Long Distance Calling has been doing their own brand of instrumental post-rock since 2006. With
three great albums to their credit, the band decided to make a bold move by hiring a vocalist. While LDC has had one song on each of their albums with a vocalist, it was still a concern that this would be too much of a change and upset long-time fans, myself included. Martin Fischer was the lucky vocalist chosen for "The Flood Inside."
The good news for fans is that the album is half instrumental, half vocal. I had figured they would use Fischer on each track. Instead he also proves "sounds and samples" on all tracks. As for the songs, I admit I prefer the instrumentals. Fischer is a good vocalist, but not in the league with Jonas Renkse
(Katatonia) or John Bush (Armoured Saint) who were on the last two albums.
Fischer is solid but tends to blend in with the instruments, which seems to make
the songs a bit claustrophobic.
The highlights are the opener "Nucleus" (LDC in full flight
here), the sample-laden "Waves" ("waves...waves...waves") and the epic "Breaker" which affirms the band is still more comfortable with the instruments doing the singing. The bonus track is "Black Hole," which is another instrumental, thus tipping the scales in that direction. I admire that LDC made a bold move,
but somehow I think they still prefer doing things like they always have...and
they are GOOD at it.
