All Input Is Error is a difficult album to pin down. Existing in a world flooded by tech-bro solo projects and a wave of phenomenally talented but creatively neutered musicians, this release by Pomegranate Tiger has risen above the rest to stand proudly at the peak of its contemporaries. Despite being essentially a solo project, the music on offer feels vital, organic, and driven by purpose, rather than as a showcase for Martin Andres‘ undeniably impressive drum and guitar chops. Opening track ‘Devils to Ourselves’ ebbs and flows through such diverse movements that it really shouldn’t work, but the masterful command of pacing and tension makes for a richly satisfying first listen and almost begs for a second.
Dispensing with any vocals in favour of lush layers of guitar and synth, there’s an almost lyrical quality to the arrangements on All Input Is Error. The myriad musical layers mesh together so intricately that the end result is something almost orchestral – verses and choruses become movements, conventional song structures evaporate without dissolving into directionless noodling, and it’s all immaculately produced. It’s a slick sounding record, and unashamedly modern – but it works here, with tangible dynamic shifts in almost every song that make you strain to absorb the lulls and blow you back in your seat with the highs. Riffs slither in and out of the mix, the drums delicately choreograph the songs towards every peak and trough, and there’s just enough electronic glitter to accentuate and elevate the music to much more than your garden variety Djent drudgery.
“Djentists will be stroking their carefully cultivated goatees in approval”
The one-two punch of ‘Poison Pen’ and ‘The Cryptographer’ in the middle of the album is a perfect example, stepping up the pace and bringing the tracks to a fever pitch with rolling blasts of palm-muted guitar and pummelling drums. Pomegranate Tiger know when to plant their foot firmly on the gas, and when they do the results are irresistible. Scatter-shot riffs are infused with just enough groove to encourage a hearty nod-along, and the technical prowess on display ensures the Djentists will be stroking their carefully cultivated goatees in approval.
When All Input Is Error pulls back the intensity, we hear a different side of the band. Acoustic guitars flicker over dreamy synths, the drums take a back seat, and we have a chance to catch our breath. On occasion, we’re left wondering if it’s a little too restrained – these meditative instrumentals might perhaps have benefited from a vocal here and there, or even a more assertive approach to melody, but in the context of the album the moments of calm serve their purpose. Title track All Input Is Error is easily the best executed of the bunch, mixing Eastern-tinged string flurries alongside bouncing guitar grooves that wouldn’t be out of place on a Supergiant Games soundtrack.
All Input Is Error sadly ends with a whimper rather than a bang, with album closer ‘Keyways’ meandering its way across the finish line without ever really asserting itself, dissolving into directionless drum bluster. But before we know it, the album’s looped back to the start, we’re stank-facing along to the intoxicating grooves of ‘Devils to Ourselves’ again, and it’s all starting to make sense.
AI might be a looming threat on the horizon for human musicians, but the machines have got a long way to go before they can create something this good. Highly recommended.