The seventh album by Nebraska based indie outfit CURSIVE is just as complex and disjointed as any of their prior releases. Focusing around the story of an estranged set of twins, it is remarkably difficult to follow the theories and ideas that attempt to pull the album together. When an album requires a twelve page booklet to fully explain the complicated relationships between the characters (acting as a guide to the visual pantomime undoubtedly clear in the mind of Tim Kasher, the creative force behind the quartet), it is almost ludicrous to expect a coherent narrative simply by listening. For this reason ‘I Am Gemini’ takes a significant amount of listening effort.
The album is roughly as accessible as a brick wall, both in terms of explanation and musical direction. Although CURSIVE have never shied away from complex time signatures and a heavy use of experimentation, ‘I Am Gemini’ plays as if THE MARS VOLTA have pushed themselves into pop territory. Expecting the listener to not only keep on top of the story but also keep track with the changing styles across the record is a massive gamble by the band.
There are moments on the record where CURSIVE pull it off, with particular highlights including the album opener (‘This House Alive’), ‘Gemini’ and the upbeat yet devastating ‘The Cat and Mouse’. Unfortunately, the album is riddled with equally misguided songs; none more so than the lead single ‘The Sun and the Moon’ which sounds remarkably flat when compared with the remaining compositions.
CURSIVE can be commended on their dedication to provide complex concept albums. ‘I Am Gemini’ is unquestionably interesting, if not slightly confused. For those willing to put the time into the record, and forgive the odd error in musical direction, the record offers plenty of rewards. Despite this, as a whole the album is too complicated to simply listen to, and flawed enough to discourage the required dedication. ‘I Am Gemini’ will find CURSIVE burrowing themselves deeper into a compartment all their own; take it or leave it.
BEN TIPPLE