REVIEW: The Shadow Out of Tim

The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets
The Shadow Out of Tim
© 2007 Divine Industries Inc.
http://www.thickets.net

The Shadow Out of Tim is the Lovecraft-inspired story of a man who witnesses something of sanity-devastating awfulness then, later, embarks on a journey to restore his shattered life, only to discover a web of secrets, lies, and primordial evil. The story includes numerous references to Lovecraft’s mythos, particularly to “The Shadow Out of Time,” which serves as the direct inspiration for the album’s story. As a Lovecraft fan, the concept alone was enough for me to give the latest album from The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets—a group I was not familiar with—a chance. I was pleased to discover that The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets deliver, not only a solid concept album—which tells its story effectively and compellingly through music—but a Geek-Rock opus of the highest caliber.


Structure weighs heavily in the success of a concept album. Some, like Yes’s Tales From Topographic Oceans, focus on philosophical themes, with each part focusing on one aspect of the concept. Others, like Nine Inch Nail’s The Downward Spiral, follow a story, with each song focusing on a specific incident or emotional state. The Shadow Out of Tim falls squarely in the later camp, with most songs being a direct continuation of the album’s plot. There are some exceptions, particularly at the end of the album, which act as footnotes, but even these still prove relevant to the story. Musically, each song is tailored to its role in the story, from the assured “Chapter 1: A Marine Biologist” to the disconcerting madness of “Chapter IX: Ride the Flying Polyp.”

Oh, and did I mention that it was funny? While not a straight comedy, The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets tell a story that could easily be suited to an overbearing Cradle of Filth album in a manner that, instead, remains energetic and fun, full of witty lines and playful barbs at the horror clichés that Lovecraft himself helped create. It is this energy and humor that truly sets The Shadow Out of Tim from other Horror-Rock, just as its adherence to its particular story sets it apart from other Geek-Rock. The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets have crafted an album that takes the best of these milieus and combines them effectively into their best album thus far.

MUST OWN if… you are a fan of Lovecraft and good rock.
STRONGLY RECOMNEDED if… you like horror or geek rock or are interested in getting to know these genres.

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