Theodore Roosevelt famously promoted a “life of effort.” So which eminent figure championed a “life of science?” Bill Nye? Thomas Dolby? Regardless of who said it, I think they would all be proud of Phoenix – based indie rockers A Life of Science for their new multimedia project TheApneist.
In a mysterious laboratory, the freshman quartet has created a dark concept album based on a science fiction tragedy. The CD booklet includes a synopsis of each chapter in the story alongside lyrics and some illustrations. A separate comic book also titled The Apneist tells the story with detailed artwork and a first-person narrator. The Apneist is our hero, Jon Tate, who experiences an oxygen – deprived fog as he drowns. As he sinks to his demise, the tragic events of his life pass through his mind and we get to listen in.
I was skeptical about a concept album based on a sci-fi comic book story. I’m not much of a science fiction or comic fan, but after playing the record once I gladly added the artwork for each song to iTunes and read through the lyrics and story while I listened. The album has a melancholy tone and a half-conscious clarity that matched the narrative. The story is an epic tragedy featuring an ill-fated protagonist, his doomed lover, a world war, corruption, massive destruction, and a dark, ironic conclusion. It’s like Shakespeare but with genocidal robots.
Like the story, the music on The Apneist is a mesh of classic and futuristic. Simple, woeful melodies carry through most of the album, but singer (and writer of the comic book) James Keenan’s voice gets a heavy auto-tune treatment. The effect isn’t cheesy or over-the-top. It helps the comic – book – future vibe of the songs. The melodies float atop a chorus of ringing synths and sound effects, but also piano, guitar, and drums that could stand up without any help from science and technology. Classic harmonies abound all through the disc, but some interesting dissonance pops up here and there.
The songs have a nice range of moods and styles. “The Apneist” (the first song on the record) is a somber introduction, but ‘Carving a Canyon’ features distinctive hardcore-punk-styled vocals and vicious riff-roaring guitars. Most of the songs are up – tempo rockers, but ‘Evidence of Lunar Orbit,’ is an intense ballad. The sonic range of the record is fantastic. A library of sound effects and musical bits just keep coming. There are intricate layers and frenetic bursts, but it’s all orchestrated with care. There is enough variety here to keep everyone happy.
I’d recommend The Apneist to anyone. The album can definitely be enjoyed with or without the comic book. Check out the website for animated trailers and other interesting stuff. I can’t wait to see what the mad scientists in A Life of Science bring to life next.
