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Cave In

Creative Eclipses
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Cave In - Creative Eclipses (Cover Artwork)

Review by: slippy
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Published on November 12th 2004

So here's Cave In's first non-metal release. I thought it would be important to review this record, considering the creative changes that the band has gone through; this is where it really took shape (although there were some telling moments on Until Your Heart Stops). And no, this doesn't sound a lot like the commercial hard rock of Antenna, though you can tell it's the same band.

On this 5 song EP, there are 2 original songs, and one of them is acoustic. "Luminance" is the heavy one, and it's one of the best songs Cave In has written. Everything clicks on it- the nervous drum rolls, crazy guitar effects, and the ability to make powerful and heavy music without screaming the whole time. The acoustic song is pretty decent, though it lacks the emotional weight of "Luminance" and sort of pales in comparison. Then there is the Failure cover, "Magnified". It's a good song and a great choice for a cover since it sounds so much like Cave In material. However, like the acoustic track, it can't measure up to "Luminance", and on a 5 track CD, it hurts.

So there are 2 tracks left to talk about, "Sonata Mcgrath" and "Sonata Brodsky". Both are electronic instrumental songs, in the vein of Aphex Twin's "Selected Ambient Works Volume II" or something by Boards of Canada without the beats. The problem is, neither song can measure up to something by the aformentioned groups, and while they can be good mood setters or background music, they just aren't much to get excited about.

So that's the whole record- one great song, two decent songs, and two electronic things that make me go "Eh." The CD just doesn't hold up to repeated listens. I'd recommend downloading "Luminance" instead of buying this whole CD, unless you are a real Cave In fan, and you want to listen to their interesting progression. If you want some great Cave In, try Until Your Heart Stops or Jupiter.

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Posted by InnuendoAndOutTheOther on 2004-11-16 17:38:21
My Score:

this score is for anything this band has ever done...AMAZING

all 3 of the actual tracks are awesome "Luminance" and "Magnified" being the stronger of the 2

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 15, 2004 at 11:23 AM (EST)
My Score:

pretty great EP. i agree that luminance is a great song, but i think youre not giving the acoustic song enough credit. thats up there with my favorite cave in songs. i'd say "jupiter" is the best of theirs. if the new album is anything like the demos i heard, it will be embarrassingly bad

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 15, 2004 at 2:21 AM (EST)
My Score:

shudder SEAFROST is a fucking brilliant piece of work.

Barkley

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 14, 2004 at 9:49 PM (EST)
My Score:

When they played baltimore they played "sea frost" from Antenna

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 14, 2004 at 1:22 AM (EST)
My Score:

ataxaria is GREAT. they also played world in my way when i saw them and i loved it. good times.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at 7:24 PM (EST)
My Score:

Its funny tho in regards to them not playing anything from Antenna, this show was about three weeks after the official RCA roster posting-I almost knew they weren't going to play anything. However...they opened with Big Riff, which fucking killed-absolutely killed. They played two new ones-World is in the Way, and that one with the big delay part and the chorus that says "Mindset into Motion" Stream of Commerce, Juggernaut, and a some others that I can't remember (I was drinking Quebecois ale and I was gassed) They asked the crowd if anybody had "downloaded their new demos" to some applause. I kept screaming "Ataxia" that monstrous instrumental song that they demoed.

Barkley

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at 2:18 PM (EST)
My Score:

Cave In are absolutely terrible. This isn't flamebait, it's just the truth. If you like pretentious, yet lifeless wanking, this is for you.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at 1:59 PM (EST)
My Score:

antenna is indeed a well written, well played, well produced (not over-produced) rock record. not amazing by any means, but a good, solid record.

that's odd that they didn't play any antenna songs when you saw them. they played 2 when i saw them a few weeks ago (2 from antenna, 2 from jupiter, 2 from until your heart stops and 2 new ones, great set).

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at 12:14 PM (EST)
My Score:

It's 10:00 PM. Do you know where your mom is?

www.milfhunter.com

Posted by slippy on 2004-11-13 10:43:02
My Score:

I liked Antenna despite its flaws but it can't compare to Jupiter.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at 8:38 AM (EST)
My Score:

barkley, you're dead right. antenna is an amazing record that gets panned by hard-headed 'hardcore' kids (and unfortunately, the band themselves). musical progression from album to album is beautiful and necessary. embrace it, love it, go with the flow. just because they dont scream anymore, doesn't mean that it's not harcore.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 10:24 PM (EST)
My Score:

"Jupiter" seems like its going to remain as one of Cave In's highest creative points of their career (untill the release their next disc FINGERS CROSSED) I have alot to say about their disc Antenna. I've had it in my stereo on and off again since the day it was released a year and a half ago. I saw it released to raving reviews and I personally destroyed it when it was deleted from my record stores catalog. One thing I cannot deny is my love of that record. The entire thing is a complete musical mindfuck. Upon hearing it the first time Cave In mini epics like "Inspire" and "Joy Opposites" will instantly pull you in. The latter half of "Antenna" features some real brain burners such as the more epic than the lord of the rings "Seafrost", the subdued but powerful "Youth Overrided" and the huge chorus of "Lost in the Air." "Antenna" is an absolute masterpiece in my mind. Time will tell the story of this amazing recording. When I saw Cave In tour with Converge in the fall they didn't play one song of Antenna, too bad

Barkley

Posted by bemused on 2004-11-12 22:04:46
My Score:

I was pretty disappointed with Antenna. I still think that album could have been so much better. Get 'Jupiter' already

-Chris-

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 9:01 PM (EST)
My Score:

p.s. "fantastic planet" by failure is a fantastic record.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 9:00 PM (EST)
My Score:

this cd is like pre-season jupiter. it's allright, but it's clear they're just warming up for their masterpiece.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 8:15 PM (EST)
My Score:

This EP is what actually turned me onto Cave In. I've eaten up everything since. The next album is going to blow everything else outta the water.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 8:13 PM (EST)
My Score:

Suck dick yo!