Proving they’re not just famed for their cheese and chocolate, Switzerland boast a healthy music scene, with This Misery Garden’s latest album Cornerstone contributing towards that. Melancholy is at the heart of this album intertwined with alternative rock sensibilities and song writing prowess which is brought to life on tracks ‘Human ET’ and ‘Warning Zone’.
There are a few faults to be found on this record; vocalist Steve has an impressive range, despite the lyrical friction with the English language and the musical formula this five piece use is also very rigid. There’s very little room for any spontaneity or any progressive frolics; the elements that would have made ‘Cornerstone’ a little more “human” and fun to listen to.
Despite the professionalism of the musicianship behind this striking opus, there is a sense that This Misery Garden lack the imagination to really let go and create something that is not just text book melancholic rock, but something truly passionate that moves its listeners. This is a band trapped in formality and their creativity suffers as a result.
7/10
Raymond Westland