The Olympic Symphonium
More In Sorrow Than In Anger
Forward Music 2008
Never has an album appealed to me on such a grassroots level, as does More In Sorrow Than In Anger. This often reflective, always solemn effort is the second release from Fredericton’s The Olympic Symphonium. The band was originally started as an escape from the high energy rock/pop acts that Graham Walker, Nick Cobham, and Kyle Cunjak had become accustomed to playing in. That collaboration culminated in 2007′s Chapter One, and has continued to evolve, having laid the foundation for this latest release.
The trio’s sound is organized and precise, while remaining fresh and original. Each member takes turns with singing and song writing, and they all swap instruments, though none of this is surprising considering Cobham and Cunjak helped found a band called Share. Though there certainly are layered elements, the album prides itself on a brilliant sort of simplicity.
More In Sorrow ditches the sometimes clichéd perception of love related angst. Instead, the band explores many kinds of sorrow, whether it be viewing it with acceptance or despair. While Blood From A Stone is the best example of the former, one can look to The Note and Side By Side, where the theme of desolation is most visible. Whatever emotion is at stake, the beautiful vocals of all three musicians somehow accent perfectly. My personal favourite is Malleable, a soft introspective featuring little more than quiet strumming and striking harmonies.
This album is certainly, though likely unintentionally a concept album. The Olympic Symphonium have taken a broad subject, and superbly dissected it in a very poetic fashion. No matter how strong or desolate the atmosphere of this album becomes, an innate beauty is always visible. On only their second release, this New Brunswick band has emerged as one of the Maritimes’ most promising acts.
[...] internationally, nearly three years has passed since the release of The Olympic Symphonium’s More In Sorrow Than In Anger. In the meantime, the Fredericton based outfit has been touring across Canada with stops in the US [...]