Album Review: Black Map – Melodoria
Reviewed by Dan Barnes
San Francisco supergroup, Black Map, return with another collection of heart-warming and heart-breaking tracks, assembled under the moniker of Melodoria. This, their third full-length release, sees the band rooted firmly in the Alternative Rock sound that those of us of a certain age remember from back in the day. And although Black Map’s take on Alt Rock is a world away from that of Tool, Faith No More or Helmet, there’s plenty on offer on Melodoria to slack the thirst of many a hard rockin’ fan.
In the first of his dual roles, bassist Ben Flanagan is at the core of everything on this record; whether it’s providing the fuzzy tones for the slow and plodding Super Deluxe or combining with drummer Chris Robyn to drive the insistent Witching Hour, the beating heart of Melodoria lies in those four strings. That’s not to discount Chris’ contribution, which sees the understated – but never under-appreciated – drumming creating the platform upon which the strings can stand.
Mark Engles guitar switches from a heavy crunch on opening track Chasms, building melodic hooks, a catchy chorus and a choppy solo, through the big low-end of Left for Dead, to the delicate beauty of Nothing Over Me.
They say timing is everything and this is proved on Melodoria in Nothing Over Me, Madness and the acoustic Burnout (Do You Mind); all of which are commercial enough to have been chart-bothering and dance-floor favourites back in the 1990s.
In his second role, Ben Flanagan provides the voice for Black Map and, like the music, is a study is heart-broken delivery. Most notably on In the Wires, where Ben delivers an absolute masterclass of control and release and elevates the song to new heights.
Elsewhere Capture the Flag incorporates electronic elements amid its soaring textures and the meaty bass lends it something of a stoner vibe. The title track had me connecting the sound with that other three-piece, Muse, both in the overall sound of the track and the ambition and craft of the musicians involved.
Black Map’s status as a Supergroup comes from the pedigree and previous roles in the bands Dredg, Far and The Trophy Fire, but, unlike many collections of musicians from other bands, Black Map actually deliver on the promise.
Melodoria is not the heaviest record you’ll hear this year – but it was never intended to be. Instead it’s a collection of ten diverse tracks that will stay long after the CD has ended.
