How to Measure a Planet?
The Gathering · 1998
103 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock
A sprawling blend of atmospheric gothic textures and progressive rock intricacies, inviting listeners into a vast sonic universe.
Top tracks — play these first
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Frail (You Might as Well Be Me) Start here — Opening with haunting vocals over layered instrumentals, this track introduces the album's thematic exploration of vulnerability and identity, setting a contemplative tone.
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Great Ocean Road — With its lush arrangement and emotive lyrics, this song captures the essence of longing and introspection that permeates the album.
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How to Measure a Planet? — The title track spans nearly half an hour, showcasing the band's ability to weave complex narratives through extended musical passages that challenge traditional song structures.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's ambitious structure and atmospheric depth contribute to its lasting appeal within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features several tracks that exceed seven minutes, with extended instrumental sections that create a meditative atmosphere.
- Vocals often intertwine with layered guitar and keyboard textures, creating a dense soundscape rather than a traditional verse-chorus structure.
- The last three tracks gradually decrease in tempo and intensity, allowing for a reflective conclusion to the album's expansive journey.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with introspection
- extended finale for deep reflection
- haunting vocals for emotional depth
- dynamic journey through soundscapes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy listening experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Showcases a deliberate departure towards a more experimental sound.
- Themes
- vulnerability and identity· oceanic longing· experimental soundscapes
- Career context
- Released in 1998, How to Measure a Planet? marked The Gathering's transition towards a more experimental sound following their acclaimed album Mandylion. This record showcased their artistic evolution as they embraced longer compositions and intricate arrangements, solidifying their place within the progressive metal genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anathema· My Dying Bride· Paradise Lost
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Frail (You Might as Well Be Me) Start here 5:04
- 2 Great Ocean Road 6:19
- 3 Rescue Me 6:22
- 4 My Electricity 3:32
- 5 Liberty Bell 6:01
- 6 Red Is a Slow Colour 6:25
- 7 The Big Sleep 5:01
- 8 Marooned 5:55
- 9 Travel 9:06
Disc 2
- 1 South American Ghost Ride 4:25
- 2 Illuminating 5:41
- 3 Locked Away 3:23
- 4 Probably Built in the Fifties 7:26
- 5 How to Measure a Planet? 28:32
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
A Natural Disaster
Anathema
Explores themes of vulnerability and longing with expansive soundscapes and emotional depth.
Ghost Reveries
Opeth
Shares intricate compositions with atmospheric textures and a blend of heavy and soft dynamics.
In Absentia
Porcupine Tree
Combines progressive rock intricacies with dark, introspective themes in a rich sonic landscape.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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