I'm really sold on it. I'd say there are 3 tracks that I'm not 100% fond of (I See Lights, Savage World, and Snake Ladders). Probably because those are songs where Mikee gets a bit more leash and goes into a bit weirder territory. That said, I think the songs are all well-crafted, the production is tight, Adrian's playing is top-notch and experimental, his backing vocals (as well as Tarin Kerry's) are perfect, and there's a nice mix of brutal and beautiful (the title track and Mirror and the Moon, for example). The more I listen, the more I hear- layers upon layers. For me, there are some amazing moments, but in typical Smith fashion, they're not always blatantly obvious but are stylishly done. Case in point- the instrumental section at the end of the very heavy and aggressive No Friendly Neighbor-3 sections, two stanzas each, and each builds on the previous. It's a wonderful composition, especially when Abi's viola is deftly added in, and probably the type of outro that Harris has been trying to write for years now. The 7-8 really solid tracks all carry the Smith Seal of Quality, even if he doesn't launch into a minute-long solo and go all widdly-widdly. By his own admission, it's experimental and his playing is atypical in spots. That's a good thing, IMO, because it shows he can still branch out and give us something new and unexpected. The album is reflective of the different musical poles that the creators represent- classic metal and avante garde, chaotic. I think they do a remarkable job of blending both styles and finding common ground. It goes beyond a typical "side project" for an established artist and also reins in Mikee's wild impulses to present his style in a more traditional way, but still pushes boundaries. There are the soft, subtle moments, but what has me "over the moon" (if I can borrow your phrase), is the heaviness throughout (almost). It's much heavier and aggressive than I would have thought Adrian was capable of, and I love it! Finally, the way the songs are arranged on the album shows that thought and care went into that aspect, as well as the cracking production. Leading off with a blistering track like No Friendly Neighbor was perfect, and the album rises, falls, rises again- teasing the listener with a crescendo, but then ending with something that is both fragile and powerful at the same time (Mirror and the Moon). Clearly, they were able to compose some heavy songs and could have ended with an iron (no pun intended, sorta) hand, but instead went for the deeper cut. So, yeah, I really enjoy Awoken Broken. There will be those that do NOT like Mikee's vocals or Adrian's experimental, non-shredder approach, but further and deeper listens mean this will be an album that stays relevant for a long time, not like a quickly written, recorded, and produced affair that is half-baked. 9/10.
Alright, you're off the hook . . . for now! Through various friends and sources, I have heard the album in its entirety. I'll await your review before I start spilling "ink" all over this forum. Hint: I was smiling at the end of the first listen. Cheers!
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