The Postman Syndrome are a band who obviously love contrasts.
Terraforming, the New Jersey outfit's first album, is full of intricate, rich melodies, but it is also full of angry, brutal, dissonant, jagged bursts of alternative metal/punk noise. Some of the melodies would have fit in on a
Pink Floyd,
Genesis, or
Yes album back in the '70s, while some of the noisier, more forceful passages could send a mosh pit into overdrive. And these two sides of the Postman Syndrome prove to be an intriguing contrast on this ambitious debut, which never comes across as confused, incoherent, or unfocused. When the Postman Syndrome offer a rich, elaborate melody one minute and a brutally dissonant, in-your-face outburst the next, the contrasts make sense; clearly, both are integral parts of the big picture. Of course, ambition alone doesn't make for great rock; the history of rock is full of albums that were ambitious and well-intended but creatively unsuccessful. However, the Postman Syndrome have more than good intentions -- these guys have thought things out and know how to make their ambition pay off. As much of a musical roller coaster as
Terraforming is, the songs sound like they were meant to happen. Like
Radiohead, the Postman Syndrome demonstrate that alternative rock can have as many interesting twists and turns as '70s progressive rock. But unlike
Radiohead, the Postman Syndrome have enough metallic moments to be relevant to the alternative metal scene. Those who are seeking something challenging and fresh-sounding from 21st century alternative rock would do well to explore the Postman Syndrome's promising debut. ~ Alex Henderson