mind.in.a.box
Broken Legacies
THYX Records
Six albums into the grandiose cyberpunk yarn they’ve been spinning since 2004, new releases from mind.in.a.box need to be evaluated both on the curve of their impressive musical development and the depth and flair they add to the world they’ve been steadily populating with characters and conflicts. On the latter score, Broken Legacies does a good deal more than the crib notes offered on Memories to get people caught up, and musically it takes some gambles by downshifting into a somber yet vulnerable mode we’ve rarely heard the band hitherto explore.
Getting particulars taken care of first, the narrative of the record turns back to our protagonist Black’s quarry, or “The Friend”, for those who’ve been following along since the beginning. We follow him through the time before his “crossing over” in Lost Alone, his defection from the malevolent and near-omnipotent Agency, his later aiding of Black, and the attacks levied against the malevolent Agency by The Friend and a broader resistance movement. This doesn’t specifically advance the story forward from where we last (chronologically) left Black, but it does a pleasant enough job of world building, and makes some interesting intimations about Black’s role in the larger narrative.
Musically, Broken Legacies switches back and forth between an oddly minimal style of instrumentation for m.i.a.b, which puts the focus on tightly packed sequences grinding over and over (“The Fall”), and the more baroque arrangements I’ve come to look for in the band’s work since Crossroads, like the excellent “Coming Down” which flits between punky guitars and bombastic breakdowns. “Icebox” manages to do both, starting off stuck in monochrome rhythmic passages before bursting out with some lively synth leads and the suddenly expansive and melodic vocals Stefan Poiss has been weaving into m.i.a.b for the past decade.
For much of its duration, Broken Legacies is generally a softer if not specifically quieter record than the past couple of m.i.a.b releases – a straight-up four-four number like “Attack” (presumably delivered from a voice within the Agency itself) is the exception – but Poiss and company find ways of conjuring new moods from partway familiar elements. None of the sounds on “Glory Days” are all that far off from those one might have found in earlier work, but the shuffling beat and bittersweet tone feel quite new. The same could be said for the oddly gothic and melancholy tone of “Arcade”, where Poiss’ vocals have a weathered vulnerability we’ve not heard before. “World Of Promises” recapitulates that sentiment in the familiar synthesized voice we’ve been hearing m.i.a.b use to express laments from the beginning, with melancholy futurepop instrumentation.
It’s not until the last of Broken Legacies‘ tunes that things seem to let loose in terms of the ambitious and prog-like compositions which have made their last three records so memorable. “Paranoia” and “Don’t Sleep” are welcome additions to that tradition, but I don’t want to suggest that Broken Legacies suffers for not turning to such excess more often; the weary and embattled tone with which The Friend relates his story is suited to the album’s quieter moments. mind.in.a.box haven’t become as beloved a band as they are by taking the shortest path, and the bellicose prequel of Broken Legacies ably adds to their mystique.
I was trying to put my finger on exactly what a good word would be to describe the overall feel of Broken Legacies, but you guys hit the nail on the head. It’s much more somber, melancholic, with a particularly noticeable emotional vulnerability. I will admit that upon my first and second listen through the album, I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about the album as a long time fan of MiaB who owns all of their albums. Overall though, I think this is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of their musically. It feels so varied and hits all the right notes for me that I can’t help but find more things I like about it with each listen.
So far, Paranoia has turned out to be my favorite song since I first listened to it. I just love how it kicks in with Stefan’s voice cutting through with that verse “It is just a matter of time before they kick in the door”.
Broken Legacies contains some of my favorite vocal work by Stefan Poiss. Particularly with my second favorite track on the album, “Glory Days”. Alongside the relatively minimalist approach, his vocals feels so smooth and strangely soothing despite the melancholic tone. I have to say I’m happy to add this to my music collection. Mind.In.A.Box seem to be one of few bands I still purchase physical media for, if only so that I can have instant access to their lyrics (not to mention the continuously sweet album art).
One thing interesting I noticed about this album is that Markus Hadwiger, who has written miab’s lyrics since the first album, is not credited. The lyrics are now credited to Josh Kreger, who contributed lyrics to the last THYX album.
I’m curious about what happened to Markus, who is an exceptional storyteller. If you get a chance to interview Stefan again, please ask him!
I agree that this album feels a bit more somber, though miab never really produced dancefloor bangers. The production, lyrics and especially the vocal effects are still top-notch. I quite like Icebox, Don’t Sleep, World of Promises, and especially Arcade, which has some oustanding changes throughout. But after the first few listens, I have trouble recalling anything special about the other tracks on the album. I really want to find time to turn out all the lights, put on my headphones and immerse myself in this album.
It takes quitw a few apins and a good joint to appreciate this album… it’s some kind of progressive trance monster with a bit of rock and psychodelic sounds/melodies…. It’s been a week I can’t listen to anything else….. classic monster album