Nine Lives
Von Hertzen Brothers · 2013
47 min · 9 tracks · progressive rock
A vibrant tapestry of progressive rock that weaves intricate melodies with lyrical depth and dynamic shifts.
Top tracks — play these first
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Insomniac — Opening with a driving rhythm and introspective lyrics, this track encapsulates the album's exploration of personal struggles and emotional depth.
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Flowers and Rust — This song features lush arrangements and poignant lyrics that reflect on themes of time and decay, showcasing the band's knack for melody.
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World Without — With its expansive instrumentation and soaring vocals, this track serves as a centerpiece, exemplifying the band’s ability to blend complexity with accessibility.
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Black Heart’s Cry — The emotional weight of this track is conveyed through its haunting melodies and powerful vocal delivery, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate melodies and thoughtful lyrics, supported by strong production choices.
What we noticed
- Lyrically, the songs explore themes of introspection and existentialism, often using metaphorical language that invites deeper analysis.
- Each track features layered instrumentation, with guitar solos and harmonized vocals that create a rich soundscape.
- The final track, 'Prospect for Escape', serves as an extended outro, gradually fading out to leave a lingering sense of reflection.
- 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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7/10
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective journey
- melodic harmonies for introspection
- explorative themes of existence
- ideal for evening relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced excitement
- seek standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Nine Lives' was released in 2013, the Von Hertzen Brothers had already established themselves within the Finnish rock scene. This album marked their fifth studio release, following the successful 'Stars Aligned' in 2010, and showcased their continued evolution in sound and songwriting prowess.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Pineapple Thief· Porcupine Tree· Haken
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Coming Home
The verse shifts perspective to evoke nostalgia for lost connections, emphasizing longing through vivid imagery of familiar places.
This structural choice to evoke memory juxtaposes past warmth with present isolation, deepening the song's emotional impact.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Insomniac 3:57
- 2 Flowers and Rust 4:21
- 3 Coming Home 5:14
- 4 Lost in Time 5:10
- 5 Separate Forevers 4:44
- 6 One May Never Know 3:53
- 7 World Without 7:23
- 8 Black Heart’s Cry 4:55
- 9 Prospect for Escape 7:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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