME-E: What drives you to make such songs:
Cy: "Life, living, the past, the future and everything around. My song writing / composing usually gets triggered off by something. This can be a sound, a thought, a leaf that rustles in the wind, a bird song, a beat / rhythm made by walking, a piece of metal scraping along the pavement, a book (or even just a title of a book), something that I find being wrong and that upsets! A conversation, a random face hiding a lie or a smile. Intense conversations usually trigger some ideas, and of course - other music that I hear. A couple of the tunes on the album are based on a feeling that was triggered by a synthesizer sound. Others started as an idea that was built up over time.
What really inspires to make music are all those brave enough to bring something new into this world. The small man standing up for justice, the tiny voice that dares to speak the truth, and the ones - that against all odds - continue working for what they believe is right. They touch my heart, and often that comes out as music at this end."
Some have likened Cybiont to Lou Reed, which at first may seem a little overstated, but if you think about it carefully you can see where they were coming from. An urban poet with a new-age, conceptual style to his music, Cybiont is certainly worth a listen.
Thanks to Cybiont for talking to us about the new album. A full interview will appear soon.
NME-E Rating: 8/10
Top Track: 'Feelsome'
Last 5 NME-E reviews:
Muse: 'The Resistance'
The Cribs: Ignore The Ignorant'
Arctic Monkeys: 'Humbug'
Bombay Bicycle Club: 'I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose'
The Temper Trap: 'Conditions'
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