Emanuel and the Fear: The Janus Mirror

Emmanuel and the Fear
The Janus Mirror
Haldern Pop
2012-09-28

The Janus Mirror is likely one of the most ambitious records that anyone who listens to it will have heard in a while. Virtually every song on it is jam-packed with creative ideas and not every one of them connects. However, the moments that do connect represent some astounding gut-punches that are enough to leave just about anyone reeling, demonstrating a potential that could make them untouchable if they lived up to it. There are some scattered moments of arresting tranquility that balance out the aggression quite nicely and make for a stark contrast, but the band seems to be having the most fun when they’re operating at their fiercest level. They’re very adept at the dynamic the Veils utilized so effectively on Nux Vomica. While The Janus Mirror might be a shambling wreck, it’s impossible to look away from and represents forward thinking — something we need much more of.

RATING 6 / 10