VNV Nation – Transnational

VNV Nation has always been one of my favourite bands. Ever since i discovered them back in 2005.

Transnational is a big departure from anything they had released prior. I am not saying that VNV Nation had sold its sound out to gain popularity. But recently the past few years (2-3 perhaps) I have not listened to much of the new things they release. And i know i should. I did listen to a few tracks from this release and i can say yes, its VNV Nation, Ronan writes great as always, but the sounds have become watered down. I am a big VNV fan and Futurepurfect, Empires, Judgment, even up to Of Faith, Power and Glory has been awesome. The classic VNV sounds can be herd all the way up to a few tracks in Automatic. But this release had almost done away with that signature sound that made me fall in love with VNV Nation.

One thing that isnt so clear is that why bands "evolve"? I know VNV Nation will gain more grounds in other areas as far as new fans etc. But there was something special about the classic darker and happier melancholy uplift sounds that made VNV Nation what they become that isn't present anymore.

Retaliate seemed to have that familiar VNV vibe, probably one of the best of the album with its intense driving bassline and kick.
Songs like Lost Horizons has a great melody as an instrumental but again missing that VNV signature sound that i truly miss. but not is all lost when Teleconnect as the next track. I feel that something is still there, but its fading away.
Alot the tracks on this ablum have a comerical buzz to them witch throws me off of it, as much as i would want to it that yes this is still the same VNV Nation from Empires, a part of me doesnt like the direction. The melodies are beautiful and the lyrics are good as said before.
Next i come across Aeroscope. Heavy industrial styled drums but i still feel that its could be a heavier darker VNV some where in there.

I was hoping for more sounds like Retaliate to be honest. Im left with a bit of taste of the classic VNV at the end of listening through the album but this album doesnt come close to the style they were 5-8 years ago.

The Album itself has a nice groove and I know this is VNV Nation, but it seems so far from the great years of Empires, Of faith power and glory. I hope that there will be more of the signature sounds in future releases. until then I'll keep every album they released up to Automatic. I really have no interest in purchasing this release.