Noblesse – We Are Not Humanity
March 12, 2010
Dutch rock band Noblesse recently released its sophomore album “We Are Not Humanity”. The band built a solid reputation, both as a recording band and as a live act, after the release of their debut album “Sound The Alarm”. Known for their intensity and lyrical depth, the band had high expectations to meet.
With “We Are Not Humanity”, Noblesse not only delivers on the expectations, the band is able to exceed the expectations. With a smooth conceptual art rock album that is melodically challenging and rhythmically intriguing, they provide the fans with not just 10 excellent tracks, but much more than that, they provide an excellent album, as the songs all grab into eachother musically and thematically.
Tapping into points of universal discussion like consumerism, communication, virtues, morals, and so on, they are able to deliver their messages and questions through deep lyrics and intense music. The most impressive feat of the band may well be their ability to play with the music and the lyrics. By using one towards the other and vice versa, they create a very interactive and dynamic environment in which their songs can flourish. Art rock may be the name of a genre, but in Noblesse’s case you can also take those terms seperately, because “We Are Not Humanity” is not just a very solid rock album, it also is a work of art.
Songs that definitely stand out are You Look Good, Different Flow, Detrimental & Life Support. You Look Good has a bit of a pointy sound, verging on powerpop in the rhythm, which gives it a very danceable and almost catchy character. Different Flow is closer to a classic rock song with strong guitar riffs and haunting vocals that work to a sparkling finale of the song. Detrimental is the easiest song on the album to sing along to and a likely candidate for a radio single as it’s a song that has the ability to stick in your head. It’s not a typically catchy song, but both rhythmically and melodically it resonates in your head for quite some time. Especially the chorus has that effect. Album closer Life Support is a modern rock opus with quite an epic build up. I picked these four songs as key tracks because they show the band’s diversity, class and intensity very well.
It’s only march, but “We Are Not Humanity” is without a doubt the most impressive album release of the year so far. I would strongly encourage you to check out Noblesse and “We Are Not Humanity on their bandcamp page, where you can also purchase the album if you feel the same excitement and connection that I felt and am still feeling.
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