Album Review // 2021-09-17

Rivers of Nihil

The Work

Released: 2021-09-24

---

Rivers of Nihil caught my attention back in 2019. I was drawn to their heaviness, great vocals, and sense of humour (Where Owls Know My Name). I have two of their songs on my first playlist, and one on my second playlist. Where Owls Know My Name is one of my favourite albums I own.

The name of the band apparently can be left to interpretation. But as Brody explained, to him it is about a river holding the potential for a great life, but we often throw it away.

Anticipated by fans, this album is considered to be the winter album. The three previous albums contained the themes of the other seasons.

The Work is a simple and to-the-point name. How you define work, in your own life, is up to you, but we all have had to work at some point in our adult lives. Whether it is to make money or accomplish a goal, or to better our situation. The album was written during the pandemic, which has obviously been hard on a lot of musicians. This period of time may actually have been packed full of work for many bands, having to channel their artistic energies and bring in some funds to make it. This time has produced some added pressures for many.

The first time I heard this album, I listened to it as a Rivers of Nihil album, including all of my preconceived thoughts. I soon realized I needed to listen again, without thinking about their past productions. I have now heard this piece of work several times, and I'm ready to give you my thoughts!

This album is an example of why you shouldn't label a band as being from a certain genre. Just when you think you have them figured out, they will throw you something you weren't expecting!

Mood 

This music makes me think of a dark alley in a mystery movie. Like a noise heard in the distance, you don't know where it is coming from, or what it is. All of a sudden it switches to a scene with a scantily-clad woman and you start wondering what kind of movie this is. At times, it becomes more hostile as you hear echoing laughter. Are you the target of the laughter, or is there more going on in the distance? 

The overhanging emotion is dysphoria, even in the surprisingly upbeat-sounding songs. 

Artwork

I know with past albums art done by Dan Seagrave the band allowed him to come up with the artwork based on the lyrics. I like the colour palette here. Blues, reds, a little purple. It looks like it might be quite cozy inside the house. The rest of the art kinda reminds me of winter here, though the ice and snow doesn't leave trains wrecked, ground completely cracking. That sky, though, almost looks like it is emitting heat, and there is potential for things to thaw.

Vocals

Wow. They gave us a hint of the vocal changes in their video for Focus. There, Jake still sounded like Jake, but Adam's voice had a tiny hint of the croon that takes centre stage in many songs on this album. Sometimes it was a little far for me. The phrase "La de da de da" was not expected! 

I found myself worried that Jake's role is being encroached on a little here.

At times there is an effect on the vocals that gives it an electronic quality, almost echoing and distant.

There are some high notes, as we have seen in previous material. There was the croon, the growl, and heartfelt singing.

Music

Lots of background noises such as wind, birds, and doors opening and closing that remind me of watching a movie, and sets the tone for some of the emotion felt in these songs. It adds a whole other level that many bands don't dabble in.

The drums have their fast moments with double kick and blast beats, but certainly slow down and switch it up at times, as well. Outside of some more rock-sounding guitar moments, such as in Wait and Maybe One Day, there were also some that really showcased the talent.

Some parts become very laid back, to the point where it reminded me of elevator music, or maybe a sex scene. Either way, I had a mixed reaction to it. One part of me liked how they brought in the saxophone; it takes a certain group of people to be able to pull this kind of thing off in music like this. The other part of me hoped it wouldn't last too long, or I may fall asleep. 

This album seemed to add quite a bit of electronic moments as well.

A lot of progressiveness in this album! Way more than I expected! Threw me!

Note: In regard to lyrics for this album, I did my best to hear what was being said. If I have made any mistakes here, I do apologize and I will make corrections once I am aware.

The Tower (Theme from The Work)

I think this song is talking about focusing your energy on "work" and losing the other parts of your life. It is a delicate balance. My mom always says, "Work interferes with life." I suppose it depends on how much you enjoy your work, and what your life outside of work entails. Funny thing is, my mom is one of the hardest-working people I know.

There is sad undertone to this song.

La de da de da

Let this work go on and on until the day is one, until another setting sun
It's my fault that we feel so far way, and we let it make astray
I have seen the future and you have seen it too
We've all got this feeling there is nothing we can do
It's my fault
I let the season get to me, I let them take it all away

Dreaming Black Clockwork

There really isn't enough time in one day! It seems like this is about wasting the time you have.

How, no there's no coming back from this

A long day is spent. I have been waiting up nights for you
Hoping you would see this through
All we do is waste time, thinking about you
I hope your dream comes true
I know you feel it too

Wait

This seems like a situation where there is tension between people. They don't know if they can make things work. Things seem to be at a standstill.

What are we going to do now, with all of this air in the room
Let's turn it all to smoke while we wait for our sudden doom
And all I hear and say, is we lost the way

Focus

Do you ever feel driven to work on something day after day? It seems like it is never done. People around you don't get it. It almost like you have become the work. Or maybe you have to work four jobs to make it, and you feel like you can never catch a break? This song makes me think of this.

My body, my pride, once radiant inside
I figured all this focus, had just been given to me
So set in stone; intention, but this isn’t my decision to make
I thought that all this purpose, was just mine to take

Clean

I think this might be about addiction, and trying to get clean. Maybe everyone around is having to work harder because your addiction has become so overwhelming that money is tight. Maybe you have lost relationships because people don't respect the place you are in. Maybe you need help.

The vision of the drain and talking about "her" coming home, makes me think this could be it. I have seen this scenario play out.

Cold
A constant, steady breath
Clean - ‘til there’s nothing left
In sorrow
And shame
I whisper out a name
This anger makes it’s claim
We’ll never be clean again

The Void from Which No Sound Escapes

I think the thought that no sound escapes is this idea that there is no one to help. No one knows about the situation you are in. 

It also makes me think of not being able to be heard. This has been an ongoing struggle for me. I always thought I should buy a microphone, attach it to my clothing, and use it when talking to others so I could be heard. I was always nervous as a kid when I went to talk because I knew no one would hear me. If you are soft-spoken, you know what I mean.

I tear out my being and feed it to my children
It gets them sick with poison, addicted to these noises
Not a single sound escapes to be found 
Speak louder so his voice will carry
Speak now before it gets too carried away

When the fires fade, and the rivers dry, and you speak my name, let the wind inside
Why don't you hear the whisper in the void
Bury me deep today

MORE?

This seems to be about how some people have more than their share in this life. And they don't see it; they want more. They can't be satisfied. They don't think outside themselves.

I can give you all you wish, but you won't settle for this
I swear it's someone bliss, but you won't fall for this

It's just how I remember, all colours and splendour but nothing it changes, it shifts and rearranges
You weren't at all before, but I know you want more

Tower 2

This seems to be about having ideas that are extreme, and pushing important things away. The person seems to recognize their part in things falling apart, but maybe they still won't change it.

La de da de da
Is it my fault 
Did we build this too high? 
I know the future's a little bit dark but it won't turn out because we're working so hard
Come on back, sit right here cause maybe we can take all 
And I know you see, cause I see it too, all of our dreams might never come true
It's my fault

Episode

This sounds like a situation where a family is struggling to feed their children. This sadly is a reality for some people. Seems like there is some anger toward God for not helping, as well as fear and sadness about the situation.

There's ash on the floor, and every day gets harder than before
But tell me we can make a little more
Yeah, I still believe in but are you receiving everything you wanted for the children you feed
There's too many mouths, and not enough hands to do the work
This winter is longer than the one before
If god doesn't take us, why would he make us this way
Scream his name while we scrape away

Maybe One Day

This seems to be the parting of ways. The realization that a relationship is over. It has that weird upbeat/sadness vibe.

This future we gave, gave you pleasure and pain
It's still going to rain, but maybe one day
You can stay and peel the cast away, find a new set of words to say
There's always a better way, not now but maybe one day
Older now, lines on your face and your feet on the ground
It's colder now, maybe one day we can turn it around

Terrestria IV: Work

This circles back to the opening song, where you are basically gearing up to work. To be committed to it. It is what's important.

Let's do this work

There's towers crumbling, with no more riches to obtain
We'll just start an insane , whistle towers crumbling
Whistle vein is coming down

Hold our hands and pray, we worship static grey
While we work the days away
Hallelujah, let the work be done
Do the work

Playlist Pick

I will put Focus on my playlist. It has a nice balance. I like that Jake has a substantial role. And the pace changes.

My second playlist pick will be The Void from Which No Sound Escapes. It has a quite a bit of variety in one song, both synth and sax take centre stage on some parts, both voices shine at different parts, and I like the sad undertone.