The False Foundation

Archive is one of the most innovative visionary bands of all time, with a tragic fatal flaw. Their carefully constructed sound is often ruined by lazy vocals that don't fit. This goes back to the first album. Londinium was one of the best trip hop albums of all time, even the female vocals were absolutely gorgeous, but the jarring rapping ruined the carefully constructed trance. Let's not talk about the 2nd album and pretend it doesn't exist. You All Look The Same To Me is Archive's greatest masterpiece, and the only album where the vocals aren't off. The 2nd track on YALTSTM Numb is great, but unfortunately Archive keep trying to recreate that vocal vibe on every album since, and it doesn't work. They need to let Numb go and move on. Desperately. Anything resembling the followup album Noise needs to die. Perhaps they need to part ways with their singer. The vocals should be more atmospheric and less jarring. I know the singer is capable. He did a phenomenal job on the song Lights and Headlights while much of the rest of that album was ruined. Controlling Crowds was incredible, and the rapping actually worked (!) to my surprise, but the jock rock vocals still ruined some songs. Controlling Crowds Part IV was better when they were looking to other singers, like on Pills and Empty Bottle.Here on The False Foundations there are great moments. I do love the more electronic direction. Bright Lights is great. Splinters is cool. Blue Faces and A Thousand Thoughts are meandering, but I respect experimentation. Driving in Nails is incredible right up until the singer starts singing the song title, then a cool song suddenly becomes unlistenable. I can't listen to Sell Out. Stay Tribal could have been so cool with better vocals. By the time I listen to the last track I just want the singer to shut up, wishing he was completely mixed out. Beautiful female vocals could have taken that song to another level.Archive, if you're listening, please stop cheapening your epic genius with substandard vocals far below the caliber of your music. I would love to see if Archive is capable of making an album with vocals that compliment the music instead of dragging it down.5 stars for another album of great music, 1 star for unforgivable vocals.