Rumour Den: Melancholics Anonymous (2002)

Northern Ireland based band RUMOUR DEN was formed towards the end of the 1990's, and for a few hectic years they were on a good roll that suddenly stopped, as the band had to split shortly after releasing their debut album "Melancholics Anonymous" in 2002 due to non-musical reasons. These days original members Al Gilmore and Steve Simms have set up a new version of this band, and while busy creating new material they are also giving this 10 year old debut album a belated, promotional push it never truly got when it was originally released.

The core of this album isn't one that resides in the music itself. It is the moods and atmospheres explored that comes across as the main element. Dampened, controlled sadness and quiet desperation are the main ingredients, frail and fragile emotions that has been run through a filter to tone them down from the dramatic to the subtle. Melancholic for sure, but with a constant trace element of something stronger, hints of words unspoken and emotions bottled up and hidden away in a closet about to overflow and explode. Or perhaps implode.

The key provider of these moods are vocalist Al Gilmore. He has a pleasant, melodic voice able to incorporate those faint and almost hidden traces of emotions far more dramatic than what the music and at least to some extent the lyrics themselves reveal. Careful in delivery, with finely controlled details of grit and power utilized when needed. His voice carries the majority of these songs, adding the element needed to bring them out of the realm of relative anonymity.

The compositions themselves aren't really that remarkable. First and foremost a foundation for the lead vocals, generally all built up on a specific formula. Careful, gentle light toned verses with a stripped down arrangement dominated by acoustic guitar and lead vocals, often with a dampened rhythm section beneath and the occasional faint keyboard texture hovering nearby. Sometimes we're treated to an intermediate section with a carefully enriched arrangement, while the chorus tends to broaden the palette rather extensively, with darker toned guitar riffs adding dark undercurrents to the proceedings as well as a harder edge, supplemented quite nicely by richer keyboard textures for a suitable majestic and careful dramatic effect. It is a formula that works fairly well too, and the songs generally does come across as pleasant excursions. Like a lighter toned, bottled up version of early Madrugada or a harder edged variety of Hinterland. In case anyone reading this is familiar with these bands from Norway and Ireland respectively.

A few variations to this approach are provided too, which makes this album to be not quite as much a uniform experience. Down By Degrees, a careful, stripped down vocals and acoustic guitar only ballad, is the least impressive for me. Well made and performed, but amongst thousands of tunes of a similar nature this one doesn't really stick out in any manner for me. Demon Seed is perhaps the most intriguing composition on the album as a whole to my ears, with more of a basis in electronic pop music of the kind that reminds me ever so slightly of veteran dream pop band Bel Canto. At last House of Cards is a darker toned, harder edged affair that showcase how the band gets about crafting a song with more of a gritty, forceful atmosphere. And it's a well made specimen of it's kind too, three compact minutes sporting some of the more energetic passages on this production.

While not a brilliant nor historic disc, "Melancholics Anonymous" is a fine album that should find plenty of favour amongst those who enjoy calm and controlled rock music where sadness and melancholy are the key ingredients mood wise, in particular by those who have a soft spot for lead vocals being the key ingredient in such a setting.

My rating: 68/100

Track list:
1. Under A Cloud
2. Scared of Dying
3. Nadir
4. Down By Degrees
5. If I Told You
6. Demon Seed
7. This Night Holds Nothing For You
8. House of Cards
9. Guilty Days
10. Slumber