crooked timber (2009)
Yep folks, album number 12* is out and about right now. We may appear to have had a ‘quiet’ couple of years but have spent it wisely… re-grouping, re-focusing and re-energising. It’s here folks, Crooked Timber.
Crooked Timber focuses more on rhythm, rather than melody. While it is a heavy recording, it’s not exactly the obvious path for us. Why?
Andy explains: “I guess we’re always challenging just what makes us Therapy?. After so many years, if we were formulaic about it, we’d have gotten bored with the band long ago. The album was written together as a band, and each track has its own concept and inspirations. They took a while to write and we’ve taken our time to write them.”
“From the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made.”
—Immanuel Kant (18th-century German philosopher)
“The recording is about celebrating people’s quirks, the things which make us unique. These days everyone tries to fit it, instead of just being themselves. The songs examine what it means to be human—to realise that we are the only living things on the planet aware of our own deaths.”
Crooked Timber is available throughout Europe from March 23rd 2009, other release dates to be announced. A limited edition 12″ white vinyl is available from March 30th 2009.
Buy it as CD, vinyl or MP3 at Amazon, on iTunes or direct from Global Music.
Read the stories behind the songs to learn more about their concept and inspirations.
* I’m counting Babyteeth and Pleasure Death as separate entities, o’ pedantic ones. —Michael
reviews of “crooked timber”
- Die Shellsuit, Die! —“An extremely enjoyable album to listen to …” (Apr 28th, 2009)
- Room Thirteen —“… throbbing with heavy bass and drums …” (Apr 9th, 2009)
- Drowned In Sound —“… keeping things good and heavy.” (Apr 9th, 2009)
- The Mag —“… you can listen to it from start to finish a hundred times over.” (Apr 9th, 2009)
- rushonrock —“Brilliant, brave and beautifully bleak.” (Apr 9th, 2009)
- Blistering —“… it sits waiting for you, at the back of a dark alley all teeth and claws.” (Mar 26th, 2009)
- Metal Team UK —“This is a stunning album by a band that has seen its ups and downs …” (Mar 26th, 2009)
- God Is In The TV —“… a brilliantly realized work of art and perhaps Therapy?’s most consistent album.” (Mar 26th, 2009)
- Metalzone —“… full of new ideas and clever riffs and the bass is very harsh and heavy.” (Mar 25th, 2009)
- Furyrocks —“… this is a mature masterpiece which you have to taste yourself.” (Mar 25th, 2009)
- Rock Midgets —“… a sign of things to come with its battering riffs and angular rhythms.” (Mar 25th, 2009)
- Rock Pulse —“… encourage any listener to actually take notice of every musical aspect of the album …” (Mar 25th, 2009)
- Subba-Cultcha —“… rhythmical intensity of some of the Amphetamine Reptile stable of the mid-‘90’s …” (Mar 25th, 2009)
- Rocksnail —“In today’s market which often has a penchant for the absurd this album is refreshing …” (Mar 25th, 2009)
- Lords Of Metal —“… against the grain type of rhythms, the dark melodies, pounding grooves …” (Mar 25th, 2009)
- Drop-D —“We’ve been waiting a long time. Oh yes. But my God, has the wait been worth it.” (Mar 25th, 2009)
Metal Hammer
“… the most startling album yet from the unpredictably fascinating band …”
Rock Sound
“Attitude, big repeated riffs, seriously, what more do you want?”
Hot Press
“… one of the most exhilarating records in their two decade career.”
Kerrang!
“… a proud and relevant collection from a sometimes weird, often wonderful, invariably talented group.”
Irish News
“It’s a classic - no question.”
NME
“… Therapy? could rise again.”
Classic Rock
“… when the album rocks it’s fabulous!”
Big Cheese
“… heaviest and grooviest set of songs to date … it’s almost impossible not to like.”
Fate Magazine
“… featuring some of the best buzz-saw riffing in years.”
AU Magazine
“… one of the most exciting albums the band have ever made.”
Powerplay
“Uncompromising, unpredictable and surprising at many points, this is a bold return from the Irish rockers.”
interviews about “crooked timber”
- Action Time! Radio Punkradiocast with Andy and the related Blaqart Radio Punkradiocast Q & A with Andy (May 30th, 2010)
- Sphere Magazine’s five minutes with… Andy, Michael and Neil at Download (June 24th, 2009)
- Alternative Vision’s interview with Andy and Michael (June 24th, 2009)
- Kerrang!’s podcast interview with Andy, Michael and Neil (May 8th, 2009)
- The Mag’s interview with Andy, Michael and Neil and their 02 Academy Islington live review (May 8th, 2009)
- Blistering’s interview with Andy (Apr 17th, 2009)
- Metal Revolution’s interview with Andy and Michael and their “Quick Five” questions including Neil (Apr 17th, 2009)
- Culture Northern Ireland’s interview with Andy (Apr 9th, 2009)
- Edwin McFee’s interview with Andy, Michael and Neil (Mar 26th, 2009)
- UlsterMusic’s interview with Andy and Michael (Mar 26th, 2009)
- State Magazine’s interview with Andy and Michael (Mar 26th, 2009)
- Entertainment.ie’s interview with Andy and Michael (Mar 25th, 2009)
- Metal Storm’s interview with Andy (Mar 25th, 2009)
- Lords Of Metal’s interview with Andy (Mar 25th, 2009)
- rushonrock’s interview with Andy (Mar 25th, 2009)