my review from when it came out:
Metaphor on the floor, it's a figure of speech
01. METAPHOR FIRST REALITY . Fades in with a looped pad (for some weird reason I kept thinking of Atem or Alpha centauri, there must be something about the timbre perhaps?), drums and synth stings are quickly augmented, as is a bass synth which plays a simple repeated line. A piano meanders with lots of reverb and then a reversed piano sample is layered with it with a distorted panned note (which is a bit like a guitar). It's hard to say what this track reminds me of, perhaps Pete Namlook jamming with Vangelis (If I had to guess I'd say there's definitely a Thorsten influence to this piece). The track has a 'something is gonna happen' feeling, but it doesn't, everything actually sounds quite improvised and the sound palatte is (generally) new to TD...it ends with bubbling and reversed sounds...leading into.
02. METAPHOR SECOND REALITY ...Starts with an ethnic "Aaaah" wordless vocal sample a bit like FSOL (over a lazy bass line), but this is soon added to with another voice, (but this has more of an electronic synth character), A metalic panned rhythmic sequence starts, with an almost 'vocal character' to the filter for a few bars and then a fast piano arpeggio/sequencer line is layered over the top with a very digital melody (from Edgar?). Then a huge layered pad takes over which plays a new melody....think of film about the Pharaos or Ancient Eygpt and you'd get the rough idea (the actual sound is a layer of strings, flute and perhaps another synth). The new melody drops away and we're back to the ethic voices over a plodding bass line, and tubular bell hits. . Suzanne Ciani jams with Edgar during Dalinetopia?. Perhaps not, but it's interesting nevertheless. Ends with a long ominious sustained note...which fades into
03. METAPHOR THIRD REALITY ...a bubbling 'Edgar' type sequence runs, as piano phrases and guitar like synths play, then a strong melody takes over: piano, a buzzy and breathy synth, whilst the tune changes key. A good solid track. Finishes with some weird reversed and echoing plucked sounds. Probably my favourite, because of it's strong melody and it's quite up tempo. ....leading into...
04. METAPHOR EARTHLING'S REALITY....an Edgar track I guess, the sequencing is very like him. 'Shock horror' this track has male vocals, I can't comment on the lyrics but it isn't too bad. Later in the track some distant guitar is added (although it could be a fuzzed synth, it's hard to say and it's fairly far back in the mix). Not bad I guess, if you like vocals.
Overall I liked Metaphor, it's not the best thing TD have ever released (that's Ricochet obviously
), but it's certainly worth getting hold of for the first 3 tracks alone. 'If' TD are just Thorsten and Edgar, then the group are in safe hands and we're in for an interesting time