What keeps many listeners from enjoying instrumental rock music is
obvious: There are no vocals. It’s not often that a rock record is
hindered by including vocals. But that’s the case with The
Foundation, the Machine, the Ascension. From the sci-fi epic
opening of “Genetics Like Chess Pieces” to the Muse-inspired interlude
of “Those Who Came Before Pt. 1” and the massively thick pummeling of
“Abraxas Pt. 1,” it’s clear Constants can produce stadium-sized
eruptions with riffs that will make guitar-heads drool. The problem?
Singer-guitarist Will Benoit’s voice is distracting. Doused in echo and
buffed to a synthetic studio shine, Benoit belts out his words in a
weak attempt to sound prodigious. But he just sounds like an
undeveloped version of Sunny Day Real Estate’s Jeremy Enigk. You’re
better off waiting for the vocals-free mix. — Matt
Whelihan
This article appears in Jul 15-21, 2009.
