Essen quartet Time, The Valuator release their modern Rock debut the eclectic ‘How Fleeting, How Fragile.’ Opener ‘Terminus’ has a clean cut almost chlorine tasting texture it’s clear, clipped and crisp. The concise sound dips into Linkin Park’s pool while Avenged Sevenfold man the barbeque and Disclosure quizzically peer over the hedge. ‘In Control’ fails to land it’s plane and is ultimately saved by some passionate vocals before the futuristic ‘The Violent Sound’ resonates with eager electronics and three different singing styles. ‘Fugitive’ treads the albums familiar path of chopping guitars, keyboards and softly spoken solo lyrics that rise in volume with each added instrument and it all ends in a crescendo of Rock, electronic and pained vocals. ’Cloud City’ passes without incident while ‘Elusive Reasons’ sparks with Industrial strains before reverting to type. The table is finally knocked over with the leftfield piano intro and misfiring beat on the beautifully busy ‘Heritage’. The softer flow on ‘How Fleeting’ is followed by the chugging and atmospheric panache of ‘When I Meet Death’. The bubbling ‘Onryo’ stamps its feet with frustration as the album rounds the final corner with the mix ‘n’ match ‘How Fragile’. ‘How Fleeting, How Fragile’ has been polished and produced to within an inch of its life leaving an aurally enjoyable album albeit a disappointing one dimensional listen. The in-song subtle musical twists and turns get slightly blurred as they almost merge into one and any musical creases or edges have been ironed and frustratingly smoothed over.
TIME, THE VALUATOR
HOW FLEETING, HOW FRAGILE
Longbranch
6.5/10