Hour of the Shipwreck have succeeded in creating a grand symphonic pop statement on their sweeping / cathartic seven-song cycle aptly entitled The Hour Is Upon Us. Singer/multi-instrumentalist Richie Kohan emanates from the Chris Martin / Thom Yorke / Francis Healy school of over-emoting (that is: an endless barrage of falsetto breaks, legato melodies aplenty, and lots and lots and lots of breathing) - which suits these intricate compositions just fine. Arranged with a loving nod towards prog rock by way of extended intros, ornate instrumentation (strings, glockenspiel, synthesizers galore, etc.), drastic changes in dynamics, and heavy motifs (the underlying chorus riff of “Unclouded Eyes” is the stuff of Abbey Road side two) - the lads are quite capable of eliciting a wide array of emotions at the drop of a hat. Even the somewhat pretentious libretto of “Soft Napalm Pillow Dreams” makes perfect sense amongst the bleary guitar arpeggios and brooding tempo. Fans of the aforementioned references, latter day Pink Floyd, Cast, Ocean Colour Scene, and Kula Shaker will revel in this extremely seductive Hour.
--Tom Semioli [June 7, 2008]
