Headstash

REVIEW: Papadosio’s New Double Album, “T.E.T.I.O.S.”

On October 16, electronica quintet Papadosio will release their latest double-disc album, “T.E.T.I.O.S.,” standing for “To End the Illusion of Separation,” to the public.

According to the band’s official website, “T.E.T.I.O.S.” is “dedicated to the next horizon which is revealing itself little by little” and concentrates on the idea that the universe is “moving away from being caught in an illusion of separation, and towards something more unified.” This is the overall focus of the album, as is evident from the very first track.

“T.E.T.I.O.S.” is unlike most albums in that the band has collaborated with a myriad of visual artists, including Andrew Wagner, Justin Cuse and Amanda Sage, to create a 24-page art portfolio featuring unique pieces specially made to complement each song.

Disc one, containing 11 tracks, begins with “Direction Song,” a new-age sounding tune with a simple, straightforward melody and somewhat repetitive lyrics. It lays the foundation for the following songs, emphasizing the need for change in the world at present.

Next is “We Are Water,” which starts off with mellow background music before delving into a scientific explanation of water and its properties. It reminds the listener that water is an integral part of the human makeup and that its energy levels are affected by positive or negative emotions. As the song progresses, it becomes more upbeat, with increased percussion and beautiful piano sounds.

“The Sum” is pretty, soft and soothing, and its lyrics deal with humankind’s mission, asking philosophical questions and pondering the meaning of life.

Skipping ahead, “The Bionic Man Meets His Past” has a much funkier vibe than the previous songs and blends an electronic element with the melodic piano sound.

There are a variety of sounds present in “Method of Control,” as it launches into a spiel about the way in which humanity is lost before coming in with vocals and a somewhat slow tempo. Later on, the song goes through several transitions – dancelike to psychedelic to a repeat of the chorus, then to dark and heavy, before finally switching back to psychedelic.

“Mancoluto” features a shamanic-like chant and peaceful, soft background music with maracas. It is drastically different from any of the other tracks on disc one.

Disc two, featuring 9 tracks, commences with “Cue,” an upbeat, mostly instrumental song that transitions into a very nice, rhythmic Latin American sound about halfway through, before going back to its initial feel and becoming more intensified towards the end.

“Right Now” contains pleasant vocals and the uplifting message that “it’s written in the stars for you.” Going right along with the lyrics, there is a rather cosmic auditory element added in by the synthesizers.

An oriental-inspired beginning can be heard in “Find Your Cloud,” followed by bass and a surge of whimsical notes. Towards the middle, it becomes more fast-paced before slowing down slightly into a happy melody. It then picks up again, and the high-pitched guitar riffs, in particular, stand out. The entire song continuously switches from one sound to the next and then back, as the band tends to do frequently on this album.

“Planting the Seeds of Life,” the final song of the second disc, wraps up the album by underscoring its general message and reminding the audience that “the change we’re looking for comes from inside.”

A great number of these tunes are characterized by slow tempos. The vocals, in particular, in many of the songs are extremely drawn out and somewhat hypnotizing. There are various external auditory effects that serve to enhance the feel of certain tracks, such as cicadas, robotic voices and the sound of waves crashing on the shore.

Overall, the instrumentals are by far the most impressive aspect of “T.E.T.I.O.S.” However, the album’s theme, which is effectively driven home to listeners, is one of unity, universal understanding and enlightenment. This album is not necessarily made for casual listening - it is one whose primary purpose is to communicate a message from artist to audience.

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Buy "T.E.T.I.O.S." online via Papadosio's website starting Tuesday, October 16.