VNVNation* – Matter+Form

Prior to the release of “Matter + Form”, a huge hype was built up and the album was made out to be a megalithic, but strictly familiar, release. When it finally came out, many were quick to abandon Harris’ dynamic creation, regardless of the rich ed this musician has given us. But the way I see it, this album is what “Futureperfect” should have been. Instead of sticking to their somewhat predictable – yet enjoyable – pattern, Harris has spread his wings and unleashed a torrent of eclectic dark electronic music. The music ranges from hard, pounding EBM, to light, upbeat pop industrial/rock, to trance-y anthemic music. Furthermore, the emphasis on lyrics and writing (which started after “Advance and Follow”) has began to wane, and the instrumental tracks found here are some of the best on the album, and some of the best songs I’ve ever heard in general. Change is good. I’m glad Harris decided to realize his own talent, and utilize it to the fullest of his potential. The two tracks that I can do without are “Colours of Rain” & “Endless Skies.” I feel they contribute nothing to the release. Overall, the music is better and more original, and the fewer vocals and lyrics are put to much better use. So ignore the fools who put down this album; “Matter + Form” is one of the best industrial releases of 2005.

I was skeptical about this album because VNV has released some pretty brilliant albums in the past and I was worried they may slip up and release something subpar... they didn't do that here. What they did do is reinvent themselves somewhat and get closer to becoming songwriters first and dancefloor killers second. The single "Chrome" wasn't a good choice for the first track in my opinion because the drums sound cheesy on it, but after that the rest of the album is pretty great. "Arena" will still tear up dancefloors while showing a bit more of a pop sensability about songwriter Ronan Harris. Then you have a couple instrumentals in the middle which show how great Humate and Ronan are as producers... then you have a really aggro song in "Entropy," when they perform this live it is time to get your mosh on a bit. Then they take it back the other way with "Endless Skies" and Homeward" which are slower and more melodic.. "Homeward" is absolutely brilliant, could be the best song he's ever written. "Perpetual" is the band's self-proclaimed "favorite song to perform live" and if you see them on this tour or on future tours you will see why, they perform it perfectly and it brings the house down. VNV Nation and Ronan still have what it takes to make a brilliant album.

This album is more of a follow up to the masterful "Futureperfect," yet still manages to be an excellent piece of musicianship in its own right. As usual, Ronan Harris sculpts his sonic medium as an artist sculpts clay. The album opens with a typical short, minute-and-a-half song designed to get the listener pumped for "Chrome," the first single, and really more of a dance/electronica tune than futurepop/EBM tune. As the album progresses through outstanding song after outsianding song, Harris manages once again to demonstrate his distinct ability to make each song sound different; to turn each song into a piece of its own, much like articles in a magazine. The topper is the incredible and, dare I say, epic 5 1/2-minute "Homeward," the climax indeed of the CD. The album ends with "Lightwave," another excellent sonic experience, and "Perpetual," a typical finisher for a VNVN album. While it won't live up to its predecessor, "Matter + Form" is certainly worthy of anyone's collection.