This album was. . . different to say in the least. I don’t usually listen to instrumental albums, much less ones made by a one man band. I can really appreciate and sympathize with Sam Blum with the struggles of undertaking anything on that degree by yourself because this whole review site and everything is made, managed, and was created by one singular person. So when Sam emailed me about his band, Cities of the Plain, I almost felt compelled to listen to this album because I wanted to see what one man could do, and how well he could do it. And I can honestly say I was impressed.

Before I say anything, I will admit that I did not expect much at all from “Where Our Homes Used To Be” because I thought it was going to be Sam and a computer doing the work (meaning creating the sound and implementing it) and not just Sam by himself most of the time. But anyway, that’s not the point. “Where Our Homes Used To Be” is an album that uses its sounds to create images in your mind that are quite vivid and detailed if your mind can interpret music like that that is. I very much enjoyed the idea of just one man being able to produce this caliber of an instrumental album by himself, and how good he was able to pull it off, because the thought is almost foreign in the music world especially in metal. The entire album creates a plethora of sounds that are unique and very moody that really sets the mood for either the song or even the entire album. He also uses sound bits that don’t involve music to also enhance the feel for a track or two like the first few seconds of the opening track. And also, that badass cover really helps set the mood if you look at it long enough and over think it. But still, really good album for what it is and the time and skill it took to create.

LISTEN to/BUY “Where Our Homes Used To Be” : http://citiesoftheplainmetal.bandcamp.com/

LIKE Cities of the Plain on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cities-of-the-Plain/312982235407397?ref=hl