We are far from the harshness of God Machine's world, and Robin Proper-Shepard plunges into a new "melancholic" mission (the third official one) under the banner of Sophia. An obscure, deep, bittersweet journey that constitutes the right mix for every self-respecting American decadent songwriter.
Just look at his intense gaze, full of sad stories to tell, and you'll immediately get an idea of what each of his musical works might contain.
This latest work is definitely more linear and well-structured compared to the previous ones, offering more catchy and rocking tracks, yet without giving up on staying in the foggiest shadows.
Indeed, just listen to the opening track of "People Are Like Seasons," "Oh My Love," and you'll immediately sense that something has changed in the Sophia universe; "Swept Back" follows closely and evokes deep emotions starting with Shepard's voice, capable of giving goosebumps.
Slowly, we reach "Desert Song N.2," one of the best moments, starting on a subdued note and exploding in the last 60 seconds with a "acid and distorted" sound worthy of early Mogwai.
The most "rock" moments of the album are "Darkness (Another Shade In Your Back)" and "If A Change Is Gonna Come," featuring an electric and robust sound that will convince even those who have the idea of Sophia as just a "tear-jerking melancholic ballad" band.
For those who love this band, this latest effort will surely not be the most beautiful album, far from the previous masterpieces, but personally, I consider "People Are Like Seasons" one of the best surprises of early 2004, and for those who are not familiar with them yet, this is a good calling card to start with, perhaps later, a backward journey always and in any case inside a very dark tunnel. Pleasant.
If you listen to this album in your room, an avalanche of dried autumn leaves will cover you up to the tip of your ears.
The album is good, but I believe that after a few listens many of you will move on to something else, forgetting it for a while (to then rediscover, in a couple of months, again how beautiful it is and so on...).
Our super depressed shopkeeper comes back to us while we’ve attempted suicide a couple of times... with this People Are Like Season.
I could play around with my castanets for hours and achieve a much more depressing result.