[2011 #3] TBC – Amatorski – Album Review + Listen

#3 Best Album of 2011

Rating: 8.0

Words that describe this album: Dark, slow

“TBC” is far from the happy pop album that people expected it to be. In fact, it is far from it. This album is the most moving, fragile LP that I have heard all year. The opening track, “Fading,” is the perfect instrumental intro to a dark album. Listening to it reminds me of peering down into a mysterious, dark cave. I didn’t know what to expect when I heard this album, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it.

This album would not be labeled “easy to listen to.” It isn’t painful on the ears, far from it, but it was not made to be a crowd-pleaser. This is one of the reason’s that it made #3 on Marked Track’s best album’s of 2011 list. It wasn’t made to be a hit, but to be a musical masterpiece.

The second song, “Soldier,” is incredibly haunting. The small, childlike voice in the background sings as if it weren’t even part of the song, but outside on its own. Lying in wait after “Soldier” is arguably the best song on the album, “Never Told.” This track is able to bring both a smile to your face, and tears to your eyes. Amatorski has done a superb job with this tune.

The remaining four tracks on the album continue to please, moving it from slow and depressing to slightly less slow…and more depressing. Instruments are added to each song, such as the ongoing guitar in the background of “Peaceful,” or the standing bass in the last three songs.

The last eleven-minute song, “Cheapest Soundtrack,” takes its title as ending track with a sense of disappointment. It doesn’t carry the weight of the album until the last second, but drops it about halfway through. There is a long pause in the middle of the song that is picked up near the end. Sadly, it is the intro and pause of the song that nearly ruins the album, only to be saved by the ending segment. A quiet voice rings out, softly and deeply ending the near-masterpiece with what could easily be the soundtrack for a sad movie.

Amatorski’s “TBC” is a beautiful album. There’s not one bad song on it, and that means a lot. This album is certainly one of the best this year. Enjoy your listen below.