Modern Synthesis
{{For|the topic in 20th century evolutionary biology|Modern synthesis}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{mfn|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Modern Synthesis
| type = studio
| artist = Area 11
| cover = Modern_Synthesis_by_Area_11,_July_1,_2016.jpg
| alt =
| released = 1 July 2016
| recorded = April 2015 – January 2016
| venue =
| studio = Room4 Studios,
{{small|(Bristol, United Kingdom)}}
| genre = {{flatlist|
- Post-hardcore{{Cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/Area-11/44322/|title=Area 11 reviews, music, news - sputnikmusic|website=www.sputnikmusic.com}}
- heavy metal{{cite web|title=All Music review|website=AllMusic |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/modern-synthesis-mw0002945383/user-reviews}}
- alternative rock{{Cite web|url=https://altcorner.com/reviews/area-11-modern-synthesis/|title=AREA 11 - Modern Synthesis}}
}}
| length = {{Duration|m=52|s=30}}
| label = Cooking Vinyl, Smihilism Records
| producer = Tom Clarke (Sparkles*)
| prev_title = All the Lights in the Sky
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = Let It Resonate
| next_year = 2016
| misc = {{Extra album cover
| header = Alternate Artwork
| type = album
| cover = Modern_Synthesis_album_CD_Area_11_Alternate_Artwork.png
| border =
| alt =
| caption =
}}
{{Singles
| name = Modern Synthesis
| type = studio
| single1 = Versus
| single1date = 13 November 2015
| single2 = Watchmaker
| single2date = 6 May 2016
| single3 = The Contract
| single3date = 13 June 2016
| single4 = Processor
| single4date = 2 June 2017
}}
}}
Modern Synthesis is the second studio album by English rock band Area 11.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/area-11-have-announced-a-new-album|title=Rock Sound – Modern Synth|work=Rock Sound Magazine }} It was released on 1 July 2016 and has an 11-song track list similar to their previous album All The Lights In The Sky. The album was written and partially recorded in Italy from between in the Spring of 2016 and then recorded in England throughout the rest of the year of 2015 into early 2016 between the band's tours.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rotosoundonline.com/?p=270|title=ROTOSOUND MUSIC STRINGS NEWS {{!}} Area 11|website=www.rotosoundonline.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-03-24}}
The writing process for this album was more collaborative than the band's other records, with Jonathan Kogan and Sparkles* sharing much of the work, and with band members Alex Parvis and Leo Taylor contributing. This album is the band's first to be partly distributed by a non-indie label: Cooking Vinyl.{{cite news |author1=Pearlman, Mischa |title=New Band Of The Week: Area 11 |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/new-band-of-the-week-area-11 |access-date=16 January 2021 |work=Louder Sound |date=July 18, 2016}}
Track list
{{Track listing
| headline =
|extra_column=| title0 = Override [B]
| length0 = 6:04
| writer0 = {{hlist|Sparkles*}}
| title1 = Override [C]
|note1=| length1 = 4:32
| writer1 = {{hlist|Sparkles*|Jonathan Kogan}}
|title2 = The Contract
|note2=| length2 = 3:58
| writer2 = {{hlist|Sparkles*|Jonathan Kogan}}
|title3 = Watchmaker
|note3=| length3 = 4:09
| writer3 = {{hlist|Sparkles*|Jonathan Kogan}}
|title4 = Versus
|note4=| length4 = 4:13
| writer4 = {{hlist|Sparkles*}}
|title5 = Processor
| length5 = 6:51
| writer5 = {{hlist|Sparkles*|Jonathan Kogan}}
| title6 = Red Queen
| length6 = 4:53
| writer6 = {{hlist|Jonathan Kogan|Area 11|}}
| title7 = Angel Lust
| length7 = 5:07
| writer7 = {{hlist|Sparkles*}}
| title8 = The Life of a Ghost
| length8 = 4:02
| writer8 = {{hlist|Leo Taylor |Sparkles*|Jonathan Kogan}}
| title9 = After the Flags
| length9 = 3:36
| writer9 = {{hlist|Sparkles*|Jonathan Kogan}}
| title10 = Nebula
| length10 = 4:12
| writer10 = {{hlist|Sparkles*|Jonathan Kogan}}
| title11 = Panacea and the Prelogue
| length11 = 6:57
| writer11 = {{hlist|Sparkles*|Jonathan Kogan|Leo Taylor}}
| total_length = 58:34
}}Note: As a hidden track, the previously released single, "Override [B]" is placed in the pregap of the first track Override [C]. This track is exclusive to the CD release of the album.
Personnel
= Area 11 =
= Additional musicians =
- Connie McGuinness Griffiths – vocals on "Panacea and the Prelogue"
- Megan Paschke – vocals on "Panacea and the Prelogue"
- Owen Piper – vocals on "Panacea and the Prelogue"
= Production =
- Sparkles* and Leo Taylor – engineering
- Phil Davies – additional engineering
- Sparkles* and Phil Davies – mixing
- Tom Woodhead – mastering
= Design =
- Daniel Houlb and Adam Davis – artwork
- Sparkles* – sleeve and booklet design; photography
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2016)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|UK2|27|date=2016-07-08|rowheader=true|accessdate=9 July 2016}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
- https://newnoisemagazine.com/reviews/album-review-area-11-modern-synthesis/
{{Authority control}}