Stridulum isn't Zola Jesus's first album, but it's the first album where she really begins to create music more in-line with her modern releases. Less distortion, less singing from behind a wall of sound, but all of the goth-industrial overtones are still present.
Very few weak moments on this album. "Sea Talk" and "Night" carry this album and even the weakest tracks fit the common themes and sound of the album.
The Longest Journey is one of the greatest graphical adventure games ever created. The late 90s release covers April Ryan's discovery and subsequent exploration of a parallel universe. The parallel universe is guided by magic, while her home universe is guided by science and technology, much like our own. The delicate balance between magic and science must be sustained or else catastrophe will ensure.
The soundtrack is exceptional even as a standalone work. Definitely check out this game (and there's an early puzzle involving a rubber ducky that it's best to just look up the solution to) and the soundtrack!
INTERNET ARCHIVE / YOUTUBE
The soundtrack is top notch! Definitely check it out!
.. AND THE INTRO:
