Before I get totally up in Candy Claws’ business, I should probably lay out on the table that this is an odd, odd album. According to the band, “Hidden Lands” is a musical accompaniment for the book “The Secret Life of the Forest” by Richard M. Ketchum, but it isn’t really necessary to have read it to get the full effect. There are lyrics pulled directly from the book, but the lyrics are pretty much incomprehensible to human ears across the board.
There are no pop hooks on “Hidden Lands” and to sum it up in one broad stroke, it’s mysterious art music that likes to feel similar to classic travel advertisement shit for places like Yosemite and the Redwood Forests. However, that mood is half-destroyed when it’s constantly using its strange synthy elements, making the album sound more celestial than something that would fit in a forest.
“Hidden Lands” starts out with a fittingly slow intro “In The Deep Time”, perhaps one of the most interesting pieces on the album. I can’t really describe the structure of this song, let alone anything else on the LP, so I am going to describe what I felt when listening to these songs. “In The Deep Time” represents a sunrise to me, but it appears the animals are still sleeping. Its intense calmness is something unseen on the rest of the album.
When I hear “On The Bridge” it seems like there should be some voiceover by a dramatic reader from the 50s on top of the track, describing to me what the deer are doing in this fictional world without humans.
As you can tell from my current tone, the songs don’t work so well as singles. This album is a piece of ambient, experimental music that goes for a pretty good attempt at broadening itself past being an album and focuses on its theme more than making actual awesome music.
I can tell you, though, my favorite song from “Hidden Lands” is “Silent Time Of Earth”, utilizing some cool beats on bongo-like drums as well as having an interesting guitar riff throughout areas of the song. The flow is the most consistant on this song than just about anything else on here. So, yeah, big ups to “Silent Time Of Earth”.
This album had potential to be so much more, but it’s fine enough to be accepted by experimental music lovers. In my opinion, they really could have lightened up on the vocal effects because I would really like to hear what they have to say. Also, less noise would be a plus, and more record scratchiness, and, yes, audio advertisements for national parks from the past. You could have been something special, “Hidden Lands”. Instead, you’re just a good album that’s worth a try.
WINNER: TIE
WHY: The theme is there, the consistency in good songs is not as there. I do suggest a listen, everyone.
Fermata over Whole Rest 