I saw Closure In Moscow's first release, the EP The Penance and The Patience when it was first released and was intrigued by its artwork, but never went so far as to purchase it as i had no idea who they were and what they sounded like... while that usually never stopped me before (i have bought many, many albums based on which section of the store they are placed within and its artwork), but for some reason i never pursued this particular EP.
With the release of Jonny Craig's solo album, A Dream Is a Question You Don't Know How To Answer, i noticed a track titled What I Would Give To Be Australian. curious, i delved into the meaning of the title and found that a few of the boys from Closure In Moscow had helped out with the the album.
Closure In Moscow originated in Melbourne, Victoria.
Taking that information on board i then went to have a look at what Closure In Moscow had been doing since i last saw their EP on the shelves.
To my fortune they had recently released their debut album, titled: First Temple.
and i rushed out to get and bring it home.
Somewhere between the process of taking the CD out of its case and placing it in the player you can be forgiven if you think you've somehow managed to black out and stuck in an album from The Mars Volta or At The Drive-In in its stead.
the comparison is a little too blatant not to mention. mostly due to vocalist Chris De Cinque, who at times can sound strikingly similar to Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and the masterful technicality of the music within their blend of Progressive Rock and Post-Hardcore. but fear not! as the album unfolds, the bands' personality begins to stand out, and stand tall.
the opening triplet of Kissing Cousins, Reindeer Age and Sweet#hart are a door-busting force of quick twitch guitar lines, charging drums and soaring vocals that hook you fast into the album. indeed it was the chorus of Sweet#hart that really drew me in and opened my ears up to the band.
First Temple is an album able to put forth its ideas and musical progression without falling into the trap of self adulation or 'wankerism' that bands of their ilk have been known to plunge head first into and subsequently alienate their fans. Their progressive wanderings stay on track with their purpose and are always engaging. instead of losing you, you tend to get lost within it.
By the time you've reached the refreshing duel of closers, the subtle and beautifully acoustic Couldn't Let You Love Me and its gorgeous coda, Had To Put It In The Soil you'll arrive ready and eager to take the trip again.
