In the Unlikely Event cover

Released 17 years ago this October

In the Unlikely Event

The Fall of Troy · 2009

52 min · 12 tracks · progressive rock

Dynamic riffs and intricate time signatures intertwine with soaring vocals, creating an exhilarating progressive rock experience.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Panic Attack! — Opening with frenetic energy, this track encapsulates the album's chaotic themes through rapid shifts in tempo and dynamic instrumentation.
  • →
    A Classic Case of Transference — This song showcases the band's ability to blend intricate guitar work with emotionally charged lyrics, highlighting their lyrical depth and musicianship.
  • →
    Webs — With its haunting melodies and complex structure, this track exemplifies the band's signature sound while exploring themes of entrapment and introspection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album's technical complexity and varied vocal styles contribute to its solid standing in progressive rock.

What we noticed

  • Vocals alternate between soaring melodies and aggressive shouts, particularly evident in 'Panic Attack!' and 'Straight-Jacket Keelhauled'.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Single

    This track features a moment where the narrative voice shifts from self-awareness to confrontation, reflecting on societal expectations.

    The shift in perspective amplifies the tension between personal identity and external pressures, enhancing the song's critique of conformity.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Panic Attack! 3:34
  • 2 Straight-Jacket Keelhauled 2:23
  • 3 Battleship Graveyard 5:10
  • 4 A Classic Case of Transference 4:42
  • 5 Single 3:05
  • 6 Empty the Clip, the King Has Been Slain, Long Live the Queen 3:17
  • 7 People and Their Lives 6:18
  • 8 Dirty Pillow Talk 4:17
  • 9 Nobody's Perfect 4:43
  • 10 Webs 4:17
  • 11 Walk of Fame 5:19
  • 12 Nature vs. Nurture 5:42

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata