Wolverine

Somewhere between Cold Light of Monday (2003) and now, I lost track of Wolverine, despite my addiction to the band's sophomore record and, especially, its momentous closing track. With that song ("The Final Redemption") and the passing years in mind, I wasn't sure the Swedes' newest release could capture the same gloomy, progressive magic. Communication Lost proves they can. Again, there are a few standout cuts where elements come together irresistibly well ("Your Favourite War" and "Pulse," for instance), but the whole record could easily loop on repeat for hours without losing its appeal. There's a fairly steady momentum to Communication Lost ― though the beats and rhythms shift from pulsing to ponderous, syncopated to straight, the album maintains a fairly consistent medium pace, relying on volume, arrangements and instrumentation to bring out the artistic dynamics. Just past the mid-way point, Wolverine tone things down with a piano/strings/vocal ballad, but in either direction the soundscape is more dramatic. Straightforward rock and post-rock undercurrents, progressive bombast and emotional solos, immersive vocal melodies and flowing instrumental breaks reach a climax in the penultimate track before eerily easing away.