What I love about The Vagaband's fourth studio record, Beautiful World, is that its peacefulness makes it diverse. On the surface, it may seem like the same vibe is sustained throughout the record, but a deeper listen reveals its varied nature.
Heaviness isn't always about the sound. If you're familiar with this blog's perspective, you already know this. Beautiful World, while being a peaceful piece of music, is also packed with emotions, making you feel as though you're witnessing a journey with a weight on your shoulders. It's a feeling I haven't experienced since I first listened to Fleetwood Mac's magnificently beautiful magnum opus Rumours. If you're a big Fleetwood Mac fan like me, the song Avalon will bring tears to your eyes, believe me.
Psychedelic touches, strong folk elements, and a song that surprisingly incorporates effective gothic elements (I'm talking about The Unquiet Grave) make this album a truly special and diverse experience. After kicking things off with the short opener I'm Not For You and with strong folk elements that we are all familiar with, including back-and-forth vocal lines, the band unleashes the strong track and one of the album's highlights, White Noise. Beautiful hooks follow one after another, and the track grabs you. After the mostly vocal-driven opener, the band shows why they should be classified as magicians rather than musicians with their handling of instrumental duties, creating crowded yet peaceful arrangements.
In my humble opinion, the record's first half is clearly superior. With the uplifting Desdemona and the standout track Avalon, Beautiful World captures your attention right from the start. While not being standout highlights, Tiny Ugly World and the title track fulfill their roles by keeping the record cohesive. Especially noteworthy are the instrument arrangements in Beautiful World, with tasty pipes spread throughout, which is something to admire. While Wheel and The Unquiet Grave are the highlights of the second half of the record, Into the Blue does a splendid job as an epic album closer.
Though it could be a little shorter, Beautiful World never ceases to amaze the listener. The compositions, brilliant folky hooks, superior individual performances, and excellent vocal deliveries make you almost feel the mountain breeze on your face. Some listeners might identify this record's feeling as happy or uplifting. However, for me, while it's full of peaceful tunes, I can't deny the fact that Beautiful World made me feel melancholic most of the time. And it's beautiful.
Highlights:
White Noise
Desdemona
Avalon
Wheels
The Unquiet Grave
Ratıng: 8.5 / 10
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