HiRez Poll Wilson, Steven - THE HARMONY CODEX [Blu-Ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[weekendtoy]

10

There aren't any sing-along songs. The lyrics don't inspire me to be a better person. to change the world and call my mother.

But the music. It reminds me a lot like Ry Cooders - A Meeting By The River where you are just kind of taken on a fantastical journey, and you kind of wish it didn't end. The songs, the ATMOS mix, all just flow so beautifully.

 

[quadrifonico]

voted 9. why? for me it is the album of the year; blu ray perfectly mixed and mastered; catchy cover; music not obvious; and it shines in atmos. i do not give a 10 because of the homonymous track: too long and same pattern over and over, i still do not understand what mr Wilson wanted to say...an electronic music showcase? or? is there anything i am missing there?

 

[adspink]

Voted 10. Wilson said he sought to make a mix to demonstrate what the Atmos format is capable of, and I think he succeeded here. Very good use of the heights and rears channels.

This is album is a return to form for Wilson, where he seems to be slowly but steadily moving back to the prog rock sound he became known for. This is the best Wilson studio album since Hand Cannot Erase, in my opinion. But the Harmony Codex retains some of the electronic and pop elements of the Future Bites, and that actually works here, since the synth pads and electronic percussion provide a lot of layered material to put in different spots in the Atmos field. The Future Bites didn’t do much for me in stereo but was saved by a great Atmos mix, whereas the Harmony Codex is a very good album that I enjoyed a great deal in stereo before I got my Atmos setup. Now I understand the hype.

The title track was the one song that I just couldn’t get into when I heard the stereo mix only, but the Atmos mix made me realize why the title track is actually awesome. So much cool spacey stuff happening all over the room, you feel like you’re in some sort of weird 3D sonic movie. Other standout tracks include Inclination, Beautiful Scarecrow, Impossible Tightrope, and Staircase. Impossible Tightrope in particular is reminiscent of the great instrumental musicianship of the Raven That Refused to Sing album. My only complaint is that I just wish that all the music videos that came out on YouTube had been included on the Blu-ray.

 

[SomethingAnything]

Voted 10. Wilson said he sought to make a mix to demonstrate what the Atmos format is capable of, and I think he succeeded here. Very good use of the heights and rears channels.

This is album is a return to form for Wilson, where he seems to be slowly but steadily moving back to the prog rock sound he became known for. This is the best Wilson studio album since Hand Cannot Erase, in my opinion. But the Harmony Codex retains some of the electronic and pop elements of the Future Bites, and that actually works here, since the synth pads and electronic percussion provide a lot of layered material to put in different spots in the Atmos field. The Future Bites didn’t do much for me in stereo but was saved by a great Atmos mix, whereas the Harmony Codex is a very good album that I enjoyed a great deal in stereo before I got my Atmos setup. Now I understand the hype.

The title track was the one song that I just couldn’t get into when I heard the stereo mix only, but the Atmos mix made me realize why the title track is actually awesome. So much cool spacey stuff happening all over the room, you feel like you’re in some sort of weird 3D sonic movie. Other standout tracks include Inclination, Beautiful Scarecrow, Impossible Tightrope, and Staircase. Impossible Tightrope in particular is reminiscent of the great instrumental musicianship of the Raven That Refused to Sing album. My only complaint is that I just wish that all the music videos that came out on YouTube had been included on the Blu-ray.

It's also worth tracking down the audio narrative and giving it a single listen when you have a spare moment. I seem to recall it came with the downloadable deluxe version. At any rate, it ought to be available on the likes of youtube by now. It's good writing and deepened my respect for the concept narrative of the album.

 

[JulesRules]

I seem to recall it came with the downloadable deluxe version.

But for some reason, the tracks of the audio play were out of order.

 

[SomethingAnything]

But for some reason, the tracks of the audio play were out of order.

They weren't for me, at least not that I noticed. They were numbered.

 

[JulesRules]

They weren't for me, at least not that I noticed. They were numbered.

In my download, it started with Part 6 and then continued with 1 to 5. Not that the titles properly reflected this, mind...

 

[SomethingAnything]

In my download, it started with Part 6 and then continued with 1 to 5. Not that the titles properly reflected this, mind...

They're very much a one time listen, so perhaps it was the same and I just forgot about it.

Re the actual content, I did approach it with some cynicism, but in fact it is good writing. Good descriptions and imagery and a clear sense of narrative. It's my observation that few musicians make good writers, due of course to it not being their creative area. However it was pretty apparent that Steven Wilson put time and effort into the writing of this short story. He really applies himself in everything he does, this guy!