Third time is, indeed, a charm. Back again, the
multi-instrumentalist known as Loyal Opposition has recently drew my attention
to his third album: ‘Third World Man’.
Instrumental, of course, Loyal Opposition has an
unwavering dedication to the mastery of all things musical. Even delving into
the non-musical side of his artistry, Loyal Opposition has expressed his
passions for producing and even making his own instruments to implement in his
songs! His creativity is boundless.
Giving me a sneak peek into his childhood influences,
Loyal Opposition shared his journey of forming a band with his neighbours.
Loyal Opposition reminisced:
‘Me and my friend, who loved playing keyboard,
kickstarted it all. We recruited a neighbour on guitar, and I remembering being
in my backyard with some of the other kids, listening to our first cassette. It
was almost like being on the radio for me. We went into a studio a few months
later. After being in a few more bands, I couldn’t deal with those who were not
punctual and not reliable.’
Consequently, an unparalleled independence and drive
for virtuosic fame was moulded. Since then, Loyal Opposition strived to make
himself his own boss, living and dying by his craft. Focussing solely on
ascending that musical ladder, Loyal Opposition has crafted his third album in
the hopes that every song is vastly different from one another.
Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
*
Opening with a patient, yet impactful, drumbeat and a
quaint guitar riff within introductory track ‘The Hampton Piano’, the album is
off to a promising start. Initially, the guitar parallels the drum’s coyness
with a nimble texture, almost as if they are carrying the weight of emotions
that they aren’t ready to divulge.
That spark of secrecy and elusiveness drew me into the
mysterious tonality of the track, which is then erupted by the volcanic
insurgence of the drums, viciously ascending the andante tempo of the melody.
Loyal Opposition is at his best when he is performing with drums, there is a
seamless ardour that elevates his songs to soaring heights.
However, the implementation of the keyboard was a
little too jarring for me, it seemed to be in a riotous brontide, where both
the drums and the keyboard were battling to create the loudest roar of
dissonant thunder. Unfortunately, I found myself lowering the volume on my
headset for the remainder of the track.
I feel as if there were no keyboard, this track would’ve
been excellent – Loyal Opposition absolutely obliterates any track with his
envenomated drums, which I think should’ve been the focus of this track (‘The
Hampton Drum’, if you will).
The track meanders into a somewhat distinguishable
melody towards the conclusive fractions of the composition. It is still a
little callous, in my opinion, but sadly we don’t get much time to see this
develop as not long after, the track twirls away on a smooth diminuendo.
*
Of course, like every artist, Loyal Opposition had his
fair share of complications. Sharing his album on a progressive rock site,
Loyal Opposition accumulated 2,300 views and a multitude of positive feedback.
Longing to get the same attention (and more) from his YouTube audience, it has
proved quite the challenge to get those around him sold on his musical
endeavours.
About this, Loyal Opposition had to say: ‘I don’t want
to be a musician akin to a stand-up comedian with no audience.’
Mirroring the poignancy of struggling artists
everywhere, the texture of following track ‘Rimshot Café’ encapsulates this notion
effortlessly.
Cushioned by a glassy drumbeat, the saturnine keyboard
looms over the harmonies like a darkened moon shedding pale light on the world
below. Lining the walls of the melody with the imagery of a rainy day, the
banausic mood is mimetic of bad weather that dampens your day.
I imagine it is quite a romantic setting when you are
huddled over a coffee in your local café and the rhythm alludes to this as the
track progresses. The instrumental harmonies clamber up one another to a
whiplashing cadence, injecting the track with a moderato vigour, suggestive of
the sparks of inspiration a lot of writers get when sitting contently in a
coffee shop. I know I am a little guilty of this myself!
I do find the keyboard incorporation to be a little
jagged in some areas, but I can definitely see an improvement of fluidity in
this track.
*
Onto the last track we will be looking at today: ‘May
Day’.
Intricate pizzicatos, gentle drumbeats and the
static-like glitch of a radio abruptly cutting out. You hear this combination,
and you feel as if you are traversing the spectral aftermath of a tragic event.
The song carries such an emotional weight that you feel enveloped in the morose
tonality.
Every note floriated, the track takes its time to
evoke a myriad of moods within its adagio tempo and uncertain dynamics. You
feel uneasy, as the drumbeat quickens like an anxious heartbeat; you then feel
hopeful as the starry-eyed rhythm of the keyboard provides some levity.
This track is the most cohesive for me, regarding tone
and melody, across the album. Even as the tone shifts after the employment of
the keyboard, (and the guitar riffs sound a little more romantic and delicate)
it seems appropriate in a track that is suggestive to the aftermath of a
seemingly disastrous event. During this segment of the song, it reminded me of
the bittersweet imagery you would find as you walked through the remnants of
someone’s life.
Hands down, this is my favourite track. As that final
note ripples out into the silence, I feel like I’ve emerged from the tresses of
a tragedy, finding solace, and mourning in the emptiness.
*
‘Third World Man’ is the third album by Loyal
Opposition, and despite having a mixed bag of opinions with his work, the
improvement of his style can’t be denied with what I’ve listened to today. I
eagerly await what he does next!
Till next time.
Loyal Opposition’s Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/LoyalOpposition
My Previous Reviews of Loyal Opposition:
https://vampvinyls.blogspot.com/2022/10/loyal-opposition-peek-into-twelve-year.html
https://vampvinyls.blogspot.com/2022/11/loyal-opposition-returns-with-second.html
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