Album Review: Self Is A Seed - Siren

Hard rock seems to be out of favour with the masses at the moment but Sydney outfit Self Is A Seed are doing their best to change this with a debut album that achieves the almost impossible task of making prog sound damn catchy. These guys have been playing the local scene for a while now and after spending two years working on their debut, Siren, with Silverchair and Powderfinger producer Anton Hagop it is not surprising that their sound is refined. The first half of the album is heavy and powerful, showcasing some ambitious guitar solos, dramatic vocal range and delicate genius in the bass and drums.

Opening track Thought You Would packs a punch, flowing solidly through to the slow build of Say Something, the extraordinary musicianship on Somnambulist and the driving metal flavour of Fluorescent Tradition. The highlight of the album is the title track, which works on so many levels. It showcases sensational vocals, an uplifting and powerful sound with a lot of emotion and is impossible to get out of your head after just one listen. Unfortunately for Self Is A Seed, the fact that finances left them recording the album in two sessions over a 12-month period does show. The second half does not have as many highlights although it does show they are capable of revealing a softer side.

Essentially Self Is A Seed are a prog rock band and they have done well to show restraint and subtlety on Siren as well as incredible depth. Perhaps their greatest achievement is the ability to take such an epic sound and make it so captivating and instantly likeable.