Controlling Crowds is Archive's seventh studio album, released in 2009. It is a concept album that consists of four parts, each with its own mood and style. The album explores the themes of control, manipulation, alienation and resistance in the modern society. The album features the vocals of Dave Pen, Pollard Berrier, Maria Q and Rosko John, as well as guest appearances by rapper Smiley and singer Mike Bird.
The opening track "Controlling Crowds" introduces the main theme of the album with a haunting chorus: "We're just trying to get some control / On this situation here / Which is spinning out of control". The track is followed by "Bullets", a powerful trip-hop song that features a rap by Rosko John and a catchy hook by Dave Pen. The song criticizes the violence and corruption in the world: "Bullets are the beauty of the blistering sky / Bullets are the beauty and I don't know why". The next track "Words on Signs" is a slower and more melancholic song that features the vocals of Maria Q. The song reflects on the emptiness and meaninglessness of words in the media: "Words on signs / They don't mean anything / They don't say anything". The part ends with "Dangervisit", a 10-minute epic that combines progressive rock, electronica and orchestral music. The song builds up from a quiet piano intro to a climactic finale with soaring vocals by Pollard Berrier and Dave Pen. The song warns about the dangers of conformity and submission: "Don't let them take control / Don't let them take your soul".
The second part of the album starts with "Quiet Time", a soothing instrumental track that creates a contrast with the previous part. The track is followed by "Collapse/Collide", a dark and heavy song that features the vocals of Mike Bird and Smiley. The song describes the collapse of the system and the collision of different forces: "Everything's falling apart / Everything's coming together". The next track "Clones" is a more upbeat and energetic song that features the vocals of Dave Pen and Rosko John. The song mocks the clones of society who follow the same patterns and trends: "You're all clones / All are one and one are all". The part ends with "Bastardised Ink", a slow and atmospheric song that features the vocals of Pollard Berrier. The song criticizes the bastardisation of art and culture by the media: "They take your words / And make them theirs / They take your art / And make it theirs".
The third part of the album starts with "Kings of Speed", a fast-paced and dynamic song that features the vocals of Dave Pen and Rosko John. The song celebrates the thrill of speed and freedom: "We are kings of speed / We are kings of freedom". The track is followed by "Whore", a harsh and aggressive song that features the vocals of Maria Q. The song denounces the whore of society who sells herself for money and power: "You're just a whore / You're just a whore / You're just a whore". The next track "Chaos" is a chaotic and experimental song that features the vocals of Pollard Berrier, Dave Pen, Rosko John and Smiley. The song depicts the chaos of the world and the madness of humanity: "Chaos reigns / Chaos reigns / Chaos reigns". The part ends with "Razed to the Ground", a somber and emotional song that features the vocals of Dave Pen. The song mourns the destruction of everything by war and greed: "Everything's razed to the ground / Everything's gone".
The fourth and final part of the album consists of only one track, "Funeral". It is a 17-minute masterpiece that combines all the elements of Archive's music: trip-hop, progressive rock, electronica, orchestral music, rap, rock opera, choir, spoken word and more. It is a funeral for humanity, for society, for culture, for art, for love, for hope. It is a funeral for everything that was lost or corrupted. It is a funeral for the controlling crowds. The track features the vocals of all the singers who participated in the album, as well as a guest appearance by rapper Roots Manuva. The track is divided into several sections, each with its own style and mood. The track starts with a solemn and mournful orchestral intro, followed by a rap by Roots Manuva that sets the tone for the funeral: "This is the funeral of the controlling crowds / This is the funeral of the lost and found / This is the funeral of the broken and bound / This is the funeral of the underground". The track then transitions to a rock opera section that features the vocals of Dave Pen, Pollard Berrier, Maria Q and Rosko John. The section is a dialogue between different characters who express their feelings and thoughts about the funeral: "Are you here for the funeral? / Yes, I'm here for the funeral / Who are you here for? / I'm here for myself / I'm here for you / I'm here for everyone / I'm here for no one". The track then transitions to a trip-hop section that features the vocals of Dave Pen and Maria Q. The section is a duet between two lovers who say their final goodbye: "I'll always love you / I'll always love you too / But we have to go / We have to go now". The track then transitions to a spoken word section that features the voice of Darius Keeler, one of the founders of Archive. The section is a speech that addresses the controlling crowds and their consequences: "You've been controlling crowds for too long / You've been controlling minds for too long / You've been controlling hearts for too long / You've been controlling souls for too long / You've been controlling life for too long / You've been controlling death for too long / You've been controlling everything for too long / And now it's time to let go". The track then transitions to a choir section that features the voices of all the singers who participated in the album, as well as a guest appearance by singer Mike Bird. The section is a chorus that sings a farewell to the controlling crowds: "Goodbye controlling crowds / Goodbye controlling crowds / Goodbye controlling crowds / Goodbye". The track then transitions to an orchestral outro that echoes the intro, but with a more hopeful and optimistic tone. The track ends with a final whisper by Darius Keeler: "Goodbye".
Controlling Crowds is a limited edition release that contains two CDs and features high-quality FLAC audio files. FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec, which is a format that compresses audio files without losing any quality or data. FLAC files are larger than MP3 files, but they offer better sound quality and fidelity. Controlling Crowds is also available in other formats, such as MP3, CD and vinyl.
Controlling Crowds is a masterpiece of trip-hop and progressive rock, as well as one of Archive's best albums. It is an album that challenges, provokes, inspires and moves the listener. It is an album that reflects the state of the world and humanity in 2009, but also transcends time and space. It is an album that deserves to be heard by anyone who appreciates music as an art form and as a means of expression.
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Here is the continuation of the HTML article on the topic of "Archive Controlling Crowds 2009 Limited Edition 2CD FLAC 13": Controlling Crowds received critical acclaim from music critics and fans alike. The album was praised for its ambitious scope, its musical diversity, its lyrical depth and its emotional impact. The album was also nominated for several awards, such as the Mercury Prize, the Q Awards and the Progressive Music Awards. The album was also a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in several countries, such as France, Germany, Switzerland and Poland.
Controlling Crowds was followed by a world tour that lasted from 2009 to 2010. The tour featured Archive performing the album in its entirety, as well as some of their previous hits. The tour was also accompanied by a visual show that enhanced the experience of the album. The tour was recorded and released as a live album and DVD in 2010, titled Controlling Crowds Part IV.
Controlling Crowds is a landmark album in Archive's discography, as well as in the history of trip-hop and progressive rock. It is an album that showcases Archive's creativity, talent and vision. It is an album that challenges the listener to think, feel and act. It is an album that deserves to be heard by anyone who appreciates music as an art form and as a means of expression.
Here is the continuation of the HTML article on the topic of "Archive Controlling Crowds 2009 Limited Edition 2CD FLAC 13": Controlling Crowds received critical acclaim from music critics and fans alike. The album was praised for its ambitious scope, its musical diversity, its lyrical depth and its emotional impact. The album was also nominated for several awards, such as the Mercury Prize, the Q Awards and the Progressive Music Awards. The album was also a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in several countries, such as France, Germany, Switzerland and Poland.
Controlling Crowds was followed by a world tour that lasted from 2009 to 2010. The tour featured Archive performing the album in its entirety, as well as some of their previous hits. The tour was also accompanied by a visual show that enhanced the experience of the album. The tour was recorded and released as a live album and DVD in 2010, titled Controlling Crowds Part IV.
Controlling Crowds is a landmark album in Archive's discography, as well as in the history of trip-hop and progressive rock. It is an album that showcases Archive's creativity, talent and vision. It is an album that challenges the listener to think, feel and act. It is an album that deserves to be heard by anyone who appreciates music as an art form and as a means of expression.
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